The Knowledge Society

by Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam 

Summary:

“The Knowledge Society” is an essay extracted from the book “Ignited Minds”, written by Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, former President of India.  In this essay, he brings out the importance and the impact of the Knowledge very clearly. 

Dr. Kalam says that ancient India was an advanced knowledge society.  He also points at the devastating results of the British rule and other invasions, the lowered and dully ambitions in youth.  He feels that at first, the lost spirit is to be revived in order to achieve over all development of India. Reputed ancient Indian universities like Nalanda and Taxila show India’s competence in the field of knowledge. 

Sources of Knowledge:

According to Kalam, the multifaceted knowledge sources are many.  They include academic institutions, libraries, research papers, seminars, and various organizations.  In addition to these, there are heritage and history, the rituals, epic and traditions, which also act as rich resources of knowledge.  Kalam says that abundance of unorthodox wisdom is found in villages and in nature’s treasures. 

Importance of Knowledge/ Power of Knowledge/ Why Knowledge Society?’ Kalam’s views on Knowledge Society:

Dr. Kalam says that an individual or a nation can achieve prosperity and power through knowledge. So, its acquisition becomes essential everywhere in the world. From 20^th century, the mode of knowledge took a swift turn owing to industrialization.  The advanced technology has endowed knowledge with the element of power production (resource production) instead of more capital and labour.  According to Kalam, a nation qualifies as a knowledge society, if it deals with knowledge creation and knowledge deployment effectively.  A society can be declared as prosperous if it has the ability to create and maintain the knowledge infrastructure to enhance skills and increase productivity.  The latest knowledge and technology include – Information Technology, Bio-technology, Tele-medicine, Tele-education, user-driven technology, etc.

Important components of Knowledge Society:

According to Kalam, there are two important components of the Knowledge society. These are: societal transformation and wealth generation.  He feels that multiple technologies and appropriate management structures have to work together to affect these components.  The societal transformation should lead to employment generation, high productivity and rural prosperity.  The Information Technology products generation is to be increased in order to promote societal transformation. 

Kalam says that in order to become a knowledge super power, young and dynamic citizens should be induced with great ideals.  Lastly, he suggests to protect this knowledge by utilizing knowledge property rights.  

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Noojilla Srinivas

Lecturer in English

Govt. Degree College, Alamuru

noojillasrinivas@gmail.com