Character Sketch: Lost Spring | English Class 12 PDF Download

Character Sketch of Saheb-e-Alam

• Hopeful – Scrounges for gold in garbage dumps, always hoping to find something valuable.
• Ironically Named – His name means ‘Lord of the universe,’ contrasting with his life as a rag-picker.
• Deprived – Lives in poverty without access to basic amenities like sewage, drainage, and running water.
• Carefree to Burdened – Transitions from a carefree rag-picker to an unhappy worker at a tea stall.
• Rootless – Has no identity other than a ration card, symbolic of the marginalized existence of his community.

Saheb-e-Alam is a rag-picker from Seemapuri whose parents migrated from Bangladesh in 1971. Encountered by the writer every morning, he is seen scrounging for 'gold' in the garbage dumps, symbolizing the hope and desperation of the impoverished. Despite being unable to attend school due to the lack of facilities, Saheb remains hopeful, searching through garbage in the hope of finding something valuable.

His name, Saheb-e-Alam, meaning ‘Lord of the universe,’ stands in stark irony against his reality of poverty and hardship. The rag-pickers of Seemapuri, like Saheb, live in squalor, their lives dictated by the slim chances of finding something worthwhile in the trash. They have no identity except for a ration card, which serves as their only means of voting and buying grain.

Saheb’s transition from a carefree rag-picker to a worker at a tea stall signifies a loss of freedom. Now burdened with a steel canister, he no longer possesses the carefree look of his early days and is unhappy with his new role because he is no longer his own master. Saheb’s story is one of hope amid deprivation, highlighting the ironies and harsh realities faced by the marginalized.

Character Sketch of Mukesh

• Dreamer – Aspires to become a motor mechanic, dreaming beyond the constraints of his community.
• Prideful – Takes pride in his small, overcrowded house and its ongoing renovations.
• Determined – Unwavering in his pursuit of a better future, despite limited resources.
• Practical – Grounded in reality, he knows becoming a pilot is impractical and focuses on achievable goals.
• Resilient – Willing to work hard to change his circumstances, embodying hope and courage.

Mukesh is a young boy from Firozabad, a city known for its glass-blowing industry. Unlike many residents resigned to a life of bangle-making and poverty, Mukesh dares to dream of a different future. Living in a small, overcrowded house with his grandparents, elder brother, and sister-in-law, Mukesh takes pride in the ongoing renovations, reflecting his aspirations for improvement.

In a community where bangle-making is considered destiny, Mukesh stands out with his unconventional dream of becoming a motor mechanic, inspired by the cars passing through his town. His determination is unwavering, even as he works alongside his father in the glass furnaces to support his family. Mukesh's aspirations are realistic; when asked about becoming a pilot, he feels embarrassed, recognizing its impracticality and instead focuses on achievable goals.

Mukesh's practical approach, self-awareness, and determination highlight his resilience and the courage to envision a better future. His willingness to work hard and his resolve to change his circumstances set him apart, embodying the hope and resilience needed to dream big even in challenging situations.