Superstition is a peculiar type of traditional belief without the basis of reason. It is founded upon fear born of ignorance and mystery.
It is true that science has made great advancement in its course but still it is unable to explain some mysteries of the universe. And the superstition finds its way where the mystery prevails.
A vast section of people are the victims of superstition for their ignorance even in those fields where the light of science has already reached. There are numerous examples of popular superstitions in our society. Belief in ghosts is traditional and so is the faith in astrology and palmistry.
If a man sneezes when somebody is going out on a journey, it is thought that the journey would be inauspicious. The sight of a crow crying on a dry branch of a tree or the hooting of an own at daytime and the moaning of a dog or a cat at night are regarded as very ominous.
The so-called civilized and elite persons also have some superstitions. They look upon 13 as an unlucky number.
But the evil effects of superstition mostly affect the illiterate people. The superstitious belief in the magical powers to cure diseases often takes a heavy toll of human life. The system of ‘Sati’ was a cruel superstition which is now, more or less, abolished. But another cruel practice, ‘witchcraft’, is till prevailing among the ignorant masses.
There is, however, a definite cure for superstition and that is education. If people are properly educated and encouraged to develop a scientific attitude and rational thinking there is no doubt that superstition will die a natural death.
We must do our best to remove all superstitions and ensure real progress of the nation. We should expect that scientific spirit must go deep within our social system and change our attitude from within.