“Lost Spring” by Anees Jung explores the harsh realities of child labor in India through the stories of Saheb-e-Alam, a ragpicker in Seemapuri, and Mukesh, a bangle maker in Firozabad.
Saheb, a refugee from Bangladesh, is forced into ragpicking to survive, losing his childhood in the process. Jung contrasts his initial freedom with his later servitude at a tea stall. Mukesh, despite living in a cycle of poverty and hazardous working conditions in the bangle industry, dreams of becoming a motor mechanic. His determination to break free from his family’s traditional profession highlights the possibility of hope amidst despair.
The chapter reveals the systemic exploitation that traps these children in poverty, robbing them of their childhood and dreams. Jung’s work exposes the indifference of society and the government’s failure to address these issues, emphasizing the urgent need for change.
Exercise
Think as you read
1. What is Saheb looking for in the garbage dumps? Where is he and where has he come from?
Ans:
Saheb searches the garbage heaps for anything of monetary value, essentially “treasure” in the form of coins or recyclable materials, to sustain himself. He resides in Seemapuri, a shantytown located on the periphery of Delhi. He originated from Dhaka, Bangladesh, relocating to Seemapuri with his family and numerous others after catastrophic storms devastated their homes and agricultural lands.
2. What explanations does the author offer for the children not wearing footwear?
Ans:
The author, Anees Jung, offers several explanations for the children’s lack of footwear. Initially, she observes it and attributes it to a “tradition to stay barefoot,” a seemingly cultural or habitual practice. However, she quickly recognizes the inadequacy of this explanation, suspecting it might be a mere excuse to conceal a state of perpetual poverty. She then delves deeper, suggesting that it’s a stark reflection of their economic hardship. For these children, shoes are a luxury they cannot afford. The lack of footwear is a tangible symbol of their deprivation, a constant reminder of their marginalized existence. Ultimately, the author implies that the absence of shoes is not a matter of choice or tradition, but a direct consequence of systemic poverty that forces them to live without basic necessities.
3. Is Saheb happy working at the tea-stall? Explain.
Ans:
Saheb’s employment at the tea stall does not bring him contentment. Though he gains a regular income and meals, he sacrifices his autonomy. The steel container he now handles feels more burdensome than his former ragpicking bag. His once uninhibited demeanor is replaced with a sense of forced labor. He transitions from self-reliance to serving another. The author notes the disappearance of his youthful exuberance. This job symbolizes a surrender of independence and the imposition of a regimented existence, a stark contrast to the relative freedom he experienced as a ragpicker. Consequently, the stability of a paycheck is outweighed by the forfeiture of his liberty and youthful energy.
4. What makes the city of Firozabad famous?
Ans:
Firozabad is renowned for its extensive bangle-making industry.
It serves as the heart of India’s glassblowing sector, with a significant portion of its population involved in the production of bangles.
5. Mention the hazards of working in the glass bangles industry.
Ans:
Working in the glass bangle industry in Firozabad poses numerous health and safety hazards. Workers, often children, are exposed to extremely high temperatures from furnaces without protective gear. They work in dingy cells without proper ventilation, leading to eye problems and respiratory diseases. The fine glass dust and fumes contribute to lung ailments. The cramped conditions and lack of safety measures increase the risk of accidents and injuries. Moreover, the constant exposure to intense heat and bright light severely affects their eyesight. These hazardous conditions create a cycle of poverty and ill health, trapping generations of workers in a dangerous and exploitative environment.
6. How is Mukesh’s attitude to his situation different from that of his family?
Ans:
Mukesh’s attitude towards his situation differs significantly from that of his family. While his family accepts their fate as bangle makers, trapped in a cycle of poverty and tradition, Mukesh dreams of breaking free. He aspires to become a motor mechanic, a profession outside the confines of their caste-prescribed work.
His family views their plight as an inevitable consequence of their destiny, a burden they must bear.
They are resigned to their circumstances, lacking the will or imagination to envision a different future. Mukesh, however, displays a rare spark of ambition and a desire for autonomy. He is willing to work hard and learn, demonstrating a determination to escape the suffocating cycle of bangle making. He refuses to conform to the traditional mindset, revealing a sense of agency and a belief in the possibility of change.
Understanding the text
1. What could be some of the reasons for the migration of people from villages to cities?
Ans:
People migrate from villages to cities for a multitude of reasons, primarily driven by the search for improved economic opportunities. Cities often offer a wider range of jobs, higher wages, and better access to resources compared to rural areas.
Beyond economic factors, access to better education and healthcare facilities is a significant motivator. Cities provide a greater variety of educational institutions and specialized medical services. Social factors also play a role, with people seeking a more diverse and vibrant social environment, escaping the often-limited social interactions of village life. Natural disasters, like floods or droughts, and agricultural decline can force families to relocate in search of survival. Ultimately, the allure of a better quality of life and the promise of upward mobility drive many to leave their rural homes for urban centers.
2. Would you agree that promises made to poor children are rarely kept? Why do you think this happens in the incidents narrated in the text?
Ans:
Yes, it’s evident from the text that promises made to poor children are rarely kept. This occurs due to the systemic poverty and exploitation they face. Promises are often made by those in positions of power, like employers or authorities, who have no genuine intention of fulfilling them.
In “Lost Spring,” the author highlights the empty promises of a better life. The harsh realities of child labor and poverty render these promises meaningless. The children’s vulnerability and lack of power make it easy for those in control to disregard their commitments. The cycle of poverty perpetuates this, as the children are trapped with limited means to hold anyone accountable.
3. What forces conspire to keep the workers in the bangle industry of Firozabad in poverty?
Ans:
Several forces conspire to keep the bangle workers of Firozabad trapped in poverty. The vicious cycle begins with the inherited occupation, a caste-bound tradition that forces generations into the same hazardous work. They are exploited by middlemen, moneylenders, and politicians, who form a dark circle of oppression, denying them fair wages and opportunities.
The lack of education and awareness limits their ability to seek alternatives. The constant exposure to hazardous working conditions leads to debilitating health issues, further diminishing their earning potential. The fear of authority and the absence of organized resistance perpetuate their helplessness. Ultimately, a combination of social, economic, and political factors creates an inescapable web of poverty.
Talking about the text
1. How, in your opinion, can Mukesh realise his dream?
Ans:
Mukesh’s realization of his dream to become a motor mechanic hinges on his unwavering determination and a break from the traditional cycle that binds his community. He must first escape the exploitative system of the bangle industry, which requires him to seek opportunities outside Firozabad. Access to proper education and vocational training in motor mechanics is crucial. He would need to be resilient, overcoming the social and economic barriers that have confined his family for generations. Establishing connections with individuals who can mentor and guide him in his chosen profession would be highly beneficial. Financial stability, possibly through small loans or savings, would allow him to afford the necessary tools and resources. Finally, a strong support system, perhaps from like-minded individuals, would reinforce his resolve and help him navigate the challenges he will inevitably face.
2. Mention the hazards of working in the glass bangles industry.
Ans:
Working in the glass bangle industry presents severe health and safety hazards. Workers, including many children, face intense heat from furnaces without protective gear. They often labor in poorly ventilated, dark cells, leading to eye problems and respiratory illnesses. The inhalation of glass dust and fumes contributes to lung diseases. The cramped and unsafe conditions increase the risk of accidents and injuries. The constant exposure to high temperatures and bright light severely damages eyesight. These dangers perpetuate a cycle of poverty and ill health.
3. Why should child labour be eliminated and how?
Ans:
Child labor should be eliminated because it robs children of their fundamental rights, including education, health, and a normal childhood.
It perpetuates a cycle of poverty, denying them the opportunity to develop their full potential and contribute meaningfully to society. Children forced into labor are often subjected to hazardous working conditions, physical abuse, and emotional trauma, causing long-term damage. To eliminate child labor, a multi-pronged approach is necessary. Governments must enforce strict laws against child labor and provide access to free, quality education. Businesses should implement ethical supply chains that ensure no child labor is involved. Raising public awareness about the issue and supporting organizations working to rescue and rehabilitate child laborers are also crucial. Finally, addressing the root causes of poverty through economic development and social welfare programs can help prevent families from resorting to child labor as a means of survival.
Thinking about language
Although this text speaks of factual events and situations of misery it transforms these situations with an almost poetical prose into a literary experience. How does it do so? Here are some literary devices:
• Hyperbole is a way of speaking or writing that makes something sound better or more exciting than it really is. For example: Garbage to them is gold.
• A Metaphor, as you may know, compares two things or ideas that are not very similar. A metaphor describes a thing in terms of a single quality or feature of some other thing; we can say that a metaphor “transfers” a quality of one thing to another. For example: The road was a ribbon of light.
• Simile is a word or phrase that compares one thing with another using the words “like” or “as”. For example: As white as snow.
Carefully read the following phrases and sentences taken from the text. Can you identify the literary device in each example?
1. Saheb-e-Alam which means the lord of the universe is directly in contrast to what Saheb is in reality.
2. Drowned in an air of desolation.
3. Seemapuri, a place on the periphery of Delhi yet miles away from it, metaphorically.
4. For the children it is wrapped in wonder; for the elders it is a means of survival.
5. As her hands move mechanically like the tongs of a machine, I wonder if she knows the sanctity of the bangles she helps make.
6. She still has bangles on her wrist, but not light in her eyes.
7. Few airplanes fly over Firozabad.
8. Web of poverty.
9. Scrounging for gold.
10. And survival in Seemapuri means rag-picking. Through the years, it has acquired the proportions of a fine art.
11. The steel canister seems heavier than the plastic bag he would carry so lightly over his shoulders.
Ans:
The author effectively utilizes various literary tools to transform the factual accounts of poverty into a deeply affecting literary work.
- The stark discrepancy between Saheb’s name, meaning “lord of the universe,” and his actual destitute existence creates a powerful sense of irony and contrast.
- The phrase “drowned in an air of desolation” uses a metaphor to convey the overwhelming sense of sadness and emptiness that pervades the environment.
- The description of Seemapuri as “miles away” from Delhi, despite its physical proximity, employs a metaphor and paradox to highlight the social and economic divide.
- The contrasting perspectives on garbage, “wrapped in wonder” for children and “a means of survival” for elders, illustrate the harsh realities of poverty through contrast.
- The simile comparing a woman’s hands to “tongs of a machine” and the irony of her unawareness of the bangles’ significance underscore the dehumanizing nature of labor.
- The juxtaposition of “bangles on her wrist” with “no light in her eyes” uses contrast and symbolism to depict the loss of hope and joy amidst material objects.
- The scarcity of airplanes flying over Firozabad serves as a symbol of the city’s isolation and stagnation.
- The “web of poverty” is a metaphor that emphasizes the intricate and inescapable nature of their plight.
- “Scrounging for gold” employs a metaphor and hyperbole to exaggerate the meager earnings and highlight their desperation.
- The ironic elevation of rag-picking to “fine art” uses irony and hyperbole to underscore the absurdity and necessity of their situation.
- The contrast between the “steel canister” and the “plastic bag” uses contrast and symbolism to illustrate Saheb’s loss of independence.
Through these literary devices, the author transcends mere factual reporting, creating a narrative that resonates emotionally and provides a profound commentary on social issues.
- Things to do
The beauty of the glass bangles of Firozabad contrasts with the misery of people who produce them.
This paradox is also found in some other situations, for example, those who work in gold and diamond mines, or carpet weaving factories, and the products of their labour, the lives of construction workers, and the buildings they build.
- l Look around and find examples of such paradoxes.
- l Write a paragraph of about 200 to 250 words on any one of them. You can start by making notes.
Here is an example of how one such paragraph may begin:
You never see the poor in this town. By day they toil, working cranes and earthmovers, squirreling deep into the hot sand to lay the foundations of chrome. By night they are banished to bleak labour camps at the outskirts of the city…
Ans:
Notes:
- Industry: Construction of luxury apartments/high-rise buildings.
- Paradox: Lavish homes built by workers living in abject poverty.
- Workers’ conditions: Temporary, makeshift shelters, lack of basic amenities, long hours, hazardous conditions.
- Contrast: Gleaming, modern structures vs. dilapidated living conditions.
- Social implications: Invisible labor, exploitation, stark class divide.
Paragraph:
The towering skyline of metropolitan cities, a testament to modern architectural prowess, often conceals a stark and unsettling paradox: the gleaming luxury apartments and commercial complexes are built by laborers who exist in the shadows, their lives a world apart from the opulence they create. You rarely glimpse these workers within the city’s heart; their presence is relegated to the periphery. By day, they are the unseen architects of urban expansion, toiling under the relentless sun, manipulating cranes and earthmovers, and laying the very foundations of these chrome and glass structures. Their hands, calloused and worn, shape the smooth, polished surfaces that will house the city’s elite. Yet, when the sun sets, they are banished to makeshift labor camps on the outskirts, where corrugated iron sheets and tattered tarpaulins form their temporary homes. These shelters, devoid of basic amenities, stand in stark contrast to the luxurious interiors they craft. The lack of clean water, sanitation, and adequate living space paints a grim picture of their reality. The long, arduous hours, coupled with hazardous working conditions, take a heavy toll on their health and well-being. This invisible workforce, essential to the city’s growth, lives a life of stark deprivation, a poignant reminder of the deep social and economic divide that exists within our urban landscapes. The very structures that symbolize prosperity are, in fact, built on a foundation of exploitation, a silent testament to the hidden cost of progress.
