The Value of Work
Question 1. What are economic activities? Explain with examples.
Answer: Economic activities are tasks or jobs that people do to earn money or receive something of monetary value in return. These activities help generate income for individuals and add value to products or services. Examples of economic activities include:
- A lawyer arguing a case in court and receiving a fee.
- A farmer selling produce at the market.
- A truck driver transporting goods for payment.
Question 2. What are non-economic activities? Give two examples.
Answer: Non-economic activities are actions that people perform not for monetary gain, but out of love, care, gratitude, or community service. These activities do not generate income but are valuable for personal and social well-being. Examples include:
- A parent cooking food for their family.
- Volunteers cleaning up a park or public space as part of a community service project.
Question 3. Differentiate between economic and non-economic activities.
Answer:
- Economic activities involve earning money or creating monetary value. For example, a person selling products in a shop or a teacher teaching in exchange for a salary.
- Non-economic activities are performed without the intention of earning money. They are usually driven by emotions such as love, gratitude, or service to society, like cooking for family or taking care of elderly relatives.
Question 4. What do we mean by “value addition” in economic activities?
Answer: Value addition refers to the process of increasing the value of a product or service through work or transformation. For example, a carpenter buys wood for ₹600, uses tools and skills to make a chair, and sells it for ₹1,000. The difference of ₹400 is the value added through the carpenter’s labor, skill, and time.
Question 5. Why are non-economic activities important? Provide examples.
Answer: Non-economic activities, though not performed for money, are essential for maintaining emotional and social well-being. They strengthen relationships, contribute to personal satisfaction, and help build a supportive community. Examples include:
- Family members helping with household chores.
- Volunteers teaching skills to underprivileged students without expecting payment.
Question 6. What role does community service play in society?
Answer: Community service, a form of non-economic activity, helps improve the overall quality of life for everyone in the community. It fosters a sense of unity, cooperation, and social responsibility. Examples include:
- Participating in cleanliness drives as part of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan.
- Organizing tree plantation drives during Van Mahotsav to promote environmental conservation.
Question 7. Explain the concept of “payment in kind” with an example.
Answer: “Payment in kind” refers to a situation where workers are compensated with goods or services instead of money. For example, a farm laborer who tills land may be paid partly in cash and partly in mangoes or other produce from the farm. These goods are considered a form of payment in kind.
Question 8. What are some community service initiatives mentioned in the chapter?
Answer: The chapter mentions the following community service initiatives:
- Swachh Bharat Abhiyan: A cleanliness drive to keep streets, public spaces, and neighborhoods clean.
- Van Mahotsav: A tree plantation festival aimed at promoting the conservation of forests and raising awareness about the importance of trees.
Question 9. How are people compensated for their economic activities?
Answer: People engaged in economic activities are compensated through various means, such as:
- Salary: A fixed monthly payment for employees like teachers or office workers.
- Wage: A daily or weekly payment for manual laborers or workers, like farmhands.
- Payment in kind: Compensation in the form of goods, such as food or other produce, instead of money.
Question 10. Why is community participation important in non-economic activities?
Answer: Community participation in non-economic activities builds social bonds, fosters cooperation, and improves the well-being of all members. It allows people to contribute to the betterment of society without expecting anything in return. Examples include collective efforts to clean neighborhoods or plant trees, as well as volunteering in schools or community programs.
Question 11. How do economic activities contribute to the development of society?
Answer: Economic activities contribute to society by creating goods, services, and employment, which in turn generate income and wealth. They help in the development of infrastructure, technology, and various sectors of the economy. For example, a highway construction project provides jobs to technicians and improves connectivity, benefiting the community and economy.
Question 12. What are some examples of economic activities from the story of Anu and Kabir?
Answer:
- Geeta Aunty, a pilot in the Indian Air Force, earns a salary for her work, which is an economic activity.
- Anu’s parents run a garment shop, selling uniforms and ready-made garments, which is also an economic activity.
- Anu’s brother Rohan works as a software engineer and is paid a salary, which is another example of an economic activity.
Question 13. Why do people engage in non-economic activities, even though they don’t generate income?
Answer: People engage in non-economic activities for emotional, social, and cultural reasons. These activities provide personal satisfaction, strengthen family bonds, and contribute to community well-being. For example, parents help children with schoolwork out of love and care, and volunteers participate in community service to contribute to society.
Question 14. How can voluntary service (Sevā) benefit society?
Answer: Voluntary service, or Sevā, fosters a sense of community, gratitude, and social responsibility. It helps those in need without expecting anything in return. Examples include free meals served in langars at gurudwaras or voluntary participation in cleanliness drives. These activities build stronger communities and promote a sense of cooperation and selflessness.
Question 15. What is the difference between a wage and a salary?
Answer:
- Wage: A wage is payment made to workers for a specific period, often daily or weekly, and is typically based on the number of hours worked. For example, farm laborers receive wages for their work in the fields.
- Salary: A salary is a fixed monthly payment made to employees, regardless of the number of hours worked. For example, a teacher or a doctor receives a salary for their professional services.
Question 16. Why is it important to recognize the value of non-economic activities?
Answer: Non-economic activities are important because they contribute to personal well-being, strengthen family and community ties, and enhance the quality of life. While they do not generate income, they provide emotional support, care, and social cohesion. For example, taking care of elderly family members or participating in environmental conservation efforts like tree planting drives adds immense value to society.
Question 17. What are the benefits of community participation in initiatives like Van Mahotsav and Swachh Bharat Abhiyan?
Answer: Community participation in initiatives like Van Mahotsav (tree planting) and Swachh Bharat Abhiyan (cleanliness drive) encourages collective responsibility and promotes environmental awareness. These activities unite people to work for a common goal—whether it’s planting trees to conserve forests or cleaning public spaces to maintain hygiene and cleanliness.
Question 18. In what ways can non-economic activities improve the quality of life?
Answer: Non-economic activities, such as caring for family members, volunteering in community service, or participating in cultural activities, enrich life by providing emotional satisfaction, building social connections, and creating a sense of belonging. These activities may not involve money, but they improve mental well-being and foster a positive and supportive environment.
Question 19. How do parents and family members contribute to non-economic activities?
Answer: Parents and family members contribute to non-economic activities by performing tasks out of love, care, and responsibility. For example, parents cook meals for the family, help children with their studies, and take care of the house. These activities are crucial for the smooth functioning of the household and for building strong family relationships.
Question 20. What can we learn from the story of Anu and Kabir about the diversity of work?
Answer: From Anu and Kabir’s story, we learn that different people engage in a wide variety of activities—some economic and some non-economic. Each type of work contributes to society in its own way. Whether it’s a pilot serving the country, a shopkeeper running a business, or someone voluntarily teaching computer skills, all these activities reflect the diverse ways in which people contribute to their community and the economy.
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