Dear Friends,
Re: RMS note to Vivaravicharam ==============================
freedom = swatantra (in sanskrit); and sudandiram (in tamil)
swatantra and sudandiram also mean the independence of a free country.
These are very old words. Ancient Tamil Kingdoms that were under domination had to pay kappam (tamil) or compulsory gold/valuables, to the superior king for `protection'. Free countries do not pay kappam, and fair nations neither keep people under domination nor collect kappam.
Software licence fees could be equated with kappam. Kings who failed to pay kappam in the past were slaughtered and humbled. Kappam is a tool for slavery. Freedom is so valuable, that its beauty can be seen and appreciated only in the background of the cruel and gloomy darkness of slavery. Choosing non-free software is like voluntarily choosing slavery.
Free software gives the freedom to use, share, and improve. Free software is also `alive' and could be regarded as having life. Under terms of the GPL, they can be freely duplicated, improved and distributed. All free software vie for acceptance, and the fittest survive. Free software is like natural life itself.We cannot duplicate, improve or distribute non-free software, which can therefore be considered lifeless.
Our future hinges on the ability to use high quality software without slavery. The GNU Project conceived by RMS has paved way for enjoying this natural freedom.
So let us call Free software, GNU Swatantra (hindi version) or GNU Sudandiram (tamil version).
GNU could be pronounced as Naya or New in hindi - meaning our new found freedom, and also recognize the contribution of GNU at the same time.
Regards, K. Ramanraj.