Knowledge is Power

Francis Bacon said Knowledge itself is power. Knowledge is the awareness of a fact or a situation. It is a rich and a unique possession that cannot be stolen or plundered. Knowledge doesn't decrease when it is given. In fact, knowledge is power. Our knowledge is the amassed thought and experience of countless human beings. Those who have wide-range of knowledge and experience can capture power and influence. The possession of knowledge gives them a distinct advantage over the semi educated people. Half knowledge is regarded as ‘the curse of god’ and also it is worse than ignorance.

The growth and survival of mankind depends upon knowledge. From the Stone Age till date, man has struggled to know the unknown. He explored land, water and space by virtue of his knowledge. Man has made progress in all fields starting from science, technology to arts etc.

At the dawn of civilization, man was at the mercy of nature. He lived the life of a nomad. He invented tools and weapons for hunting. Verbal communication also developed. He discovered fire and the wheel. These were the initial steps taken by man by utilizing his brain.

Man, then started living in communities. He settled near rivers and took up agriculture. The settlements soon transformed into villages. Waterways and canals were constructed for irrigation purposes. Surplus grains were stored in granaries to be used later. Soon villages transformed into towns, then provinces and later cities and counties. He discovered new places and things and invented things for his own benefits. The gradual change and development from the Stone Age to the Present Age has been made possible by knowledge.

The successful discoveries and inventions encouraged man to contemplate on new ideas. His ability to rationalize, analyze and store the events in his memory enabled him to achieve success. Knowledge gave him the power, confidence and courage to make life worthy of living. He began to use the forces of nature for his own benefits. Thus, life become comfortable. He utilized his knowledge to improve his own life.

Man has been able to eradicate a number of diseases like polio, pox, plague etc from the face of the earth. The human body can be operated upon for removal of cancer or for an open heart surgery. The discovery of a number of antibiotics and drugs have reduced the sufferings of mankind. Agriculture has also been developed. The use of high yielding crop yield. The invention of the devices of communication has transformed the world into a global village. Computer has changed human life altogether. All these have been the fruits of man’s quest for knowledge.

Knowledge gave man the feeling of strength and power. Knowledge develops human faculties. It leads to the excellence of the mind. It enables one to give sound judgement. Education and knowledge are desirable for democracy. We should try to spread the knowledge base in all fields in the masses. In Indian rural scene, the knowledge levels about family, school education, problems of woman. child rearing and other social issues are very poor. Illiteracy and social backwardness combine to put the rural masses at the receiving end. Lack of knowledge leads to poverty and absence of methods of productivity and economic prosperity. This vicious cycle continues. Restraint, tolerance, understanding and capacity to manage affairs come with knowledge. If knowledge is imparted to our rural children, youth, women and men, they would emerge as the major social power.

Knowledge is Power, but knowledge does not always come with power. Knowledge is “the state of awareness or understanding gained from experience or study…learning specific information about something. This means a person has the resourcefulness to obtain and criticize useful and informative information in order to become well informed citizens who can make intelligent decisions based upon their understanding and awareness of everyday situations. Does this make them powerful? Is a question that creeps into one’s mind? Well, power is said to be the ability or capacity to act or perform effectively. Without knowledge, how can this ability to perform effectively, be possible? Indeed, it cannot. This proves that knowledge is very much a necessity to gain Power.

Education is the key to success is one of the sayings that one hears throughout their college life. It is invariably true that every person who is knowledgeable leads a successful life. Education plays an important role in promoting a nation’s economic growth, as well.