PART – 2

                               (This is a continuation of PART-1. So first read PART-1 and then read PART- 2)

                                                                           A Glimpse into The FSF Conference - CUSAT

I understand the passion the free software activists had while protesting against Novell, an outflow of grave anti-dominion feel. But this was not the way, especially considering that the protest against Novell was lead by a member of the program committee – there should've been some morale. 'NOVELL' was the next important thing after the conference from Saturday, considering the gargantuan 20x30 backdrop hung in the main stage. I must say, being humble enough to proclaim that I possess some basic common-sense that it is next to unbelievable that among the 15 – 20 people behind the BOYCOTT NOVELL MOVEMENT, not even one of them saw this banner. I remember Mr. Arkky (the cameraman in the exhibition hall) who send a mail about this, and many others retorting about this 'UNFORTUNATE INCIDENT' but present in the inauguration ceremony. As per the hierarchy of incidents, the fact that Novell had a hand in sponsorship was realized too late by them, too difficult for me to accept considering the above facts, and even if they knew it early, instead of resorting to cheap publicity methods and making a mess of things they should've shown the sense of making it clear with other committee members like Anil and Deepak who have made their points clear through blogs and mails before. But they fled with their say-sos and made the innocents from MEC & TCR Engg College partners of their crime – conspiring how to make a huge mess out of the whole thing. Some ALUMNI did approach the organizers but not to gather support for BOYCOTT NOVELL movement, but to escape the hands of the volunteers for the chaos caused by these so called revolutionaries. Novell put up their stall only after giving the sponsorship cash to the organizers. I won't be able to digest the reason – even if I get one – why one among the program committee member himself lead this anarchy!!!!!!!.

Why I call it a beautiful drama, I'll speak about later - but after this drama of incidents I had a casual chat with the organizers of the Novell stall. They actually thanked the protestors – how wonderful – as the whole incidents boosted up their publicity. People who knew nothing about Novell now know everything about it – the very purpose of stalls & publicity. 'Boycott Novell' posters were pasted in many stalls forcefully. Banners welcoming the delegates put up on behalf of the various associations like Cochin University Employees Association and Cochin University Teachers Association etc had no escape... Dr Bhasi, a highly honored faculty of CUSAT, when trying to obstruct the chaos that ensued in the exhibition hall was probed about his authority in the matter. It is demeaning to note that a former student stooped to such low levels as to ask such a respected man to remove the posters himself. I do take this as an opportunity to express my heartfelt regret at such an action. Even the University Security Officer, Mr. Suresh Babu – an extremely student friendly officer, was assaulted by questions about his authority and was asked to show his identity card – how appalling for him, for us. Volunteers, pushing away their exam pressures going on throughout this month did an awesome job to make the whole program a grant success – their dedication and commitment to the principles of such a movement being the driving force. Unfortunately they too weren't spared. The 'former students' who did witness a variant of such an atrocity during Culturals and Sports can have a better understanding, I suppose. (To be continued as PART – 3)

Regards,

Naveen