Public knowledge of current affairs have changed very little; despite dramatic changes in the media and information revolution. On an average, today’s citizens are as able to name their leaders, and are about as aware of major news events, as was the public
nearly 20 years ago. Isn’t this worrying you? In today’s well-connected world we are so less concerned about what’s happening around us.
It is so important to be connected to the world; we all are directly or indirectly affected by what goes around us. We cannot exist in vacuum – all by ourselves, therefore being connected with world is as important as eating and sleeping.
Current affairs comprise of news, information, awareness and comprehension on all that is happening in the world – it is related to every walk of life. It covers all topics ranging from business, sports, money, politics, education, employment, crime, and ethics so on and forth. It may be about rising onion prices, theft in somebody’s shop, or a terrorist attack. You may grasp the news from the television news hours, news papers, Internet, news magazines, business magazines, radio, talk shows, and word of mouth – from anywhere. I am sure all of us like news related to a particular sector, or area. But, it is advisable to be updated for your all round growth. Please do not rely on bluffers or unauthorized source of information, wrong information will not lead you anywhere. I know some youngsters gather news from their friends; this news comes with lots of twists and tweaks.
From students to professionals to business owners to homemakers to retirees, this applies to virtually everyone in all walks of life. Here’s why having good general knowledge is an important facet of your personality and helps you win at almost everything in everyday life.
Parts of Current Affairs and Effects:
1) General knowledge makes starting conversations easy
Holding a conversation with a friend, colleague, acquaintance or even a stranger may be difficult if you don’t share common interests. General knowledge and current affairs are instant conversation starters and can help you in those typical awkward moments of silence whether during an important professional meeting or mushy first date talk.
Being up-to-date on general knowledge will save you from weird situations when neither you nor someone else have anything to say. Your boundaries of conversation will extend much beyond your core areas on interests. This will allow you start conversations with virtually anyone and everyone.
2) Get better grades in school, college and competitive exams
Whether it is a long and dull school essay or your prep for an upcoming debate, general knowledge can help you enhance academic knowledge. You may be able to stand out from the crowd if your knowledge on just about everything within and beyond your course work is tip top.
It is common sense to have a good grip over general knowledge and current affairs. Students in school and college are in many ways, expected to know what is making the world go around. A high level of general knowledge will passively yet directly affect your grades in school, college and even competitive exams.
3) General knowledge helps you take better decisions in life
The importance of general knowledge and current affair spans beyond being able to shoot off answers or start conversations. General knowledge makes you street smart and helps you take well informed decisions.
For example, being up-to-date on fiscal policies can help you make a profitable investment or knowing all about consumer rights can help you demand better service from a company.
4) Impressing someone with general knowledge is a given
Did you think that your buff body is all it takes to impress girls on the beach? Do you believe that a curvy figure is all it takes to start, build and sustain a bond with a guy? A smart personality and good body language are definitely some of the core elements required to impress anyone. But good physical characteristics may be useless if you don’t know what to talk about or how to sustain long chit chats.
If you want to impress a girl who is a movie buff, you may be better off with good general knowledge about films that are cult classics. If you want to impress your interviewer while seeking a job, you may need to be armed with general knowledge about the industry, economy and more.
5) Importance of general knowledge for parents: Helping your kids fare better in school
What example will you set if your child comes to you with a simple question on science and you are left clueless? As a parent it is important for you to display good general knowledge and impart the same in your kids.
Besides being able to help your kids with projects and homework, you will also be able to keep up with their state of mind if you are updated with the latest trends.
6) Interact effectively with people from different cultures
There is a reason why things like knowing capitals cities of various countries, being able to identify their positions on the world map and knowing about their cultures are given importance in schools. Having general knowledge about different countries and geographies is known to help kids to form a perspective about the world and a culture that is different from their own.
For example, a college student who reads National Geographic magazine regularly may passively be more effective at dealing with a multicultural workforce in the future.
7) General knowledge helps you keep up with the latest trends
Apart from the fact that general knowledge has multiple practical uses it can also make you trendier. Current affairs is an integral part of the general knowledge domain and skimming through magazines, newsletters and websites can keep you updated on the latest trends.
8) Refine your sense of humor with general knowledge
Having a good sense of humor is possible if you have good observation skills and if you know lots of trivia. You will be able to crack a joke or play a pun on a word easily if you can weave in a fact or two and use it in satire of a situation you are in.
9) General knowledge will help you have an opinion
Opining is not always about telling someone what you think or whether you like or dislike something. It involves subtleties of making an informed choice, taking a side, manipulating and maybe even cajoling someone to do something.
Even the art of avoiding giving an opinion and beating around the bush is made easier with good general knowledge because you have to know what you are being asked, what you are going to say and what else can you add to avoid doing something that you don’t want to do.
10) Enhance your public speaking skill with general knowledge The importance of general knowledge percolates deeper than just being able to be a good conversationalist. Strong command over general knowledge and current affairs will help you get rid of the fear of public speaking as you will no longer be worried about filling the long pauses and gaps.
11) General knowledge increase creativity and innovation Academic curriculum may not be enough to increasing creativity and innovation in children and adults alike. Everyone learns the same things in school and college. What makes people different from each other is the extra knowledge they have.
For example, a student who is a science buff could very well come up with the next big innovative IT solution which was the result of years of flipping through science and tech journals.
12) Quest for general knowledge: Makes for an excellent hobby
What will you possibly do if you are feeling bored and you don’t have a laptop or a smartphone in sight? Getting even more bored, is possibly one of the top answers. Your quest for general knowledge will make you look forward to just picking up a newspaper, book or a magazine and spending hour after hour reading.
Policies and Procedures
The professional bodies while conducting examinations always test the student’s knowledge of current affairs. Aspirants who wish to crack IAS, Bank PO/clerks, LLB, PSUs, SSCs or entrance examinations like MBA, etc cannot succeed those exams without in-depth knowledge of current affairs.
If you are aspiring for a reasonable job in corporate, bank or government organization, your current affairs knowledge is tested. I have seen in number of cases where my students have gone up to the last round of interviews, when they could not discuss on some important current issues, they have lost the chances. There are two reasons for being grounded with current affairs: firstly, globalization has transformed the entire world into global village; therefore any event happening in any corner of the world has started influencing people every nook and corner. And secondly, our lives are interrelated with most happening. It’s nice to be informed about a country before a visit as this can decrease unexpected “shocks” and travel mishaps; basically about the country rules, regulations and safety procedures etc. In addition, keeping up with the news also allows you to get to know the country, people and cultures that you will encounter during your travels abroad.
Few tips to keep in touch with current affairs:
- Read news papers regularly.
- If you’re reading about controversies, gather information of social, economic and political background of the happening.
- Do a SWOT analysis of the issue. And think about solutions. You are a responsible citizen of the country and you have a view point of your own.
- Always remember, think of a solution – you just can’t read about a crisis and leave it there.
- Join some group on Internet such as Face book/Twitter express your views.
To conclude, scientists say people who keep up-to-date with current affairs stay healthier mentally as well as physically. There are lesser chances of these people to suffer Alzheimer’s because they constantly think and analyze. And, secondly because they gather so much news they stay fit by changing their living habits. -shodoritu.blog
