Lost Spring ( Anees Jung ) Important Short and Long Question Class 12 Chapter-2 Book-Flamingo

Stories of Stolen Childhood

Q-1. "Garbage to them is gold." Why does the author say so about the ragpickers?

Ans: 

The author says that garbage is like gold for the ragpickers because it is their source of livelihood. They search through the garbage hoping to find something valuable that they can sell. For them, garbage means survival, as it helps them earn money for food and basic needs.

Q-2. "Food is more important for survival than an identity for the ragpickers," says the author. Do you agree? Why?

Ans: 

Yes, I agree with the author because the ragpickers live in extreme poverty. Their main struggle is to get food every day to survive. Having an identity, like proper documents or a recognized status in society, is not their priority because it does not fill their stomachs. They are more focused on earning their daily bread than on their social identity.

Q-3. Where does the narrator, Anees Jung, encounter Saheb every morning?

Ans: 

The narrator encounters Saheb every morning in the streets of her neighborhood. He is usually searching for something useful in the garbage dumps with other ragpickers.

Q-4. What is Saheb looking for in the garbage dumps?

Ans: 

Saheb is looking for something valuable in the garbage dumps, such as old plastic, metal, or discarded items that he can sell to earn money. Sometimes, he also hopes to find coins or other useful things.

Q-5. What is the irony in the name "Saheb-e-Alam"?

Ans: 

The name "Saheb-e-Alam" means "Lord of the Universe," which suggests wealth and power. However, the irony is that Saheb is a poor ragpicker who struggles to get even basic necessities like food. His name does not match his harsh reality of poverty and helplessness.

I want to drive a car 

Q-1. Mention the hazards of working in the glass bangles industry.

Ans: 

The glass bangle industry is dangerous for workers. Some of the major hazards include:

• Health problems: Working in glass furnaces and small, dark rooms causes eye problems, including blindness.

• Injuries: The workers handle sharp glass pieces, which can cause deep cuts and wounds.

• Lung diseases: The constant exposure to glass dust and smoke leads to breathing problems and lung diseases.

• Child labor: Many children work in this industry, which affects their education and future.

Q-2. How, in your opinion, can Mukesh realize his dream?

Ans: 

Mukesh dreams of becoming a car mechanic instead of working in the glass bangle industry. He can achieve his dream by:

• Joining a mechanic training center to learn the required skills.

• Finding a mentor who can teach him about cars.

• Working hard and being determined to leave the bangle industry.

• Seeking support from people who believe in education and skill development.

Q-3. What forces conspire to keep the workers in the bangle industry?

Ans: 

Several forces keep the workers trapped in the bangle industry:

• Poverty: Most families are too poor to escape this work.

• Tradition: The industry has been running for generations, and families believe they cannot do anything else.

• Middlemen and moneylenders: They trap workers in debt, making it impossible for them to leave.

• Lack of education: Since children start working at a young age, they do not get proper education to seek better jobs.

• Government neglect: There are no strong laws or efforts to stop child labor and improve conditions.

Q-4. Character sketch of Mukesh

Ans: 

Mukesh is a young boy from Firozabad who dreams of breaking free from the glass bangle industry. Unlike others in his community, he does not want to follow the traditional path of bangle-making. He is determined, ambitious, and courageous. His dream is to become a car mechanic, and he is willing to work hard for it. He does not accept his fate and believes in changing his life through hard work and persistence.