Maya OS: Everything you need to know

The Defence Ministry is taking a significant stride towards bolstering its cybersecurity by introducing an indigenous operating system named Maya OS.

This move aims to replace Microsoft’s Windows OS on all ministry computers, ensuring enhanced protection against cyberattacks.

Understanding Maya OS

Origin and Purpose: Maya OS is a homegrown operating system developed by the Union Ministry of Defence.

Name’s Significance: Maya OS draws its name from the ancient Indian concept of illusion, signifying the deceptive appearance of reality.

Open-Source Framework: Maya OS leverages the Ubuntu platform, embracing open-source principles by utilizing free and publicly available software. This approach enhances transparency, community collaboration, and customization possibilities.

Chakravyuh Feature: Maya OS introduces the Chakravyuh feature, an end-point anti-malware and antivirus software. It acts as a protective layer between users and the internet, thwarting unauthorized access attempts and safeguarding sensitive data.

User Interface and Features

Familiar Interface: Maya OS offers a user-friendly interface, mirroring the familiar look and feel of Windows, thereby ensuring a comfortable user experience.

Application Compatibility: The OS supports commonly used software like Microsoft Office, Adobe Photoshop, AutoCAD, and more, enabling a seamless transition for users.

Enhanced Security: Maya OS incorporates features such as cloud storage, encryption, digital signatures, and biometric authentication to fortify security measures.

Development Journey

Initiation in Response to Threats: The development of this OS commenced in 2021, prompted by the rise in cyberattacks targeting India’s critical infrastructure and defence systems.

Collaborative Efforts: A collaborative effort involving experts from various government agencies like DRDO, C-DAC, and NIC, along with Indian software companies and academic institutions, contributed to the development of Maya OS.

Swift Progress: The development of Maya OS was accomplished within 6 months, reflecting the dedication and expertise of the collaborative teams.

Renaming Kerala: From Kerala to Keralam

The Kerala Assembly’s recent unanimous resolution to rename the state as “Keralam” in the Constitution and official records has sparked discussions about the historical origins of the name and the process of renaming a state in India.

Renaming Kerala: Resolution and Historical Context

Unanimous Decision: The Kerala Assembly, led by CM, passed a resolution urging the Centre to rename the state as “Keralam” in both the Constitution and official records.

Language Basis: The resolution highlights that the Malayalam name of the state is “Keralam,” and states were formed based on language on November 1, 1956. The resolution seeks alignment between the Malayalam name and its representation in official documents.

Origin of the ‘Kerala’ Name

‘Kerala’ and Asoka’s Edict: The earliest recorded mention of ‘Kerala’ is in Emperor Asoka’s Rock Edict II of 257 BC, where the local ruler is referred to as “Keralaputra” (son of Kerala) and “son of Chera” from the Chera dynasty.

‘Keralam’ from ‘Cheram’: Scholars speculate that ‘Keralam’ could have derived from ‘Cheram.’ Dr. Herman Gundert, a German scholar, proposed that ‘keram’ is the Canarese (Kannada) form of ‘cheram,’ suggesting that ‘Keralam’ could mean the region between Gokarnam and Kanyakumari, stemming from the root ‘cher’ meaning to join.

Demand for a Unified State

Aikya Kerala Movement: In the 1920s, the Aikya Kerala movement gained momentum, advocating for a unified state for Malayalam-speaking people. It aimed to integrate Malabar, Kochi, and Travancore into a single territory.

Cultural Unity: The movement was driven by the shared language, cultural traditions, history, and customs of the Malayalam-speaking population.

Formation of Modern Kerala

Travancore-Cochin State: In 1949, Travancore and Kochi merged, forming the Travancore-Cochin State.

State Reorganisation Commission: The State Reorganisation Commission recommended the creation of Kerala as a state for Malayalam-speaking people. The inclusion of Malabar and Kasargod and the exclusion of certain areas were proposed.

Birth of Kerala: On November 1, 1956, the state of Kerala was officially formed, referred to as “Keralam” in Malayalam and “Kerala” in English.

Conclusion

The resolution to rename Kerala as “Keralam” reflects the historical and cultural significance attached to the state’s name.

The process of renaming a state underscores the federal structure of India, where Centre-State collaboration is essential for such significant changes.

Progress track: North East Venture Fund (NEVF)

The North East Venture Fund (NEVF) has emerged as a catalyst for startups in the region.

Since its inception, NEVF has invested in 37 startups, injecting a total of Rs 56.84 crores into the entrepreneurial ecosystem.

What is North East Venture Fund (NEVF)?

Establishment: The NEVF, launched by the government in 2017, has emerged as a catalyst for startups in the region.

SEBI Approval: NEVF is categorized as a Category I Venture Capital Fund under SEBI’s Alternative Investment Funds (AIF) Regulations, 2012.

Investment Committee: An independent Investment Committee, comprising experienced professionals from venture funding, private equity, and developmental banking, makes investment decisions.

Regulatory Reporting: Periodic reporting on operational and compliance aspects is presented to NEVF contributors and relevant bodies as mandated. This ensures transparency and adherence to regulations.

Regulatory Oversight: The fund’s operations are subject to monitoring by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) through regular audits.

NEVF’s Funding

Fund Corpus: NEVF was established as a closed-end fund with a target corpus of Rs. 100 crore.

Contributors: NEVF has achieved its target corpus through contributions: Rs. 30 crore from North Eastern Development Finance Corporation Ltd. (NEDFi), Rs. 25 crore from Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI), and Rs. 45 crore from the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (MDoNER).

MDoNER Contribution: MDoNER’s contribution was provided as an interest-free loan to NEDFi, repayable in a lump sum after 15 years.

Successful Outreach

Geographical Distribution: The startups benefiting from NEVF are spread across various North Eastern states, with 24 in Assam, six in Manipur, three in Meghalaya, two in Arunachal Pradesh, and one each in Tripura and Sikkim.

Job Creation: The startups supported by NEVF have collectively generated 4,812 employment opportunities since FY18. Among these, 3,906 were male and 906 were female employees. Additionally, 4,076 employees were unskilled, while 736 were skilled workers.

Assam’s Dominance: The state of Assam witnessed the most significant job creation through NEVF-supported startups, contributing to over 4,000 job opportunities.

Focus Areas: The new guidelines prioritize projects that create common facilities for manufacturing, testing, packaging, research and development, and training related to natural resources found in the NER and Sikkim. This includes areas like agriculture, forestry, sericulture, and bamboo cultivation.

Exploring Distance Tax: Transition from Oil-Dependent Revenue

With the shift towards cleaner energy sources and the decline in oil consumption, governments are seeking alternative revenue sources to compensate for the loss of fuel tax income.

One such solution is the implementation of distance tax, a mileage-based user fee that can potentially mitigate revenue loss while encouraging sustainable transportation practices.

Understanding Distance Tax

Concept: Distance tax, also known as mileage-based user fees or road-user charges, is a taxation method based on motorists’ road usage and mileage. The tax is proportional to the distance driven, incentivizing responsible vehicle usage.

Variable Rates: Distance tax rates can be flat, calculated per kilometer, or variable based on factors such as location and time. It can also vary according to the vehicle type.

Technology Implementation: Distance tax can be tracked through various technologies like automatic number plate recognition, radio frequency identification, or GPS-based systems. The latter, especially using the GPS-based toll collection system, holds promise for implementation in India.

Advantages of Distance Tax

Revenue Recovery: As fuel consumption decreases due to the adoption of cleaner energy sources, distance tax offers a fuel-neutral method to recover lost tax revenue.

Encouraging Efficient Behavior: Distance tax promotes efficient vehicle usage, rewarding those who drive less and opting for environmentally friendly vehicles.

Managing Congestion: The tax can help manage traffic congestion by encouraging the use of small vehicles with lower carbon footprints.

Comparing with Other Alternatives

Fuel Tax Increase: Raising fuel tax rates is an option, but it might not align with the transition to cleaner energy sources and could negatively impact consumers.

Annual Fees on EVs: Imposing annual fees on electric vehicles (EVs) could hinder the EV adoption rate.

GST and Toll Tax Increase: Hiking GST on EVs or increasing toll tax and electricity tax is politically challenging.

Impact on Government Revenue

Oil Tax Dependency: Governments heavily rely on fuel tax revenues. In India, petroleum contributed to over 17.5% of the Centre’s revenue in 2022–23, and VAT on petroleum products accounted for 15% of all states’ and UTs’ revenue.

EV Transition Effects: The transition to EVs is predicted to reduce government revenue by 10.2%, equivalent to ₹1,457 crore, for Delhi by 2030. The Centre is also projected to lose 10% of its fuel tax revenue in Delhi due to EV adoption.

Way Forward

Gamification and Rewards: Develop a smartphone app that tracks a user’s distance traveled and calculates their distance tax.

Dynamic Pricing Based on Emission Levels: Implement a tiered distance tax system that charges vehicles with higher emissions more than those with lower emissions.

Green Corridors and Bonus Miles: Designate certain routes as “green corridors” with reduced or waived distance tax rates and offer bonus miles or credits to users who choose these routes.

Voluntary Reduction Challenges: Launch voluntary challenges where users commit to reducing their mileage for a set period.

Carbon Offset Integration: Provide users with the option to use a portion of their distance tax payments to support carbon offset projects, such as reforestation or renewable energy initiatives.

Conclusion

Distance tax stands out as a viable solution to balance revenue streams while encouraging responsible driving behavior and greener vehicle choices.

It addresses the challenge of declining oil tax income while promoting a shift towards cleaner transportation methods.

Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organisation (ACTO)

In a landmark move, 8 South American countries have joined forces to address the critical issue of deforestation in the Amazon rainforest at the Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organisation (ACTO) summit, hosted by Brazil.

It is intriguing to know that this summit is the first gathering of its kind in 14 years since the group was established.

What is ACTO?

Formation: ACTO is an international organization established to safeguard the Amazon basin and facilitate its sustainable development through international collaboration.

Founding Treaty: The Amazon Cooperation Treaty was crafted and signed on July 3, 1978, by Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Peru, Suriname, and Venezuela.

Evolution into ACTO: In 1995, these countries formalized their commitment by founding ACTO to actively pursue the objectives set forth in the original treaty.

Multilingual Platform: ACTO operates in four official languages: Dutch, English, Portuguese, and Spanish.

Need for ACTO

Deforestation: Clearing of land for agriculture, logging, mining, and infrastructure development leads to extensive deforestation, reducing the forest’s size and disrupting ecosystems.

Climate Feedback Loop: Deforestation disrupted the Amazon’s role as a carbon sink, potentially turning it into a carbon source and exacerbating climate change.

Illegal Logging: Unregulated and unsustainable logging practices contribute to deforestation, habitat destruction, and loss of biodiversity.

Indigenous Land Encroachment: Encroachment on indigenous lands and territories disrupts traditional ways of life and cultural practices, impacting both communities and ecosystems.

Forest Fire: Uncontrolled fires, often intentionally set for land clearance, can spread rapidly, destroying vast areas of forest and releasing carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.

ACTO’s Conservation and Development Initiatives

Amazonian Management: The ACTO member nations recognize that effective management of the Amazon basin is pivotal for advancing the well-being of its inhabitants.

Programs and Agreements: Collaborative programs and agreements have been established to ensure biodiversity preservation, promote conservation efforts, and manage the region’s resources.

Project GEF Amazonas: Funded by the Global Environment Facility, this program aims to secure agreement on a renewable and integrated water supply for sustainable development.

ACTO Biodiversity Program: This program focuses on maintaining a harmonious biological equilibrium to prevent fragmentation of Amazonian ecosystems.

Key Milestone: The Manaus Declaration (2004)

Purpose: ACTO played a pivotal role in formulating the Manaus Declaration in 2004, which coordinated the development of the vast rainforest area covering approximately 2.9 million square miles.

Commitment Reiteration: The declaration reaffirmed member countries’ dedication to fostering social and economic development in the Amazon while preserving its unique cultures.