In the beginning, man was no better than an animal. He was at the mercy of the forces of nature and lived in constant fear of other creatures stronger than him. But now he has become the lord of creation. It is science that has given him this power. With it he has been inventing new things to acquire greater and greater power to make life comfortable and convenient.
Indeed, wonderful are the achievements of science which help us in many ways in our daily life. The electric light and fan, the electric cooker, the refrigerator have freed life from much of the drudgery and discomfort of our forefathers.
The first thing we take early in the morning is tea, and it is science that has given us this exhilarating drink. The daily paper that we take up then to satisfy or hunger for information is also a product of science. News are gatheredfrom all over the world and printed on a mass scale using different scientific processes.
Then comes food. Most of the food items are grown using new technology and some are imported through trains and ships and buses, another gift of science. The clothes we wear, waterproofs that protect us from rain, shoes which protect our feet are all manufactured by machines invented by the power of science.
People go to their works by different means—by buses or trains or cars or cycles— all of which are the blessings of science. At home, they relax by watching television or listening to music. In the rich countries of the west there are many other labour saving machines in almost every house. The latest miracles are the computers and cell phones which set up global network connections just by clicking of buttons.
Science has already improved our health. We now have medicines for many diseases which were so fatal only a few years ago. Modern surgery also has been working wonders in the surgical field.
Though great has been the achievements of science, it has its dark side too. By making too much use of machines we are becoming machines ourselves and run the risk of losing our souls. To save ourselves from that evil, we should not allow science to get mastery over us but should only use it as a servant.
We do not know what further wonders of science will be achieved in future but it is to be deeply regretted that science is also being used for evil purposes. We know about the production of deadlier weapons for destruction. This is certainly deplorable. But that is the abuse of science, and because a good thing is abused, the thing itself is not to be blamed. We should use science only for the good of mankind.
(Contributed by
Ziauddin Ahmed,
Class IX, RB Anupchand Hindi Secondary School. Ahmed’s essay has been adjudged the best write-up on the topic ‘Science in everyday life’)