Lost Spring – Stories of Stolen Childhood
Part I – Sometimes I Find a Rupee in the Garbage
Saheb the Ragpicker
Saheb is a young boy from Bangladesh. His family lost their home and fields in floods and came to Delhi in search of a better life.
Every morning, Saheb and other children collect garbage, hoping to find something valuable. For them, garbage is like “gold.”
When asked why he doesn’t go to school, Saheb replies that there is no school nearby. The author once jokingly promises to open one, but later feels guilty because poor children often hear such false promises.
The Irony of His Name
Saheb’s full name is *Saheb-e-Alam*, which means “Lord of the Universe.”
The irony is that, instead of being powerful, he is a poor ragpicker walking barefoot on the streets.
Barefoot Children
Many poor children walk without shoes. Some say it is tradition, but in reality, it shows poverty.
The author recalls a boy in Udipi who once prayed for shoes. Years later, children there have shoes, but ragpickers in Delhi still remain barefoot.
Seemapuri – The Ragpickers’ Colony
Saheb lives in Seemapuri, on the edge of Delhi, with thousands of other Bangladeshi migrants.
They live in mud houses with tin roofs, no clean water, and no sanitation.
They have ration cards but no real identity. For them, survival is more important than identity.
For parents, garbage means food and shelter. For children, it is full of surprises—sometimes they even find coins or notes.
Saheb Loses His Freedom
One day, Saheb is seen working at a tea stall. He earns ₹800 and meals.
But he looks unhappy. Earlier, when he carried a plastic bag, he was free. Now, the steel canister he carries belongs to the tea shop owner. He is no longer his own master.
Part II – I Want to Drive a Car
Mukesh’s Dream
In Firozabad, the centre of India’s glass-bangle industry, the author meets Mukesh.
Unlike others, Mukesh dreams of becoming a motor mechanic and learning to drive a car.
The Harsh Reality of Bangle-Making
Almost every family in Firozabad is involved in bangle-making.
Children work in hot furnaces and dark rooms, which is illegal and dangerous. Many lose their eyesight at a young age.
Mukesh’s family lives in poverty. His father and grandfather were bangle-makers. His grandmother believes it is their destiny and cannot be changed.
The Cycle of Poverty
Families are trapped in poverty and caste traditions.
They are also exploited by moneylenders, middlemen, politicians, and police.
If they try to protest or form cooperatives, they are punished.
As a result, most children accept this life as natural, just like their parents did.
A Ray of Hope
Despite all this, Mukesh dares to dream differently.
He does not want to fly planes or do something impossible. He simply wants to learn cars and become a mechanic.
His determination gives hope that he may break free from the cycle of poverty.
Conclusion
The chapter **“Lost Spring”** shows how poverty and social injustice steal the childhood of many children in India.
Saheb represents children who lose freedom and joy while struggling to survive.
Mukesh represents hope, as he dares to dream of a better future.
NCERT Solutions (Page 20)
Q1. Reasons for migration from villages to cities
• Work opportunities, better education, healthcare, or natural disasters.
Q2. Are promises to poor children rarely kept?
• Yes, they are often false hopes, as seen in Saheb’s case.
Q3. What forces keep Firozabad workers in poverty?
• Exploitation by sahukars, middlemen, politicians, police, and caste stigma.
Q1. How can Mukesh realise his dream?
• By staying determined, working hard, and learning at a garage.
Q2. Hazards of working in the glass bangle industry
• Extreme heat, suffocation, poor ventilation, polishing dust, and loss of eyesight.
Q3. Why should child labour be eliminated and how?
• It robs children of education and safety.
• Solutions: strict laws, penalties, awareness among parents, public vigilance, and police monitoring.