There is No One Best Way

" There is No One Best way "...... I follow this quote quite religiously with conscience and rationality. You can find this quote on many of my books i read. Recently, I did realise it in a more deeper and broader way, after coming across Ravindranath Tagore's writings. What I understood from Tagore is that,...... only the ignorant try to imitate the behaviour of others. Intelligent people do not waste their time on that, they develop their personal abilities and talents , for they know that no two leaves are alike in a forest of a hundred thousand trees. They know their potential and scope. They try neither to imitate nor to emulate. They just create their own path and carve a niche for themselves. No two journeys are alike on the same path. May be god is also intelligent and seeks diversity in everything he creates. Here I do not want to talk about imitation with respect to careers, jobs, passions, fashions, interests, tastes, orientations, preferences, priorities, perceptions, likes, dislikes as all these are very much related to relativity and subjectivity. Almost every man wastes part of his life attempting to display qualities which he doesn't possess.

All these years, I have come across one special type of imitation, where people want to love a girl/boy only because someone else is doing that. They do feel it as a status symbol and think that it brings special recognition among their circles. I do not know whether they do this for the sake of publicity or popularity (There is a difference. Popularity is a social disease). Even we tend to imitate in expressing our love to our dream. I am not saying that it is a mistake. Everyone one of us are in search of our dream girl/boy. Most of the times what happens between a couple is that they love themselves in others. I feel that the beginning of Love is to let those we love be themselves, and do not twist them to fit our own image and parameters. Else, we love only the reflection of ourselves in them. We have to accept them as they are rather than the way we want them to be.

My primary concern is regarding why do people imitate even in the matters of success and failure. Why we are so stereotyped even in responding to success and failure? Why do we draw a sharp and distinctive line between Success and failure? Cant we overlap them as a package ?

My friend Karthik is a fine example for that. There were situations in his life where he could not even cry properly in the malady of depression. He was cornered totally and was feeling utterly low . He had neither a leaf nor a fruit to pluck. But he realised that he has got still one more thing with him that can take him to heights ie, HOPE. He buried the past, which is dead. He embraced crude truths and naked realities. He came to know that Success is a mere Perception and very much relative. He felt that success is not getting over every examination that life keeps throwing at you. However, Success is definitely is in accepting who you are and more importantly following your heart and instincts. Fate conspired to give Karthik one more chance to fulfill his dream. He recognized that the art of living lies not in eliminating but in growing with troubles. He says that dreams do not vanish as long as we do not abandon them. His heart conveys that he is not a victim of a Failure, unless he thinks he is. He lives life believing that glass is half full. Now, karthik talks with me with a smile of wisdom which says that " Beyond academics, life skills also matter ". He did not leave anything to luck, he takes up challenges. Anyways, he has got his key to Success.

Now, you may ask me whether Karthik is a success or a failure. I strongly believe that 'A man who has done his level best is a success, even though the world may write him down a failure'. Karthik is a Success in his intent and a failure by chance. I do call Karthik a success, because he has learnt the "Smile of Wisdom", which cannot be imitated but has to be achieved in every one's own way. We may not have the choice regarding the events that occur in life, but we do have choice in responding to those events. The strange thing you may smell is that why did i write about Imitation, Love, Dreams, Success/Failure and Wisdom in this post. Yeah, I do have a purpose here. I want to share with you guys that " the wisdom lies in not imitating love for someone else dreams to achieve our Success " . It is my key to Success . I am absolutely sure that this key will not work for you guys as I said at the starting of this post that " There is No One Best way... "

Pics through my lens

Mahesh in Lens

Indian Culture

Indian Culture. What is Indian Culture? Are both Hinduism and Indian Culture same ? You may get bundles of standard hypocritical replies, customized answers as well as conventional, traditional, orthodox definitions for this magnified question. But, my question is who defines the criteria for defining the parameters, premises, horizons, mirages and boundaries of Indian Culture. Putting in a straight way , I am questioning all those self proclaimed patriots of Ram Sena and other fundamentalist organizations , who attacked few girls in a pub recently in the name of preserving, protecting and defending Indian culture and Hinduism . Yes, I am serious and a bit angry as i feel, 'enough is enough'. I request all the relevant organizations and associations to please enlighten my small innocent mind by answering the above questions .

1. Why do you put restrictions on girls following the western culture where as you and your sons follow and absorb every western stuff , from clothing to technology. Is corruption in their clothes or in your minds?

2. Who defines the morals, values and social ethics in the land of Kamasutra and Khajuraho temples?

3. How come do you expect to have a common culture in the land where you find diversity in eating habits, clothing, language, religion, traditions, customs and approach towards life ?

4. Instead of defining how girls should live in India , why don't you concentrate on eradicating social evils like Dowry, Flesh trade, Women Harassment, Girl child labour and Eve teasing and hence prove your patriotism ?

5. Is India a land which is known for embracing different cultures and traditions since ages or a land where religious minorities are being attacked to have a secure vote bank ? Have you ever heard the phrase "Religious Tolerance" ?

6. You have attacked M F Hussain for allegedly drawing naked pictures of Saraswathi and Bharatmata. How about Kalidasa who described the high pitch romance between Lord shiva and goddess Parvathi in his erotic classic "Kumarasambhavam"(meaning, creating a child) ?

7. Are you going to attack all those staunch devotees who worship goddess 'Kali' in naked form and offering her goats and liquor ?

8. How about the tribals who have a culture of marrying their cousins and grand children ? Women in certain tribes do follow the dress code which may not be digested by you. Do you want all those original ethnic Indians to leave the country?

9. Sir, will you please clean your so called Hinduism by eradicating the ever existing 'Caste system ' and 'Untouchability' ? Is not it corruption of religion?

10. Why do we Hindus need to maintain double standards regarding sexual education and opinions. Why should we perceive it as a sin and impure thing ? Is not it the historical and cultural naked fact and truth that the "Shiva ling" we worship is nothing but the union of male and female sexual organs which denotes the holiness, naturality, divineness and fertility of instinctual human sex ?

11. What is Hinduism? Which Hinduism you are talking about? Vedic religion? Shaivism? Veera shaivism ? Vaishnavism? Dwaitam? Advaitam? Vishistadvaitham? Buddhism? Jainism? Shakthi cult? Vedanta? Vasudeva cult?. Is Hinduism a religion or a way of living?

12. Am i wrong when I say that my mother India is a land where Mother Theresa is revered as Godess kaali and where Bharatratna Ustad Bismillah Khan Sahib, a pious Shi'ite Muslim, like many Indian musicians, regardless of religion, a devotee of Saraswati, has often played at Hindu temples, including the famous Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi, on the banks of the river Ganga ? Have you ever heard "Secularism" ?

13. Should all the south Indians(read as Dravidians) reject Hinduism just because it has been tactfully and forcefully implied by the north Indians(read as Aryans) , thousands of years ago? Should all the south Indians stop celebrating Holi, Raksha bandhan and Deewali just because they have been imported from north India. Cultural conflict right?

14. Will you please concentrate on filtering out fake Babas and Gurus in ashrams who earn crores of rupees in the name of religion, devotion, charity, yoga and meditation and divert that money to eradicate poverty in the society.?

15. Instead of targeting valentines day , why don't you stop child marriages and educate the AIDS impact among commercial sex workers who struggle to get their livelihood.

16. By the way how about the two phrases of Hinduism "Vasudaivaka Kutumbam(One Universal Family)" and "Sarvejanaa Sukhinobhavanthu". Do they have any relevance in your principles and standards?

17. Last one. Will you please tell me whether beating girls in broad daylight by a patriotic mob , just because they are having their private time in a pub, is Indian Culture? How come you can force your opinions on our sisters and mothers?

Before you come with your scripted, prejudiced and biased answers to my questions, let me clear you one thing. Except the Indian constitution, no other book should define how should we live our lives or what should our sisters wear and what should they drink . We know our religion and Hinduism is in existence and evolution since ages and it can very well handle the external forces. Except a girl's parents, no one has got the right to question the morality and character of a girl . An Indian girl has the right to take her decisions, to have freedom in spending her private time and to live her life the way she wants to. All i want to assert is , ''Stop moral and cultural policing" in the name of religion and culture , and yes, I mean it. Do not try to restrict the Individuality of a girl and do let us in providing her the Liberty to progress and sustain in this society as a blossomed flower. I am not talking about Feminism here, I am asking for "Gender Equality". As an Indian, I, and everyone, do have the right to question you people the very validity and the contemporary relevance of Indian Culture and that is the true essence and soul of "Indian Culture"

First Love

Hi Karthik !!! Hope you are doing great in your life and career and you did receive my mail in your smiles. Yeah! I mean it because i like when you smile . In fact it was your smile with which you met me when you were in 6th standard. Got me buddy?? Nah ???...... Me, your First Love. Anyways, I remember you, still, in spite of my hell called Life. Do you remember those days when you were deeply passionate and emotionally aroused about me and my looks?. I was your only dream and darling then. You spent almost 1 year just staring at me. You did impress me with your gross innocent attention and priority towards me. You were so desperate that nothing else could convince you to be happy other than me. I still remember those enthusiastic young looks. The way you managed to get me at any cost really impressed me. It was not that easy for you to get me. You overcame many hurdles and speed breakers with exuberance to have that ultimate hold on me.

Finally the day came. You won a big war at home to posses me. You got the way cleared. You just came near to me with certain emotional excitement. You had a instinctual glance over me from top to bottom as well as front and back. You were really elated with positive energy in your glittering eyes. It was for the first time you were so close to me and i was excited too. At last you touched my hand gently with warmth. It was still unbelievable for you. It took some seconds for you to realize that it is in reality indeed and not a dream. You were speechless and adjective less. From there started our beautiful journey, all over Mahabubnagar. We left no stone unturned to cover all the major hangouts, ice cream parlors, chat, movies, coffee joints, hillocks, parks, temples, lakes, exhibition, circus, cricket ground and what not. The times when you use to celebrate your hero Sachin's centuries and hum those Rahman's soothing tunes, still create a fragrance of your presence with me . You were so attached to me that you took at most care about me in every possible aspect. Did you remember the day when a thorn pricked my foot and the way you lifted and took me in your hands to get me healed. You use to surprise me with your decorative gifts, though i never insisted. I know they were just add-ons to show your care and love towards me. You were very expressive then. Neither the exams nor the cricket was able to take your attention away from me. The day still flashes in my mind on which you proudly introduced me to your friends with a pinch of exclusiveness and privilege. You were so obsessed and possessive about me that you even refused your friends and brother to have that privileged access to me. You were saturated in my love. I thanked god many times for blessing me with such a wonderful person in my mechanical life with whom i can feel myself. My world was filled with only one thing , You. I thought it was going well with you, forever. But after 4 years , fate conspired the bad phase.

It started when you went to Hyderabad for your Intermediate studies. You left me half-heartedly with a promise of returning soon. It was really a hell for me, but it strengthened our relationship. It got reflected when you came for your home sick holidays. You were excited by seeing me after such a gap. Your sweet hug gave me a sense of security but you seemed little bit matured and determined. I did sense some vibrations, not for me, but for EAMCET. I thought its OK , as career is an important and crucial part of life and of course i am your life. So, i was confident and optimistic about our relationship. In fact , i was happy for your aims and goals and i wish i could contribute my role to it. You went back to your studies. I was in waiting for you like a B.Techie for a software job. You came and went back in a hurry but didn't even bothered to notice me . I thought might be you were focused and concentrated on one thing you wanted. Anyways, by that time, our relationship was at horizon.

The day of Hell came at last. That shocking news still creates vibrations in me. Your brother told me that I am no more into your life and someone else had entered in your life by replacing me. And to my utter shock and surprise , you met her when you were in Hyderabad, and fell in love with her spectacular binding looks. I even heard that, you felt, your Second Love was gorgeous, splendid and was many times better than me in all aspects. It seemed that she was more convenient to your requirements and had got undivided attention from you. It was not a war, it was a battle you won, to get her. You broke the mirror of promises and love. At least, you could have told me what went wrong with me. Was your problem with me or with us or no problem at all.??. Might be i should understand that only uncertainty is certain. May be this is called as life and i have to move on. But i came to know that you were the happiest person in the Universe when you got her. You went for her because she was fast and cooperative as well as friendly enough, though she demands high maintenance you really never bothered about that. Whenever i use to hear that you were in vacation with her in a nearby picnic spot, i use to feel the pain of dejection and soon i was in the malady of depression which gradually effected my health. I know i am a bit conventional, slow and simple. I know very well that i really don't have that oomph factor and hot appeal which she has . But buddy......... what could i say and how could i express my agony and pain. The torture of being neglected was unbearable but i didn't had choice either.

I am not jealous about your love but i do miss you a bunch because no one can ever replace you for me, though, anything can replace me for you, easily. I was noticing every event happening in your life, wishing for your happiness and growth, but you really never bothered to ask at least whats happening with me. May be because you know better than me that Change is the Law of Nature and hence you just moved on with your requirements and priorities. Your college days were over and you were placed in a fancy corporate. May be your commercialized, materialistic and consumerist mindset want a new corporate girl too. Who knows?. You need a symbol for your numerical growth. I know i am a bit sarcastic but it came from my wounded and desperate heart. Not to my surprise, it happened one day, as i expected. Its your Third Love. Yeah, a new flashy corporate girl did enter your luxurious life in which you hesitate even to take my name in front of your new friends . All my sympathies to your second girl in your life. I neither can pronounce the adjectives with which your brother has described your new girl's features nor i am eligible even to talk about her. But somewhere i whole heartedly feel happy that you have reached great heights and i was part of it at least for some years if not for life time.

To be frank enough i am still desperate to have your cute smile and warm touch. You love me or You love me not, but i do love you . Now i am living with a only hope , somewhere in my wounded heart, that one fine day you will realize that i was once part of your life and try to spend at least few moments, if not hours, in my lap, at least as a childhood friend , if not as my love. Because I do always cherish the moments of being your First Love. Hmmm....... Keep rocking the way you are heading in your paced life. Have smiles and fun with your objectiveness love life .Finally, though i know that one shouldn't ask for love, care and concern from others, i am desperate in asking you to meet me this February 14 out of your busy lofty celebrations, not because its a Valentine's Day, but its my Birthday, may be my last Birthday, who knows?. If it is not possible for you, at least try to search for me in your childhood database for those tender moments you had spent with me. Anyways, do take care dear . Miss u a bunch, forever, and ever. Truly yours, your childhood pal, in everlasting waiting ............
By the way, do you remember my name? No?.........Anyways , my name is Hero Ranger........your bicycle and First Love.