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Chapter 13 The Value Of Work
Introduction
People engage in a wide variety of activities in their daily lives. These activities can be broadly classified into two categories based on their purpose and whether they involve monetary exchange: economic activities and non-economic activities.
Economic Activities
Economic activities are those actions or tasks undertaken with the primary aim of earning money or gaining something of monetary value. They involve the production, distribution, or consumption of goods and services in exchange for money or items equivalent to money's worth. The term "money's worth" refers to the value a person places on something based on the benefit they receive from it.
Examples of economic activities:
- A person selling goods in a market.
- A farmer selling their produce.
- A lawyer charging a fee for professional services.
- A driver transporting goods.
- Workers receiving a salary or wage for their work in a factory or company.
A market is a place or system where goods and services are exchanged, typically for money. A fee is a payment for professional services or advice. A salary is a regular fixed payment made by an employer to an employee, usually monthly. A wage is a payment for work done over a specific period, often daily or hourly.
Non-Economic Activities
Non-economic activities are tasks or actions performed without the intention of earning money or profit. They are often motivated by feelings such as love, care, respect, duty, gratitude, or personal satisfaction. These activities do not generate income or wealth in a monetary sense.
Examples of non-economic activities:
- Parents cooking food for their family or helping children with schoolwork.
- Youth caring for their grandparents.
- Family members helping each other with tasks like house renovation.
- Volunteering for community service without payment.
In the story of Anu and Kabir, Geeta Aunty's work as an Air Force pilot (receiving a salary) is an economic activity. Rohan's job as a software engineer (receiving a salary) is also economic. However, Rohan volunteering to teach computer skills or Kabir's grandfather voluntarily teaching children are non-economic activities as they are not done for monetary gain.
Example 1. In the table given on page 185, did you notice the third empty column? Label this column ‘economic / non-economic activity’. Now classify them according to the nature of activity.
Character in the story
Activities they are engaged in
Answer:
| Character in the story | Activities they are engaged in | Economic / Non-economic activity |
| Geeta Aunty | Being a pilot in the Indian Air Force | Economic |
| Kabir's grandfather | Retired from Border Security Force | *Economic (during service, but retirement is a state) |
| Kabir's grandfather | Providing free Geography classes to neighbourhood kids | Non-economic |
| Kabir's grandfather | Tending to vegetable garden | Non-economic (if for own consumption) / Economic (if selling produce) |
| Kabir's grandfather | Running errands for the home | Non-economic |
| Anu's parents | Running a shop (selling uniforms and ready-made garments) | Economic |
| Anu's Maa | Contributing to a voluntary group teaching knitting | Non-economic |
| Anu's brother Rohan | Software engineer at a company | Economic |
| Anu's brother Rohan | Volunteering to teach computer skills | Non-economic |
*Note: Retirement itself isn't an activity generating current income but is a state resulting from past economic activity (service). Tending to the garden could be either depending on the purpose.
Types Of Economic Activities
Economic activities involve earning income and contributing to the economy. People engage in various types of economic activities based on their skills, environment, and opportunities. Payment for economic activities can take different forms.
Examples from Kavya's visit to her aunt's village:
- Technician operating machines: Receives a monthly salary for his services in highway construction.
- Aunt working at the village post office: Receives a monthly salary for her employment.
- Aunt conducting online classes: Charges a weekly fee for providing teaching services.
- Sahil, the farm labourer: Earns a daily wage for tilling the land.
Payment for work can be in the form of money (cash, salary, fee) or sometimes as payment in kind, which means receiving goods or services of equivalent value instead of or in addition to money. For example, Sahil receiving mangoes as part of his payment is payment in kind.
A key concept in economic activities is value addition. This refers to the increase in monetary value at each stage of transforming raw materials or components into finished goods or services.
Consider the example of Rajesh the carpenter:
- He buys wood for $\textsf{₹}600$.
- He uses his skill, time, effort, and tools to transform the wood into a chair.
- He sells the finished chair for $\textsf{₹}1,000$.
The difference ($\textsf{₹}1,000 - \textsf{₹}600 = \textsf{₹}400$) represents the value added by Rajesh's work. This added value is his income or earnings from the economic activity.
Many activities and professions contribute to monetary value creation:
Example 2. Put a against those activities/professions that you think create monetary value. Can you add two activities and examples of money related value creation to the empty rows at the end?
Activity / Profession
Example of money-related value creation
1. Baker
2. Tailor
3. Farmers repairing their tractor
4. Doctor
5. Parents cooking dinner for their family
6. Scientist
7. Person taking care of a sick grandparent
8.
9.
Answer:
| Activity / Profession | Example of money-related value creation | Creates Monetary Value? |
| 1. Baker | Turning flour and ingredients into bread/cakes and selling them. | |
| 2. Tailor | Turning fabric into garments and charging for stitching. | |
| 3. Farmers repairing their tractor | Maintaining equipment reduces costs and allows for continued productive (economic) work. | (indirectly, by supporting economic activity) |
| 4. Doctor | Providing medical services and charging fees. | |
| 5. Parents cooking dinner for their family | Providing food and care for family members. | |
| 6. Scientist | Conducting research, developing patents, working for an organization. | (often receives salary/grants, research can lead to economic benefits) |
| 7. Person taking care of a sick grandparent | Providing care and support. | |
| 8. Teacher | Educating students (in a formal institution). | (receives salary/fees) |
| 9. Artist selling paintings | Creating artwork and selling it for a price. | |
The Importance Of Non-Economic Activities
While non-economic activities do not generate monetary income, they are invaluable for individual well-being, social welfare, and the overall quality of life within families and communities. Their value lies in the love, care, support, and sense of community they foster.
Sevā: Selfless Service
Sevā, meaning selfless service, is a significant non-economic activity deeply embedded in many cultures, including India. It involves serving others or the community without expecting any reward or payment.
Examples of sevā include:
- Volunteers serving food in community kitchens (like langars at Gurudwaras).
- Distribution of prasad (offering) at temples.
These acts contribute to a sense of satisfaction, gratitude, and strengthen community bonds. They embody the principle of contributing to society for its own sake, rather than for financial gain.
The Strength Of Community Participation
Many non-economic activities are performed collectively by members of a community, highlighting the strength of community participation. These collective efforts often address shared needs or contribute to common good.
Examples of community participation in non-economic activities:
- The Swachh Bharat Abhiyan (Clean India Mission) involves citizens coming together to clean public spaces like streets, parks, and roads, complementing individual efforts to keep homes clean. These collective actions contribute to a clean environment for everyone.
- Van Mahotsav (Festival of Forests) is celebrated to promote awareness about trees and forest conservation. Community members participate in tree plantation drives, contributing to environmental well-being.
Festivals are another example where community members often participate in non-economic activities like organizing events, decorating spaces, and cooking/sharing food together. While there might be economic aspects involved, the core activities of coming together, celebrating, and sharing are primarily non-economic, generating social and cultural value.
These collective non-economic activities are vital for building strong communities, fostering social cohesion, promoting shared values, and enhancing the overall quality of life beyond monetary measures. They reflect the intrinsic value people place on contributing to the welfare of others and their environment.