CBSE Class 9 Social Science: People as Resources - NCERT Solutions

The concept of 'people as a resource' views a country's population not merely as a number, but as a valuable asset. It refers to the existing working population in terms of their productive skills, knowledge, and abilities. When this population is educated and healthy, it can contribute significantly to the nation's economic development and productivity, transforming them into a resource.

Human resource is distinct from other resources like land and physical capital because it possesses the unique ability to utilize and transform them. While land and physical capital are essential inputs, they cannot become useful or productive on their own. It is the human resource, with its intelligence, skills, and labor, that makes effective use of these other resources to produce goods and services. Therefore, human resource is considered the most active and superior resource.

Education plays a pivotal role in the formation of human capital. It is the primary means through which individuals acquire knowledge, skills, and training necessary to become productive members of society.

• Enhances Productivity: Proper education and training equip individuals with better skills, leading to increased productivity in their work, which in turn boosts the overall economic growth of the country.
• Develops Personality and Consciousness: Education contributes to the development of an individual's personality and fosters a sense of national consciousness, which are crucial for the progress and development of a nation.
• Asset Creation: An educated population is an asset, capable of innovation and contributing to various sectors of the economy.

In essence, education transforms a population into a valuable human resource.

Health is a critical component of human capital formation. A healthy individual is capable of realizing their full potential and contributing effectively to the economy.

• Maximizing Potential: Good health allows individuals to work efficiently, learn better, and engage in productive activities without being hindered by illness.
• Economic Asset: A healthy person is an asset to the economy, contributing to increased output and economic growth.
• Reducing Liability: Conversely, an unhealthy person may struggle to work, potentially becoming a liability due to medical costs and reduced productivity.

Investing in health is, therefore, investing in human capital.

Health plays a fundamental role in an individual's working life by directly impacting their efficiency and productivity. A healthy person possesses the physical and mental stamina to perform tasks effectively, realize their full potential, and resist illnesses. This leads to greater work output and better quality of work. In contrast, an unhealthy individual may experience frequent absences, reduced energy levels, and a lower capacity to perform, potentially becoming a liability rather than an asset to their workplace. Therefore, an individual's health is directly proportional to their efficiency and ability to contribute productively.

The economy is broadly divided into three sectors based on the types of activities undertaken:

• Primary Sector: This sector involves activities related to the extraction and production of natural resources. Examples include agriculture, forestry, animal husbandry, fishing, poultry farming, mining, and quarrying.
• Secondary Sector: This sector is concerned with the processing of natural resources obtained from the primary sector. Manufacturing industries, where raw materials are transformed into finished goods, fall under this category.
• Tertiary Sector: This sector comprises activities that provide support services to the primary and secondary sectors, as well as to society. Examples include trade, transport, communication, banking, insurance, education, health, and tourism.

Economic activities are those activities that contribute to the national income of a country by producing goods or services. They can be further divided into:

• Market Activities: These involve production of goods and services for pay or profit. Examples include a farmer selling crops in the market or a factory worker earning wages.
• Non-Market Activities: These involve the production of goods and services for self-consumption. An example is a farmer growing crops for his own family's use.

Non-economic activities, on the other hand, do not add to the national income. These are typically activities done out of love, affection, or a sense of duty, such as household chores performed by a homemaker for their family.

Women are often employed in low-paid work primarily due to societal factors and gender discrimination that limit their access to education and skill development.

• Limited Education and Skills: Historically and in many societies, women have been denied equal opportunities for education and vocational training. This results in a lower skill base compared to men, making them eligible for jobs that require less expertise and thus offer lower wages.
• Gender Bias: Even when educated and skilled, women may face discrimination in the job market, being offered lower salaries or being relegated to less prestigious and lower-paying roles.
• Caregiving Responsibilities: Societal expectations often place the primary responsibility of childcare and household management on women, which can limit their ability to pursue higher education or demanding, higher-paying careers.

These factors collectively contribute to women being employed in low-paid occupations and earning less than men.

Unemployment is a situation where individuals who are able and willing to work at the prevailing wage rates are unable to find suitable employment. To be considered unemployed, a person must meet specific criteria:

• Ability to Work: The individual must be capable of performing work.
• Willingness to Work: The individual must be actively seeking employment and willing to accept available jobs at the current market wage.
• Lack of Employment: Despite being able and willing, the individual cannot find a job.

Unemployment is a significant issue as it represents a waste of human resources and can lead to economic hardship for individuals and families, as well as social problems for the country.

The key difference between disguised unemployment and seasonal unemployment lies in the nature of the work and the requirement of labor:

• Disguised Unemployment: This occurs when more people are working in a particular job or activity than are actually needed. Their contribution is minimal, and if they were removed, the total output would likely remain unaffected. This is common in agriculture, where family members might work on a small plot of land even if fewer hands are required. For example, if five people are needed for a task and eight are working, the extra three are disguisedly unemployed.
• Seasonal Unemployment: This type of unemployment happens when people find work only during certain months of the year, typically related to seasonal activities. Outside of these peak seasons, they are unemployed. Agriculture in India often leads to seasonal unemployment, as laborers find work mainly during sowing, harvesting, and other specific agricultural periods, remaining jobless during the rest of the year.

Educated unemployment is considered a peculiar problem in India due to a combination of factors related to its large population and educational system:

• Large Number of Graduates: India produces a vast number of graduates and post-graduates every year from its numerous schools and colleges.
• Insufficient Job Creation: The pace at which employment opportunities are generated in various sectors of the economy does not match the increasing number of educated individuals entering the job market.
• Mismatch of Skills: Often, the education system may not equip students with the practical skills or vocational training that are in demand by employers, leading to a mismatch between the qualifications of the educated job seekers and the requirements of available jobs.

This situation results in a significant number of educated individuals being unable to find suitable employment, making it a distinct challenge for India.

India has the potential to build maximum employment opportunities primarily in the agricultural sector and its allied industries.

• Labor Absorption: Agriculture is the largest employer in India, absorbing a significant portion of the workforce.
• Value Addition: By focusing on efficient and quality packaging, processing, and marketing of agricultural products, significant value can be added. This not only increases the income of farmers but also generates substantial employment in related fields such as food processing, logistics, storage, and retail.
• Diversification: Encouraging allied activities like dairy, poultry, fisheries, and horticulture can further diversify employment options within the rural economy.

Investing in these areas can create a ripple effect, leading to widespread employment generation across the country.