Paths of Life...

Velas , in Ratangiri District, along the Kokan Coast , is a small village that gained prominence due to it being the favourite place of Olive Ridley Turtles for hatching. An additional  reason was the strict discipline followed by the village folks where the environment was concerned. No indiscriminate cutting of the trees, no ambitious widening of paths to the beach for four wheelers, and a strict policy about commercial development , which has helped control proliferation of trash.

My friend Deepak Amembal who went on a motorbike trip to Velas with two friends posted this photograph.

Many such walking paths lead to the sea beach, which is very clean. The turtles know their geography. And Sociology.  Trees perceived as obstacles are not cut, but surmounted.

Just some thoughts in honor of that.

आयुष्यात अथांग समाधानाच्या समुद्राकडे जाणार्या वाटा , अनेकदा एकाकी, निर्जन आणि तळपत्या उन्हातील असतात . आजूबाजूला कधी दलदलीचा प्रदेश, तर कधी हिरवे रान कुणा एकाचा उत्कर्ष हेरत असतं , सावल्यातून आखलेल्या रेषांमधून उत्पातांच्या टिपरीला एका पायाने लत्ताप्रहार करून , तुमची आगेकूच बघून टाळ्या वाजवत असतं . आणि आयुष्यात सतत केलेल्या ह्या परिश्रमाच्या पायपिटीला, कुणा एका सुरम्य सकाळी फ़ेसाळ्णार्या लाटांमध्ये आराम करत यशाचा सूर्योदय बघण्याची सुसंधी मिळून जाते …।

The paths to success, satisfaction and happiness in life, are often a solitary walk, amidst obstacles, in the burning Sun. You walk on watched sometimes by the mangroves sometimes by the greens in the woods, and sometimes even applauded as you deftly kick around the Tipris of Trouble hop scotching amidst the shadow line patterns in your path. A life of so much honest effort, and one day you reach amidst the cool sea waves, foaming around your feet in excitement and welcome, as you lean back, and enjoy the Sunrise of Success..