Knowledge is Power

These words of Lord Bacon are full of meaning. There is no denying the fact that a man of knowledge wields great power.

Man has acquired knowledge slowly and slowly. In the beginning, he lived in the jungle and was afraid of wild animals. But after sometime, as he possessed knowledge, he was able to tame the wild animals. It is through the possession of knowledge that man has been able to control the forces of nature. He is able to delve deep into earth, swim in water like the fish, fly in air like the birds and even walk in space. It is all possible through sheer possession of knowledge.

Man has made remarkable progress in the field of science and technology. The modern world is getting more and more industrialized. We have huge industrial units to manufacture ships, aeroplanes, trains and even space-rockets. There is a system of mass production to cater tosthe needs of the teeming millions. Innumerable scientific discoveries and inventions have been there. The process is still on and will perhaps never come to an end.

It is not only the scientific knowledge which gives man power. We have specialists in the fields of medicine, surgery, psychology, economics, law, agriculture, religion and so on. We have to bow G'Ziif heads to them with great respect and to get our needs fulfilled.

Perhaps the greatest power lies in the field of spiritual power. The achievements of such personalities as Christ, Buddha, Rama, Krishna, Mohammed and Nanak are still considered unparalleled. Millions of people daily bow their heads to them. They are the saviours of mankind.

It is important to see that knowledge is used only for constructive purposes and for human welfare. To make use of knowledge for narrow, selfish ends is misuse of knowledge. Also man has invented several horrible devices of his own destruction, including nuclear weapons. They can destroy man himself as Frankenstein's monster destroyed his own creator.

It is the indispensable duty of scientists as much as of political leaders all over the world to see that no steps are taken which endanger human existence, otherwise power obtained through knowledge will destroy the possessor.