RMS met the President and had discussions with him. A press release issued by FSF India on this matter is given below:
FREE SOFTWARE FOUNDATION OF INDIA
PRESS RELEASE
January 29, 2004
Richard Stallman meets the President of India
Dr. Richard M Stallman, world-renowned software guru and founder of the Free Software Foundation (FSF), had a meeting with His Excellency the President of India, Bharat Ratna Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam at 2:15 pm today.
The meeting took place at the Rashrapati Bhavan, official residence of the President of India. At the meeting, Dr. Stallman explained to Dr. Kalam the ethical issues related to the use of proprietary software. The President was impressed by the issues raised by Dr. Stallman. It is understood that the President has instructed for the use of free softwaree for his IT facilities. Dr. Stallman also discussed the issues of using proprietary software in schools, which prevents children from sharing and learning to share. Implications of IT@School project in Kerala also got mention.
Stallman's meeting with the president took place in the backdrop of support for free and open source software extended by the president at a public speech recently.
Dr Stallman has been in India from January 16th. His programmes included the World Social Forum in Mumbai from January 16 to 22, lectures at Thrissur, Ernakulam and Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala, and meetings with various government officials in the state regarding the use of free software in government initiatives.
Further information on the Free Software Foundation and its Indian chapter can be obtained from the web sites: http://www.gnu.org and http://gnu.org.in.
Free Software Foundation, India.
Press Contact
Email : gnu@gnu.org.in Phone : 094470 34795
The meeting of the two visionary leaders should pave way for all the freedoms that we all hope for.
I took my first ride on the newly commenced MRTS train service between Thiruvanmiyur and Beach Station in Chennai. My travel to work has never been so delightful, and it was like a flight in fantasy - free from the usual pollution, with a lovely green view of the city. The journey was over in minutes, and I was yet to recover from the pleasure of the trip, when I saw workers working on extending the route. Then it hit me that the foundation for the short trip was laid over 15 years, with hudreds of people toiling day and night on shifts installing hundreds of pillars to build the high elevated tracks. The vision of the people behind the project is indeed breathtaking. My trip be irrelevant to many, or even the MRTS may be just a tiny speck in Chennai, but we can never underestimate the power of a clear focused vision followed by sustained action that can ultimately give unmeasurable happiness to many.
Our President's clear vision for a bright future, and the vision of RMS to give sharing its rightful place in society, are two delights that kindle the strongest hopes, and after their meeting, we can be sure that the very best will follow and happen.
The Hindu has reported about the meet today, and available at: http://www.hindu.com/2004/02/01/stories/2004020104231000.htm
-
Ramanraj K -
V. Sasi Kumar