Raintree--Soul Sojourn--by Nagesh Swamy

Mysore - Abode of Royal Wodeyars

Administrator — Wed, 20 May 2009 10:08:47 +0000

At a distance of 120 Kms from Bangalore lies the abode of untold grandeur and glory. Mysore,the capital city of the Wodeyars has always enchanted its admirers with its quaint charm,rich heritage, magnificent palaces,beautifully laid-out gardens, imposing buildings,broad shady avenues and sacred temples. There’s an old world charm about the city that reaches out and leaves no one untouched.

The Maharaja’s Palace is one of the important sights in Mysore. Built in Indo-Saracenic style with domes, turrets, arches and colonnades,the Palace is a treasure house of exquisite carvings and works of art from all over the world. Intricately carved doors open on to luxuriously furnished rooms. The majestic Durbar Hall has an ornate ceiling and many sculpted pillars. The magnificent jewel studded golden throne of the Wodeyars is displayed here during the Dasera festival. Illuminated on Sundays and public holidays ,the palace presents a spectacle of breathtaking beauty.

Wodeyars of Mysore

Nalmadi Krishnaraja Wodeyar conducting Court

Golden Footwear of wodeyar

Golden Lamps

History of Maharajas of Mysore http://www.mysoresamachar.com/maharajasofmysore.htm

Books - Splendours of Mysore http://www.vikramsampath.com/royalmysore_release_mysore.html

CI - Know your Competitors!

Administrator — Wed, 20 May 2009 08:14:59 +0000

As the world becomes more competitive and as organisations have adopted globalization, its crucial to be aware of your own strengths and weaknesses more so of your competitor to stay ahead. Organizations who have a sound strategy to stay ahead at all times must have a well-performing radar system in order to analyse their competitors and market developments/movements, market trends,etc and to be able to identify relevant opportunities or threats on time.Competitive Intelligence is the art of always staying one step ahead of the competition.Competitive Intelligence (CI) is both a process and a product. The process of collecting, storing and analyzing information about the competitive arena results in the actionable output of intelligence ascertained by the needs prescribed by an organization.

Competitive Intelligence is the action of gathering, analyzing, and applying information about products, domain constituents, customers, and competitors for the short term and long term planning needs of an organization.CI involves Planning, Data Collection, Analysis, Communication, decision and feedback

The Ten CI Commandments

Management must support and stay behind CI and act as a mentor
Keep it Simple and Smart
Search for what already exists. First discover and then invent or Re-invent
Store all content on a central repository for use or reuse latter
Start from scratch and quickly bring out the good results
First be pragmatic in approach and then boost the strategic components
Get involved with Field from day one
Define our clear competencies/ responsibilities
Communicate
Feedback

http://www.scip.org/

http://www.quantum3.co.za/CI%20Glossary.htm

Data Center

Administrator — Wed, 20 May 2009 05:47:34 +0000

A Data center or datacenter (or datacentre), also called a server farm, is a facility used to house computer systems and associated components, such as telecommunications and storage systems.It generally includes redundant or backup power supplies, redundant data communications connections, environmental controls (e.g., air conditioning, fire suppression) and security devices.Check out some of the best Data Center products on Networkworld.com

Article http://www.networkworld.com/supp/2008/ndc6/102008-ndc-products-to-watch.html

Automating IT

Administrator — Wed, 20 May 2009 03:17:46 +0000

IT automation is the buzz in today’s IT and Data Center Management. To be consistent in all situations in every time in every possible manner is the "Mantra". And it’s that consistency that then drives consistent levels of service and ensures that you’re meeting the commitments you’ve made in service level agreements to the clients.

Automation enables us to get IT delvered more faster , better and cheaper. Every vendor on the planet is trying in some way to achieve that. Automation is not something that anybody has decided to build a marketing campaign around, yet it is the wave/hype cycle of the future. It’s the only way that IT can continue to increase its value to the organization.

Orchids

Administrator — Tue, 19 May 2009 16:59:43 +0000

I’d much rather be outdoors and one of the nice things about gardening outdoors as opposed to indoors is that you don’t have to clean up the mess you make. But a house with out something green in it seems barren to me. I was surprised when someone suggested I try growing orchids. Orchids are amazing plants with bright flowers.

The golden rule for orchid success is to duplicate the plant’s natural conditions as closely as possible. In nature, most orchids are epiphytes, meaning they grow on other objects, clinging to rough bark or even stone. The showy orchids favored by most people are usually either phalaenopsis hybrids (so-called moth orchids) or dendrobium hybrids.

The closer you can come to creating these conditions in your growing area, the more success and better blooms you will have.After the bloom is done, go ahead and cut off the dead flower spike with sterile snippers and repot the plant. Orchids should be potted into specialized orchid pots in orchid mixture (usually a mix of charcoal, soil - gravel)

About Raintree - Soul Sojourn

Administrator — Tue, 19 May 2009 16:13:52 +0000

Raintree is web space intended for viewing, sharing and exchanging thoughts , ideas; A sojourn to rediscover ourselves as sometimes we get totally lost in other essential tasks in life!

Happy Reading & blogging!!

Nagesh Swamy

About me

Administrator — Tue, 19 May 2009 15:56:30 +0000

Hi , thanks for visiting my blog. I’m Nagesh Swamy currently working for an IT software firm.

Few of my interests and the topics here includes Cooking, Gardening, Pets, Yoga - meditation, Reiki, IT management, Competitive Intelligence and Marketing Strategy, music, painting and traveling. I can only hope that atleast some of these interests you as well , so lets start to explore and rediscover ourselves with some of our common interests. Hope you have a good time while you are on my blog!

Few of my vivid dreams and interests would be to visit the Himalayas, have a dip in the Manas Sarovar and trek the Great Kailash.

Guru Namana

Administrator — Tue, 19 May 2009 15:02:26 +0000

OM SHRI RAGHAVENDRAYA NAMAHA

If you have visited Mantralaya in Andhra Pradesh, than you would have definitely seen the senior swamiji also called the peethadipathi of Sri Raghavendra Swamy Mutt Sri Sushameendra Teertha Swamiji. When I visited Mantralaya , I was lucky to get glimpse of this Walking God and truely a humble soul who blessed us by giving the Phala Mantrakshate and dispensed our problems.

Guru Raghavendra has performed miracles and these miracles were performed only to show the greatness of God and the wonderful powers that one can attain with His grace. Guru Raghavendra certainly guides the souls by reducing their sorrow and pain.

Salutions to the Enlighter! Salutions to the Guru!

Kesari Bath

Administrator — Tue, 19 May 2009 15:02:17 +0000

Kesari Bath — Sweet Savory

Whether it is a small party or a get together , the most common sweet dish in any Kannadiga household is “Kesaribath”. This kesaribath is made of Sooji, Sugar and ghee. I just love this sumptuous dish!

Ingredients:

2 cups Rava or fine Sooji…i prefer fine Sooji.

1 and 1/2 cup Sugar. Use more if you need more sweeter

Cashews and Raisins ( as mush as you can afford)

4 tsp Ghee + 2 tsp Ghee

1/4 cup finely chopped pineapples. You can also use canned ones.

Finely ground cardamom

Saffron strands and soaked well in milk

Method:

In a pan with 2 tsp of ghee fry the rava or sooji on low heat. The house fills with a nice aroma. You need to fry really on low heat for at least 10-15 minutes.

Next, in a heavy bottom pan add the 3 and 1/2 cups of water and sugar. Let it come to a boil, now add the pineapples and also the saffron.

When the pineapple is soft, slowly add the rava. While adding the rava, keep stirring the same so that no big lumps are formed.

When all the rava is completely mixed with the sugar, reduce the flame to low and cover the pan.

In another pan, fry the cashews and raisins in the remaining ghee.

Add this to the Kesaribath, mix well.

When completely done, add also the finely ground cardamom and mix well.

Serve with Vegetable Upma. Coming next!!….This combination is also called Chow Chow Bath in Bengaluru restaurants.

If you have a sweet tooth, you’ll enjoy making and trying out this recipe!