K is for Knowledge
How often do
we hear the words “Knowledge is Power”? However, the one who made this seminal statement
was Francis Bacon the 16th century essayist. The concept underlying this
assertion has generated deep resonance
in thinking minds all along. Ironically, most of us don’t care to mull over the
significance of these words which can be life changing.
What does
knowledge mean? In simple words, knowledge is what you have imbibed through
study, observation, traveling and interaction with different types of people
in the course of your life.
In the
present times however, internet has acquired the status of a magical wand
possessing a colossal reservoir of knowledge at a click away. You marvel at
your luck to be around at such a period of history, where internet is the
unique wizard and leaves the likes of Harry Potter much behind. In fact, every literate
person with internet connectivity has legendary Aladdin‘s lamp at his disposal.
Internet opens doors and windows of information to help you explore the depths
of the micro world and the expanse of the macro world. Here you go for any topic
and lo and behold, the fairy tale treasures of knowledge present their pearls
for you to make a pick.
For
knowledge to happen good education is fundamental. It feeds imagination and
intellect. It enables you to be informed about things, which were never in the
radar of your mind scape. The learning
ability empowers you to understand and cope with life situations, think
maturely and decide options freely. The awareness which only education imparts,
allows you to weigh the multiple choices you have to steer your life. Moreover,
the knowledge, acquired by you, is your power with which to influence others and
it results in the cycling of information from one to the other. This is how
knowledge multiplies.
Education is a prerequisite for success in any field under the sun. In under developed
countries people’s participation in the affairs of their nations is possible
only if awareness of world is assimilated via relevant education. In this regard,
social networking sites are playing a major role in exchange of information, mobilizing
people for concerted actions, highlighting causes and enlightening people about
their rights and responsibilities.
Knowledge
fuels social movements. The surge of Arab spring protests that jolted the
entrenched regimes in those countries is the case in point. Wall Street demonstrations
in New York against social and economic inequality are an example too.
In the
overpopulated counties like India, educating women shall be able to have
control over their bodies, in the sense that they can restrict the number and
manage the spacing of their children. Literacy will enable them to take
recourse to family planning measures and have better information about
nutrition and health issues.
The idea of
self-knowledge in improving your chances of a more purposeful life needs
attention. No wonder Socrates said, “Know thyself” and much before that Hindu
scriptures critiqued the quest for self-knowledge. The desire to ‘know thyself’
is timeless. However, to achieve it is as difficult as it is easy to spell.
The upside
is that even the plain consciousness of the need for such knowledge spurs you
to make inroads to understand your personality. In the process, your strengths, abilities,
core beliefs and your limitations, which form a part of the knotted jungle
within you, take shape as separate entities for you to explore dispassionately.
The knowledge of the self will enhance your capacities for self-improvement and
service to others. The freshly roused voice inside you will balk at the violation
of your personal values at your work place or in numerous other situations in
life. The approach boosts self-confidence and cements the validity of the
ethics as a way of life.
Plato the
Greek philosopher opined that the essence of knowledge is self-knowledge. Yet
to deconstruct the psychic layers of the complex human mind is beyond any
mortal being. Moreover, this universal search for decoding the mystery of the
self has gone on through ages and will continue.
" ......To know the thoughts and deeds that have marked man's progress is to feel the great heartthrobs of humanity through the centuries......" Helen Keller
As i contemplate over the profundity of these words, an appraisal of my own journey of life, comes to the fore. Whether as a college teacher i was able to sow seeds of kindness, through encouraging words, good counseling, sympathetic attitude, character building and discipline. Was i able to imbibe enduring qualities of head and heart which had the potential of making the students lead a fulfilling and purposeful life. Looking back i can certainly assert that i tried sincerely and there were good results too. 
