LOST SPRING
Stories of Stolen Childhood
About the Author
Anees Jung was born in Rourkela
in 1964. She spent her childhood
and adolescence in Hyderabad.
She is an Indian journalist and
columnist for major newspapers in
India and abroad and has
authored several books. She is
famed for her work ‘Unveiling
India ‘ (1987). The lesson is an
excerpt from her book titled ‘Lost
Spring, Storiesof Stolen Childhood’
THEME
‘Lost Spring’ is a fascinating and revelatory description of the plight of
street children forced into labour early in life and denied the opportunity
of schooling. The callousness of society and the political class to the
sufferings of the poor are brought to the forefront. The lesson analyzes
the grinding poverty and traditions prevailing in the country. It sensitizes
the readers to step forward to save the spring (childhood) of beautiful
human life so that many children would be able to avail the
opportunities to realize their dreams.
Spring – Metaphor of Life
Spring is the season of merry-making and cheerfulness.
Childhood is also a stage of life for merry-making and
cheerfulness. But children have become victims of child labour
and exploitation, losing their cheerfulness, i.e. childhood. In
other words, they have lost their ‘spring’. Thus ‘Spring’ has been
used as a Metaphor of Life.
“Sometimes I find a Rupee in the garbage”–
Saheb-e-Alam. Locale – Seemapuri
Anees Jung’s encounter with Saheb – a refugee from Bangladesh
He does rag picking for survival and lives in miserable unhygienic
conditions.
Bangladesh refugees have been living in Seemapuri since 1971, without
permits but with only ration cards
Saheb has a dream to go to school
that remains unfulfilled. His name
is ‘Saheb-e-Alam’ which Saheb
has a dream to go to school
means ‘lord of the universe’.
Ironically, he is a rag picker. He
does not wear chappals and says
that it is a tradition to remain
barefoot.It is basically due to a
perpetual state of poverty.
Garbage hold Different Meanings:
For elders it is a means of livelihood
But for children it is a gold mine. They get surprises – coins and currency
notes . Children are deprived of schooling and fulfilling their dreams.
Through the years , rag picking has acquired the proportions of a fine
art.
“I want to drive a car” – Mukesh
Locale- FIROZABAD
A child labour in family profession
of bangle making at Firozabad. He
is daring and different from other
young children who have submitted
to age-old miseries and traditional
profession. Workers do not even
get a square meal a day. Mukesh
dreams of becoming a motor
mechanic and his own master. He
is ready to walk a long way from
his home to the garage.
Mukesh wants to take the
initiative to change the family
trend of bangle making.
He is determined and resolute to
become a motor mechanic come
what may in his way.
Mukesh had no dreams of soaring
too high, like flying a plane, and
wants only to be in reality.
Savita is a young girl busy in
making bangles without even
knowing its hidden symbolism of
an Indian woman’s suhaag. She is
innocent as she is ignorant about
the sanctity of the bangles she
helps to make. One day when she
will become a bride, she will
realize that.
TWO DISTINCT WORLDS
First is of the bangle makers caught in a web of poverty.
Second is of the sahukars, the middlemen, the policemen, the
keepers of law, the bureaucrats and the politicians.
All the profits are bagged by them.
Workers are not allowed to form 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, physical and
mental weakness and genetic problems due to adverse working
conditions.
The story “Lost Spring” sheds
light on the harsh realities of
poverty and childhood labour
in India. It’s Exposes the
systemic problems that
perpetuatethese issues and
the need for the social
change to address them
Thank you
S.Cathrene Treesa
X11 B
