Deep dive into the terms and concepts mentioned in Chapter 4

Arakku Valley is a valley in the Eastern Ghats inhabited by Araku Tribes about a 100 km west of Visakhapatnam city. Coffee was introduced to Andhra Pradesh in 1898 by a British administrative official posted there. In Arakku Valley coffee is grown under the shade of silver oak trees and pepper creepers in soils that are deep, friable, rich in organic matter, well drained and slightly acidic. Intercropping radish and legumes by Arakku Valley farmers have enhanced soil health and supported the coffee plants in numerous ways. While harvested these crops provide an additional income but leaving them unharvested also offer significant ecological and agronomic benefits. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ICk3ja8XY4o)

Aksharmala is a garland made of beads used to repeat sacred syllables or mantras. The term
“Akshara” means “imperishable” or “syllable.” It often pertains to the eternal nature of
sound or mantra. The use of Aksharmala aids in concentration, devotion, and mind
purification. It symbolises the journey towards spiritual realisation and connection with the
divine. The term “Akshara” also translates to “letter” or “syllable” in Sanskrit. No wonder
Google’s parent company is Alphabet (Akasharmala in English) Inc.

Arjun’s exile with his four Pandava brothers is a significant event in the Indian Mahabharata
epic. It begins with a game of dice organised by Shakuni (the uncle of the Kauravas).
Yudhishthira, the eldest Pandava, gambles away his kingdom, brothers, and even Draupadi,
their wife. As a result, the Pandavas are forced into exile for thirteen years. During the exile,
Arjuna undertakes a significant spiritual journey. He goes to the Himalayas to perform
penance and seeks the blessings of Lord Shiva to gain divine weapons. In the final year of
their exile, the Pandavas live in disguise. Arjuna takes on the identity of a eunuch named
“Brihannala,” a dance teacher in the court of King Virata. It reflects themes of duty
(dharma), resilience, and transformation.(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jd1I2NhKEGU)

Exoskeletal braces are mobile machine wearables over all or part of the human body, providing ergonomic structural support, and powered by a system of electric motors, pneumatics, levers, hydraulics or a combination of cybernetic technologies, allowing for sufficient limb movement, and providing increased strength, protection and endurance. The exoskeleton also protects the user’s shoulder, waist, back and thigh against overload, and stabilizes movements when lifting and holding heavy items. With complete paraplegia after spinal cord injury, an exoskeleton can be an additional option for the supply of aids if the structural and functional properties of the neuromuscular and skeletal system are too limited to be able to achieve mobilization with an orthosis, which is only capable of helping the recovery of muscle work. One of the biggest problems facing engineers and designers of powered exoskeletons is the power supply. This is a particular issue if the exoskeleton is intended to be worn “in the field.” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WuG_11qK9x8)

Kernel software refers to the core component of an operating system that manages system resources and hardware communication. It operates at a low level, interfacing directly with the hardware and providing essential services for other parts of the operating system and application software. Key functions of a kernel include: process management, memory management, device management, file system management, and system calls. In monolithic kernels all operating system services run in the kernel space, offering high performance but potentially less stability. In microkernels only essential services run in the kernel space, while others run in user space, promoting modularity and stability. Hybrid kernels combine aspects of both monolithic and microkernels to balance performance and modularity. Popular kernels include the Linux kernel used in various distributions, the Windows NT kernel used in Microsoft Windows, and the XNU kernel used in macOS and iOS.

Mount Tamalpais, called “Mount Tam” locally, is a prominent peak located north of San Francisco. It is part of the Marin Headlands and offers stunning views of the San Francisco Bay Area, including the Golden Gate Bridge and the Pacific Ocean. Mount Tamalpais has an extensive network of hiking trails that cater to various skill levels. Popular trails include the Dipsea Trail, Steep Ravine Trail, and the Matt Davis Trail, with options for both short walks and longer hikes. Mount Tamalpais State Park encompasses the mountain and its surrounding areas, offering facilities for picnicking, camping, and wildlife viewing. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6njTJHC3dxM)

Nandaka, is the sword of Lord Vishnu, usually depicted as four-armed with the four attributes in his hands: the Shankha (conch), the Sudarshana Chakra, the Padma (lotus) and the Kaumodaki Gada (mace). In his eight or more armed depictions, Lord Vishnu is shown holding Nandaka. (https://www.ajspeelman.com/antiques/a-stone-sculpture-of-vishnu-depicted-with-eighteen-arms-and-ten-heads/#gallery). Metaphorically, Nandaka, “the pure sword”, represents jnana (knowledge), which is created from vidya (translated variously as wisdom, knowledge, science, learning, scholarship, philosophy), its sheath is avidya (ignorance or illusion).

OS upgrades refer to the process of updating an operating system (OS) to a newer version. This can involve enhancements to performance, security, features, and user interface, as well as bug fixes. OS upgrades can be major, introducing significant changes, or minor, focusing on smaller improvements or security patches. For example transitioning from Windows 10 to Windows 11 or from macOS Mojave to macOS Monterey is major ppgrades. Installing updates within the same version, like Windows 10 version 21H1 to version 21H2 is minor upgrade. Upgrading an OS can improve compatibility with newer software, provide better security against vulnerabilities, and enhance overall system performance. However, it often requires ensuring that the hardware meets the new system requirements and that any critical applications are compatible with the new version.

Saadhna is a Sanskrit term for spiritual practice or discipline to achieve a specific goal, often
related to spiritual growth, self-realisation, or enlightenment. It encourages self-reflection,
questioning one’s beliefs and motivations, and a dedicated and sustained effort to refine the
mind and spirit through meditation, prayer, yoga, chanting, fasting, and studying scriptures.
Saadhna may also include meditation and mindfulness practices and focus on ethical living
or community service.

Saarthak is a Sanskrit word and a broad term that means “meaningful,” “purposeful,” or
“significant.” Sarthak refers to actions, experiences, or lives with purpose and intention in
many contexts. It signifies an existence that contributes positively rather than being aimless
or superficial. In spiritual or philosophical discussions, a “Sarthak” life may be aligned with
higher principles, ethical values, and a commitment to self-improvement, inner peace, and
the welfare of others. Sarthak implies finding joy and fulfilment through engaging in
activities that resonate with one’s values and aspirations, leading to a satisfying and
enriching life experience. Overall, “Sarthak” embodies the idea of pursuing a life that is purposeful, meaningful, and aligned with one’s values, contributing positively to oneself and
the broader community.

Zero-inflation world economy concept suggests a global economy where inflation rates are effectively maintained at zero.  This implies that the general price level of goods and services remains stable over time, meaning there is no increase in consumer prices. Advocates of this idea argue that zero inflation could lead to greater economic stability, as businesses and consumers would make decisions without worrying about fluctuating prices. A zero-inflation environment might lead to lower nominal interest rates, as central banks would not need to increase rates to combat inflation. This might encourage investments and consumption. Achieving zero inflation would likely require strict monetary policies from central banks, focusing on controlling money supply and potentially targeting interest rates to maintain stability. While consumers could benefit from stable prices, existing debt could become more burdensome in a zero-inflation economy, as the real value of debt would remain unchanged. Maintaining zero inflation could be difficult due to external shocks, such as changes in oil prices, geopolitical events, or natural disasters. It could also limit the ability of policymakers to respond to economic downturns with looser monetary policies. A zero-inflation economy would likely require coordinated monetary policies among countries to avoid currency devaluations and competitive deflation. Critics of this idea argue that zero inflation could lead to economic stagnation, as lack of price increases might reduce incentives for businesses to innovate or expand. While the idea of a zero-inflation world economy is theoretically intriguing, it poses complex challenges and would require careful management of economic policies and global cooperation.