Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Mashed Potato in Creamy Pasta Sauce, Laced with Cream


Ingredients:

  •        Boiled Potatoes (2-3)
  •        Butter (3-4 tsp)
  •        Grated Garlic (5-6 Cloves)
  •        Milk (1/2 cup)
  •        Fresh Cream (6 tsp)
  •        Seasoning: Thyme, Oregano, Pepper, Salt


Method:

Heat the Butter in a saucepan and when melted add Grated Garlic Cloves. Saute it for about a Minute. Now, add in the Milk and sauté in Simmer, until the sauce Thickens and the aroma kicks in. Add In a Little salt and Pepper. This is the base for Creamy Pasta!!!

To the thickened Pasta Creamy Sauce, add boiled Potatoes and mash them well. Let the sauce blend well with potato mash.  (Be careful, not to mash the potatoes fully, you don’t want a chutney, do you?) Now, Add in the Fresh Creame and toss it over gently. Season it with Thyme and Oregano. 

Saturday, November 17, 2012

Data Analytics - Challenges with Data Collection in Indian IT Sector


                               “Trust in God, for everything else refer DATA” - W. Edwards Deming

The need for data cannot be more exaggerated, be it running a country, or managing a Corporation or even simply running a family. Statistics and Numbers are all around us,… and there are enough expert materials to provide readers clarity on methodologies and best practices of analysis and prediction of data. What this post concerns, is a little sneak into where lies the crème, In Data Gathering or Data Collection or in applying  framework of Analytics to already collected or gathered and then organized Data.

In a country like India, we have diverse methods to madness,…. . Government Houses have full-fledged citizen services in place both for state and national, but recording of details or clean data is limited only to few “Highly” critical or principal component like "Finance and Accounts" …. I’m not just talking about the way governments run, but also the way Corporations and MNC Service Industries, operate. Indian IT/ITES Service sectors, is where my experience lies and it would be right if I comment that these firms, tough huge and multi-billion dollars of net worth, have failed to build In-house Systems or Process that can support effective Analytics. The Indian IT Service Firms which “constantly Innovate” (So they’d like to be called), for their Clients, do not invest as much internally on their own In-house Corporate Functions. Decision makers from High-level to Mid-level Managers, use “Excel” Sheets both to collect and analyze data and this has a cascading effect both on the quality of process operations and system effectiveness. How effectively can a Billion Dollar Company Collect data from its 30- 50 Vertical and Horizontal Operations, Save the Corporate Functions, through just Excel sheets or with elementary systems capacitated with  basic structured queries, for collecting information???? 

The side of the coin is IT/ITES Firms that uses BI Systems and tools for Analytics, to perform statistical procedures on a data that is flawed. I find Data Gathering or Data Collection to be very challenging in both Corporate Functions and in Govt.  run Services. Companies proudly flaunt about jazzy words of statistics and Analytics, but on a data that is completely unstructured, erroneous and incomplete. Well there is always trace of larger details, like Finance, current/history of new hires, attrition, On-rolls, salary, Vendor pay-out/management, Cost/profit analysis….  How on earth can data effectively milked, if base collation from various processes is not accurate…Lot of companies also boast of going fully automated, with ERP/CRM/,… but on the floor, in everyday operational level, I find it quite surprising, how Executives to Managers of PMO Team play around with Excel Sheets. MS Excel is a great tool for simple Analytics, but never for recording and collecting data or process details whirling around transactions of over Lakhs,…. 

 Another prank, which High-level C-executives give into is the “Six Sigma” Actors,… With a Black or Green Belt to their hat of fame, I’ve witnessed, how Indian IT Majors, linger and hope on promise of automation, normalization of process and other sugar coated words of Six Sigma Revolutionists,…. The folks usually join as Managers and enable the ops. to build "elementary" web based Applications, that can collect data in way of forms, and execute 10-20 base structured queries, which can operate of data collected partially through forms and give trend analysis. Irony, as it may sound, these six sigma folks, have just knowledge of Six Sigma, and generalize it’s methods to almost all operations,…. A Dubba Wala’s method to NASA’S Operations is their claim to Generalization…. While I do not fully disagree, in my perspective, Data, Process and Systems across operations cannot be Entirely Generalized. The nuances differ with each trade, and six sigma is only limited to “Quality of Operations” and never actual “Process Reforms or Process Standardization or Even Process Enhancements (Yes, Lean!!). For effective tweaking of Processes one needs Functional Knowledge unique to the Process that is to be tweaked and Domain expertise. Not just Articulation skills, of Yield Though Output, Outliers, Lean Methodology or sigma Ratings.

Data Collected in a Country like India (IT Services Sectors – Operational/ Mid-level Data “manually” collected), is wealth which is quite sensitive to be shared,….  The Individual, who “manually” labors to collect the data, has to be credited more. First, he found some trace of records to never before existed process (Remember, Processes that run manually on Ground, is what we are dealing with here). Second, When the data is collected and organized meaningfully, applying analytics is just a Child’s play. Statistics Experts have already given us the method and way of Trend-pattern based analysis, Estimation or predictive analysis, Co-relation or regression, Chi-sqaure, Optimization, is not rocket science but common sense, when applied to organized data gives great insight and intelligence.  So, in my perspective, in a realm where there is no data or record of any processes, that Data Collection is of prime importance than Business Analytics,…. Analytics can anyways be Automated by MS Access or BI Tools,… But Data Collected and Organized Meaningfully, when there is not systems in place to do so, is exceedingly challenging. Sharing Data “MANUALLY” Collated with a, a colleague or cross-functional superior, is like opening up you assets for plunder,….   High-level executives, are little bothered of Data Collection and only concerned with Intelligence that data Bring (And they have the right to do so) and letting folks milk on your manually collated Data, may always keep you backstage,….  Hence, be shrewd if you are into Handling Data. 

To live upto to “State of Art Business House” is not just the larger numbers of Financial Statements, but Wholesome Data for systems to integrate all processes, so that the finer, granular details are also captured. Employees are just but users who execute the processes defined on ERP/CRM Systems.. 

I don’t know how to complete, and where to end!!!!  But here’s my say,…. Data Analytics is world in itself. It’s methods and trade cannot be limited to text books,… Only Passion, Experience and Intuition can carve an Individual with Aptitude for Data and Analytics.  It does not take Seventh Sense to be a Business Analyst or efficient Manager. All it requires is but Conscious understanding of current-state and GAP and Vision for Futuristic Ideal Operations/Goals. And end-to-end Understanding of Data, that can help you analyze the GAP and suggest best practices when effectively implemented can take you to next level.   

Wednesday, July 4, 2012

Earth, Sky and Beyond,….


Watching cloudy skies during twilight hours, makes me forget the world that I live in,… Assorted patterns of clouds in the blue firmament, makes me want to fly high above and admire for more,…. World is filled with beauty of nature all around, but best of all nature’s work, in my world is sky and possibly above it, "The Universe",…  

Few astro-facts that fascinate me these days:

·         Many stars are brighter than the Sun, but because of the million of light years distance they are seen as tiny dots on the night sky.
·         One day in Moon is equal to two earth weeks! One rotation on Sun is equal to 25 Earth Days!! Time has different relevance in different dimension/space.  This could be a base to my Christian Belief “Lord’s, One day is equal to thousand years and thousand years is equal to one day”.
·         World that we live in is constantly changing demo-graphically at rate of 4 cm/year. This means location’s LatLog is constantly changing and disaster probable regions of today, may be extinct tomorrow,…
·        Asteroids "Could be" Planet fragment's left over from previous Proto-planets,.....  


So much points are racing through my mind, to write down how geography and space amazes me!!! It's a sudden realization to actually see everything created around us and wonder "How Beautiful are your Works, Oh Lord"....

Also realize that Geography is no longer an Arts subject that can be tagged along with History or Literature,.... In my understanding of the subject content and applications, there is more to leverage,.... Be it Research, Civil Life, Defense Ops or disaster management, Geography and Space based solutions is the most reliable and best approach...

I have more to write, i will,... At the moment i need to click on submit icon, before the spying eyes sees this posts content,.... I'm quite embarrassed on this naive content being viewed by genius sitting next to me ,... but i need to start somewhere, and tell the world the amazing facts of geography and space,.... for i'm truly inspired about everything around me,... Earth, Sky and Beyond,....



Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Prayer - on Record

Dear God,

Please be mindful of me.

Girl to womanhood and now womanhood to being a Lady, feels like years are going by with no change whatsoever,… Two days to be 29 years old, Mistakes behind and wishes ahead, I seek you Lord to bless me this year. Deep rooted desire to be my First and Middle name, which I’m neither now. Your word says “Do not be afraid; you will not be put to shame. Do not fear disgrace; you will not be humiliated. You will forget the shame of your youth and remember no more the reproach…” With all that is within me, I cry out to you My Lord. Please come and let the barren life be turned into the Garden of Eden. Let my lamentations change to songs of praise. Let my sins and unfaithfulness be turned to righteousness and purity. The shame of my Youth to Crown of God’s Glory in His Grace.

I seek thee earnestly, as I’ve done from Mid 2006. In my loneliness, abandonment and embarrassment , I’ve calmly accepted that suffering you have recompensed for my own Iniquity. It’s time that you have Mercy on me, Now. For its been long and I have no sign of light anywhere. Please Lord, Have Mercy on me. I’m but a man, who days are numbered and but a breath. Please forgive the sins of youth and have mercy on me. You set the solitary in the Families. You created the holy union. You are enthroned in Heaven, Providing pagan and your Children alike. Please provide for me. My needs are not materialistic. It is not self-seeking or societal want. My Need is legitimate, something I’ve been denied from since the day I could remember as a toddler. Lord, Please have mercy on me. I ask this in Jesus Name. Amen.

Friday, May 25, 2012

Managing a Hell named "Office"

 Having to deal with a lot of challenges lately. Last one being, I’ve been denied of a promotion that I’m eligible for which I also feel I deserve), twice, consecutively in two cycles. Peers hired along with me and with much lesser industry experience, have “all” been promoted.  Though a trillion philosophies can provide consolation and say “designation does not matter,….. It’s just a delay of one year in your career growth,…. What is delayed does not mean denied,….”  Finally, I look like a fool and loser, to face my mirror each day,…. I really cannot blame my boss or any bad luck,,….. What has happened, has happened,…. Just that I’m not been able to comes to peace in terms of whatever has happened……

This episode of 7 years of experience and still a Jr. Executive has thought me few things though:

1.       Work is Serious Business and you’re here to contribute and make the best of corporate life.  It not a place of Charity or Social Forum. Have a definite PERSONAL CAREER GOAL!!!  Chart your Career path along with a realistic timeline.
This is something I really lacked. All I did was work, work and work, like a nomad! Doing what is expected or required. Identifying rusted/ chaos, processes and systems and recommend solutions for “Process Improvements” and “Organizational Leverage”. I did not see my own gain or positioning or prospects, in doing what I do each day. What is the point if your team/corporation wins and you lose?  As much as we work for Organization’s success, we fail inversely, to plan for our own!!! How on earth are we attuned to hope that someone, somewhere will bestow good things on us, if we work hard endlessly!!!  Hard work should be coupled with Direction and personal Milestones!!! If there is a deviation, it’s time your re-access your actions and priorities

2.       Windmills of Happiness or Hailstorms: Stick to one Employer, especially mid-career !!! Choose your Career Path and Employer who can help you attain it and stick to them.  If you wanna change , consider doing so only after careful consideration. Intangibly, On an average, change is recommended only after 5-7 years post serving your existing employer!!  
One of the notable flaws of Millennials - swapping jobs for more money or one level-up designations. It takes 2 years to understand the Organization in it’s totality!! 4-6 years to be influential and implement Process Transformation.  In my 7 years, my experience is never continuous!! Though personally it was good for me, my career had a huge repercussion because Job hops and Breaks. (there was time spree where I swapped jobs, because my Office colleague, my then best Friend decided to move – can’t believe what a fool I was J).  I have gained experience of what it takes to be a manager today, but I’m still at entry level, squarely because of my Inconsistence in Employment. Talent can always be bought in the open market! But what employers also need is Loyalty and Sustainability!!! “If you believe you are talented , try willing to be Loyal, and see to yourself, the gains the pay-off post each year that you invest in the organization”. Palani Guruswamy, My Boss at Technosoft Corporation, told me this on my exit day. Surely, What Palani Sir said was true and I see it happening right, before my eyes today. Unfortunately, as a victim now, though.

3.       To be successful is to be accepted by Peers/Bosses. Be not too isolated/ individualistic or too socialistic.  Never disapprove anyone of their Actions in Corporate Life.  It Corrective actions are required, try to make “the other person see” an alternative methodology and make him recommend the solution you intended back to you or to organization (a Natural trait which I Admire in my Tin TinJ ).
(Many a days I was so obsessed and angry with end users, that I failed to see through their perspective of why they do the things they do. I was perceived as someone with Attitude, policing around for Compliance flaws and not someone who they can trust and count on..... )

4.       Be Individualistic! Never flatter you Boss, Never be scared but always adhere to chain of command!!!
Be Original, independent and bold enough to speak loud your thoughts,….. You did not have your boss’s approval to be born,…. You don’t need to look for his approval to do anything else either,…. An Optimistic Boss will always be appreciative/critical, acknowledging and supportive of both your shortcomings and achievements.

5.       Stick to the organization Chain of Command. Bad or good, your Boss is your Corporate God Father!!! Any good that can come to you, can only come through your boss. Never ever scheme to bypass or let your boss feel threatened by your initiatives. In Worst case, If your Boss, is Completely Hopeless (J), In terms of he being too self-oriented (Seeing only that they win, while their own team continuously fails) and over a time-period did not enable much for you to learn, contribute and scale up, choose another Boss!!! Don’t waste time working for a wrong Boss, who might filter out your Success opportunities and nullify your existence.  Many Super-Bosses, will be willing to give you this leverage, if you have an objective rationale for Team change and a work charter.

6.       Personal and Professional has no demarcation. Work life is as important as personal life. Give adequate time to plan each day’s work tasks. Steve Jobs and many millions corporate success stories would not have been written if Work was not taken personal and Close to Heart.  You may not wanna be Steve Jobs, but Your Work is your Identity, Social Status and Bread Winner. Give your best to it!

7.       Lean on Continuous/full-time Education or certification, to upgrade your skills and give yourself a winning edge.  Education is more important than work Experience. A mind that chooses wisdom, chooses crown of life (Proverbs-Bible).

Work is no Place to be philosophical. But, certain Philosophies when practiced at work place, can lighten up our
minds and save our health:

8.       When Situations allows you to get hurt, accept the situation. Come to peace with it! If your Job is on Lay-off, your hike has been Minimal, Promotion is denied or if a demon disguised as boss is ruling over you J, come to peace with it. “When Life gives you Chocolate or Vanilla, you have an option to Choose one of the two. But if you are given only vanilla, CHOOSE Vanilla.” – A thought from Landmark Forum.  Acceptance of the “Present” and acknowledgment is the first step to disaster recovery or even soul’s redemption.
(I wish to come to peace in terms Promotions Denied. In doing so, my Mind is cleared up for new Beginnings!!!  New Life!!! Same organization, same boss, same peers, but a New Perspective of Career, Work and Growth)

9.       Life is too short to just to battle unseen/seen ghosts.  Bad people are everywhere. Governments and World is about Politics, howbeit Corporations?  But, to win the Bad, we don’t need to play bad….. We can win, if we continue to be sincere, fair and honest in our perusals . Better to win slowly and steadily by being Honest and fair, than to gain shortly and success rapidly, by wicked Self-fish ways.  Rule of Nature:  One will Reap what he has sowed!   
Even in worst case, if all is lost, one’s conscience is true and pure!

10.   Always, see the larger perspective, Life!!!  What is it that you wanna do or complete, before you die?  How would you want to be remembered by people whom you are meeting each day? Were you an angel who touched lives positively or a demon that took away good things from happening to people or even worse, being a quite apathetic observer, watching others while they are suffering and do nothing good, in your own small ways to them? How are you being Perceived each day, by your own Colleagues? End of it, Not just God, even your own people will see though your actions. We all will be known and remembered for who we are and what we did?

Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Tidbid Thoughts

As days go by, I often wonder what indeed is the purpose of life?
Is Life a Jolly go ride to be happy & merry?
Or is it a sail boat, to be lived with all it’s ups and downs?
Or is it an Opportunity presented to Mankind to live and grow?
Or is it a gateway, to achieve success- Power Inventions or Innovations?
What indeed is life Made for?
Why indeed are we living each day?
The more I ponder, the more I try to associate meaningful dimensions to core Nothingness,….
Life is Nothing,….
Today I Live, Tomorrow I Die,
But after my days in this earth has finished,
I’m but a visitor, who once saw and lived through all the madness of the world as it is,….
Trying to Find meaning to life is like searching for the next matter in outer space,
The more we try to introspect within, the more a possible purpose of life it unfolds,…
The purpose or meaning unfolded as it seems to me is not the ultimate revelation of truth,
It is but a momentous self-realization and perception of mind,…
Another meaningful dimension that we try to associate with Core Nothingness of life,…
Does Accomplishments or success- Power Inventions or Innovations, Matter in this life?
Yes to an extent may be, coz it’s makes life while it is lived interesting and worthwhile,
But, does it satiate the purpose for which life was created?
Money and Power, as is pursued with hard work and deception? How about that?
May be yes, in terms of financial security in providing for a future need,
But can it secure the breathe and heath, bestowed by God in riches according to his Glory to man?
Can’t even close!! No!
So What indeed is the purpose of life and Man?
In all it’s Learning, Growing, Earning, securing, Cheating, Deceiving, Gaining, Murdering,…..
What indeed is the purpose? What is this life’s stage all about??? Why all this drama of events and happenings?
I don’t know fully yet? What I know is this,
Whatever Life’s Ultimate Purpose or Meaning is,
Life lived selflessly in Humbleness, Contentment and Thanksgiving is of better quality than those wasted by carnal Inclanations of greed for money, power and Name.
Yes to Live selflessly in Humbleness, Contentment and Thanksgiving,
And with Salvation, Christ’s Truth and Grace/Spirit of God as the only assets,
We live and pass by,….Simple and Plain, truth!
Nothing of what we earn or saved, is going to come along with us,….
Only the help and love that is pass around to the poor and needy, are the accomplishments in favor
We Live and one day will Pass by,
To the Heaven Beyond,
One of my all Time Favorite, Jim Reeves Song, here fully:
  1. his world is not my home I'm just passing through
    my treasures are laid up somewhere beyond the blue
    the angels beckon me from Heaven's open door
    and I can't feel at home in this world anymore
O Lord you know I have no friend like you
if Heaven's not my home then Lord what will I do?
the angels beckon me from Heaven's open door
and I can't feel at home in this world anymore
  1. They're all expecting me and that's one thing I know
    my savior pardoned me and now I onward go
    I know He'll take me through though I am weak and poor
    and I can't feel at home in this world anymore
O Lord you know I have no friend like you
if Heaven's not my home then Lord what will I do?
the angels beckon me from Heaven's open door
and I can't feel at home in this world anymore
  1. Just up in Glory Land we'll live eternally
    the Saints on every hand are shouting victory
    their song of sweetest praise drifts back from Heaven's shore
    and I can't feel at home in this world anymore
O Lord you know I have no friend like you
if Heaven's not my home then Lord what will I do?
the angels beckon me from Heaven's open door
and I can't feel at home in this world anymore

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Sins of Easter and Good Friday!!!

“Are you planning to take meat, for the next 40 days, starting ash Wednesday?” A naive voice questioned my intentions, with so much care and affection. “Please follow, God will be happy if you follow the Veg Fast. It’s Written in the bible, so please consider following it,…” the naïve voice of CSI Christian re-instated the importance of Good Friday Fast.




Ash Wednesday, Good Friday and Easter!!!! How would I tell the 21st century Church that these Rituals and Festivals, which is regarded with such great prominence is indeed but a cocktail of Social Culture and Customs!!! I’ve been a Good-Friday Fast follower myself and I will, for the respect of my elders. But Sadly, my Fellow Elders are being trapped into thinking that Religiosity pleases God. Here are few pointers that I would like the reader to consider before following the fast:



“You shall keep the Feast of Unleavened Bread. As I commanded you, you shall eat unleavened bread for seven days at the appointed time in the month of Abib, for in it you came out of Egypt. None shall appear before me empty-handed”. – Exodus 23:15.



Why Easter is a Sin?





1. The name "Easter" comes from the name of the Babylonian and Assyrian goddess Ishtar Alias Astarte.


2. Easter “Eggs” and “Rabbit” originated for Worship Ritual Items for Ishtar for symbolizing Productivity and Fertility.


3. Easter Sunrise Worship was for Ishtar, also known and Lady in Heaven and Goddess of Dawn.


4. The "Hot Cross buns" are the "cakes" that were forbidden by the prophet Jeremiah during Feat of Unleavened Bread Week. The ingredient of honey in the "cakes" was another violation of the commands of Yahweh for He had charged the Israelites to offer neither leaven nor honey in any offering made by fire to Him (Lev. 2:11).


5. Acts 12:4, Refers to Passover (Greek: PASCHA) and not Easter as included by Catholic Church.




What’s the Core Problem with Easter and Good-Friday Fast?





1. Jesus Christ Was Crucified on Wednesday and resurrected on Friday!!! All the more, He is Resurrected and Forever among us. There is no Need to Fast or mourn over his Death. Jesus Said: “Don’t cry for me! Cry for yourself” and that He said exactly during the time He Carried the Cross while going to be crucified!! Does that not speak His Longing for Mankind to Mourn and Repent of their Sins?


2. Year after Year, Easter Falls on 1st Day of Passover Feast of Unleavened Bread. Easter always falls on the start of Lord’s Passover Day, strategically to replace Lord’s Yahweh’s Commandment with Worldly customs. How can the World Afford to Feast on the Day Ordained for Fast, by Lord God?


3. Passover Feast of Unleavened Bread is Commandment of Lord God. Lord’s Commandment through Eternity (Old or New Testament times) is that his people should strictly follow Passover. Biblical References both from New and Old Testament urge its followers to follow the Feast of the Unleavened Bread in Spirit and in truth. Jesus Longed to follow Passover before crucifixion (Luke 22: 15).


4. Easter is a Pagan culture. Christians should abhor Easter Feast as much they would see Idols. Good Friday and Easter “Rituals” are never quoted in Bible? Even if a Naive Christian would prefer to observe Christ Death and Resurrection, would you do so in compromising the Lord God’s Commandment of Passover?





“Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? And in thy name have cast out devils? And in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye who work iniquity [lawlessness].” Matthew 7:22-23




Living Word:

Feast or Fast, Sacrifices or Gifts! End of it, our God takes Pleasure in those who worship him in Spirit and in Truth. When we seek him in Spirit and in Truth, He would teach the way we walk and direct out path!!! It’s Vanity and hypocrisy to follow Religious customs and observe days for sake of Appearing Holy. Holiness comes from within!!! Not by the food we choose to or not to eat!!! As said earlier, Religiosity is opposite to being Spiritual!! They are two different worlds!!! Jesus Christ was spiritual, and remember he did not fit the Religious Clause of Synagogues (Church) or Pharisees (Pastors/Priests). Spirituality cannot be taught. Rules of the Church cannot get you there!!! It’s as Experience that Theology and Science can never comprehend. It’s as Experience bestowed not by Works (Rituals) or by Deed (Goodness) but only by “Grace” of God!!!



Jesus Christ Practiced Passover Year to Year, During His Lifetime – Both in Spirit and in Truth. We Christians are Being Urged to Follow the examples set by Christ here on Earth.



Verses on Importance of Passover: http://www.openbible.info/topics/passover