Understand the importance of economic
and non-economic activities, and
how both contribute to society and improve quality of life.

Chapter 13 The Value of Work

Class 6 NCERT Social
Science Exploring Society India
and Beyond

New
Syllabus | Easy to remember solutions

Theme E: Economic Life Around Us (हमारे चारों ओर आर्थिक जीवन)

Concept
Map: 

Chapter 13: The Value of Work (काम का मूल्य)

Economic vs. Non-Economic Activities (आर्थिक बनाम गैर-आर्थिक गतिविधियाँ)

Importance of Community Service (समुदाय सेवा का महत्व)

Ways of Earning: Salary, Wages, Fees (कमाई के तरीके: वेतन, मजदूरी, शुल्क)

Question 1. How
are economic activities different from non-economic activities?

Economic activities are those that involve money or are performed in
exchange for money or money’s worth. For instance, a farmer selling produce in
the market is performing an economic activity. Non-economic activities, on the
other hand, are those that do not generate income or wealth but are done out of
feelings like gratitude, love, care, and respect. Parents cooking food for the
family is an example of a non-economic activity.

Question 2. What kind of economic activities do people
engage in? Illustrate with examples.

People engage in a wide range of economic activities. Here are some
examples:

• Providing Services: Geeta Aunty, an Air Force pilot,
  receives a salary for serving the country. Rohan, a software engineer,
  receives a salary for working at a software company. Kavya’s aunt, a post
  office employee, receives a salary for her work. She also earns a fee by
  conducting online classes for students. A lawyer arguing a case earns a
  fee for their services.
• Producing and Selling Goods: Anu’s parents run a shop that
  sells uniforms and ready-made garments. A business person selling school
  bags in the market is also engaged in an economic activity. Farmers
  selling produce in the market is another example. Rajesh, the carpenter,
  buys wood, transforms it into furniture, and sells it in the market.
• Skilled and Unskilled Labour: Sahil, a farm labourer, earns a
  daily wage for tilling a farmer’s land using a tractor. Workers employed
  in a car manufacturing factory are also engaged in economic activities. A
  truck driver transporting goods is another example.

Question 3. There is great value attached to people who are
engaged in community service activities. Comment on this statement.

The non-economic activities, particularly those related to community
service, even though they don’t directly generate income, are very important.
They highlight several reasons why such activities are highly valued:

• Social Welfare: Non-economic activities like
  community service contribute to the well-being of society. For example,
  community kitchens at gurudwaras provide free food to visitors, fostering
  a sense of satisfaction and gratitude.
• Selfless Service (Sevā): Many non-economic activities,
  like volunteering at temples, gurudwaras, mosques, and churches, are
  rooted in the concept of “sevā” or selfless service. This
  selfless contribution without expecting anything in return is highly
  valued.
• Community Participation and
  Collective Effort: Activities like the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan and Van
  Mahotsav emphasize community participation for the common good. When
  people come together to clean their surroundings or plant trees, it
  strengthens the community bond and leads to a cleaner and greener
  environment. These collective efforts are valued for their contribution
  to a better society.

while economic activities are essential for livelihoods and economic
progress, non-economic activities like community service play a crucial role in
enhancing social welfare, promoting personal well-being, and improving the
overall quality of life.

Question 4. What are the various ways in which people are
paid or compensated for various economic activities? Give some examples.

The various methods of compensation for economic activities:

• Salary: A fixed, regular payment,
  typically monthly, from an employer to an employee. Examples include:
• Geeta Aunty’s earnings as an Air
  Force pilot
• Rohan’s earnings as a software
  engineer
• Kavya’s aunt’s earnings as a
  post office employee
• The technician operating a
  bulldozer’s earnings
• Fee: A payment made to a person or
  organization in exchange for professional advice or services. Examples
  include:
• Fees paid to doctors and lawyers
• The weekly fee Kavya’s aunt
  receives for conducting online classes
• Wage: A payment made by an employer to
  a worker for a specific period of time. Examples include:
• The daily wage Sahil earns as a
  farm labourer
• Payment in Kind: A non-cash payment received for
  work performed. Examples include:
• The mangoes Sahil receives as
  part of his wage for tilling the farmer’s land