Saying good bye to 2019

Year 2019, started with a solo trip.  This solo trip was special, as it was the longest distance, that I have ever driven all alone (600KM). I had resigned from an organisation, which I had cherished for 12 years and I had made a commitment to myself to start to work on my dream.

January 6th 2019, an awesome day - bright sunshine, fantastic view of the beach; with one of my favourite drink, started working on a plan to implement my commitment. The commitment was to develop two games and release it in Google Play store by end of year 2019. This was my first step to come out of being a hobby game developer to an entrepreneur.  I wrote sample code, sample games, started exploring few ideas and so many things. By sunset, I had few approaches and it was time to dive into the beach. This went on for couple of days.

On, January 8th 2019, started back to home. And on January 11th 2019, with a heavy heart, I said good bye to my wonderful team, friends, colleagues.

On January 14th 2019, new organisation, new people, new environment, new expectations. With bit of uncertainties, I started off my innings. Days passed quick and it was one month already. I remembered one of my special friend - spoke for a while and had a memorable chat over the phone. In mid of all this, I had met my old friend. We were remembering good olds of college. It is his presence which made a huge help to get adjusted to the new environment - remembering the college days was one of the best thing that happened. It reminded lot of memories.

Anyway, in February 2019, I started implementing my first game with a target to complete by August. I had to learn many new things. It was a joy ride and fantastic experience. With continuous discussion my friend, I kept going and finally in June 2019, I was ready to release my first game. It was just amazing experience when I hit the button "Release to Production" in Google play Console. That sense of satisfaction was too good.

Suddenly from no where, another friend of mine, reached out and a magic happened. I got an offer from a new company and decided to leave the current organisation. July 11th 2019, I said good bye and on 15th July, joined the new organisation. The first day started off with meeting some of old acquaintances and from no where, I meet close colleague with whom I had enjoyed working - this is something, I never expected.

August 2019, was time to start second game and to complete it by December. My new organisation welcomed me with a series of trainings and followed by a fantastic opportunity to work on Big data technologies. I got to do some fantastic research. Days passed without any control. In November, I released my second game. Both of the games, put together, had an overall of 300 downloads.

Year 2019, was one another most happening year. I could fulfil my commitment and got to work on newer technologies in IT industry. With a huge responsibility coming in my way and with my new commitment to become one more step closer to entrepreneur, I say good bye to 2019.

Impact of food aggregator

There was a time when I used to go back to home with an assurance that my mom will cook something. After a long day in office, having home cooked food always gives that sense of calmness. Whenever I get opportunity to travel outside country, I always carry Rice and Dal. After a long day in Customer office, come back and cook - it was giving that good feeling which is just not explainable.

I remember, irrespective of whether my mom is sick or not, or she has to get ready to go to a family gathering or catch up on her TV shows; she makes sure that food is prepared, ready to eat. It was an assurance that home food is always available. Sometimes, I wonder how my mom makes time to cook and do other things for home and catch up with TV shows and gossip with neighbours!

Couple of days back, my mom and dad travelled out of station to attend a family gathering. She was not there for 4 days and 3 nights. In these 3 nights, I ended up ordering my dinner from one of the food aggregator at least twice. None of us had time nor the energy to come back home and cook. We had to rely on food aggregators. I wonder, why none of us could spend 30mins to cook something very simple to eat. Is this simply because the food aggregators has made ordering food so simple? Is it because food aggregators provide us with so many options at one place? Is it because that new generation families has lost the taste for home food?

Today, food aggregators can get you even diet food. Some are even  preparing the food based on the workout routine a person is following. The apps that these food aggregators provide shows comparison, ratings, price range, discounts, royalty points, cash back and many more across restaurants. Are we getting attracted to these food aggregators due to these perks? Are the days gone, where husband and wife cook together, talking about everything in the world? Are the days gone, where kids will ask their moms to cook that favourite food that only his / her mom can cook?

I feel, that day is not far, when the food aggregators will provide an option to schedule ordering food based on work timings, or based on the festival season or based on holiday season. I feel, that day is not far, when the food aggregators will say what food should I eat, which food I need to like.

No doubt that food aggregators are helping people who are in need of something to eat and they just don't know how to get there. They are helping those IT professionals who work late night and their office cafeteria does not provide proper dinner. They are helping many others in many different ways. This is one side of the coin. But on the other side of coin, how it is impacting, what changes it going to bring to the next generation, is something can't be imagined today. Or this is just because of advancement of technology? I wonder....

If you also have similar thoughts, please share your thoughts in comments section on impact of food aggregators.