Harendra Kumar Dadhich
Data Scientist & ML Expert
GIS and Remote Sensing Expert
RS, MoES, New Delhi
Q1. Please share your journey up to become Data Scientist and from where you got the idea to become data scientist with us?
Well, talking about my complete journey up to become a data scientist, is interesting and multidisciplinary from education to till profession.
In short, I tell you the story here, I have done B.Tech in Electronics and Communication in 2010 from JECRC College, affiliated to Rajasthan Technical University, Kota. After graduated as an engineer, I became software developer in a reputed company. After some few years I left this job and joined the ICRS as a Remote sensing Expert there, then after I joined Ministry of Earth Science, New Delhi as a research scientist and become a data scientist and Machine learning expert today. So, the learning phase is never ended process so I am very keen to learn new things and lover of readings.
In November, 2014, I stumbled on a book called The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business by Charles Duhigg given by my beloved big brother Mr. Gajendra Veer Dadhich on my birthday. In one section of the book called The Habits of Organizations, Charles wrote about a large retail chain that used data on what a female customer bought to predict the likelihood that she was pregnant. To put it lightly, I was mind blown and I had to find out more. I searched everywhere for what this sorcery was called. After a few months and with the help of my friends & brothers, I stumbled on something very similar to what I read in The Power of Habit. It was called was Business Analytics. Even this book is totally not related to data analytics and data science programming but idea can be come from anywhere. I was very eager to do work in this domain because data is everywhere and every field. It is a key of the any problem, if you have data then you can do something for the society and all. So, I work in this line and now become a data scientist. I am very much passionate to discover new things from data whether they are scientific data or other real world data for the solving real world problems.
Q2. What did attract you towards new technologies like Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning and Data Science?
Artificial intelligence (AI) is wide-ranging branch of computer science concerned with building smart machines capable of performing tasks that typically require human intelligence. AI is an interdisciplinary science with multiple approaches, but advancements in machine learning and deep learning are creating a paradigm shift in virtually every sector of the tech industry.
There are many examples of this technology in our real world even in our day to day life. Google assistant in our phone to google maps or many more fields like in Disease mapping and prediction tools, in manufacturing and drone robots, AI robot, Spam mail detection and disaster predictions etc. AI plays a vital role in today’s scenario.
To find out new insight from the data, called by data science. According to Harvard Business Review the news published that “Data Scientist: The Sexiest Job of the 21st Century” is really give me more enthusiasm to do work in this domain for real world problems solution.
Machine learning and data science are the key step to go in AI. They are subset of it. New technology makes the life easier of people. We can solve many realistic problems from these new technologies. The machine learning is the method to train a computer to learn from its inputs but without explicit programming for every circumstance. Machine learning helps a computer to achieve artificial intelligence. So, Attraction towards these new technologies are obvious for a man like me who loves to solve all real world business problems using the data.
Q3. You worked at many reputed organization like International Center for Radio Science (ICRS) and Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), New Delhi as a research Scientist. What was your experience during this time?
I have done B.tech in Electronics and communication and graduated in 2010. Initially, I did the job as a software developer in a software firm in New Delhi but after few months I left the job due to my illness. After some time I joined ICRS as a junior scientist and worked in remote sensing field. I worked under the great leadership of Prof. OPN KALLA, who known as a father of microwave remote sensing in INDIA. He was retired director of SAC, ISRO and principle investigator of the project of SAMMER, the first microwave payload on BHASKARA-I satellite. My experience during that time was so awesome, as I worked with reputed and senior scientists of ISRO for the last man of the society. There one thing I can say, what I learnt there that your work should be beneficial for the last man of the society. The role of remote sensing for the society and my career in details, I can tell you this also in your next question.
Furthermore, after ICRS I joined Ministry of Earth Science, New Delhi. I explored myself in the area of seismology. As previously I said, the data is everywhere in every field, one only need a person and a team to find out new insight from it. Here, I am involved in the detection and prediction of Earthquake in the INDIA. This is the still main key issue in today world scenario. My experience in this field also so much challenging, I used data science and machine learning technology in this field for solving so many earthquake related problems.
So, basically I found myself so lucky, that I got the chances to work in this these organizations by that I can contribute my key skill for nation development.
Q4. What is the role of Remote Sensing in your career?
Good..!!! Remote sensing is nothing, just the acquiring of information from a distance without being contact with the target. Remote sensing encourage me so much in my career, it plays a vital role in my career building. As I told I am so much fan of data so lucky to have scientific data in initially years of my career. I used so many data of different satellites of ISRO (INDIA), NASA, ESA, JAXA and many more space agency of the world. By doing this , I connected with the world’s scientists , interacted with them , shared my thoughts to them and solve the problem, what are their line and level of thinking , I come to know by this which in turns provide me very fruitful result in my career growth and exploration of mind. I worked on Oil spill detection, Tsunami detection, cyclone detection and many more disaster detection and mitigation process using Active and passive sensors onboard satellites. Remote sensing itself has huge applications in many fields like in land, ocean, atmospheric and terrestrial etc. So, these all are contribute in making my career to another level.
Q5. You have a more than 5 years experience in Data Science. Please tell me how this technology is changing the world?
There is a veil of mystery surrounding Data Science. The principal purpose of Data Science is to find patterns within data. It uses various statistical techniques to analyze and draw insights from the data. Data creates magic. Industries need data to help them make careful decisions. Data Science churns raw data into meaningful insights. Therefore, industries need data science. A Data Scientist is a wizard who knows how to create magic using data. As mentioned above, companies need data. They need it for their data-driven decision models and creating better customer experiences. Companies are using Data to analyze their marketing strategies and create better advertisements.
So, Data science and ML technology are rapidly spread in the business market. It will help them to build better market strategy for their products. I will help them in many ways like data scientists help the company to acquire customers by analyzing their needs. This allows the companies to tailor products best suited for the requirements of their potential customers. The customer acquisition process is go easy through it. Companies create better innovations with an abundance of data. The Data Scientists aid in product innovation by analyzing and creating insights within the conventional designs. Customer data is a key to making their lives better. Healthcare industries use the data available to them to assist their customers in their everyday life. So, it helps directly or indirectly in the customer needs or social needs. In today’s era of time, it is going to be used in many industries and changing the world significantly.
Q6. Please suggest a good path to become a Data Scientist?
There are many paths to reach your goal as a Data Scientist and you can follow any of them! But keep in mind that most of these paths pass through a college as a four-year bachelor’s degree is the minimum requirement (Masters and Ph.D. certainly don’t need!!!).
The most direct path is that you complete a Bachelor’s degree in Data Science as that will obviously teach you the skills required to collect analyze and interpret large amounts of data. You will learn all about statistics, analysis techniques, programming languages, etc. that will only help in your job as a Data Scientist.
Anyone can be a data scientist; nobody needs any programming background in the past. A good data scientist is the combination of analytics, programming and statistics. Data science is whole about to find out the new insight from the data that needs all such things. The main key skills Requirements to Become a Data Scientist are: statistical analysis, programming, machine learning, data Management and data wrangling, data Intuition and communication skills to present all your findings.After investing some years on it, you are fine to do work in this field more effectively.
Q7. What is the future of Artificial Intelligence, ML and Data Science? Is it good career option for students?
The future of AI, ML and data science are so bright, as I said previously data scientist is the sexiest job of the 21st century. So, if one becomes data scientist he will gain prestigious position in the company along with good salary in hand. In India, the average salary of a data scientist is more than any other field jobs like software engineer, Java developer and many more. AI is the future of the earth, slowly- slowly it will cover all fields. So, it is very good options for the students.
Q8. What are your hobbies?
Honestly speaking, I am a puzzle person. As of date, I am into speed cubing. It means, I like to solve various types of Rubik’s cubes and other puzzles within a time limit. Besides this, I like Gyming, Swimming, playing chess and reading novels and more & more books of successful as well as unsuccessful men.
Q9. Some of your achievement in your life like in publication of research papers or etc?
During my journey of research I published more than 30+ research papers in International , National journals and conferences, besides this I was the joint secretory of International conference ICMARS, life member of Indian Meteorology Society(IMS) , member of IEEE union, was treasure of IMS Jodhpur, Rajasthan. I am also reviewer of peer reviewed journals and conferences like IGARSS.
Q10. Please share any message to students?
If you really want to do something in your life then remember three words in life which is “DDD” mean D: Decision, D: Determination and D: Dedication. Take one decision, determinate on it and give your full dedication towards it. By this “DDD” you will achieve what you want in your life. Best of luck..!!
Q11. Who is your Ideal in your life?
Yes, Ideal of my life is my elder brother Late Mr. Gajendra Dadhich who was a role model for hard work, positive attitude and being strong even when his own health doesn’t mean it, he was a total gem of nice person. He was stand by everywhere at any point of my life. I love him so much and want to complete his incomplete dreams in my life. In our life many turning points came where we stuck and got confused to what to do next then we all need one hand that time, which can get rid out of us from them, that person was he for me. He was the chemistry lecture in a reputed coaching institute and guided so many students in his short life to build up their career as a Doctors, Engineers, and Scientists etc. Nothing is more painful in this world than losing someone you love so dearly. I will pray for his departed soul in every moment of my life. Love him so much. Thank you..!!
