TIME TO BE TIMELY AT LAST

TIME TO BE TIMELY AT LAST 

To be timely is to be civilised. Now if this principle is applied to us, where would we stand in terms of it? The question would then arise : "Are we civilised?"

This observation about the link of preparedness and civilisation was raised by Tagore in his novel 'শেষের কবিতা' where he says, "সভ্যতার অপর নাম প্রস্তুতি |" (Preparedness is the other name of civilisation.) It is an epic statement enunciating the fundamental feature of a rising civilisation which abides by it and that of a decadent one which neglects it to its own peril.

Today we see much vaunting in the name of Indian civilisation. We must be wary of such assumptions and unmerited assertions of India's rise and must test their veracity by the gold standard of the time principle mentioned above in relation to civilisation. 

Written by Sugata Bose