In the history of mankind, advent of science was the greatest blessing. Science has come to relieve mankind of sufferings, ignorance and to control nature. It has been defined as a systematised body of wisdom and knowledge which can lead to greater inventions. Science has also been known as a faithful servant of man and yet harmful if we misuse it.
Science has brought about far-reaching changes in every sphere of our daily life. Now everybody can afford to avail the benefits of luxuries and comforts created by science.
Science has made goods cheap and readily available. All kinds of gadgets of music, entertainment and communication have been brought to our door with the help of Science. Surely, the life of man is very different from what it used to be few years back. Truly, science has given ears to the deaf, eyes to the blind and limbs to the crippled.
In everyday live, we have several people even in far off places. However, time and distance have been conquered by science. Whether we want to communicate or travel, both are possible within seconds. For communication, we have telephones, mobiles, wireless, e-mail, VSATs and internet etc., for faster travelling, aeroplanes are being used. Railways have made travelling swift, safe and comfortable.
Health is wealth. This has been made possible with modern machines. Science has invented ways to peep inside the human body through X-ray machines to tackle diseases. Diseases can easily be detected and various tests conducted within a matter of few seconds. Complicated operations are possible and are successful with the help of equipment and machines invented with the help of science. Human life would get transformed into new horizons and heights of prosperity when atomic energy is fully utilised for peaceful purposes.
A big contribution of science in our daily life is electricity. Without electricity, there would have been complete darkness after evening hours and no industry could function without the power of electricity. We have been able to control the effects of weather change with electrical energy. Now each household has television and radios which are the fastest medium of mass communication made possible by science.
Science is proving to be of great help in our daily life. The world would have come to a standstill without it. There is shortage of space everywhere and as such, high-rise buildings are constructed both for commercial and residential purposes. Inventions of lifts working in these buildings have made life very easy. A housewife can cook taste with the help of electricity run kitchen machines. Thus she saves a lot of her cooking time and is able to devote that precious time in many other activities related to family life. The washing of clothes for her has become really an enjoyable game of few minutes. Even she need not run here and there spreading wet clothes for drying. All this is possible with the production of fully automatic washing machines.
In spite of the blessings, we remain in constant fear of mass destruction weapons invented by science. Another disadvantage of science has been the misuse of mass media for propaganda. Sometimes information stories facts are blown out of proportion leading to tension among the masses. Much of communal tension within the country has been the creation of media.
Mass media is used by anti-social elements to spread rumours and false information. Once a story is circulated, it spreads like a forest fire, thanks to mass media. It is certainly up to mankind to utilise the benefits of science for welfare of all or to indulge in making mass destruction weapons for miseries of future generations. Science can further be utilised to make our daily life more prosperous, comfortable and full of happiness.
Science is a beautiful gift to humanity; we should not distort it.
(Contributed by Mishal Nayak)