The Value of Work — NCERT Solutions

Given/Concept: Community service activities are non-economic activities performed for the welfare of society without expecting monetary reward.

Comment on the Statement:

The statement is absolutely correct. People engaged in community service activities are highly valued for the following reasons:

(i) Social Welfare: Community workers contribute to the well-being of society as a whole. For example, volunteers who organise tree plantation drives help protect the environment for everyone.

(ii) Filling Gaps Left by the Market: Many essential services — such as helping the elderly, caring for the poor, or cleaning public spaces — may not be provided by paid workers. Community service fills these important gaps.

(iii) Building Social Bonds: Community activities bring people together, strengthen relationships, and create a sense of unity and belonging. Festivals, neighbourhood clean-up drives, and community kitchens are examples of this.

(iv) Personal and Moral Value: People who serve the community are respected and admired. Their work reflects values like empathy, selflessness, and responsibility.

(v) Enhancing Quality of Life: Community programmes — such as health camps, literacy drives, and disaster relief — directly improve the quality of life of people, especially the vulnerable sections of society.

Conclusion: Even though community service does not generate monetary income, its contribution to social harmony, personal well-being, and the overall quality of life makes it extremely valuable. Society recognises and respects those who dedicate their time and effort to serving others.

Given/Concept: Compensation refers to the reward or payment that a person receives in return for performing an economic activity.

Various Ways of Compensation:

(i) Wages/Salary:
This is the most common form of compensation. Workers and employees receive a fixed amount of money for their work on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis.

• Example: A factory worker receives daily wages; a government teacher receives a monthly salary.

(ii) Profit:
Businessmen and entrepreneurs are compensated through the profit they earn after deducting all costs from their revenue.

• Example: A shopkeeper earns profit from selling goods; a manufacturer earns profit from selling products.

(iii) Fees:
Professionals who provide specialised services charge a fee for their work.

• Example: A doctor charges a consultation fee; a lawyer charges a fee for legal services; a plumber charges a fee for repair work.

(iv) Rent:
People who own land or property and allow others to use it are compensated through rent.

• Example: A landlord receives monthly rent from a tenant; a farmer pays rent to the landowner for using agricultural land.

(v) Interest:
People who lend money or invest capital are compensated through interest.

• Example: A bank pays interest to a person who deposits money; a moneylender charges interest on loans.

(vi) Commission:
Some people are paid a percentage of the value of the transaction they help complete.

• Example: A real estate agent earns a commission on the sale of a house; a salesperson earns a commission on the goods they sell.

Conclusion: Compensation for economic activities takes many forms — wages, salary, profit, fees, rent, interest, and commission — depending on the nature of the work and the role of the individual in the economic process.