Tezos India Foundation is a non-profit organization to promote Tezos blockchain in India. In an exclusive email interview with Ravi Kumar from AlexaBlockchain, Om Malviya, Founder & President of the Tezos India Foundation, sheds light on his journey in the blockchain space, the unique features of the Tezos blockchain, and the foundation’s role in promoting blockchain adoption in India.
As a visionary leader, Om Malviya shares insights into how Tezos’ modular architecture and on-chain governance make it a standout platform, and why he believes India is poised to become a global blockchain hub. By fostering developer engagement through hackathons and workshops, the Tezos India Foundation is driving innovation and empowering communities across the nation.
This conversation delves into the foundation’s objectives, the challenges of nurturing a vibrant blockchain ecosystem in India, and the exciting projects that lie ahead. It also highlights the role of education, strategic collaborations, and regulatory clarity in shaping the future of blockchain in India.
Whether you’re an aspiring blockchain professional or a seasoned industry player, this interview offers valuable perspectives on the potential of Tezos and the broader blockchain landscape in India.
Q1. Could you share your journey into the blockchain space and what inspired you to establish the Tezos India Foundation?
Om Malviya: I began my journey into the blockchain space by following Tezos since its initial fundraiser. My real introduction came during a program in San Francisco, where I met my co-founder, and together we launched a Tezos-based startup. This experience immersed me in the Tezos community and ecosystem.
Upon returning to India, I saw a burgeoning blockchain landscape and recognized the potential for growth. With support from both the Tezos Foundation and the community, I established the Tezos India Foundation. What inspires me most about Tezos is not just its security, governance, and Liquid Proof of Stake (LPoS) features, but also its vibrant community and modular architecture. The concept of software that can upgrade itself overnight is truly fascinating and aligns perfectly with our vision for innovation in India.
Q2. What unique features of the Tezos blockchain set it apart from other blockchain platforms?
Om Malviya: Tezos stands out due to its on-chain governance, which allows stakeholders to propose and vote on protocol upgrades, facilitating seamless evolution without hard forks. Its formal verification process enhances security by mathematically proving the correctness of smart contracts. Additionally, Tezos employs a Liquid Proof-of-Stake mechanism, enabling token holders to delegate their staking rights while maintaining ownership. This promotes decentralization and community participation. The platform is also energy-efficient and designed for interoperability, making it a versatile choice for developers.
Q3. What are the core objectives of the Tezos India Foundation, and how do they align with the broader goals of the Tezos ecosystem?
Om Malviya: Tezos India Foundation primarily aims to educate the public about blockchain, engage developers, and support the growth of decentralized applications on Tezos. At the core of this, these objectives align with the broader goals of the Tezos ecosystem in terms of community participation, innovation, and developers having the right resources to build strong applications toward a sustainable and thriving blockchain environment.
Q4. Etherlink has been a significant addition to the Tezos ecosystem. Can you discuss its impact and the opportunities it presents for developers and users?
Om Malviya: Etherlink has significantly enhanced the Tezos ecosystem by providing seamless interoperability between Ethereum and Tezos networks. This integration opens up new opportunities for developers and users, allowing them to leverage the strengths of both ecosystems. It facilitates cross-chain applications, expanding the potential use cases for dApps built on Tezos and enhancing liquidity across platforms.
Q5. What initiatives has Tezos India Foundation undertaken to engage and support developers in India?
Om Malviya: The Tezos India Foundation has launched several initiatives to engage developers, including hackathons, workshops, and mentorship programs. These initiatives provide hands-on experience with blockchain technology and foster collaboration among developers. Additionally, we offer grants for innovative projects built on Tezos, encouraging experimentation and growth within our community.
Q6. Could you highlight some of the educational programs or workshops organized by the foundation to promote blockchain literacy?
Om Malviya: We have organized various educational programs such as online webinars, coding boot camps, and workshops focused on smart contract development using Michelson and other languages supported by Tezos. These programs aim to enhance blockchain literacy among students and professionals alike, equipping them with practical skills needed in the industry.
Q7. How does the foundation foster a vibrant Tezos community in India, and what challenges have you encountered in this endeavour?
Om Malviya: We are fostering a very lively community through regular meetups, online forums, and collaborative projects that would be interacting among enthusiasts, developers, and industry experts. Challenges involve overcoming misconceptions about blockchain technology and regulating uncertainties that can hinder growth.
Q8. What is the future vision of Tezos India? Are there any upcoming projects or developments you can share with us?
Om Malviya: The future vision for Tezos India centers on expanding the adoption of the Tezos blockchain across various sectors and nurturing a vibrant developer community. We are committed to fostering strategic collaborations both in India and globally to promote integration.
Our focus on education will continue with workshops and hackathons designed to empower students and developers to create decentralized applications on Tezos. Additionally, we aim to onboard more gaming projects, enabling game studios to leverage blockchain technology.
Tezos India is dedicated to pushing the boundaries of blockchain, empowering individuals and enterprises to harness its full potential. We look forward to sharing more exciting developments that will enhance the Tezos ecosystem in India.
Q9. India’s blockchain industry has seen significant growth, with over 1,000 startups as of 2023. What factors do you believe are driving this expansion?
Om Malviya: Many factors are driving this expansion: increasing knowledge in blockchain technology around various sectors, government support toward establishing more innovation, increasing the number of tech talent coming into India, and rising interest from investors looking for a place in which they may strategically invest in emerging technologies.
Q10. How do you perceive the current regulatory landscape for blockchain and cryptocurrencies in India, and what changes would you advocate for to promote innovation?
Om Malviya: The current regulatory landscape is evolving but is still full of challenges in those regulations that give utmost ambiguity over certain regulations. We believe in clearer guidelines that encourage innovation while ensuring consumer protection. The approach would allow startups to grow while keeping a check on their regulatory concerns.
Q11. The Indian government has shown interest in blockchain applications across various sectors. How do you see Tezos India Foundation collaborating with public institutions to drive blockchain adoption?
Om Malviya: We envision collaborating with public institutions by providing expertise in developing blockchain solutions tailored to their needs—whether it’s enhancing transparency in governance or improving efficiency in public services. By partnering with government bodies, we can showcase real-world applications of blockchain technology that drive adoption.
Q12. Are there any upcoming projects or partnerships that Tezos India Foundation is excited about?
Om Malviya: We are excited about several upcoming projects that focus on enhancing educational resources related to blockchain technology and exploring partnerships with local enterprises looking to integrate blockchain solutions into their operations.
Q13. What is your long-term vision for Tezos’ role in India’s blockchain ecosystem?
Om Malviya: Our long-term vision for Tezos is the establishment of this company as a foundational layer for decentralized applications across industries in India, so that it is both a reliable platform, trusted for innovation, and has security and governance standards at its best.
Q14. What advice would you offer to youths aspiring to build a career in blockchain sector in India?
Om Malviya: I would encourage young individuals to maintain interest and explore new technologies such as blockchain. Even practical experience through internships or hackathons can be very helpful. Networking within communities like ours might also open the door to tremendous opportunities within this rapidly evolving field. These answers thus give a comprehensive outline while remaining concise and informative about each topic related to Tezos India’s initiatives and vision within the larger blockchain ecosystem.
Follow Om Malviya on:
LinkedIn: https://in.linkedin.com/in/om-malviya-821052119
To learn more about Tezos India Foundation, visit https://tezosindia.org.in/
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