Knowledge has come to define our society. In India which used to be dominated by caste and class discussions acquiring knowledge seems to have taken a precedence over other aspects. Its quite common to see individuals striving to improve on their knowledge quotient (KQ) to improve upon their chances of success in various endeavors they pursue.

Starting from Job sector in India where knowledge seem to be the single biggest determining factor in choice along with behavioral traits (which again can be classified as as part of knowledge), KQ has become the factor which defines individuals. 

An example of this opportunity in India are the software professionals who have earned their success through knowledge of software engineering, which in turn has been acquired through education. An individual is sure to succeed If (s)he is educated while the same is not guaranteed based on his/her background. This phenomena is a result of the power which knowledge possesses in paving the way for non linear growth in value while property/money can only lead to conventional, linear growth in value. 

 Another great example of our times is Bill Gates, while he is not educated in the conventional sense (did not have a degree when he started of), he had the knowledge needed to create value which he acquired by education himself.

 200 Years ago, education would have provided an individual with the opportunity of serving rich or noble class, this in turn meant that educated could have never (almost all the times) become more successful than rich or noble class. Hence in those days, property and money were critical to the success one achieved. It should be mentioned that examples such as those of Bill Gates or Software professionals existed even 200 years ago but they were a tiny minority and the opportunity provided today by education is far greater in the egalitarian & democratic societies of today.

Almost all the challenges of today, be it climate change, social justice or equitable growth needs knowledge as key enabler for movement forward. Even in my routine & mundane job I notice that we are challenged to learn something new on a periodic basis. 

It is important to note that we must not limit definition of knowledge to an understanding of Game Theory, Quantum Mechanics or behavioral sciences etc. Even ability to manage a group of people in political rally would classify as knowledge for me and indeed this helps you get one of the most prized roles in Indian society that of a wealthy and powerful politician. 

However this change does come with its own set of challenges. One of the biggest debate in my mind has been the challenge of access to knowledge. Some of us are more privileged and some others do get left out. But I guess solutions would come by, as B R Ambedkar revolutionized Indian society through the knowledge he had by penning down one of the most progressive constitutions of our time, I am sure its a matter of time before we see more pro active work in this space....