Monday, February 16, 2026

Confluence of Sanatana Wisdom and Living Tradition ...... Maha Shivaratri at Dr Satya Sindhuja’s Residence : Vanam Jwala Narasimha Rao

Confluence of Sanatana Wisdom and Living Tradition

Maha Shivaratri at Dr Satya Sindhuja’s Residence

Vanam Jwala Narasimha Rao

(February 16, 2026)

Maha Shivaratri, the sacred night of spiritual awakening, assumes deeper meaning only when devotion transcends ritual and transforms into lived experience. On this year’s sacred occasion of Maha Shivaratri auspicious evening on February 15, till the next day early hours, at the Mokila village residence of Dr Satya Sindhuja in Shankarpally Mandal on the outskirts of Hyderabad, what unfolded was not merely a religious ritual observance, but a profound coming together of an intimate, meaningful, and spiritually elevating gathering that blended philosophy, devotion, scholarship, science, culture, affection, and collective divine elevation.

Our family too attended as privileged invitees, and arrived at her residence punctually, unaware that the evening would leave such a lasting impression not merely for its ritual sanctity but for its human warmth. Dr Satya Sindhuja, has been a compassionate exponent of the ‘Chakra Siddh Holistic Healing Tradition.’ The ambience of the evening reflected the very architecture of the house itself, which deserves exclusive mention. Constructed in alignment with traditional architectural principles, it allows the rays of the sun and moon to enter at specific ordained angles while remaining protected from natural disturbances.

There was an unmistakable harmony between structure and spirit: an environment that subtly prepared the mind for reflection even before the rituals commenced, yet comfortably aligned with contemporary sensibilities. It was here that devotion became dialogue, ritual became reflection, and hospitality became a silent yet powerful spiritual teaching in itself. Though Dr Satya Sindhuja became known to me only recently through my daughter Prema, in a short time we grew into close family friends. Though much younger in age, we affectionately address her as ‘Amma’ and she reciprocates with the same warmth, and even more.

What began as an invitation extended to family and close associates, through my daughter Prema widely known through her digital platform ‘Prema The Journalist,’ gradually unfolded into an immersive journey through Maha Nyasa, Rudra Abhisheka, Reflective Dialogue, Philosophical Exploration, and Heartfelt Human Bonding. The gathering that included my brother-in-law Dr AV Manohar Rao with his wife Usha, I, my wife Vijayalakshmi, and daughter Prema, was diverse in age, profession, experience, as well as, united by a shared reverence for Sanatana Dharma with an eagerness to listen, reflect, and engage.

‘Chakra Siddh Healing,’ an ancient Indian therapeutic tradition rooted in Sanatana Dharma, represents far more than a system of medical intervention. It is a comprehensive philosophy of life that harmonizes body, mind, breath, and vital energy. In the continuum of India’s timeless knowledge traditions, this healing approach occupies a distinct and esteemed place. It seeks not merely to treat symptoms but to restore balance within the subtle energy centers: the chakras, and thereby enabling the body’s innate intelligence to reclaim its natural state of equilibrium.

Among the foremost contemporary exponents of this rare and lineage-based healing tradition is Dr Satya Sindhuja, founder of the ‘Chakra Siddh Healing Centre.’ Belonging to what she describes as the 36th generation of an inherited knowledge stream, she represents a living bridge between scriptural wisdom and practical application. Her training, passed down through familial lineage and guided by experiential discipline rather than mere textual study, reflects the classical Indian model of Traditional Guru-Parampara: transmission through lived experience.

Central to her philosophy is the belief that the human body possesses an intrinsic capacity to heal itself when obstructions in Pranic (vital energy) flow are removed. Unlike approaches that rely predominantly on pharmaceuticals or invasive methods, ‘Chakra Siddh Healing’ emphasizes subtle energy correction through disciplined touch, breath awareness, conscious movement, and internal alignment. It recognizes the layered structure of human existence: the physical, Vital, mental, intellectual, and bliss covers, and thus, works toward restoring coherence across these planes.

Dr Sindhuja articulates that many chronic ailments arise not merely from physical dysfunction but from energetic imbalances embedded within these subtle layers. By decoding stored impressions within the body’s cellular memory and identifying the precise locus of energy stagnation, healing can be facilitated without over-dependence on medication. However, she does not reject modern medicine; rather, she views it as complementary, particularly in acute or emergency contexts.

Her emphasis remains on empowering individuals to understand their own bodies, cultivate disciplined living, practice gratitude, and align their lifestyle with principles long articulated in the Vedas, Upanishads, Shiva Samhita, and Yogic Sciences. For Dr Sindhuja, healing is not an act of miracle but of method, and not magic, but mastery of awareness. It demands preparedness, receptivity, and disciplined practice from the seeker. Ultimately, ‘Chakra Siddh Healing’ is presented not merely as therapy but as a transformative life science: a path toward self-knowledge, resilience, and conscious living rooted in India’s enduring spiritual heritage.

From the very moment of arrival, what stood out was the gracious hospitality of Dr Sindhuja. Each guest was personally received with attention and sincerity. When my cousin, who has knee discomfort and arrived with the help of a wheelchair, she ensured with genuine concern that she was comfortably seated. At one point, noticing strain in prolonged seating, Dr Sindhuja herself arranged additional cushions. Later during the Abhisheka proceedings, she thoughtfully moved ritual items closer to ensure ease and convenience. These gestures, reflected a depth of sensitivity that cannot be manufactured, but it arises from character.

Approximately fifty invitees gathered that evening: spanning ages from the twenties to beyond eighty-five. The group included Vedic priests, musicians, singers, film directors, doctors, dentists, beneficiaries of healing practices, close relatives, and long-standing well-wishers. It was not a congregation assembled for display, but a circle brought together by mutual respect and shared reverence. Dr Sindhuja’s attentiveness on every guest was not brief, but throughout the evening she repeatedly checked on everyone’s comfort before serving, while serving, and even after serving a simple yet delicious Flour-Based Pulihora. As a professional in Public Relations, I was both impressed and educated. She repeatedly enquired about everyone’s comfort.

Soon, attention shifted to the arrival of the revered scholar Vishvanath, affectionately addressed as Guruji. In a gesture symbolizing humility and collective respect, Dr Sindhuja led all the guests to the corridor to receive him. Introductions were made with thoughtful detail. Each person’s achievements and background were carefully presented. Guruji too interacted with each invitee, inquiring about their profession and interests. When my daughter was introduced and her journalistic contributions explained, he engaged her in a meaningful exchange and later presented her with an imprint of Goddess Lakshmi, which was first sanctified during the Abhisheka before being returned to her, which was a moment both symbolic and affectionate.

As conversations settled, the night deepened, and the sacred hour advanced, the atmosphere gradually shifted from cordial exchange to contemplative silence amidst chanting of Vedic Mantras. The commencement of Maha Nyasa thus, signaled the true spiritual threshold of the night. The rhythmic intonations of the Vedic priests began to fill the hall, their voices neither hurried nor ornamental, but measured and resonant. The syllables of the Rudram reverberated through the space with a cadence that seemed to transcend mere sound. The gathering instinctively grew silent. Conversations dissolved.

Maha Nyasa, as explained briefly for those less familiar, is a profound internal purification, and a process by which the aspirant symbolically consecrates the body as the abode of the Divine before invoking Shiva through Rudra Abhisheka. The priests performed the ritual with disciplined synchronization, invoking the various aspects of Rudra while sanctifying the atmosphere. When the Rudra Abhisheka commenced, the Shiva Lingam became the focal point of collective attention. Offerings of water, milk, curd, honey, sandal paste, Bilva leaves, and sacred ash were poured in sequence, each accompanied by precise Vedic mantras. The Abhisheka was performed not only by the priests but also by members of the family.

As the Abhisheka concluded and the final offerings were placed with reverence, Guruji gently steered the gathering into a more nuanced philosophical reflection. It was at this juncture that the deeper significance of Shivaratri began to unfold in discussion. Guruji, after Maha Nyasa and Rudra Abhisheka, shared his insights on subjects ranging from Quantum Physics to Advaita, Visistadvaita, Dvaita philosophies, Sanatana Dharma, Upanishads, and the Vedas. The subjects transformed lucid and easily understandable manner, only when it became participatory and as an interactive session lasting about forty-five minutes. Guruji spoke not from a podium but from within the circle, seated among the invitees.

The interactive session emphasized that, the human birth, considered the highest among all forms, is shaped by one’s past actions. The earlier explanations regarding symbolism now deepened into the heart of Advaita, the non-dual vision that underlies the very conception of Shiva. Advaita was considered as not merely a philosophy but a well-articulated science. The Guru Parampara of Adi Shankara and ancient institutions such as the Kanchi Matha at Srisailam were aptly referred.

Misconceptions about Adi Shankara, that, he was opposed to Buddhism in hostility, instead of his corrected philosophical deviations were addressed. Interestingly the legend of Shankara’s lifespan, from 8 to 16 to 32 years, by Lord Shiva and Ved Vyasa respectively, irrespective of its veracity, and his destined Vedic mission were underscored. It was also clarified that Shankara did not preach rejection of wealth, but detachment from greed.

An elaborate discussion followed on harmonizing modern science with ancient philosophical thought. Metaphysics with physics were connected, and was explained as to how Upanishadic wisdom underlies much of later philosophical development. It was observed that the three great Indian philosophical systems: Advaita, Visistadvaita, and Dvaita, all evolved in complementary ways. Even the Bhagavad Gita was described as having its roots in Upanishadic thought. Further references included Brahma Sutras, Veda Vyasa’s division of the Vedas, karma, and jnana doctrines, Bhaja Govindam, and the encounter between Adi Shankara and the Chandala interpreted as a moment of spiritual awakening.

The dialogue that followed was remarkable for its breadth. Questions emerged organically. Some relating to scriptural references, others to contemporary life. A discussion surfaced regarding the seeming tension between science and spirituality. The session observed that modern physics, in its exploration of subatomic reality, increasingly recognizes the primacy of energy over matter, a notion long articulated in our metaphysical texts. Participants contributed their perspectives.

It was during this contemplative exchange, two timeless verses of Bummera Potanna were recalled. First verse affirming the omnipresence of the Divine, suggesting that the Supreme pervades all that is seen and unseen. The recitation deepened the collective mood. The idea that the Divine is not distant but immanent, present in every atom, every being, every breath, seemed to resonate palpably within the gathering. The second verse that was recalled was a poetic expression dissolving the sense of separation between the individual and the universal. The verse, rendered with devotion, seemed to bridge poetry and philosophy, emotion, and inquiry. It comprehended that the Divine is to be recognized through insight.

Guruji also drew parallels between Newton’s Laws of Motion and Upanishadic insights, suggesting that many aspects of modern science trace their conceptual origins to the Vedas. The discussion also touched upon Tiruvannamalai Ramana Maharshi, and themes such as mind, self, knowledge, and karma. The formal interaction concluded with the striking observation that even NASA’s conceptual foundation could be linked symbolically to Vedic Sutras.

Hours had passed, yet there was no fatigue. Instead, there was a sense of inward steadiness, as though time itself had softened its pace. A rare intellectual serenity prevailed. What was striking was not merely the erudition of the discourse but its accessibility. Complex metaphysical ideas were discussed without obscurity. Outside, the world moved in its usual rhythm, and inside, another rhythm prevailed, but slower, reflective, unhurried. And thus, the night continued to unfold.

Meanwhile, in a lighter interlude, someone quietly checked the progress of the ongoing India-Pakistan T20 match, an unmistakable reminder that while metaphysics was being contemplated within, the world outside remained animated by its own dramas. The gentle acknowledgment of that contrast evoked soft smiles that, spirituality and sport coexisted without contradiction. Life, after all, contains multitudes. It was a great relief for cricket lovers there when the last wicket of Pakistan fell and India was victorious.

Gradually, the formal deliberations softened into informal conversations. Groups formed organically, with some discussing scripture, others exchanging personal experiences, still others reflecting on the evening’s insights. The sacred and the social blended seamlessly. It was nearing the early hours of the morning, yet the atmosphere retained a freshness that belied the time. The night had by then transcended its designation as a ritual event. It had become a shared exploration.

As the sacred chants subsided and philosophical deliberations gently dissolved into informal exchanges, the night seemed reluctant to conclude. The Abhishek waters had sanctified the Shiva Lingam, but more significantly, the shared reflections had stirred minds and hearts alike. Ancient wisdom met modern inquiry; metaphysics conversed with physics; devotion embraced reason. The two timeless verses of Bummera Potanna echoed as silent anchors to the evening’s essence, affirming the omnipresence of the Divine and dissolving doubts about separation. A shared humanity beyond distinctions of status, scholarship, age, or achievement remained for a while, in that sacred space, under the grace of Shiva, and affection of Dr Satya Sindhuja.

And as we finally prepared to depart around 2 AM what touched our hearts most profoundly was ‘AMMA’ Dr Satya Sindhuja’s gracious gesture of personally coming all the way out from inside the house, at that late hour and early dawn moment, to our car to see us off. It was not a mere courtesy, but it was an embodiment of the very values the evening stood for: affection without formality, respect without hierarchy, and hospitality without measure. 

For that thoughtful act, we remain deeply grateful to AMMA. It was not merely a celebration of Maha Shivaratri. It was a lived affirmation that Sanatana Wisdom continues to breathe, evolve, and illuminate, through people who embody it. To be more precise, we participated in a thoughtful dialogue that transformed into a seamless six-hour experience as a confluence of Sanatana Wisdom and Living Tradition. The Live Wire behind all this is none other than Dr Satya Sindhuja, the compassionate exponent of the ‘Chakra Siddh Holistic Healing Tradition.’ 

Sunday, February 15, 2026

శివకేశవుల జీవాయుథ పోరాటం- బాణాసుర ఘట్టం ..... శ్రీ మహాభాగవత కథ-73 : వనం జ్వాలా నరసింహారావు

 శివకేశవుల జీవాయుథ పోరాటం- బాణాసుర ఘట్టం

శ్రీ మహాభాగవత కథ-73

వనం జ్వాలా నరసింహారావు

సూర్యదినపత్రిక (ఫిబ్రవరి 16, 2026)

కంII             చదివెడిది భాగవతమిది,

చదివించును కృష్ణు, డమృతఝరి పోతనయున్

                             చదివినను ముక్తి కలుగును,

చదివెద నిర్విఘ్నరీతి ‘జ్వాలా మతినై

శ్రీ మహాభాగవతం, దశమ స్కందం ఉత్తర భాగంలో బాణాసుర ఘట్టం అత్యంత మనోహరంగా, ఆహ్లాదకరంగా రచించారు పోతన.  ఈశ్వర వరప్రసాది అయిన బాణాసురుడి కథ అత్యంత కమనీయంగా ఉంటుంది భాగవతంలో. ఇందులో శ్రీకృష్ణుడు (విష్ణువు, శ్రీహరి, కేశవుడు), శివుడు ఒకానొక సందర్భంలో ‘శివజ్వరం’, ‘వైష్ణవజ్వరం’ అనే రెండు జీవాయుథాలను ఒకరి మీద మరొకరు ప్రయోగించుకుంటారు. చివరకు కథ సుఖాంతం అవుతుంది. 

 బలి చక్రవర్తి నూర్గురు కుమారులలో మొదటివాడు బాణుడు. అతడు అఖండ శివ భక్తుడు. అతడు శివుడిని ప్రార్థించి, ఆయన వరం కోరుకొమ్మంటే, తన పురం కోట వాకిటి ముందు కావలిగా ఉండి, తనను అహర్నిశలు రక్షించాలని అడిగాడు. బాణుడి కోరిక మన్నించిన పరమ శివుడు, పార్వతీదేవితో సహా, విఘ్నేశ్వరుడు, కుమారస్వామి వెంటరాగా, ప్రమథ గణాలను తీసుకుని బాణుడి నివాస స్థలమైన శోణపురం కోటవాకిటిలో రక్షకుడిగా నివాసం ఏర్పరుచుకున్నాడు. తనతో పోరాడగలిగే శక్తి సామర్థ్యాలు ఉన్నవారెవరైనా వున్నారా అని అహంకారంతో శివుడుని అడిగాడు బాణుడు ఒకనాడు. బాణుడి జెండా ఎప్పుడైతే అకారణంగా నేలకూలుతుందో అప్పుడు జరగబోయే యుద్ధంలో అతడి వేయి చేతులు నరకబడుతాయని, ఆయన గర్వం కూడా అణగారుతుందని చెప్పాడు శివుడు. అప్పటి నుంచీ ఆ సమయం కోసం ఎదురు చూడసాగాడు బాణుడు.  

బాణుడికి ఉషాకన్య అనే కూతురు ఉన్నది. ఆమె అతిలోక సౌందర్యవతి. ఆమెకు ఒకనాడు నిద్రలో ఒక మంచి కల వచ్చింది. ఆ కలలో అసమాన సౌందర్య వంతుడైన రుక్మిణీ-శ్రీకృష్ణుడి మనుమడు, ప్రద్యుమ్నుడి కుమారుడు, అనిరుద్ధుడు ఆమెను కలిసి సుఖించినట్లు ఆమె భావించింది. అతడి కోసం తపించ సాగింది. ఆమె స్నేహితురాలు, బాణుడి మహామంత్రి కూతురు చిత్రరేఖ తన నేర్పరితనంతో ఎందరివో రూపురేఖా చిత్రాలను గీచి ఆమెకు చూపించింది. అందులో అనిరుద్ధుడి చిత్రాన్ని గుర్తుపట్టింది ఉషాకన్య. అతడే తన మానధనాన్ని దోచుకున్న దొంగ అని చెప్పింది. చిత్రరేఖ తనకు తెలిసిన విద్యతో అతడి గురించిన వివరాలన్నే చెప్పింది స్నేహితురాలికి. తను త్వరగా వెళ్లి అనిరుద్ధకుమారుడిని ఉషాకన్య దగ్గరికి తీసుకువస్తానని హామీ ఇచ్చింది.

ఇలా చెప్పిన చిత్రరేఖ ఆకాశగమనంలో శ్రీకృష్ణుడి పట్టణానికి వెళ్లింది. మారువేషంలో రాత్రివేళ ద్వారకా నగరంలో ప్రవేశించింది. అనిరుద్ధుడు తన గదిలో హంసతూలికా తల్పం మీద అలసిపోయి నిద్రపోవడం చూసి అతడిని సమీపించింది. తన యోగమహిమతో అతడిని ఎత్తుకుని మనోవేగంతో ఉషాకన్య నివసించే మందిరానికి చేరుకొని ఆమె పాన్పుమీద అనిరుద్ధుడిని పడుకోబెట్టి వెళ్లిపోయింది.

కొంతసేపటికి అంతఃపురంలో, ఉషాకన్య మందిరంలో నిద్రిస్తున్న అనిరుద్ధుడు నిద్ర మేల్కొని ఉషాకన్యను చూశాడు. విషయం అర్థమైంది. ఆమెను కౌగలించుకుని, సరసమైన మాటలతో వినోదపర్చి, మదన క్రీడలో ఆమెతో సుఖించాడు. రాత్రి-పగలు అనేది తెలియకుండా వారిద్దరూ భోగాలాలసులై కొంతకాలం సుఖించారు. వారి సంతోషానికి చిహ్నంగా ఉషాకన్య గర్భం దాల్చింది. పరిచారికలకు విషయం అర్థం కాలేదుకాని, ఆమె గర్భందాల్చిన సంగతి అర్థమైంది. బాణాసురుడికి ఈ విషయం చెప్పారు. కోపోద్రిక్తుడైన బాణాసురుడు అనిరుద్ధుడిని నాగాపాశంతో బంధించాడు. కారాగారంలో పెట్టాడు. సరిగ్గా అదే సమయంలో పెద్ద సుడిగాలి వీచి బాణుడి విశాలమైన ధ్వజం కూలి నేలమీద పడింది. తనకు సరైన జోడీతో యుద్ధం జరగ బోతున్నదని బాణుడు సంతోషించాడు.

నారదుడి ద్వారా ఈ విషయమంతా తెలుసుకున్న కృష్ణుడు ఒక శుభ ముహూర్తాన బాణాసురుడి మీదికి దండయాత్రకు బయల్దేరాడు. వెళ్లీ-వెళ్లగానే శోణపురం నగరాన్ని ధ్వంసం చేసింది యాదవ సైన్యం. శ్రీకృష్ణుడి దండయాత్ర తెలుసుకున్న బాణాసురుడు ఆయన మీదకు యుద్ధానికి వెళ్లాడు. ఆయన నగరానికి రక్షకుడుగా కాపలా వున్న పరమ శివుడు బాణుడు యుద్ధానికి వెళ్లడం చూశాడు. బాణుడికి సహాయంగా ఆయన కూడా రణరంగానికి తరలి వెళ్లాడు. శివుడు, కృష్ణుడు ఒకరితో మరొకరు తలపడ్డారు. అయితే కృష్ణుడి శౌర్య ప్రతాపాలను శివుడు సహించలేకపోయాడు. చివరకు బ్రహ్మాస్త్రాన్ని కూడా శ్రీకృష్ణుడి మీద ప్రయోగించాడు శివుడు. దాన్ని శ్రీకృష్ణుడు అద్భుతంగా ఉపశమింప చేశాడు. వెంటనే శివుడు వాయువ్యాస్త్రాన్ని ప్రయోగించాడు. దాన్ని పర్వతాస్త్రంతో తుంచి వేశాడు కృష్ణుడు. ఆ తరువాత వేసిన ఆగ్నేయాస్త్రాన్ని కూడా ఐంద్ర బాణంతో రూపుమాపాడు. మహేశ్వరుడు కోపం ఆపుకోలేక శ్రీకృష్ణుడి మీద పాశుపతాస్త్రాన్ని సంధించి ప్రయోగించాడు. నారాయణాస్త్రాన్ని వేసి పాశుపతాస్త్రాన్ని  వెనుకకు మరలించాడు శ్రీకృష్ణుడు. తన అస్త్రాలన్నీ నిష్ఫలం కావడంతో ఉత్సాహాన్ని కోల్పోయిన శివుడి మీద శ్రీకృష్ణుడు సమ్మోహనాస్త్రాన్ని వదలడంతో ఆయన సోలిపోయాడు. నందీశ్వరుడి మూపురం మీద వాలిపోయాడు శివుడు.

తక్షణమే శ్రీకృష్ణుడు వీరవిహారం చేస్తూ బాణాసురుడి సమస్త సైన్యాన్ని పరిమార్చాడు. ఇలా జరగడంతో క్రోధావేశంతో బాణాసురుడు తన రథాన్ని కృష్ణుడి మీదకు తోలాడు. కృష్ణుడితో గర్వం కొద్దీ తలపడ్డాడు తన వేయి చేతులతో. అయితే అతడు బాణ ప్రయోగం చేసే లోపునే కృష్ణుడు బాణుడి రథసారథిని చంపి, రథాన్ని ముక్కలు ముక్కలుగా చేశాడు. కృష్ణుడి అఖండ పరాక్రమానికి బాణాసురుడు భయపడిపోయాడు. నిశ్చేష్టుడై నిలబడిపోయాడు. తనకు జరిగిన అవమానానికి రాచనగరులోకి పారిపోయాడు. 

సరిగ్గా ఆ సమయంలోనే శివ-కేశవుల మధ్య ‘జీవాయుథ యుద్ధం చోటు చేసుకుంది. మూడు తలల, మూడు పాదాల, భయంకరాకారం కలిగి, కోపావేశంతో ‘శివజ్వరం (శివుడి జీవాయుథం) కృష్ణుడి దగ్గరకు వచ్చింది. అలా వచ్చిన దాన్ని చూసిన కృష్ణుడు ఒక నవ్వు నవ్వాడు. వెంటనే (తన జీవాయుథమైన) ‘వైష్ణవజ్వరాన్ని ‘శివజ్వరం’ మీదికి ప్రయోగించాడు. శివవైష్ణవ జ్వరాలు రెండూ తమ బలాన్ని, శక్తిని, శౌర్యాన్ని, ప్రతాపాన్నీ ప్రదర్శిస్తూ ఘోరంగా యుద్ధం చేశాయి. భయంకరమైన వైష్ణవజ్వరం ముందు శైవజ్వరం ఓడిపోయి పారిపోయింది. వైష్ణవజ్వరం అంతటితో ఆగకుండా శైవజ్వరం వెంట పడి మరీ తరిమి కొట్టింది.

అలా తరుముతుంటే శివజ్వరానికి పారిపోవడానికి ఏ దిక్కూ కనబడలేదు. దాంతో దానికి ప్రాణభీతి పట్టుకుని, కృష్ణుడి పాదాలమీద పడి తన్ను కాపాడమని వేడుకుంది. కృష్ణుడిని అనేక విధాల స్తుతించింది. అవ్యయడివి అనీ, పాపరహితుడివి అనీ, ఈశ్వరుడివి అనీ, సృష్టి-స్థితి-లయ కారకుడివి అనీ, పరబ్రహ్మ స్వరూపిడివి అనీ, ఆదిమధ్యాంతరహితుడివి అనీ అనేక విధాల స్తుతించి ‘నీవే శరణు నాకు అని వేడుకుంది శివజ్వరం. ఆ స్తోత్రానికి కృష్ణుడు-విష్ణుమూర్తి-శ్రీహరి ప్రసన్నమైనాడు. తన శరణు జొచ్చింది కాబట్టి తన వైష్ణవజ్వరం దాన్ని బాధించదని చెప్పాడు. ఇంకా ఇలా అన్నాడు: “ఎవరైనా ఈ శైవ-వైష్ణవ జ్వర వివాదాన్ని, శివజ్వరం శరణు కోరిన విధానాన్ని, మనస్సులో తలిస్తే వారికి చలిజ్వరం కాని, ఉష్ణజ్వరం కాని రావు”. ఇలా శ్రీకృష్ణుడు చెప్పగానే ఆ శివజ్వరం అనే జీవాయుథం పరమానందంతో పరమాత్ముడికి సాష్టాంగ నమస్కారం చేసి  వెళ్లిపోయింది. 

“ఇక్కడ శివకేశవ భేదాలు చూపించారని అనుకోవడం పొరపాటు. ‘శివాయ విష్ణురూపాయ అనే మాట యజుర్వేదంలో  కనిపిస్తుంది. ఇది శివకేశవుల అభేదాన్ని తెలియచేస్తుంది. ‘శివ శబ్దానికి త్రిగుణాతీతుడు, శుభస్వరూపుడు అనే అర్థాలున్నాయి. ‘విష్ణు అంటే వ్యాపించినవాడు. త్రిగుణాతీతమైన, మంగళకరమైన ఈశ్వర చైతన్యం ‘శివుడు కాగా, విశ్వమంతా వ్యాపించితే ‘విష్ణువు అవుతుంది. అదే ‘శివాయ విష్ణురూపాయ. శివకేశవులకు, శివపురాణం అనీ, విష్ణుపురాణం అనీ ప్రత్యేక పురాణాలు ఉన్నప్పటికీ వారిరువురి అర్థం తెలిస్తే భేదభావం ఉండదు. భగవంతుడు కలహించడు. కలహం మతవాదుల మధ్యనే. ‘చేతులారంగ శివుని పూజించడేని’, ‘నోరు నొవ్వంగ హరికీర్తి నుడువడేని’ అని అంటారు. అంటే: చేతులారా శివుని పూజించి, నోటితో హరికీర్తన చేయమంటూ పోతన పద్యకవితలోని అంతరార్థం ఇదే. శివుడు శ్రీరామనామరసికుడు, విష్ణు వల్లభుడు. ఒకరినొకరు గౌరవించుకున్నారంటే అర్థం, ఒకరికంటే ఇంకొకరు తక్కువనీ, ఎక్కువనీ కాదు. ఇద్దరూ సమానమేననీ, లోక నిర్వహణ కోసం రెండుగా వ్యక్తమైన ఒకే తత్త్వమని అర్థం”.    

ఇదిలా వుండగా యుద్ధరంగం నుండి పారిపోయిన బాణాసురుడు మరింత బలం చేకూర్చుకుని దివ్యాయుదాలను ధరించి, మళ్లీ యుద్ధం చేయాలన్న ఆలోచనతో, పట్టుదలతో కదన రంగానికి వచ్చాడు రెండో సారి. వచ్చీరావడంతోనే కృష్ణుడితో తలపడ్డాడు. కృష్ణుడు ఆలశ్యం చేయకుండా తన సుదర్శన చక్రాన్ని బాణాసురుడి మీద ప్రయోగించాడు. అది పోయి బాణుడు వేయి చేతులలో నాలుగు మాత్రం మిగిల్చి మిగిలిన వాటన్నింటినీ నరికి వేసింది. సుదర్శన చక్రం అలా బాణుడి చేతులు నరికి వేయగానే అతడి మీద వాత్సల్యం వున్న పరమేశ్వరుడు కృష్ణుడి దగ్గరకు వచ్చి, ఆయన్ను స్తోత్రం చేశాడు పలుపలు విధాలుగా. శ్రీహరి-శ్రీకృష్ణుడు శివుడిని అభినందించి, ఆయన కోరికేదో చెప్పమన్నాడు. ఆయన ప్రియ భక్తుడైన బాణుడిని చంపడం లేదన్నాడు. అదే తన కోరికగా శివుడు చెప్పాడు. తదనంతరం బాణాసురుడు శోణపురానికి పోయి తన కుమార్తె అయిన ఉషాకన్యకు, అనిరుద్ధుడికి బంగారు ఆభరణాలు ఇచ్చి, ఇద్దరినీ తీసుకువచ్చి శ్రీకృష్ణుడికి అప్పగించాడు.

ఆ తరువాత శ్రీకృష్ణుడు ద్వారకానగరానికి బయల్దేరాడు. అనిరుద్ధుడిని ముందు పెట్టుకుని ద్వారకకు చేరాడు. వారందరికీ బ్రాహ్మణోత్తములు శుభాశీస్సులు అందించారు. శ్రీకృష్ణుడు నిజనివాసంలో సుఖంగా కాలం గడిపాడు.   

(బమ్మెర పోతన శ్రీమహాభాగవతం, రామకృష్ణ మఠం ప్రచురణ ఆధారంగా)

Saturday, February 14, 2026

KCR Endorses Cooperative Federalism with Strong States, Strong Centre ...... KCR’s Welfare Architecture Reflected a Cradle-to-Grave Approach : Vanam Jwala Narasimha Rao

 KCR Endorses Cooperative Federalism

with Strong States, Strong Centre

KCR’s Welfare Architecture 

Reflected a Cradle-to-Grave Approach

Vanam Jwala Narasimha Rao 

The Hans India (February 15, 2026)

{{Budgets were treated by KCR, not merely as financial statements but as instruments of communication, a lesson that every CM must learn. His welfare architecture reflected cradle-to-grave approach, grounded in the principles of equality of opportunity, equitable distribution, and the State’s responsibility towards those unable to access even the minimum conditions for a dignified life. He emphasized the need to replace the mindset of ‘Government gives and people take’ with a purposeful approach: ‘how the Government could serve people better than before.’}}-Editor’s Synoptic Note

It was on November 29, 2009, K Chandrashekhar Rao (KCR) who by then for over 10 years spearheading a peaceful Separate Telangana State Movement, launched a fast-unto-death, demanding formation of the State without further delay. On December 9, responding positively, Union Home Minister P Chidambaram announced that, ‘The process of forming the state of Telangana will be initiated.’ On October 3, 2013, the Union Cabinet approved creation of Telangana. Parliament passed the Bill in Lok Sabha on February 18, 2015, exactly, a day after KCR’s 60th Birthday, and in Rajya Sabha on February 20.

Consequent to President’s assent, June 2, 2014 was confirmed as the ‘Day of Reckoning’ for formation of Telangana.

Throughout this phase, I publicly articulated my views, participated in television debates, and wrote articles. After TRS secured majority of seats in the Assembly Elections, KCR sworn in as First Chief Minister (CM) of Telangana on June 2, 2014.

On June 19th, I officially joined as the first Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) to the first CM, a role I continued uninterrupted for 114 months until December 3, 2023, marking a record in that position. Before assuming charge as CPRO to CM KCR, my professional life had already entered a phase that ran parallel to, and often intersected with, history in the making and itself taking a dramatic turn.

IN MY VERY FIRST MEETING with KCR on June 17, 2014, pending Government Orders, which were in routine process, I had the privilege of learning an early and enduring lessons in, how a Chief Minister must articulate the vision of a new State. Telangana, he said, did not merely require administration, but it needed to be ‘Reinvented and Reoriented.’

That articulation was not rhetorical. Over the next ten years, through continuous review meetings that covered every sector of governance and welfare, I watched this vision translate into practice, exhibiting an unparalleled commitment. 

KCR defined, designed, and delivered ‘what the young state needed’ during the ten years of his governance, in two terms. He ensured their execution with consistency and purpose. In this process, I found myself involved, directly or indirectly, actively, or passively, at different stages of decision-making. Nevertheless, KCR adopted a ‘Distinctive Leadership Strategy’ when circumstances demanded. On select occasions, he chose to keep decisions confined to himself until the moment of public announcement.

From this close association, I learnt how a comprehensive and integrated policy framework must precede governance. KCR insisted that overall development could not be achieved through isolated initiatives. Inclusive growth, as he defined it, was not limited to economic expansion but extended to empowerment across social sections. Industrialization was viewed as the key driver for higher and sustainable growth, while equal emphasis was placed on maintaining ecological balance and environmental protection. Agriculture received focused attention.

Schemes and programs were not merely announced by KCR, but they were meticulously implemented through time-bound action plans aligned with the needs and aspirations of the people. In this sense, his leadership qualities closely matched the attributes described by Jim Collins in his book on Leadership, Good to Great, marked by clarity of purpose, disciplined execution, and long-term institutional thinking. I understood from KCR how crucial the planning stage was, especially, in the preparation of budgets that resulted in the significant increase of state’s wealth due to fiscal prudence.

Budgets were treated by KCR, not merely as financial statements but as instruments of communication, a lesson that every CM must learn. His welfare architecture reflected cradle-to-grave approach, grounded in the principles of equality of opportunity, equitable distribution, and the State’s responsibility towards those unable to access even the minimum conditions for a dignified life. He had done away with obsolete schemes and emphasized the need to replace the mindset of ‘Government gives and people take’ with a purposeful approach: ‘how the Government could serve people better than before.’

His grasp of irrigation systems and capacity for re-engineering projects was incomparable. KCR’s Power-Point presentation in the State Assembly on March 31, 2016, outlining this vision, stands out in my memory as a landmark moment, with contemporary history unfolding within the framework of independent India.

In Administrative and Survey Settlement Related Land Reforms, KCR reminded Salar Jung of the Nizam Era and PV Narasimha Rao. His depth of knowledge of concept, evolution, and administrative logic of districts was striking.

What struck me most was the sincerity and complexity with which the whole exercise to assess, survey, verify, correct, and correlate land records across the State was approached. It reflected his comprehensive understanding of land and revenue administration, as well as systems that have evolved over centuries, with the village as the foundational unit.

Arvind Subramanian, the internationally renowned economist and then Chief Economic Advisor to the Government of India, described Telangana’s land records updating program as the ‘Heart of Good Governance’ and remarked that it merited study as a case at Harvard University.

KCR endorsed the concept of Collaborative Federalism and a Strong Centre co-existing with Strong States, as articulated by the Punchhi Commission. At the same time, he argued persuasively for further strengthening States through greater devolution of financial resources, reflecting his belief that cooperative federalism must be matched by fiscal empowerment.

The first-ever large-scale sheep distribution scheme launched by KCR, dressed in a Gongadi, wearing a crimson-red turban, and playing the Oggodolu like a traditional shepherd in a manner that was both symbolic and transformative, was simply Great. Over time, it significantly enhanced incomes and social standing, making the Yadava community among the most prosperous pastoral groups in the country. On that day, I could not help but describe him as a ‘Good Shepherd.

The Rythu Bandhu scheme attracted attention far beyond Telangana and received strong endorsement from eminent economists. The scheme was widely analyzed and praised. Arvind Subramanian described Rythu Bandhu as a social and agricultural policy template, characterizing it as an embryonic Universal Basic Income (UBI), or more precisely, an embryonic Quasi-Universal Basic Income (QUBI). He suggested that it could well represent the future of agricultural policy in India.

KCR had the wisdom of economy and was fully conscious of the sectors where benefits from the investments were the highest. He demonstrated a clear understanding of sectors where public investment yielded the highest long-term returns, while remaining equally conscious of the need to allocate resources to meet the basic welfare requirements of the poor and vulnerable. He left no stone unturned in steering the State toward stabilizing and advancing the vision of a ‘Golden Telangana.’

His characteristic combination of conventional and contemporary leadership of the highest order, marked by statesmanship, vision, multifaceted qualities, and deep commitment, along with his decision-making process rooted in consensus, consultation, and rigorous review, together resulted in the conceptualization and implementation of people-oriented, welfare-driven, and development-focused schemes in Telangana.

His review meetings exemplified a rare blend of personal humility and professional expertise: Channeling determination toward building robust systems for long-term continuity; Providing clear vision, strategy, and direction; inculcating a culture of discipline across all levels of the bureaucracy-both political and official, to achieve breakthrough results; sharing rich experiences drawn from diverse fields, including discipline, challenges, and successes; and driving participants to deliver outstanding outcomes in both the short and long term.

Disseminating the essence of these deliberations through press releases was the responsibility of the Public Relations Team, led by me as CPRO to the Chief Minister. I had the opportunity to observe him closely and with admiration, particularly the manner in which he consistently demonstrated strong guidance and leadership capabilities.

In my close observation, this leadership model merits inclusion as a case study at institutions such as Harvard Business School, or any comparable global institution.

(My Ten Years Journey as First CPRO to First TG CM KCR)

AND

(On KCR 72nd BIRTHDAY ON FEBRUARY 17, 2026, Happy Birthday to you Sir) 

PROFESSIONS, CHECKERED CAREER, AND LESSONS-PART THIRTEEN (From Librarian to CPRO to CM KCR) ..... A Journey from Khangi School to Center for Excellence : Vanam Jwala Narasimha Rao

PROFESSIONS, CHECKERED CAREER, 

AND LESSONS-PART THIRTEEN

(From Librarian to CPRO to CM KCR)

A Journey from Khangi School to

Center for Excellence

Vanam Jwala Narasimha Rao

Prefatory Note

(These reflections arise from close observation and lived experience during a defining phase in the history of Telangana. They are offered with deep respect for Kalvakuntla Chandrashekhar Rao, a leader of rare intellectual depth, political courage, and unwavering commitment to the idea of Telangana. What follows is not merely recollection, but an attempt to record how vision, resolve, and governance converged to shape a people’s destiny.

While this narrative draws upon a professional journey that spans eleven organizations and multiple institutional settings, it consciously begins with the final and most consequential phase of that journey. A brief reference to my academic formation is included at the outset only to provide essential context, before the account moves directly into the concluding chapter of my professional life.}

‘Winners focus on winning; losers focus on winners.’ Why do leaders sometimes win and sometimes lose? Win or lose, the defining quality of leadership lies in the ability to set a good example for one’s team. It is often said that yesterday is not ours to recover, but tomorrow is certainly ours to win. In a vibrant and evolving democracy like India, electoral defeat, even severe defeat, followed by resurgence is not unusual. It has become an accepted feature, notwithstanding occasional disruptions. In any democracy, the only permanent reality is change, often ever-changing. No leader or political party remains in power permanently.

Rudyard Kipling, the British-Indian author, captures this timeless truth in his poem 'IF': 'If you can keep your head when all about you are losing theirs and blaming it on you; If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you, but make allowance for their doubting too: If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster, and treat those two impostors just the same; If you can fill the unforgiving minute with sixty seconds' worth of distance run, yours is the Earth and everything that is in it, And, which is more, you will be a Man, my son!

Therefore, the two impostors: Triumph and Disastermust be treated alike. Being carried away by triumph can lead to downfall, while perseverance after disaster often leads back to success (Triumph). In that spirit, I wish both leaders continued success in their respective journeys.

On December 3, 2023, my PRO colleagues and I were seated at Pragathi Bhavan, the official residence of KCR, watching the election results unfold. The outcome became clear in the early phases of counting itself. Around 4 PM, along with a few others present there, I met KCR as he was preparing to leave the official residence for his farmhouse. He remained calm and composed, took leave of us, and entered his car. With that moment, our official association came to an end, though occasional personal contacts continued.

Last but not least, apart from the immense professional satisfaction I derived from my long association with Chief Minister KCR, my journey was also marked by a Love-Hate Relationship: not of my choosing, and not with all, but certainly and arguably with a few among CMO staff. 

At its core, however, my experience was enriching, intellectual, and deeply fulfilling. A special and respectful mention must be made of S Narsing Rao, Principal Secretary to CM KCR, one of the noblest individuals I have ever worked with.

He left a highly lucrative, influential, and much-sought-after position as Chairman, Coal India, to join the Chief Minister’s Office purely on KCR’s call: driven by his belief in Telangana’s development as a true Telanganite. His command over facts, always evidence-based, was extraordinary. I often witnessed him remain calm and composed while senior officers struggled for data pertaining to their own domains, only for him to respond with complete accuracy, but strictly when asked by the Chief Minister.

He never intervened unnecessarily, never sought attention, never concealed information, and never hesitated to share knowledge. Almost on a daily basis, my colleague Vijay Kumar Gatika and I (until he left the CMO for reasons unknown to me) spent time with him in informal knowledge-sharing sessions, which significantly broadened our understanding across a wide range of subjects.

I also worked closely with Chief Advisor Rajeev Sharma; IAS officers Smita Sabharwal, Sandeep Sultania, Shanti Kumari, and Sheshadri; IFS officer Bhoopal Reddy; Central Cadre Officer Rajasekhara Reddy; well-informed Pendyala Arun; and my PR colleagues Vijay Kumar, Hazare, and Saidi Reddy, Jacob, Chakravarthi, all of whom were consistently cooperative and supportive. Vijay Kumar’s capabilities of capturing the essence of CM KCR review meetings was exceptional.

One lingering dissatisfaction, however, remained. Beyond those mentioned, a few never acknowledged Public Relations as a professional discipline. To them, it was treated as clerical work, reduced to office logistics rather than strategic communication. This reflection is not one of grievance, but a candid narrative: positive in intent, yet honest in emotion, capturing the realities of working within a complex administrative ecosystem.

Leaving the Chief Minister’s Office after serving as CPRO offered me the distance needed to reflect, without bitterness, without awe, on the mind of K Chandrashekhar Rao. What struck me most was that his political imagination was never episodic or impulsive. It was deeply historical. Telangana, for him, was not merely a contemporary grievance but a continuum of unfinished struggles, inherited memories, and unresolved betrayals.

In several conversations during my tenure, KCR spoke not of himself, but of Dr Marri Channa Reddy, with whom also I had the rare privilege to work as his PRO. KCR referred to him not as a predecessor, but as a political conscience. He once told a group that included me, almost in passing, that the passion and commitment with which Channa Reddy led the 1969 agitation left a lasting imprint on his own thinking. That admission was revealing: KCR saw his movement not as an invention, but as a second act of a long-deferred resolve.

What distinguished KCR’s mind was his ability to learn from Channa Reddy’s failures as much as from his successes. He often reflected on how Telangana was once within reach, yet slipped away due to national compulsions, strategic compromises, and internal dissensions. That awareness shaped his singular obsession with timing, control, and narrative discipline. Unlike earlier leaders, he resolved never to let the cause be diluted, deferred, or negotiated away. Only after stepping away from the Chief Minister’s Office did, I fully grasp how naturally K Chandrashekhar Rao thought beyond regional and even national boundaries. 

KCR’s leadership style, which many misunderstood as rigidity, stemmed from this historical memory. He believed that ambiguity was fatal to Telangana’s cause. Hence his insistence on clarity of purpose, centralized decision-making, and unrelenting focus. From the inside, it was evident that this was not authoritarian instinct alone, but a lesson drawn from the past, from watching how earlier momentum was squandered. 

Friday, February 13, 2026

PROFESSIONS, CHECKERED CAREER, AND LESSONS-PART TWELVE (From Librarian to CPRO to CM KCR) ........ A Journey from Khangi School to Center for Excellence : Vanam Jwala Narasimha Rao

 PROFESSIONS, CHECKERED CAREER, 

AND LESSONS-PART TWELVE

(From Librarian to CPRO to CM KCR)

A Journey from Khangi School to

Center for Excellence

Vanam Jwala Narasimha Rao

Prefatory Note

(These reflections arise from close observation and lived experience during a defining phase in the history of Telangana. They are offered with deep respect for Kalvakuntla Chandrashekhar Rao, a leader of rare intellectual depth, political courage, and unwavering commitment to the idea of Telangana. What follows is not merely recollection, but an attempt to record how vision, resolve, and governance converged to shape a people’s destiny.

While this narrative draws upon a professional journey that spans eleven organizations and multiple institutional settings, it consciously begins with the final and most consequential phase of that journey. A brief reference to my academic formation is included at the outset only to provide essential context, before the account moves directly into the concluding chapter of my professional life.}

Similarly, KCR’s foray into national politics was not a sudden shift but a structured ideological extension of his long-held conviction that India’s federal structure required meaningful correction. His articulation consistently centered on strengthening States, decentralizing power, and restoring what he described as the true spirit of cooperative federalism. Drawing from constitutional provisions, fiscal relations, and administrative experience, he argued that excessive centralization weakened both governance and development outcomes.

His national outreach emerged from this philosophical base, not merely from electoral arithmetic, and was presented as a reformist national framework rather than a routine political experiment. A recurring theme in his national articulation was the imbalance between the Union and the States in financial control, subject allocation, and policy autonomy. KCR repeatedly questioned why critical sectors such as agriculture, health, education, rural development, and welfare administration should remain under central dominance or concurrent control.

KCR advocated structural rethinking of the Union, State, and Concurrent Lists, proposing a sharper and more rational distribution of responsibilities. His speeches and consultations positioned this not as confrontation but as corrective federal redesign necessary for faster and more context-sensitive governance. The call for a ‘Qualitative Change in Indian politics’ became the central slogan of his national initiative. He argued that post-Independence governance had largely rotated between two national parties with limited structural transformation.

According to his formulation, change should not mean replacement of one ruling party by another but redesign of policy direction, economic leveraging, infrastructure priorities, and social justice frameworks. He spoke of national regeneration through administrative reform, agricultural investment support, water resource optimization, and large-scale infrastructure modernization modeled on global best practices.

From this ideological foundation emerged his proposal for a non-BJP, non-Congress national alternative, often described in early articulation as a Federal Front. His consultations with several regional leaders and policy thinkers were intended to test the viability of a broad-based platform built on development, decentralization, and institutional reform. Importantly, he emphasized that such an initiative should not be a temporary electoral front but a policy-driven national force with a defined growth agenda.

Collective leadership, issue-based alignment, and people-centric development were repeatedly stressed as guiding principles. Another major dimension of this national vision was economic leveraging, using India’s natural resources, water systems, agriculture, and demographic strength more intelligently. KCR frequently cited underutilization of river waters, infrastructure gaps, logistics inefficiencies, and uneven fiscal mechanisms as indicators of systemic failure. His proposals included national water grid thinking, agricultural investment support, permanent finance commission mechanisms, and reform-oriented fiscal strategies.

The argument was that without structural economic redesign, political change alone would not produce meaningful national progress. My association with this phase was more of intellectual rather than professional. While serving as CPRO to the Chief Minister, I had the opportunity to closely observe, document, interpret, and communicate these evolving national positions. In addition to official communication responsibilities, I independently analyzed Centre–State relations and the federal discourse through researched writings.

I wrote a book (Genesis of BRS) released by CM KCR, documenting these developments, which were not merely descriptive but interpretative, placing contemporary events within constitutional, political, and administrative context for future readers and policy observers. The documentation effort aimed to preserve a chronological and thematic record of how a regional movement leader transitioned into a national policy voice advocating federal restructuring and governance reform.

It sought to capture speeches, policy positions, consultations, and ideological arguments in an organized narrative form. My satisfaction lay in ensuring that both supporters and critics, present and future, would have access to a structured account of the ideas, arguments, and intentions behind this national political initiative, beyond day-to-day media interpretations.

The later evolution of TRS into BRS, the Bharat Rashtra Samithi, represented the formal political expression of this national ambition. Whether this strategic transformation achieves its intended historic significance will ultimately be judged by time and outcomes. As CPRO to the Chief Minister during a substantial part of this journey, I derive immense satisfaction in having documented this transition and its intellectual foundations carefully and faithfully for future generations as well as for present-day critique, either appreciative or critical.

Governance in India and its states often walks a tightrope between intent and interpretation. The dynamic role of a Chief Minister can turn even well-structured efforts into flashpoints of controversy. Critics seize on these moments, narratives get hijacked, and the true essence of governance is obscured.

As Chief Public Relations Officer to two Highly Knowledgeable Chief Ministers during 1989-90 and 2014-23, who led the first and second phases of Separate Telangana Agitations, I witnessed firsthand, the unseen strain, meticulous preparation, and strategic coordination behind routine looking, but mandatory official tasks, not to mention complex decision-making. Nothing was ever done casually.

Crafting of the Governor Speech delivered on Republic Day, Governor Address to the Joint Session of the Legislature, Budget Speech of Finance Minister, Chief Minister's response to the Motion of Thanks on the Governor’s Address, CM speech on the Appropriation Bill, or Statements made in Legislature, CM Independent Day Speech or State formation day speech etc. requires every sentence to undergo multiple layers of consultation, discussion, legal scrutiny, and data validation. I had the privilege of being part of this intricate process, guided academically, intellectually, and authoritatively at every stage from begin to finish by KCR.

These are not mere political monologues but sincere statements of intent, responsibility, and direction. Yet, public discourse often reduces them to selective sound bites or dismisses them with populist criticism. The deeper tragedy is that the very framework of Legislative Functioning remains largely invisible to the average citizen, and certainly to Fly-by-Night Operators. Well-backed development initiatives, supported by thorough reports and feasibility studies, are labelled as vanity projects or corruption avenues. And that was, is, and would be Democracy.

Alexandre Dumas coined the proverb ‘Nothing Succeeds Like Success,’ implicitly conveying the idea that success breeds further success. Another well-known saying, ‘Failures are the Pillars of Success,’ suggests that failure is life’s greatest teacher and an opportunity to build inner strength. Albert Einstein observed that ‘Failure is success in progress,’ provided one does not give up and continues to fight relentlessly. Similarly, Dale Carnegie professed that ‘Develop success from failures. Discouragement and failure are two stepping stones to success.’

In the Telangana State Assembly elections held in November 2023, the Congress Party led by Anumula Revanth Reddy emerged victorious, while the Bharat Rashtra Samithi, led by Kalvakuntla Chandrashekhar Rao, faced defeat. In many ways, the proverbs cited above seem apt in this context. Revanth Reddy fought relentlessly, never giving up in his pursuit of victory, and ultimately achieved it. On the other hand, KCR’s setback may be viewed not as a final failure but as a ‘Suspended Success’ awaiting the right moment for a strategic comeback. The two impostors: ‘Triumph and Disaster’ offered contrasting yet instructive experiences to both leaders.

KCR, arguably the most successful Chief Minister of Telangana, had himself made an unsuccessful electoral debut in 1983 from the Siddipet Assembly constituency. However, he treated that initial failure as a suspended success and waited patiently for the right opportunity. That opportunity arrived just a year later, when he successfully contested from the same constituency in 1985 and entered the Assembly as a first-time MLA. From that point onward, his political journey became a sustained story of success: truly exemplifying the adage that Nothing Succeeds Like Success.’ 

KCR won consecutively four times from Siddipet between 1985 and 1999 and served in the Cabinets of NT Rama Rao and N Chandrababu Naidu, besides holding the position of Deputy Speaker. Following the formation of the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) in 2001, his success story continued unabated. In the 2004 elections, he won from the Siddipet Assembly constituency for the fifth time and simultaneously from the Karimnagar Lok Sabha constituency. Retaining the MP seat, he became a Union Cabinet Minister in the UPA Government at the Centre. In 2006, KCR resigned as MP, challenged the Congress, and won the by-election, later repeating the feat. In 2009, he was elected to the Lok Sabha from Mahbubnagar.

In the 2014 elections, KCR was elected as an MLA from Gajwel and also as an MP from Medak. Under his leadership, the TRS emerged victorious by winning 11 of the 17 Lok Sabha seats and 63 of the 119 Assembly seats. He was sworn in as the first Chief Minister of Telangana on June 2, 2014. In September 2018, he dissolved the Telangana Legislative Assembly, and following a decisive mandate: 88 seats in the elections held in November 2018, he was re-elected as Chief Minister for a second term in December 2018.

Despite unprecedented wealth creation, inclusive prosperity, and what may be described as enabling governance that delivered exceptional growth across sectors, the electorate later favored the Congress Party. KCR thus experienced his second electoral defeat after four decades, losing one of the two seats he contested (Kamareddy), while winning the other (Gajwel). Perhaps, in retrospect, he gave the people more than what they needed, without a sufficiently calibrated scientific need analysis.