NCERT Textbook: The Value of Work | Social Studies (SST) Class 6 PDF Download

 Page 1


183
13 ? The Value of Work
The Value of Work
CHAPTER
13
 
When you are doing any work, do not think of anything beyond. Do 
it as worship, as the highest worship, and devote your whole life to 
it for the time being.
— Swami Vivekananda
1. What are the different types of 
activities that people engage in?
2. What is their contribution to  
our everyday lives?
The Big 
Questions
Anu and Kabir were playing in the park when they saw 
their neighbour, Geeta Aunty, getting out of a taxi. She was 
returning home from work and was in her uniform. A pilot 
in the Indian Air Force, she is the pride of the whole town. 
Kabir, Aunty’s uniform looks a 
lot like the one I saw at your 
house yesterday, but the colour 
is different.
That uniform on the hanger 
belongs to my grandfather. 
He retired from the Border 
Security Force and now spends 
his time ...
13_100724_v8_.indd   183 13_100724_v8_.indd   183 11-Jul-24   4:29:51 PM 11-Jul-24   4:29:51 PM
Page 2


183
13 ? The Value of Work
The Value of Work
CHAPTER
13
 
When you are doing any work, do not think of anything beyond. Do 
it as worship, as the highest worship, and devote your whole life to 
it for the time being.
— Swami Vivekananda
1. What are the different types of 
activities that people engage in?
2. What is their contribution to  
our everyday lives?
The Big 
Questions
Anu and Kabir were playing in the park when they saw 
their neighbour, Geeta Aunty, getting out of a taxi. She was 
returning home from work and was in her uniform. A pilot 
in the Indian Air Force, she is the pride of the whole town. 
Kabir, Aunty’s uniform looks a 
lot like the one I saw at your 
house yesterday, but the colour 
is different.
That uniform on the hanger 
belongs to my grandfather. 
He retired from the Border 
Security Force and now spends 
his time ...
13_100724_v8_.indd   183 13_100724_v8_.indd   183 11-Jul-24   4:29:51 PM 11-Jul-24   4:29:51 PM
184
Exploring Society: India and Beyond  
Economic Life Around Us
... providing free 
Geography classes to the 
neighbourhood kids ...
... tending to our 
vegetable garden, and ...
... running errands for the 
home.
My parents run 
a shop that sells 
uniforms and other 
ready-made garments. 
Appa leaves early in the 
morning and Maa joins 
him in the shop after we 
leave for school. 
Maa is usually back by 
the time we return home 
from school. She also 
contributes to a voluntary 
group that teaches 
knitting to the women in 
the community. 
Do you remember my 
elder brother Rohan? You 
met him when he came to 
pick me up from school. 
He is a software engineer 
and works in a company 
that makes computer 
applications. On the 
weekends he volunteers 
to teach computer skills 
to those who have joined 
the youth development 
programme of the nearby 
college.
Wow, Anu, everyone around us does 
so many things every day!
184
13_100724_v8_.indd   184 13_100724_v8_.indd   184 11-Jul-24   4:29:56 PM 11-Jul-24   4:29:56 PM
Page 3


183
13 ? The Value of Work
The Value of Work
CHAPTER
13
 
When you are doing any work, do not think of anything beyond. Do 
it as worship, as the highest worship, and devote your whole life to 
it for the time being.
— Swami Vivekananda
1. What are the different types of 
activities that people engage in?
2. What is their contribution to  
our everyday lives?
The Big 
Questions
Anu and Kabir were playing in the park when they saw 
their neighbour, Geeta Aunty, getting out of a taxi. She was 
returning home from work and was in her uniform. A pilot 
in the Indian Air Force, she is the pride of the whole town. 
Kabir, Aunty’s uniform looks a 
lot like the one I saw at your 
house yesterday, but the colour 
is different.
That uniform on the hanger 
belongs to my grandfather. 
He retired from the Border 
Security Force and now spends 
his time ...
13_100724_v8_.indd   183 13_100724_v8_.indd   183 11-Jul-24   4:29:51 PM 11-Jul-24   4:29:51 PM
184
Exploring Society: India and Beyond  
Economic Life Around Us
... providing free 
Geography classes to the 
neighbourhood kids ...
... tending to our 
vegetable garden, and ...
... running errands for the 
home.
My parents run 
a shop that sells 
uniforms and other 
ready-made garments. 
Appa leaves early in the 
morning and Maa joins 
him in the shop after we 
leave for school. 
Maa is usually back by 
the time we return home 
from school. She also 
contributes to a voluntary 
group that teaches 
knitting to the women in 
the community. 
Do you remember my 
elder brother Rohan? You 
met him when he came to 
pick me up from school. 
He is a software engineer 
and works in a company 
that makes computer 
applications. On the 
weekends he volunteers 
to teach computer skills 
to those who have joined 
the youth development 
programme of the nearby 
college.
Wow, Anu, everyone around us does 
so many things every day!
184
13_100724_v8_.indd   184 13_100724_v8_.indd   184 11-Jul-24   4:29:56 PM 11-Jul-24   4:29:56 PM
185
13 ? The Value of Work
LET’S EXPLORE
What activities did the people in Anu’s and Kabir’s story 
engage in? Mention them in the table given below: 
 
Character in the 
story
Activities they 
are engaged in
Different types of activities, like the ones discussed above, 
are divided into two groups or categories: economic 
activities and non-economic activities.
Economic activities are those that involve money or are 
performed in exchange for money or money’s worth for the 
parties involved. For example, a business person selling 
school bags in the market, a farmer selling produce in 
the market, a lawyer arguing a case and earning a fee, a 
truck driver transporting goods from one place to another, 
workers employed in a car manufacturing factory, etc.
Money’s 
worth: The 
monetary 
value that 
a person 
places on  
an object 
based on the 
benefit that 
they derive 
from it.
Market: A place where people engage 
in the exchange of goods and services. 
People may exchange goods and 
services for other goods but in most 
markets these are exchanged for money.
Fee: A payment made to a 
person or organisation in 
exchange for professional advice 
or services. For example, a fee 
paid to a doctor and a lawyer.
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Page 4


183
13 ? The Value of Work
The Value of Work
CHAPTER
13
 
When you are doing any work, do not think of anything beyond. Do 
it as worship, as the highest worship, and devote your whole life to 
it for the time being.
— Swami Vivekananda
1. What are the different types of 
activities that people engage in?
2. What is their contribution to  
our everyday lives?
The Big 
Questions
Anu and Kabir were playing in the park when they saw 
their neighbour, Geeta Aunty, getting out of a taxi. She was 
returning home from work and was in her uniform. A pilot 
in the Indian Air Force, she is the pride of the whole town. 
Kabir, Aunty’s uniform looks a 
lot like the one I saw at your 
house yesterday, but the colour 
is different.
That uniform on the hanger 
belongs to my grandfather. 
He retired from the Border 
Security Force and now spends 
his time ...
13_100724_v8_.indd   183 13_100724_v8_.indd   183 11-Jul-24   4:29:51 PM 11-Jul-24   4:29:51 PM
184
Exploring Society: India and Beyond  
Economic Life Around Us
... providing free 
Geography classes to the 
neighbourhood kids ...
... tending to our 
vegetable garden, and ...
... running errands for the 
home.
My parents run 
a shop that sells 
uniforms and other 
ready-made garments. 
Appa leaves early in the 
morning and Maa joins 
him in the shop after we 
leave for school. 
Maa is usually back by 
the time we return home 
from school. She also 
contributes to a voluntary 
group that teaches 
knitting to the women in 
the community. 
Do you remember my 
elder brother Rohan? You 
met him when he came to 
pick me up from school. 
He is a software engineer 
and works in a company 
that makes computer 
applications. On the 
weekends he volunteers 
to teach computer skills 
to those who have joined 
the youth development 
programme of the nearby 
college.
Wow, Anu, everyone around us does 
so many things every day!
184
13_100724_v8_.indd   184 13_100724_v8_.indd   184 11-Jul-24   4:29:56 PM 11-Jul-24   4:29:56 PM
185
13 ? The Value of Work
LET’S EXPLORE
What activities did the people in Anu’s and Kabir’s story 
engage in? Mention them in the table given below: 
 
Character in the 
story
Activities they 
are engaged in
Different types of activities, like the ones discussed above, 
are divided into two groups or categories: economic 
activities and non-economic activities.
Economic activities are those that involve money or are 
performed in exchange for money or money’s worth for the 
parties involved. For example, a business person selling 
school bags in the market, a farmer selling produce in 
the market, a lawyer arguing a case and earning a fee, a 
truck driver transporting goods from one place to another, 
workers employed in a car manufacturing factory, etc.
Money’s 
worth: The 
monetary 
value that 
a person 
places on  
an object 
based on the 
benefit that 
they derive 
from it.
Market: A place where people engage 
in the exchange of goods and services. 
People may exchange goods and 
services for other goods but in most 
markets these are exchanged for money.
Fee: A payment made to a 
person or organisation in 
exchange for professional advice 
or services. For example, a fee 
paid to a doctor and a lawyer.
13_100724_v8_.indd   185 13_100724_v8_.indd   185 11-Jul-24   4:29:56 PM 11-Jul-24   4:29:56 PM
186
Exploring Society: India and Beyond  
Economic Life Around Us
Non-economic activities are those that do not generate 
income or wealth but are done out of feelings like gratitude, 
love, care and respect. For instance, parents cooking food 
for the family or helping their children with schoolwork, 
youth taking care of the grandparents, family members 
helping in the renovation of the house, etc.
Left to right, top to bottom:  
A business person selling  
school bags in the market
Farmers selling their  
harvest in the market
A lawyer arguing a case 
A truck driver transporting goods 
from one place to another
Workers employed in a car 
manufacturing factory
Left to right: 
Parents cooking food  
for the family 
Mother helping her 
children with  
schoolwork 
13_100724_v8_.indd   186 13_100724_v8_.indd   186 11-Jul-24   4:29:58 PM 11-Jul-24   4:29:58 PM
Page 5


183
13 ? The Value of Work
The Value of Work
CHAPTER
13
 
When you are doing any work, do not think of anything beyond. Do 
it as worship, as the highest worship, and devote your whole life to 
it for the time being.
— Swami Vivekananda
1. What are the different types of 
activities that people engage in?
2. What is their contribution to  
our everyday lives?
The Big 
Questions
Anu and Kabir were playing in the park when they saw 
their neighbour, Geeta Aunty, getting out of a taxi. She was 
returning home from work and was in her uniform. A pilot 
in the Indian Air Force, she is the pride of the whole town. 
Kabir, Aunty’s uniform looks a 
lot like the one I saw at your 
house yesterday, but the colour 
is different.
That uniform on the hanger 
belongs to my grandfather. 
He retired from the Border 
Security Force and now spends 
his time ...
13_100724_v8_.indd   183 13_100724_v8_.indd   183 11-Jul-24   4:29:51 PM 11-Jul-24   4:29:51 PM
184
Exploring Society: India and Beyond  
Economic Life Around Us
... providing free 
Geography classes to the 
neighbourhood kids ...
... tending to our 
vegetable garden, and ...
... running errands for the 
home.
My parents run 
a shop that sells 
uniforms and other 
ready-made garments. 
Appa leaves early in the 
morning and Maa joins 
him in the shop after we 
leave for school. 
Maa is usually back by 
the time we return home 
from school. She also 
contributes to a voluntary 
group that teaches 
knitting to the women in 
the community. 
Do you remember my 
elder brother Rohan? You 
met him when he came to 
pick me up from school. 
He is a software engineer 
and works in a company 
that makes computer 
applications. On the 
weekends he volunteers 
to teach computer skills 
to those who have joined 
the youth development 
programme of the nearby 
college.
Wow, Anu, everyone around us does 
so many things every day!
184
13_100724_v8_.indd   184 13_100724_v8_.indd   184 11-Jul-24   4:29:56 PM 11-Jul-24   4:29:56 PM
185
13 ? The Value of Work
LET’S EXPLORE
What activities did the people in Anu’s and Kabir’s story 
engage in? Mention them in the table given below: 
 
Character in the 
story
Activities they 
are engaged in
Different types of activities, like the ones discussed above, 
are divided into two groups or categories: economic 
activities and non-economic activities.
Economic activities are those that involve money or are 
performed in exchange for money or money’s worth for the 
parties involved. For example, a business person selling 
school bags in the market, a farmer selling produce in 
the market, a lawyer arguing a case and earning a fee, a 
truck driver transporting goods from one place to another, 
workers employed in a car manufacturing factory, etc.
Money’s 
worth: The 
monetary 
value that 
a person 
places on  
an object 
based on the 
benefit that 
they derive 
from it.
Market: A place where people engage 
in the exchange of goods and services. 
People may exchange goods and 
services for other goods but in most 
markets these are exchanged for money.
Fee: A payment made to a 
person or organisation in 
exchange for professional advice 
or services. For example, a fee 
paid to a doctor and a lawyer.
13_100724_v8_.indd   185 13_100724_v8_.indd   185 11-Jul-24   4:29:56 PM 11-Jul-24   4:29:56 PM
186
Exploring Society: India and Beyond  
Economic Life Around Us
Non-economic activities are those that do not generate 
income or wealth but are done out of feelings like gratitude, 
love, care and respect. For instance, parents cooking food 
for the family or helping their children with schoolwork, 
youth taking care of the grandparents, family members 
helping in the renovation of the house, etc.
Left to right, top to bottom:  
A business person selling  
school bags in the market
Farmers selling their  
harvest in the market
A lawyer arguing a case 
A truck driver transporting goods 
from one place to another
Workers employed in a car 
manufacturing factory
Left to right: 
Parents cooking food  
for the family 
Mother helping her 
children with  
schoolwork 
13_100724_v8_.indd   186 13_100724_v8_.indd   186 11-Jul-24   4:29:58 PM 11-Jul-24   4:29:58 PM
187
13 ? The Value of Work
LET’S EXPLORE
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.
In Anu’s and Kabir’s story, Geeta Aunty, the Air Force pilot, 
receives a salary. She serves the country and performs an 
economic activity too. Anu’s brother, Rohan, works for a 
software company and is given a salary for it. Over the 
weekend, he also volunteers at the youth development 
programme of the nearby college, where he teaches 
computer skills to young adults. This is a non-economic 
activity.
 THINK ABOUT IT
 ? When Kabir’s grandfather voluntarily teaches the 
neighbourhood kids for free, is that an economic 
activity or a non-economic activity? How is it different 
from your teachers teaching you at school? Discuss 
with your classmates.
 ? What are some non-economic activities that are 
important to you and your family? Why are they 
valuable?
Left to right:
Youth taking care of the 
grandparents 
Family members helping in 
the renovation of the house 
Salary:  
A fixed 
regular 
payment 
generally 
paid monthly 
by an 
employer  
to an 
employee.
13_100724_v8_.indd   187 13_100724_v8_.indd   187 11-Jul-24   4:29:59 PM 11-Jul-24   4:29:59 PM