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village women have taken up nursing and teaching and work in the village dispensary and in
the primary schools respectively. Some youngmen have become mechanics and repair cycles.
Some of them are shopkeepers selling groceries, seeds, fertilisers, stationery etc. They
even sell medicines. In fact, it was very interesting to find one single shop in a village
selling all items of daily need.
Some women after working in the fields could be seen doing “Phulkari” work, the traditional
craft of Punjab. They made suits, sarees, bed sheets in vibrant colours and hues. There is
a great demand for ethnic wears in big towns. This is a fine example of how the cottage
industry has become a source of income for many people.
The people of villages also excelled in metal works and designing statues from wood,
stones and a few people made leather shoes called ‘Jutis’. To encourage the rural crafts,
the government provides loans and grants to craftsmen. Now, they have a chance to enjoy
a decent standard of life. Thus, in a village, both farming and non-farming activities form
a source of income.
The government further introduced the villagers to the wider economic and political world
outside the village via travel, work, education and television. Involvement of government in
rural upliftment has led to greater opportunities for village people to earn their livelihood.
Thousands of people leave their villages in search of jobs. They are keen on migrating
to Canada and Australia in search of better professional opportunities. And the ones, who
have gone out want to stay in touch with their family, friends and relatives in their villages.
This gave a scope of one more job as many enterprising young men have opened PCO booths
and thus earn a living. Computer institutes have also mushroomed and some youngmen and
women are earning their livelihood from it.
Now I Know :
Agriculture and animal husbandry are called primary occupations.
Self-employment, manufacturing units, industries etc, are called secondary occupations.
Farmers are categorised into four groups—landless farmers, small farmers, medium farmers and large farmers.
Not being able to earn money throughout the year compels people to migrate to other areas in search of better
livelihood options.
(Assessment of Learning Outcome)
A. Tick () the correct option :
1. Manufacturing units are considered under:
(a) primary occupation (b) secondary occupation
(c) tertiary occupation (d) none of these
2. In India, the basic occupation of villagers is:
(a) agriculture (b) fishing (c) crafting (d) none of these
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