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INDIGO (MLL)

By Luise Fischer

A. Answer the following in 30-40 words each.

1. Why is Rajkumar Shukla described as being ‘resolute’?

Ans: Rajkumar Shukla was a poor peasant from Champaran district in Bihar. He had come all the way to Lucknow, where a Congress session was being held, to speak to Gandhi about the injustice of the landlord system in Bihar. Shukla accompanied Gandhi everywhere. Shukla followed him to the ashram near Ahmedabad. For weeks he never left Gandhi’s side till Gandhi asked him to meet at Calcutta.

2. Why do you think Gandhi was not permitted to draw water from Rajendra Prasad’s well at Patna?

Ans: The servants of Rajendra Prasad knew Shukla as a poor yeoman. Gandhi was also clad in a simple dhoti. Hence, thought Gandhi to be another peasant. They did not know him. They were not certain whether he was an untouchable or not. They feared that some drops from his bucket might pollute the entire well. So, he was not permitted to draw water from the well.

3. Why did Gandhi decide to go first to Muzaffarpur before going to Champaran?

Ans: Before going to Champaran Gandhi wanted to obtain more complete information about conditions than Shukla was capable of imparting. Muzaffarpur lawyers, who frequently represented peasant groups in courts, briefed Gandhi about their cases.

4. What was the issue of the peasants of Champaran which Gandhi went to resolve? Why did Gandhi chide the lawyers?

Ans: Gandhi chided the lawyers because they are charging a high fee from poor peasants. Howevers, the lawyers were aware about the miserable condition of the peasants. Gandhi said the peasants are themselves fighting to get back their money how can they pay such a high fee.

5. What was the “conflict of duties” in which Gandhi was involved?

Ans: Gandhi was summoned to appear in the court for disobeying the office notice from the police superintendent. During the trial he said that he did not want to set a bad example as a law breaker. But he wanted to render the “humanitarian and national service” for which he had come. He respected the lawful authority but disregarded the order to leave to obey the voice of his conscience.

6. What according to Gandhi was the beginning of the poor peasants’ ‘Liberation from fear of the British’?

Ans: The next morning the town of Motahari was black with peasants. They had heard that a Mahatma who wanted to help them was in trouble with the authorities. They spontaneously demonstrated, in thousands, around the courthouse. Gandhi called their action of protest as their liberation from fear of the British.

7. “The battle of Champaran is won.” When and why did Gandhi utter these words?

Ans: The eminent lawyers from the nearby areas came to help Gandhi. They decided to go back in case Gandhi was arrested. At this Gandhi made them to realize their duty towards the peasants. They realized that it would be shameful for them to leave these peasants at a time when a stranger was ready even to go to jail for them. So they all approached Gandhi and said that they would accompany him to jail. At this point, Gandhi said, “The battle of Champaran is won.”

8. “Civil disobedience had triumphed, the first time in modern India.” How?

Ans: A case against Gandhi was initiated for disregarding government orders. The spontaneous demonstration of thousands of peasants baffled the officials. The judge was requested to postpone the trial. Gandhi refused to furnish bail. The judge released him without bail. Several days later Gandhi received an official letter. The case against him had been dropped. Thus, civil disobedience had triumphed.

9. Why did Gandhi agree to a settlement of 25 per cent refund to the farmers?

Ans: For Gandhi the amount of the refund was less important than the fact that the landlords had been forced to return part of the money, and with it, part of their prestige too. It showed that nobody is above law. So, he agreed to settlement of 25 per cent refund to the farmers. He wanted to teach farmers a lesson of courage.

10. What did Gandhiji do for social and cultural upliftment of the people of Champaran?

Ans: Gandhiji was not content with the large political or economic solution. He wanted to do something for the social and cultural backwardness of Champaran. He appealed to teachers and his disciples Mahadev Desai and Narhari Parikh came with their wives, primary schools were opened in six villages. His son and wife Kasturba also joined him. He arranged for a volunteer doctor and his wife took care of personal hygiene and cleanliness.

11. What was done to improve the miserable health condition of the people of Champaran?

Ans: A doctor volunteered his services for six months. There were three medicines available, castor oil, quinine, and Sulphur ointment. Persons with coasted tongue were given a dose of castor oil. Those with malaria fever got quinine plus castor oil. Others with skin eruptions got ointment plus castor oil. Mrs. Gandhi taught women individual and general cleanliness.

12. How did Gandhi teach his followers a lesson of self-reliance?

Ans: During the Champaran action, Gandhi’s lawyer friends thought it would be good if C.F. Andrews stayed on in Champaran and helped them. Gandhi opposed this idea as it showed the weakness of their heart. Their cause was just, and they must rely upon themselves to win this unequal fight. They should not seek the support of Mr. Andrews because he happened to be an Englishman.

B. Answer the following in 150 words each.

1. What was the dispute between the landlords and the Champaran peasants? What role did Gandhi play in resolving the dispute successfully?

Ans: The arable area of Champaran was divided into large estates owned by British landlords. The peasants worked on this land as tenants. The peasants were forced to grow the chief commercial crop, indigo, on 15% of their land and give the entire crop of indigo as rent. This was done by long term contract. After the synthetic indigo developed by Germany came into market, the British were no longer in need of Indian indigo. But very cunningly, the British landlords demanded money as compensation for being released from the 15 per cent arrangement. Growing indigo in their land was troublesome for the farmers. Therefore, some farmers paid the amount. Later, knowing about the real cause behind it they felt deceived. Now, these farmers demanded their money back from the British landlords.

At this point Gandhi arrived in Champaran to get their money back. He studied their case meticulously and deeply. His detailed investigations, documentation and collection of evidence became the cause of concern for the authorities. Consequently, Edwards Gait, the Lt. Governor of Bihar summoned Gandhiji and after four interviews with him constituted a commission of inquiry which comprised of landlords, government officials and Gandhiji as the representative of the Indian peasants. Gandhi's diligent collection of evidence made the British government agree on refunding money. Gandhi demanded 50% of the compensation but it was settled on 25% refund and Gandhi accepted It.

According to Gandhi the amount was not important. It was victory because the landlords lost their money and the prestige. The farmers learnt the lesson of courage and that nobody is above law.

2. The Champaran episode was a turning point in Gandhiji’s life. Elucidate. 

OR

“Self-reliance, Indian independence and help to sharecroppers were all bound together.” Explain.

OR

Importance of Champaran Movement in India’s freedom.

Ans: Gandhi had returned to India from South Africa in 1915. He was associated with Congress and used to take part it its sessions. He had not led any national movement before the Champaran Movement in 1917. He never knew that it would turn out to be such a big success which would prove to be a landmark in the Indian history and a turning point in his life. Largely, the movement laid the foundation for the Indian Freedom Struggle.

The movement showcased the first triumph of Civil Disobedience in Motihari. When Gandhi stayed there for his investigation, he was served an official order to leave Champaran which he refused to comply and was summoned by the court. Learning about it farmers come in large number to peacefully demonstrate around the courthouse in Motihari. Gandhi called it their liberation from fear of the British.

Later, the victory of the movement with 25% refund taught Indians the lesson of courage. They learnt that the landlords are not above law. Indians learnt to fight against the Britishers. Gandhi proved that Britishers can not order Indians in their own country. The movement created the ground for Indian Freedom Struggle. It revealed Gandhiji’s principles in the political field which gave new direction to the Indian politics.

 

 

THE RATTRAP (MLL)

By Selma Lagerlof

MLL Questions

A. Answer the following in 30-40 words each.

1. How did the peddler look? Was there anything unusual the way he look?

Ans: The peddler was a man with a long beard, dirty, ragged, and with a bunch of rattraps dangling on his chest. His clothes were in rags, his cheeks were sunken, and hunger gleamed in his eyes. No, the peddler looked exactly like the people of his type usually did.

2. How did the peddler of rattraps manage to survive?

Ans: The peddler made rattraps of wire and went around selling them. He got material for making them by begging in the big stores or at big farms. Since his business was not quite profitable, he would beg or steal in order to survive.

3. What idea did he get about the world? What were its implications?

Ans: The peddler got the idea that the whole world was only a big trap. It sets baits for people exactly as the rattrap offered cheese and pork. It offered riches and joys, shelter and food, heat and clothing as baits. It closed on the person who let himself be tempted to touch the bait. Then everything came to an end.

4. Why did the peddler think of the world as a rattrap? What became his cherished pastime?

Ans: The world had never been kind to the peddler. So, he got unusual joy to think ill of the world. His pastime was to think of people he knew who had got attracted by the riches and wealth of the world and had got trapped in it. He also used to declare about the people who were running round the bait the world offers and were about to fall in the trap.

5. What hospitality did the peddler receive from the old crofter? Why was it surprising for the peddler?

Ans: The old crofter welcomed the peddler warmheartedly. He served the peddler hot porridge for supper and gave him tobacco for his pipe. He entertained his guest by playing cards with him. He also informed him about his prosperous past life and how his cow supported him in his old age now. This hospitality was unexpected as people usually made sour faces and chased him away when he asked for shelter.

6. Why did he show the thirty kronor to the peddler?

Ans: The crofter had told the peddler that by supplying his cow’s milk to the creamery, he had received thirty kronor in payment. The peddler seemed to doubt it. So, in order to assure his guest of the truth he showed the thirty kronor to the peddler.

7. Did the peddler respect the confidence reposed in him by the crofter?

Ans: No, the peddler did not respect the confidence reposed in him by the crofter. At the very first opportunity that he got, he smashed the window pane, took out the money and hung the leather pouch back in its place. Then he went away.

8. What made the peddler think that he had indeed fallen into a rattrap?

Ans: The peddler realized that he must not walk on the public highway with the stolen money in his pocket. He went into the woods. He kept walking without coming to the end of the wood. Then he realized that he had fallen in the rattrap. He had let himself befooled by a bait and had been caught in.

9. Why did the ironmaster speak kindly to the peddler and invite him home?

Ans: The ironmaster walked closely up to the peddler. In the uncertain reflection from the furnace, he mistook the man as his old regimental comrade, Captain Von Stahle. He addressed the stranger as Nils Olof. He spoke very kindly and invited him home as their Christmas guest.

10. Why did the peddler decline the invitation?

Ans: The peddler knew that the ironmaster had mistaken him for his old regimental comrade. If he goes to his house then the ironmaster would surely come to know his mistake and will be angry with him. Secondly, he had stolen money—thirty kronor—on him. Going to the ironmaster’s residence would be like entering the lion’s den as he will be caught there easily. So, he declined the invitation.

11. What did the ironmaster assume to be the reason behind his old comrade s refusal? Hoiw did he try to reassure him?

Ans: The ironmaster assumed that his old regimental comrade felt embarrassed because of his miserable clothing. He said that his house was not so fine that he couldn’t show himself there. He lived there only with his daughter as his wife Elizabeth was dead and his sons were abroad.

12. What made the peddler accept Edla Willmansson’s invitation?

Ans: Miss Edla Willmansson looked at the peddler quite compassionately. She noticed that the man was afraid. She assured him that he would be allowed to leave just as freely as he came. She requested him to stay with them over Christmas Eve. Her friendly manner made the peddler feel confidence in her and accept her invitation.

13. When did the ironmaster realize his mistake?

Ans: Next morning, the stranger was cleaned and well-dressed. The valet had bathed him, cut his hair and shaved him. He was led to the dining room for breakfast. The ironmaster saw him in broad daylight. It was impossible to mistake him for an old acquaintance now. Then the ironmaster realized his mistake and threatened to call the Sheriff.

14. How did Edla persuade her father to let the pedlar stay in their home till Christmas?

Ans: Edla did not think it proper to chase away a human being whom they had invited to their house and had promised him Christmas cheer. She also felt pity for the peddler, who she felt had no place to rest without the fear of being chased away. She wanted him to have a day of peace and rest with them. She wanted the peddler to enjoy the Christmas festivities with them. So, she requested her father to let the pedlar stay in their home till Christmas.

15. Why was Edla happy to see the gift left by the peddler?

Ans: As soon as Edla opened the package of the gift, the contents came into view. She found a small rattrap with three wrinkled ten kronor notes and a letter addressed to her. The peddler wanted to be nice in return as she had been so nice to him all day long. He did not want her to be embarrased at the Christmas season by a thief.

16. Why did the peddler sign himself as Captain von Stahle?

Ans: The ironmaster had invited the peddler to his house mistaking him for Captain von Stahle. Edla welcomed him and looked after him as captain even after knowing his reality. The peddler was touched deep inside by this act of kindness and wanted thank Edla. Therefore, he resolved and promised to give up his old ways and raise himself as an honourable Captain.

17. How does the metaphor of the rattrap serve to highlight the human predicament in the story?

Ans: The world entices a person through the various good things of life such as riches and joy, shelter and food, heat and clothing. These were just like the baits in the rattrap. Once someone is tempted by the bait, the world closed on him. The peddler was tempted by thirty kronor of the crofter. It makes him hide himself. He walks through the wood. He is afraid to go to the Manor house. He gets peace only after returning the bait (money).

B. Answer the following in 150 words each.

1. Compare and contrast the character of the ironmaster with that of his daughter.

Ans: The character of the ironmaster was very different from that of his daughter, Edla. Whereas the ironmaster is ambitious, arrogant, impulsive and short sighted, Edla is kind, compassionate, sympathetic and more matured than her father. The ironmaster has no understanding of human nature but Edla is par excellent in it. She has better persuasive power and strong faith in humanity.

When the ironmaster saw the peddler, he mistook him for his old regimental comrade, but could not convince him to go to his home. Next morning when he realized his mistake he became angry, called the peddler dishonest and threatened to call the Sheriff. Later when he learnt that the peddler was a thief, he was worried about his own silverware.

On the other hand, Edla, could see nothing of a captain in the peddler. She correctly observed the fear of a thief in him. She easily persuaded the peddler to come to their house for Christmas and also convinced her father to let the peddler stay in their house. She treated him with respect and dignity even after knowing that he was not a captain. Again, after finding about the robbery of the crofter’s money, unlike her father, she is more anxious about the betrayal of her trust.

In the story, the ironmaster represents what the world is, whereas, Edla shows how it should be. To make the world a better place we don’t need ironmasters obsessed with materialistic growth, but we need more and more Edlas to understand, trust and love human beings to bring out the essential goodness of their nature.

2. What made the peddler finally change his ways?

Ans: Realizing the limitations or faults in our nature and making strong resolution to change them for good is the most difficult task in the world. But some people indeed happen to come across such people or events which empower them enough to raise above all their limitations and change their ways.

The peddler, in the story, is completely destitute and falls prey to the vices of deprivation. He begs and steals to survive and is chased away wherever he goes for shelter and food. He comforts himself by harboring ill feelings for the unfeeling world. Fortunately, he finds three people surprisingly different from others. The Crofter welcomes him warmly, offers him food and shelter and makes him feel at home. Second is the ironmaster who, even after seeing him in rags, talks to him in friendly manner and invites him to his home. But these two instances of charity do not prove to be sufficient enough to arouse the essential good lying dormant in the peddler.

It is his encounter with Edla which brings back the peddler’s forgotten faith in goodness. Her charity is not for selfish reasons. It was genuinely to make him feel dignified, respected and relaxed. Edla’s genuine care and understanding is rewarded with the stolen money and a letter from the peddler which is the evidence of the desired change in his behavior.

DEEP WATER

By William Douglas

A. Answer the following in 30-40 words each.

1. When and how did Douglas develop an aversion to the water?

Ans. When Douglas was three or four years old his father had taken him to the beach in California. They were standing together in the surf. He had held his father tightly, even then the waves knocked him down and swept over him. He was buried in water. His breath was gone. He was frightened. There was terror in his heart about the overpowering force of the waves.

2. Which factors led Douglas to decide in favor of the Y.M.C.A. pool?

Ans. Douglas was ten or eleven years old when he decided to learn swimming. He had two options: the Y.M.C.A. pool or Yakima River. He chose in favor of the Y.M.C.A. pool as it was safe. It was only two to three feet deep at the shallow end. It was nine feet deep at the other. Moreover, the drop was gradual. The Yakima River was treacherous and had drowned many. So, he decided in.

3. What two things did Douglas dislike to do at the pool?

Ans. Douglas hated to walk naked, into the pool and show his very thin legs. Secondly, he was fearful about going in alone because of his aversion to water. So, he would sit on the side of the pool to wait for others. But he had to go into water as one cannot learn swimming without going into water.

4. What is the “misadventure” that William Douglas speaks about?

Ans. William O. Douglas had just started feeling at ease with water. One day, an eighteen-year-old big boxer boy picked him up and tossed him into the nine feet deep end of the Y.M.C.A. pool. He hit the water surface in a sitting position. He swallowed water and went at once to the bottom. He nearly died in this misadventure.

5. What plans did Douglas make to come to the surface?

Ans. Douglas was frightened when he was thrown into the pool. However, he was not frightened out of his wits. While sinking down he made a plan. He would make a big jump when his feet hit the bottom. He would come to the surface like a cork, lie flat on it, and paddle to the edge of the pool.

6. How did the “misadventure” affect him?

Ans. This “misadventure” revived his aversion to water. He couldn’t eat and sleep that night. He shook and cried in his bed. He had a haunting fear in his heart. The slightest exertion upset him, making him wobbly in the knees and sick to his stomach. He never went back to the pool. He feared water and avoided it whenever he could.

7. Why was Douglas determined to get over his fear of water?

Ans. Douglas started feeling extremely frightened of water. Therefore, he could not enjoy his favorite water sports like fishing, boating and swimming. He had lost all the joy and self-confidence. He did not want to live like this anymore. So, he decided to get rid of his fear of water.

8. What special method did the instructor use to teach the writer to swim?

Ans. The instructor ‘built a swimmer’ out of Douglas bit by bit. First, he held him high on a rope attached with his belt. He went back and forth across the pool. Then he taught him to put his face under water and exhale and to raise his nose and inhale. Next, he instructed him to kick his legs for several weeks. Then after seven months he was told to swim the length of the pool.

9. How did Douglas make sure that he conquered the old terror?

Ans. Although the instructor’s job was finished but Douglas was not that he had completely overcome his fear of water. Therefore, he kept on swimming in the pool alone. He went to Lake Wentworth and swam for two miles. The terror returned only once when he was in the middle of the lake. He laughed and rebuked terror. His terror fled away, and he swam on. Thus he conquered his fear of water.

10. Explain: “All we have to fear is fear itself”?

Douglas here quotes Roosevelt to convey us that all our fears are baseless. Generally, people don’t enjoy many activities because of their fears. Douglas says that we should make efforts to remove our fear of the thing rather than compromising with not enjoying doing that thing. We should get rid of fear not the activity or the person we want enjoy with.

B. Answer the following in 150 words each.

1. How did Douglas overcome his fear of water?

Ans: The ‘misadventure’ affected Douglas so adversely that he was not able to enjoy his life fully. He had great interest in water sports, but he could not enjoy them due to his fear of water. He tried his every possible way to get rid of his fear but failed, and finally he decided to take the help of an instructor.

The instructor was extremely patient and empathetic person. He understood the gravity of the problem. Therefore, he put a belt around the waist of Douglas. The belt was attached with a rope going over a pulley that runs on an overhead cable. For the first three months Douglas went only back and forth over the water surface. Then he started putting his head under water. After that he learnt to kick his legs. Thus, piece by piece the instructor built a swimmer in Douglas. He taught every skill separately and then combined them. Finally, Douglas was able swim across the length of the pool and the instructor’s job was over.

But, Douglas, to be sure, kept swimming in the pool alone for four months. Then he went to every lake and the river. Finally, he was confirmed that he had overcome his fear of water completely.
Douglas’ never-giving-up attitude, determination and dedication brought him victory over his fear of water.

LOST SPRING

By Anees Jung

Part 1: Sometimes I Find a Rupee in the Garbage

A. Answer the following in 30-40 words each.

1. Who was Saheb? What was he doing and why?

Ans. Saheb was a young boy of school-going age. Like other people of his community, he is a ragpicker and lives in the slum of Seemapuri. His family had left their home in Dhaka, Bangladesh and came to the big city in search of living.

2. “But promises like mine abound in every corner of his bleak world.” What was the promise? Was it fulfilled?

Ans. The promise was of building a school. The author made it when Saheb promised that he would go to school they build one. After few days Saheb met the author, he asked her if the school was ready. The The author felt embarrassed. She had made a promise that was not meant.

3. What is the meaning of Saheb’s full name? What is ironical about it?

Ans. Saheb’s full name is “Saheb-e-Alam”. It means the lord of the universe. He does not know it. If he knew it, he would hardly believe it. He roams the streets barefoot with other rag-pickers. The lord of the universe is living the life of destitute.

4. Explain: “For children, garbage has a meaning different from what it means to their parents.”

Ans. Small children scrounge heaps of garbage. They expect to get some coin, note or valuable thing in it. Sometimes they find a rupee or even a ten rupee note. They search it excitedly. For children, garbage is wrapped in wonder. For the elders it is a means of survival. They run their family by selling what they find in it. Thus, garbage has two different meanings.

5. Why does the writer say, “Seemapuri is a place on the periphery of Delhi. Yet miles away from it”?

Ans. The author says so because Seemapuri does not have even the basic necessities and facilities of life such as proper food, clothes, sanitation, drinking water, and shelter. The people there are forced to live in extreme impoverished condition. Delhi, despite being the Capital of India, where all the developmental policies of the nation are framed, is unable to help them in any manner.

6. What explanation does the author give about the children not wearing footwear?

Ans. The author notices that most of the young children engaged in rag picking are not wearing footwear. Some of them do not have chappals. Others want to wear shoes. Some say it is tradition to stay barefoot. To the author it seems lack of money. Poverty forces them to walk without footwear.

7. What is “a dream come true” for Saheb?

Ans. Saheb is likes the game of tennis very much. He stands by the fenced gate of a neighborhood club and watches the men playing it. He is also wearing discarded shoes of a rich boy. One of them has a whole in it, but Saheb does not bother about the hole. For one who has walked barefoot, even shoes with a hole is a dream come true.

8. Explain: “But the game he is watching so intently is out of his reach.”

Ans. Saheb is likes the game of tennis very much. He can watch it from the fence of the club. He has also got the discarded shoes of rich boy, but the game is beyond of his reach because this game requires money to buy the things to play it and Saheb can never afford it.

9. Is Saheb happy working at the tea-stall? Explain.

Ans. Saheb now has a regular income. He is paid 800 rupees and all his meals. Thus, food is no problem. But his face has lost the carefree look. The steel canister in his hand now seems a burden. He is no longer his own master. He may have to work for longer hours. The helplessness of doing things at his own will makes him sad.

Part 2: I Want to Drive a Car

B. Answer the following in 30-40 words each.

1. What makes the city of Firozabad famous?

Ans. The city of Firozabad is famous for its bangles. Every other family in Firozabad is engaged in making bangles. It is the centre of India’s glass-blowing industry. Families have spent generations working around furnaces, welding glass, making bangles for the women of the country.

2. Mention the hazards of working in the glass bangles industry?

Ans. Whole family with elders and children spend whole day sitting in dark hutments, next to the flames of flickering oil lamps. Their eyes are more adjusted to the dark than to the light outside. They often end up losing eyesight before they become adults. Even the dust from polishing the glass of bangles is injurious to the eyes and the lungs.

3. How is Mukesh’s attitude to his situation different from that of his family?

Ans. Mukesh’s family represents the bangle makers of Firozabad. His grandmother thinks that God has made them poor bangle makers and they can not do anything to change their destiny. Mukesh’s father has taught them what he knows—the art of making bangles. But Mukesh wants to be a motor mechanic. He will go to a garage and learn, though the garage is far away from his home. He seems determined to break the ‘God-given lineage’.

4. What do you know about the “frail young woman” in the chapter ‘Lost Spring’?

Ans. The young woman is the wife of Mukesh’s elder brother. Her eyes are filled with the smoke of firewood. Though not much older in years, she commands respect as the daughter- in-law of the house. She adheres to customs and traditions. She veils her face before male elders and gently withdraws behind the broken wall at their sight.

5. How would you regard Mukesh’s father’s life and achievement?

Ans. Mukesh’s father was born in the caste of bangle-makers. His father went blind with the dust from polishing the glass of bangles. He is an old and poor bangle-maker. He has worked hard for long years, first as a tailor and then as a bangle-maker. Unlike most of the bangle makers, he has managed to build a house for his family.

6. Which two “distinct worlds” does the author notice among the bangle-making industry?

Ans. One world is the families of the bangle-makers who are caught in the web of poverty. They are also burdened by the stigma of the caste in which they are born. They know no other work. The other world is the vicious circle of the moneylenders, the middlemen, the policemen, the keepers of the law, the bureaucrats, and the politicians. They enjoy all the privileges and luxuries of life.

7. Why do the bangle-makers not organize themselves into a cooperative?

Ans. Most of the young bangle-makers have fallen into the traps of the middlemen. They are also afraid of the police. They know that the police will haul them up, beat them and drag to jail for doing something illegal. There is no leader among them to help them see things differently. Their fathers are equally tired. They can do nothing except carrying on their inherited business.

C. Answer the following in 150 words each.

1. Describe the living conditions of rag-pickers and the bangle-makers.

OR

2. What solutions does the author offer for the rag-pickers and the bangles-makers?

OR

3. Compare and contrast Saheb and Mukesh with special reference to their personality traits.

Ans. Saheb-e-Alam and Mukesh are the main characters of the two accounts given in the chapter Lost Spring. Both are the victims of poverty and callousness of society. Whereas Saheb accepts his lot without any fight against destiny, Mukesh seems determined to change it.

Saheb is originally from Dhaka, Bangladesh and now they live in Seemapuri, on the periphery of Delhi. They do not have even the basic necessities and facilities of life. The people there are forced to live in extreme impoverished conditions. Like others, Saheb is also a rag-picker because this is the only option available for them. In the end, he is found with a steel canister too heavy for him. He is now working on a tea stall for Rs. 800 and all his meals. Though food is no problem now, his face has lost the carefree look. The steel canister in his hand seems a burden. He is no longer his own master. He has no dreams of his own and resigns to his own fate.

Mukesh lives in Firozabad and works in a glass bangle making factory. Belonging to a family of bangle makers, he is engaged in the same profession. However, he is a boy with self-determination and wants to be his own master. Mukesh wants to come out of the family business and become a motor mechanic. Though the garage is far away from his home, he will go to a garage and learn. He seems determined to break the ‘God-given lineage’.