Knowledge
Is NOT Power
Discipline,
the Name of the Game
Francis Bacon, the
British philosopher (1561-1626) popularised the saying “Knowledge is power”. It is glowing brighter in the recent years
as knowledge workers have taken the front seat of the society. According to him a person with knowledge has
the ability to produce more and perform better which will add up to his/her
existing strength. However, it may not be a right
formula for the dynamics of a nation state.
A survey of the world
history will affirm that nations ruled by discipline and served by knowledge
emerged strong and powerful. The Akanda Bharath was the fountainhead of knowledge for
the entire oriental side of the Universe.
The remarks of Will Durant that “In Asia all roads lead from India” was
historically proved. Alexander the Great
was astonished by the knowledge power and was very respectful to India despite
conquering the north western parts of India. A scrutiny of Indian history will, however,
reveal that the abundant supply of knowledge power did not help her to be a
successful nation. The reason for her inability
to become a powerful nation was mainly due to the lack of the vital ingredient “discipline”. The disciplined Moguls were able to rule
over India for six centuries in spite of their lesser knowledge strength. The
European rulers came in the 16th century and were able to impress
with the combination of both superior knowledge and discipline. India, after independence, continued the British
legacy which brought her a general reputation in the world, however, her
progress record is very dismal compared to nations like Japan, Korea, China and
Singapore. A rough (by the author) ratio analysis between
knowledge and discipline will reveal the secret of success.
Country Discipline (%) Knowledge (%)
Singapore 80 20
China 70 30
Japan 60 40
Korea 50 50
India 10 90
The success depends
upon the higher ratio of discipline. The
West followed the military culture for centuries and has evolved a well balanced
formula giving due importance for both by which they complement each other. Knowledge can develop, design, discover,
invent, promote and enhance the value of various products and services but it
is discipline that can implement them to give end benefits to the people. Knowledge
will inform and discipline will perform. A study of the effectiveness of knowledge
power in India will reveal a few surprises.
The IQ of an average
CBSE 12th standard student is definitely higher than his/her
counterpart in the USA, Japan and Europe.
Yet, he/she wants to pursue their higher education in the West, Why?There is no
continuation of the CBSE standard in college education. In most colleges the indiscriminate mixing of
high and low standards dilutes the general standard which frustrates the
studious. Secondly, bright students are
skeptical with the niggardly acknowledgement they receive for their hard work. The result, the cream of the educated gets
exported.
If we undertake a research
we will be surprised to find that there may be at least 10 Bill Gates (William
Gates of Microsoft) inside India. But
the Bill gates in USA will be the successful because he is a citizen of USA
well known for its discipline and strong system.
What is discipline?
“The
practice of training people to obey rules or a code of behaviour, using
punishment to correct disobedience.” (Oxford Dictionary)
“Without
self-discipline, a person with every blessing of background, education and
opportunity will seldom rise above mediocrity.”- (Brian Tracy,
Human development trainer and author)
“The one quality which sets one man apart from another- the
key which lifts to every aspiration while others are caught up in the mire of
mediocrity-is not talent, formal education, nor intellectual brightness- it
is self discipline. With
self-discipline all things are possible. Without it, even the simplest goal can
seem like the impossible dream” (Theodore Roosevelt, 26th president
of the USA)
Developed nations give more weight
to discipline than knowledge. Discipline is action oriented.
It cultivates great qualities required for success like courage, self control, self esteem, patience,
mutual respect, empathy and many more.
hhttp://businessnetworking.com/good-knowledge-arent-applying/
Dr. Ivan Misner
Conclusion
Due to lack of
discipline, India’s vast knowledge has been cleverly exploited by the
disciplined foreigners. History repeats
itself.
We have been copying
the West in everything but not their discipline? Why we
are unable to link our knowledge power with discipline? A billion dollar question.
Is it due to the
inherent lethargy, individualism and reluctance to work under rules and
regulations? Even highly educated people
are generally not law abiding.
Discipline is considered an unnecessary burden on freedom of action and
also a hard way to achieve goal. Discipline is pain but it pays back.
Innumerable talks,
discussions, and writings are going on regularly in India for the last 10 years
on how to match China. Talks are more
about the statistics of their GDP and foreign reserves not about their
methodology and will power that enabled them to scale new heights.
Take this example: The Metro rail system (subway) of Shangai in China
started in 1994 has now 330 stations, total length of 532 KM and 14 lines, a
clear demonstration of a well planed and organised work. The Kolkata Metro started in
1984 has now 24 stations, total length of 28 KM and 4 lines. Bengalis
are definitely more knowledgeable than the Chinese. What is the use?
Success is about the
“doing,” not just the “knowing.” (Dr. Ivan Misner)
India’s anarchic
democracy also adds to the general inertia. Former
Malaysian Prime Minister, Tun Dr Mahathir bin Mohamad, said ‘India could be
China in terms of development if it was “less democratic” (Hindustan Times), a
snide remark on the lack of discipline.
There are several
countries with literacy rate over 90% but only those having good governance and
control become the rich and powerful.
India, by opening
thousands of colleges all over the country for accumulating knowledge with little
focus on discipline, will be only chasing a mirage.
Dr. Krishnan
Arunachalam
Ref: Authors’ speech in
Kohinoor Toastmasters club, 1997
\(Published in Mylapore Club magazine Oct/14 by the author)
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