VINOD KELOTH

PGT ENGLISH
KV CHABUA, ASSAM
BY:-ANEES JUNG
 LOST SPRING
Anees Jung has tried to highlight the
plight of life of poor people and the
children who are exploited either by
their uneducated & poor, helpless
parents and the society , who employ
them as child laborers.
Spring of life refers to happiness.
Lost Spring is lost happiness

• Seemapuri is on the border (periphery) of Delhi where

about 10,000 families of rag-pickers live.

They have come from Dhaka, Bangladesh in 1971 as their

lands and houses were devastated by storm
» SETTLEMENT AT SEEMAPURI
» Huts - mud houses, tarpaulin, and tin-roofed,
poor sanitation, no safe drinking water, no
sewage compelled to live sub-standard life in
slum. Though they are on the outskirt of Delhi
they are living in a miserable life which in no
way can match the life in Delhi.
» They have ration cards to buy grains and are
vote banks for politicians but are compelled to
lead a poor life.
» Both children and elders are rag pickers.
Garbage hold different meanings:
» for elders it is means of livelihood
» but for children it is gold mine, they get
surprises –coins& currency notes..
» Children are deprived of schooling, fulfilling
their dreams and wearing shoes
» They are the gang of rag-pickers who move in
local areas, bare footed with semi-naked body
collecting and carrying bags full of rags
–SHAHEB-E-ALAM
– A rag-picker whose name means lord of the
universe (is ironical as he is a rag picker)

– He is 10 years old – has a dream to go to

school, wear tennis shoes and play tennis-
(unfulfilled dream)

– Gets a discarded pair of tennis shoes.

– Later works in a tea stall (Rs. 800/- salary)

but is no more master of his own (has no
freedom).

– He is thus unhappy. The weight of tin

canister is heavier than the bag of rags
• GLASS BANGLE FACTORY AT
FIROZABAD
• It is hub for bangle making
• WORKING PLACE
• Small huts-dark, no light and very poor
ventilation, high temperature, full of smokes-
lanes of their shanty town, stink of garbage,
hovels of disintegrating walls, unsteady doors
no windows, very narrow lane, over crowded
with humans and animals

• Thousands of adults and 20,000 children work

there risking their eyes and health.

• Dust of polishing glass bangles adversely

affects their eyes and lungs.
• ECONOMIC CONDITON
• Very bad- exploited by Shaahukaars
(money lenders), Middleman, politicians,
police and bureaucrats

• All the profits are bagged by them

• Workers are not allowed to form guilds or

worker’s union and are beaten and
exploited

• They are compelled to lead sub-standard,

unhealthy and deprived life.

• Possible hazards-
• accidents, loss of vision, skin burns,
bronchitis physical and mental weakness,
and genetic problems due to exposure to
chemicals
• MUKESH
• A child labour in family profession of
bangle making at Firozabad

• He is daring and different from other

young children of Firozabad who have
submitted to age-old miseries and
traditional profession.

• Workers do not get even two times

meal everyday
• Mukesh wants to become a motor
mechanic and his own master
• He is ready to travel long way to
garage.
 TEST YOUR COMPREHENSION
• Q1. Who Is Saheb? What is irony about his name?

• Q2. Who are the rag pickers of Seemapuri? How does the meaning
for garbage differ for elders and children?

• Q3. Why is the life of slum dwellers of Seemapuri quite different

from the life of people living in Delhi?

• Q4. What are the conditions of the rag-pickers?

• Q5. What is Saheb’s dream?

• Q6. Why is Saheb unhappy while working at tea stall?

• Q7. Who is Mukesh? What is his ambition?

• Q8. Describe the life of people of Glass bangle factory of

Firozabad?

• Q9. Who exploits the bangle workers of Firozabad?

• Q10. What is Firozabad is famous for?

• Q11. Describe the working condition of bangle making at

Firozabad?