Frequently we admire and acclaim an esteemed person praising him as "cultured" or "civilised". But in fact Culture and Civilisation are recognised as social manifestations possessed by a segment or by the society as a whole and notexactly theattribute s of individuals. We normally refer to the culture of a society or of an age (like- the Roman Culture, or the Vedic culture etc), and not to the culture of individuals (like culture of Mr.X or Mr.Y etc.). And similarly with reference to civilisation. When a society is valued as cultured, every individual forming part of it, inheriting and exhibiting its social features and mannerism merits this distinction.

But a few exceptional individuals can be distinguished as "cultured" or "civilised", without reference to the society of which they are a part of, on the merits of their own accomplishments, and possession of exemplary attributes by them, that identify them and place them much ahead of the rest. These peerless individual change the value system and perceptions of the very society, they are a part of, and herald new modes of social thoughts and behaviour. They are the torch-bearers for the induction of new values and new flavours of "culture' or 'Civilisation'

Peace and orderliness in a society fostered by disciplined living by its members continuously for decades, results in the society becoming enlightened and cultured. There is benevolent rule, where people enjoy the benefits of freedom, without becoming unregulated. No tyranny or autocratism. Law and order is maintained. Peace is the stepping stone for progress. People have leisure with no inhibiting threats. This results in the release of their creative talents and leads to their proficiency in art, literature and other hobbies and recreations. The talents generated in a few sets the taste for enjoyment or entertainment of the rest. A few artists in a society are able to keep their audience spell-bound and foster total art-consciousness. People come to recognize that good life consists much more than tasty food, nice clothing and comfortable shelter. Their appetite looks for good fare for the mind and the heart. Material pursuits are supplemented by pursuits for the intangible wealth that become dear to their heart and soul. Some of them are lured by the charm and beauty of Nature and express their felt sentiments in poetic language.

An individual can be considered as cultured, if he befits to be identified as a 'gentleman', i.e. when he is courteous and polished, possesses taste for hobbies and cares for the sentiments of others around him, and thinks beyond his own self-interest and fulfillment of his personal needs. In short he views himself as an integral part of the society and merges with the whole. His time is devoted not merely to earn his physical needs, but his interest extends at a far greater extent to intellectual pursuits. His 'love of knowledge and wisdom' is not restricted to physical sciences and humanities, but extends to 'ethics'(social values), 'aesthetics' (artistic tastes) and art and literature ("food" for the mind and heart). He is inspired by deeds and sayings of eminent men both contemporary and historical and seeks to emulate their examples. To him means are of much importance as the ends. He accepts challenges and looks equally to emerging opportunities or threats. He speaks to others, but equally listens to them. He is not dominating, but his simplicity and cultural traits portray him automatically as a towering personality. In short he is a man that nature has created "with the elements so blended".

An individual can become cultured by practising self-discipline, when through learning and social interactions he cultivates social consciousness. These individuals are deemed to possess a high degree of taste and accomplishments secured through aesthetic impulse and intellectual power. In this case culture refers to pursuits based on Intellectual and artistic talents and the resultant activities that mark them as an exemplary individual in a society. The mix of their tastes extend beyond fulfillment of basic physical needs. They spend more time seeking "food" for the mind and heart.

1. Development of the intellect through training, education or social interactions (called informal education).

2. Enlightenment resulting from such training or education resulting in the "love of wisdom"

3. Possession of social consciousness, where thinking is fostered on the welfare of all and not only of himself

4. Keen interest and passion in what is called as 'extra-curricular" pastime, diversion or amusement, in particular in arts, literature, which develop both the soul and the mind of the person.

A cultured man should therefore be enlightened by training and education and capable of exhibiting intellectual or artistic creativity, as a innate quality. He must have an aesthetic sense and a taste for refinement, as Wordsworth felt when he viewed "Daffodils," or the "Rainbow".

The term 'culture' in this context refers to the predominating attitudes and behavior that characterize the functioning of a group or organization. It includes the totality of socially transmitted behavior patterns, arts, beliefs, institutions, and all other products of human work and thought. These patterns, traits, and products are considered as the expression of a particular period, class, community, or population, like Edwardian culture; Japanese culture; the culture of poverty. These patterns, traits, and products can also be considered with respect to a particular category, such as a field, subject, or mode of expression: religious culture in the Middle Ages; musical culture; oral culture etc.

The application of the term culture to the collective attitudes and behavior of corporate bodies arose in business jargon. Corporate organizations are said develop distinct culture, representing their collective behaviour pattern, identified as their management traditions, their mission and goals. It is customary for the Corporate bodies to identify and define their Corporate Culture, as they do their "mission" and "goals".

Civilisation is a more advanced status of culture. Culture signifies the ways of behaviour of individuals in a society and their intellectual and artistic accomplishment, while civilisation denotes the total ways of life in relation to a society, including public administration, trade, commerce etc. Thus in the civilisation of Mauriyas, there was an advanced municipal administration for the city of Pataliputra.

An individual can be deemed as civilised if he leads a high valued-life in total amity with the society to which he belongs and in harmony with "Nature" that creates and sustains mankind. For example those who live in a multi-racial or multi-ethnic society cannot claim themselves to be civilised, unless they possess a high spectrum of tolerance and social acceptance of diverse groups forming an integrated society. Those who destroy nature cannot deem themselves to be civilised, as it is an act, like a man setting fire to his own abode. Those who act against common social interests are not qualified as civilised.

However, like culture civilisation in the popular sense refers to a society and not an individual. It indicates an advanced state of intellectual, cultural, and material development in human society, marked by progress in the arts and sciences, the extensive use of record-keeping, including writing, and the appearance of complex political and social institutions. It also refers to the type of culture and society developed by a particular nation or region or in a particular epoch: Mayan civilization; the civilization of ancient Rome.

Pursuit of human knowledge, and its application towards ushering a better life for and promoting all-round human welfare promotes the richness of life. Science has helped mankind to overcome the limitations of time and distance. It is has brought within our means quick modes of communication and travel, and thus has integrated people of different countries together, cementing a multinational culture. Science also has brought industrialisation, that releases toxic effluents resulting water and air pollution, and degradation of our environment threatening to destroy human civilisation from this planet. Knowledge put to destructive use, through misguided application of science and technology for military use can in fact result in the destruction of human civilisation and send back man to the caves, of the pre-historic ages. "I cannot tell you, how the 3rd World War will be fought, but, I know that after the 3rd World War, if there were to be a 4th World War, it would be fought only with sticks and stones". This statement conveys the brink to which the world has come to stay.

Julius Robert Oppenheimer, the physicist who invented the atom bomb, shaken by the catastrophes of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, describes how military authorities and considerations of expediency had clandestinely invaded certain sciences and robbed them of their independence.

This development spurs Oppenheimer to personal action. He draws attention to the altered quality of the new weapons of mass destruction. He attempts to initiate peace talks and to prevent the hydrogen bomb. Yet he is overtaken by historical events. In 1954 the US Atomic Energy Commission, accusing him of a lack of loyalty towards the government, cites Oppenheimer before a committee of inquiry. Although he explains his ethical motivation, his security guarantee is rescinded, which in effect amounts to public ostracism.

There are several instances to indicate that reckless application of science and technology by mankind and over exploitation of natural resources is eroding human civilisation on this planet. Mahatma Gandhi has aptly expressed that there is in this world enough resources to provide for the needs of every man, but not for his greed. Our river systems are the cradles of our ancient civilisation and they are the nourishing source of our economic life. Ganges flows in our country. The river has inspired the people of India from all parts of the country for ages. It is a mythological river. Its purity and its sustainability for self-purification were experimented by the British from the East India Company. Water carried from Ganges to cover the needs for voyages in ships sailing from India to England remained pure and fresh without spoiling and they can set sail and reach England with this resource. But this trait, the water from Thames River in their country, which they brought in a journey back from England to India, did not possess. It led to the British to conduct research on the quality of Ganges water. But it is all old tales. In the last fifty or sixty years, we have converted Ganges into one of most polluted river. The moral is material pursuits resulting in the destruction of nature is no civilisation