Presenting Lost Spring NCERT Solutions for Class 12 students. These user-friendly page-wise solutions from the Flamingo book are written to help you excel in your upcoming 2023-24 Board Exam and other exams. Discover Chapter 2, Lost Spring, and unlock the invaluable NCERT Solutions provided here.
Lost Spring NCERT Solutions
Table of Contents
Think-as-you-read Questions- Page Number- 17 Lost Spring NCERT Solutions
1. What is Saheb looking for in the garbage dumps? Where is he and Si here has he come from?
Ans. Garbage is gold for Saheb. He is looking for a rupee coin in it. Apart from money, he finds other valuable objects from this garbage. He lives at Seemapuri, at the. the periphery of Delhi and his parents migrated from a village in Bangladesh.
2. What explanation does the author offer for the children not wearing footwear?
Ans. Thousands of children in our country belong to the underprivileged classes. They are too poor to afford footwear. But some of them give tradition as an excuse to remain barefoot. But the author thinks it to be just a fake excuse.
3. Is Saheb happy working at the tea-stall? Explain.
Ans.No, Saheb is not happy working, at the tea-stall. Though he is now earning 1800 per month along with two times’ meal, yet he has lost the carefree look at his face. He is no longer his own master and has lost his freedom.
Think-as-you-read Questions- Page Number- 20 Lost Spring NCERT Solutions
1. What makes the city of Firozabad famous?
Ans. The city of Firozabad is famous for bangles. The bangle making industry of Firozabad is famous all over the world. It is India’s largest glass blowing industry where glass is welded into colourful bangles.
2. Mention the hazards of working in the glass bangles industry.
Ans. The glass bangles industry is a real threat to the health of workers. The workers in these factories work in dingy cells without sufficient air and light and that too with high temperatures. As a result, most of them lose their eyesight and develop lung and brain-related diseases.
3. How is Mukesh’s attitude to his situation different from that of his family?
Ans. Mukesh does not want to compromise with his destiny. He is ambitious and wants to be his own master. He does not want to spend his life making bangles. He wants to do something different. He wants to become a motor mechanic and drive a car.
Understanding the Text Page Number- 20 Lost Spring NCERT Solutions
1. What could be some of the reasons for the migration of people from villages to cities?
Ans. The main reason for the migration of people from villages to cities is poverty which is due to unemployment. It has resulted in exploitation. There is no infrastructural development in villages. People have very few opportunities for employment. As a result, they move to cities to earn their livelihood.
2.Would you agree that promises made to the poor children are rarely kept? Why do you think this happens in the incidents narrated in the text?
Ans. Promises made to the poor children are rarely kept. Saheb, along with his family, lives in the vain hope that one day their condition will improve. Saheb believes the author that soon she will open a school and he will go to study there. But such promises never materialise.
3. What forces conspire to keep the workers in the bangles industry of Firozabad in poverty?
Ans. Bangle makers think that it is the only skill they pos. They have a belief that it is the only work they can do as they are born in the community of bangle makers. Moreover, they have fallen into the vicious clutches of the middlemen, politicians, bureaucrats, sahukars and policemen.
Talking about the Text Page Number 20 Lost Spring NCERT Solutions
1. How, in your opinion, can Mukesh realize his dream?
Ans. Mukesh wants to be a motor mechanic. This is totally against the family tradition of making bangles. For his family, the very thought of doing something else is daring. So, Mukesh has to be bold and confident to fulfil his dream. He is strong enough to face and withstand the opposition of his family and society. He can do this only by his grit and determination.
2.Mention the hazards of working in the glass bangles industry.
Ans: Working in the glass bangles industry poses several hazards and risks for the workers involved. Some of the hazards include:
- Glass Fragments: The production process of glass bangles involves handling and working with glass materials, which can lead to cuts and injuries from sharp glass fragments.
- Burns and Heat: Glass bangles are made by heating glass in furnaces or kilns, exposing workers to high temperatures and the risk of burns.
- Chemical Exposure: Workers may come into contact with various chemicals used in the glass industry, such as solvents, adhesives, and dyes. Prolonged exposure to these chemicals can lead to skin irritations, respiratory issues, and other health problems.
- Respiratory Issues: The glass manufacturing process can generate fine glass dust and particles that workers may inhale, leading to respiratory problems like coughing, wheezing, and long-term lung damage.
- Eye Injuries: Handling glass materials without proper eye protection can lead to eye injuries from glass shards, fragments, or flying debris.
- Poor Working Conditions: Many workers in the glass bangles industry operate in small, cramped, and poorly ventilated spaces, which can contribute to discomfort, fatigue, and a higher risk of accidents.
It is crucial to address these hazards and ensure the implementation of safety measures and regulations to protect the well-being and health of workers in the glass bangles industry.
3.Why should child labour be eliminated and how?
Ans: Child labor must be eliminated as it denies children their rights, hinders their development, and limits their access to education and a better future. Here’s why child labor should be ended:
- Education: Child labor deprives children of education, which is crucial for escaping poverty and gaining opportunities.
- Health and Well-being: Children involved in labor face hazardous conditions, jeopardizing their well-being and development.
- Future Prospects: Child labor perpetuates the cycle of poverty, hindering children from acquiring skills and improving their living conditions as adults.
- Human Rights: Child labor violates children’s fundamental rights, including protection from exploitation and hazardous work.
To eliminate child labor, we need:
- Education and Awareness: Promote quality education for all children and raise awareness about the harms of child labor.
- Legislation: Strengthen and enforce laws against child labor, particularly in high-prevalence industries, with effective monitoring systems.
- Social Support: Provide assistance to impoverished families to fulfill their basic needs, reducing the economic necessity of child labor.
- Skill Development: Implement programs that equip children and families with skills for sustainable livelihoods, offering alternatives to child labor.
- Corporate Responsibility: Encourage businesses to adopt ethical labor practices and eliminate child labor from supply chains.
- International Cooperation: Foster global collaboration between governments, organizations, and civil society to combat child labor through shared resources and expertise.
Thinking About the Language- Page Number 21 Lost Spring NCERT Solutions
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: Here are the identified literary devices in the given examples:
1.Hyperbole: Saheb-e-Alam, meaning “the lord of the universe,” is used in direct contrast to what Saheb actually is in reality.
2.Metaphor: “Drowned in an air of desolation” compares the state of being surrounded by desolation to being submerged in water.
3.Metaphor: Seemapuri, described as “a place on the periphery of Delhi yet miles away from it,” is metaphorical, implying that it is physically close but socially and economically distant.
4.Metaphor: “Wrapped in wonder” describes the children’s perception of bangles with a sense of fascination, while for the elders, bangles serve as a means of survival.
5.Simile: The phrase “like the tongs of a machine” compares the mechanical movement of the hands to the robotic motion of machine tongs.
6.Metaphor: The statement “She still has bangles on her wrist, but not light in her eyes” compares the absence of light in her eyes to the absence of joy or hope.
7.Hyperbole: The statement “Few airplanes fly over Firozabad” exaggerates the rarity of airplanes passing through that area.
8.Metaphor: “Web of poverty” uses the image of a web to describe the entrapment and complexity of poverty.
9.Hyperbole: “Scrounging for gold” exaggerates the significance of the scavenging activity, implying that they are searching for something extremely valuable.
10.Metaphor: “Survival in Seemapuri means rag-picking” compares survival to the act of rag-picking, suggesting that it has become an essential and refined skill.
11.Simile: “The steel canister seems heavier than the plastic bag he would carry so lightly over his shoulders” compares the weight of the steel canister to the previously carried lightweight plastic bag using the word “than” for comparison.
Things to do Page Number 22 Lost Spring NCERT Solutions
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.
- Look around and find examples of such paradoxes.
- 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…
Look around and find examples of such paradoxes.
Ans: In many parts of the world, paradoxes exist where the beauty of certain products contrasts sharply with the misery of the people who produce them. One such example can be found in the realm of fashion and garment industries. Take the shimmering fabrics and exquisite clothing that grace the runways and fill our wardrobes. They evoke elegance, style, and allure. Yet, behind the scenes, the lives of garment factory workers often tell a different story.
In bustling cities, these workers labor tirelessly in dimly lit factories, meticulously stitching together the very garments that captivate the fashion-conscious. They endure long hours, cramped spaces, and meager wages. Their toil fuels the fashion industry’s glamour, while their own lives remain ensnared in hardship.
These workers, predominantly from marginalized communities, face a harsh reality that stands in stark contrast to the garments they create. Their cramped living conditions and limited access to basic necessities are often overlooked amidst the allure of the fashion world. The irony lies in the fact that their craftsmanship adorns the wealthy, while their own lives remain burdened by poverty.
It is vital that we acknowledge these paradoxes and strive for change. As consumers, we hold the power to demand fair labor practices and ethical sourcing. By supporting brands that prioritize the well-being of their workers and advocating for transparency in supply chains, we can contribute to a more equitable and just industry.
Let us remember that behind every product, there are individuals who deserve fair treatment and dignified lives. Only by unraveling these paradoxes and addressing the systemic issues within various industries can we pave the way for a more compassionate and inclusive society.
Write a paragraph of about 200 to 250 words on any one of them. You can start by making notes.
Ans : In many parts of the world, a perplexing paradox exists, where the allure and beauty of certain products starkly contrast with the abject misery and hardships endured by the individuals who produce them. This paradox is particularly evident in the realm of fashion and garment industries. On one hand, fashion represents creativity, expression, and the epitome of style, captivating millions of consumers globally. The glamorous runways, glossy magazines, and luxurious boutiques showcase exquisite designs that inspire admiration and desire. However, behind the shimmering façade lies a harsh reality for the people who toil in the shadows of this industry.
Within the garment sector, primarily in developing countries, countless workers, often women and children, labor under exploitative conditions. They endure long hours, meager wages, and hazardous environments, all while contributing to the creation of high-end fashion garments that grace the catwalks and fill the racks of renowned brands. These individuals, hidden in the global supply chains, work in cramped factories, often lacking proper safety measures, as they stitch, cut, and assemble garments with meticulous precision. Their hands bring to life the very products that embody glamour and sophistication, yet their own lives remain trapped in a cycle of poverty and vulnerability.
The contradiction between the opulence of the fashion industry and the plight of its workers raises ethical concerns and questions about the responsibility of consumers, brands, and governments alike. While consumers revel in the latest fashion trends, often unaware of the human cost behind their clothing, the exploitation and injustice persist. Brands, driven by profit margins and the demand for inexpensive garments, may turn a blind eye to the working conditions within their supply chains, perpetuating the cycle of exploitation. Governments, burdened by complex economic challenges, may struggle to enforce regulations that protect the rights and well-being of these marginalized workers.
Addressing this paradox requires collective action and a commitment to change. Consumers can educate themselves about the origins of their clothing, support ethical and sustainable fashion brands, and advocate for greater transparency in supply chains. Brands can embrace responsible business practices, ensuring fair wages, safe working conditions, and respect for workers’ rights throughout their supply chains. Governments can enforce and strengthen labor laws, collaborate with industry stakeholders, and promote sustainable and inclusive economic development.
Only through such concerted efforts can we hope to reconcile the dissonance between the allure of fashion and the suffering of those who bring it to life. By fostering a fashion industry that values not only beauty but also human dignity, we can strive towards a world where the products we adore are not tainted by the exploitation of those who create them.