A Process Oriented Approach to Waiting Line Management in a Large Pilgrimage Center in India Essay Example for Free

A Process Oriented Approach to Waiting Line Management in a Large Pilgrimage Center in India Essay This article documents an innovative approach to manage waiting line in the largest pilgrimage center in the world. By a judicious combination of process orientation and advances in Information Technology, the pilgrimage centers management has been able to dramatically change the pilgrims waiting experience. The pilgrimage location under study is Tirumala located in Andhra Pradesh state in India. The number of visitors to this important location has been steadily increasing over time. As of 2011, the location attracted approximately 30 to 40 million visitors a year. The primary objective of a pilgrim visiting Tirumala is to have darshan of the principle deity in the temple. The secondary objectives include tonsure (shaving head as a mark of respect), offering donations, prasadam collection, thulabaram, arjitha seva (paid services), local sightseeing and shopping. The immense popularity of the temple and its location poses significant challenges to the management of the system. This temple is a tradition bound Institution. Therefore, some alternatives to resolve pilgrim waiting time are feasible and some are not. There are some hard constraints which may not stand the test of logic. The ability to manage the traffic volume is a function of processing rate (darshan duration) at the temple and darshan time available per day. This case study is an example of improving operational effectiveness by using formal management methods in addressing an important real life problem in an under researched area. This pilgrimage center is located in the extension of Western Ghats and is popularly known as Tirumala. It is considered to be the abode of Lord Vishnu in the form of Venkateswara. The temple is the richest pilgrimage center, after the Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, of any faith (at more than 50,000 crore) and the most-visited place of worship in the world. This center attracts a large number of visitors from all over the country irrespective of their caste, religion, belief, social status and professional affiliation. The temple is visited by about 50,000 to 100,000 pilgrims daily (30 to 40 million people annually on average), while on special occasions and festivals, like the annual Brahmotsavam, the number of pilgrims shoots up to 500,000, making it the most-visited holy place in the world. The temple is on Venkatadri (also known as Venkatachala or Venkata Hill), the seventh peak, and is also known as the Temple of Seven Hills. Venkatadri, the hillock residing place of Lord Venkateswara is probably one of the oldest religious institutions in India. It is known to exist for over a period of 2000 years. It has a recorded history of thousand years. Based on the recorded history, the rituals and daily routines in this sacred temple are being performed without a break for more than 1000 years. Over a period of time Venkatadri has evolved as an epicenter of Vaishnavism. Several prominent Hindu religious institutions either have established a presence in Venkatadri or have made this as place of their administrative headquarters. Today, Venkatadri is not only a religious institution, but it has also evolved as a social institution. It supports financially a group of thirty (higher) educational institutions. Its mission is to systematically promote the study of Vedas and Sanskrit literature. The temple also provides generous financial support for construction of similar temples (Venkateswara) elsewhere in the country. Over a period of 50 years, the number of visitors to the temple and the town has increased by eight fold. [I960(2 million), 1970(4 million), 1980(7 million), 1990(11 million), 2000(16 million), 2010(30 million)]. Such a huge traffic generates tremendous stress on the social and physical infrastructure of the temple down (Tirumala and Tirupati). Being a tradition bound organization, certain modifications (on procedure, layout etc.) are not acceptable. The devotees (exposed to modern social norms) who come to the temple expect a better service quality and shorter waiting time. Thus, the managerial challenge is to balance the tradition, operational efficiency and increasing pilgrim expectations. Activities in the temple and the town and their management need to be also seen from a religious perspective. There is a divine dispensation in the institution, which may not be tinkered with in whatever modification(s) that are made in the facilities redesign and management of activities. Methodology The product and its delivery Pilgrims from all over the country arrive in the temple town. Usually they reach the foothill which is known as Tirupati. The mode of transport is rail, road (public or private transport) and air. Having reached Tirupati, those who have their own transport directly proceed to Tirumala. Some spend a few hours in sightseeing and visiting other temples and religious locations in and around Tirupati. The distance between Tirupati and Tirumala is 19Kms. Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) operates regular services between Tirumala and Tirupati. The round trip is about 2.5 hours including waiting time at both the boarding points. Having reached Tirumala, the pilgrims look for a suitable accommodation. There are about 5000 cottages owned and managed by TTD for pilgrims convenience. After (a brief) resting, pilgrims go for tonsure (there are 500 barbers who operate on a 3 shift basis; 15,000 tonsures are done in a day). The annual revenue from export of hair (from tonsure) is Rs. 100 million. Following tonsure pilgrims go for a wash and bath in the holy tank in the middle of the temple town and then join the queue for darshan. Some pilgrims on arrival at Tirumala directly join the darshan queue and after the darshan visit the tonsure centre, take a bath in the holy tank and departure to their place of residence. There are 32 waiting compartments to house pilgrims while they await darshan. The average capacity of these compartments is 500. About 17,000 pilgrims can be held in waiting at any time. The average waiting time for darshan can vary between 2-12 hours depending on the day and season. There is tremendous uncertainty as when darshan would happen. There is also anxiety as how long is the wait. There is no (accurate) information to the pilgrims on what is ahead. Because of the commitment to the pilgrimage process, individual pilgrims go through this tedious experience with reverence and patience. Finally on a FIFO basis, pilgrims arrive in front of the deity. The actual darshan lasts for about 1.5 to 2 seconds. However, the pilgrims can have a view of the deity from a distance of 30 meters from the main entrance. The travel time is about 45 seconds. Actually, the passage towards darshan admits a file of 6 or 7 columns of pilgrims to go through the darshan process simultaneously. After the darshan the pilgrims donate money at the Hundi, equivalent of donation box, located inside as well as outside the temple and then leave the temple premises. The Hundi collection is about Rs. 2000 million a year. Often, they stand in another queue to receive free laddu (there are several counters that sell laddu). Approximately, 75,000 laddus are sold in a day. In view of demand and supply gap, there is rationing and restrictions on how many laddus a pilgrim can buy. Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD) the administrative agency in charge of this temple provides free meal to about 25,000 persons in a day. After receipt of laddu(s) and a meal, the pilgrim returns to his cottage or wait for a transport to go Tirupati and subsequently to his place of residence.

Lottery :: essays research papers

"Mood Shifts" Many authors use mood shifts in their stories to leave a greater impact on the reader and make it easier to understand. The particular state of mind or feelings of a person is one’s mood. Various aspects of one’s surroundings can alter a mood. A story often creates a specific mood or even causes a number of different moods to arise in a short period of time. Shirley Jackson’s short story, "The Lottery" does just that, by forcing different moods to surface in various sections of the story. The peaceful mood at the story’s beginning, the anxiety that gradually builds, and the eventual horror at the story’s conclusion demonstrate mood shifts in this story. The mood at the beginning of the story is very happy and pleasant. "The morning of June 27 was clear and sunny, with the fresh worth of a full-summer day; the flowers were blooming profusing, and the grass was richly green"(112). This quote describes a beautiful scenic picture, which gives the reader an implication of peace and calmness. The village seems to be conducting a normal, uneventful day. At ten o’clock the villagers began to gather in the square. Everyone in the town is moving about, having conversations with the other townspeople who gather in the square. "Soon the men began to gather, surveying their own children, speaking of planting and rain, tractors and taxes"(112). This describes how nothing is happening and it is just a regular day with ordinary conversations. The reader’s mood is one of happiness and calmness. It is not until further through the story the reader begins to detect small details that imply that something out of t he ordinary is about to occur in the townspeople’s peaceful lives. The cheerful pleasant mood at the beginning of the story slowly fades, as the tension and suspicion rise. Within the story the reader begins to detect small hints which suggest everything is not as it seems. The anxiety grows as the lottery approaches. "He held it firmly be one corner as he turned and went hastily back to his place in the crowd, where he stood a little apart from his family, not looking down Neale 2 at his hand"(115). The man’s nervous movements imply that some unusual action is going to take place. "By now, all through the crowd there were men holding the small folded papers in their large hands, turning them over and over nervously"(115).

Pay It Forward

Pay it Forward Jennifer Trager University of Phoenix PSY/490 Instructor: Vicki Koenig November 25, 2011 Pay it forward is becoming a more popular phrase it seems. When you drive through towns and different communities, one can see signs for soup kitchens, volunteer services, etc. There is something about the idea of giving back to others that is not only for the one receiving, but also beneficial to the one doing the work behind it. This idea is considered altruism and is driven by a want to contribute to someone else’s life instead of focusing on what one can get from others.There once was a movie called â€Å"Pay it forward† about the whole idea of doing something for someone with the only stipulation being to do something for someone else. Once, Oprah did a show on random acts of kindness and the reactions of those receiving these acts. Currently, it is the holiday season and it might be safe to assume that these acts of kindness might be more in the making. Some of these acts could include carrying someone’s groceries to their car, buying someone a cup of coffee at the local convenience store, or even paying someone’s check at a restaurant.Personally, one of my favorite things to do is pay the toll for multiple cars on one of our major highways. I enjoy this most because I am unable to see their reactions and I hope that they would â€Å"pay it forward† also essay writers online. Although I am not there to see their reactions, there have been moments when people have sped up to wave to me or mouth a thank you, which is nice even though these are not things I look for in doing this. Some might suggest that the idea of altruism can be based on Abraham Maslow’s hierarchy of needs model. This idea suggests that there are fundamental drives behind people’s actions.While the first two stages might suggest a more selfish need due to the idea of meeting one’s physical needs such as food, shelter, etc. and the second stage is security and the idea that one’s needs will be met in the future. The third stage is belong or a need for unconditional love and leads to the fourth and fifth stage. The fourth is purpose/esteem which is seen in one’s activities and the fifth is human potential that is suggested as meaning â€Å"self-actualisation† or the development of self, personal creative potential.In an article titled â€Å"Re-Establishing Altruism As a Viable Social Norm† (2011), it is stated that â€Å"people are generally keen to promote well-being of others, and a new generation is working as volunteers far more than their parents ever did†. This might be attributed to the idea that today needs are met with less struggle than in years past or that this â€Å"new generation is discovering the tremendous value of making a real contribution to the lives of others†.Another article in Psychology Today suggests that â€Å"acting with an unselfish regard for others doesn’t always come naturally, even though many psychologists believe we’re hard-wired for empathy†. And the final thought from this same article states that â€Å"most of us realize that when we make an effort to give without expectations of reciprocity, we feel fulfilled and energized†. So if this is the new idea behind our everyday, the world might not be doomed! I often feel that we are becoming more of a society that is all about themselves and what can be gained at anyone’s expense.This small assignment and project has shed some hope on my sometimes cynical attitude. And brings me to a place of realization in that there is always more that can be done on my part alone. References Psychology Today. (2011). Altruism Basics. Retrieved November 23, 2011 from http://www. psychologytoday. com/basics/altruism. Re-Establishing Altruism As A Viable Social Norm. (2011). Retrieved November 21, 2011 from http://www. altruists. org/ideas/psychol ogy.

The At Bemis And Purchasing Manager - 1359 Words

It was a Wednesday, almost like any other day except the alarm went off a little earlier than normal. Well three hours earlier than normal, but the need to roll over and go back to bed was not there. Previously on Monday Clariant, the company I work for received a call from our largest customer Bemis, just down in Massachusetts. They were in a dire need for material on a hot new product that their customer was requesting immediately to meet a launch date. Jackie our main contact at Bemis and purchasing manager only asks for a favor when it is only hugely important, we trust her, and she understands the challenges Clariant faces to meet immediate demands. However tough it may be at times, our strong partnership was forged through addressing these hurdles and finding a way through. Coincidently, Jackie and I spoke briefly about my interest in meeting with her and writing about her company and this was the exact excuse to come down and make this happen. The production team at Clariant w as able to manufacture the materials Bemis needed and put it into the back of the company truck, I was going to deliver the product personally and spend the day with their sales, design, and production groups. The chance to delight the customer by delivering product personally and spend the entire day getting to know them was a huge opportunity. The alarm was sounding and it was time to go. Bemis Associates specializes in the manufacturing of highly customized thermoplastic film in Shirley