The author says that garbage to the ragpickers of Seema Puri is gold because these people depend on the garbage for their survival. They have no other means of earning a livelihood, and hence they are forced to pick up whatever garbage they can find and sell it to recycling units for a meager amount. Let us understand this in detail:

Dependence on Garbage:
The ragpickers of Seema Puri are forced to depend on the garbage for their survival because they have no other means of earning a livelihood. They are mostly migrants from other parts of India who have come to Delhi in search of work, but due to lack of education and skills, they have no other option but to pick up garbage.

Garbage as a Source of Income:
For the ragpickers of Seema Puri, garbage is not just waste material but a source of income. They collect all kinds of garbage, including plastic bottles, paper, cardboard, and metals, and sell them to recycling units for a meager amount. This is their only source of income, and they have to work hard every day to make ends meet.

The Value of Garbage:
The author says that garbage is gold to the ragpickers of Seema Puri because they have learned to see the value in what others consider waste. They have developed a keen eye for spotting valuable items in the garbage, and they know how to separate them from the rest of the waste. This skill has helped them survive in a world where others see them as worthless.

Conclusion:
The ragpickers of Seema Puri are a marginalized community that has been forced to depend on garbage for their survival. Despite the challenges they face, they have learned to see the value in what others consider waste, and they have turned garbage into gold. Their story is a reminder that even in the most difficult circumstances, people can find a way to survive and thrive.