hi,

The local folks from the community have made questions for RMS. We have sent these questions to RMS. However we thought it will be useful for all of us to think about it. Please do join us on 13th saturday , 2.30 p.m . There will be songs and gimp paintings.

The center is behind IBM , Bannerghatta road http://www.travelblog.org/gmaps/map_7Hh.html

you can call Balaji : 9448587772 for questions or directions.

thanks senthil

Questions from the local community ==========================

1) Haridass , a worker who paints walls , he is also part of the ambedkar youth association . He has been a lot of support to the center.

a) I am told you are the founder of the free software movement, however there are individuals who make/made proprietary software, what is the impact you personally have seen on individuals who espoused proprietary software ?

b) Today I am told that the free software community is able to put up a significant challenge to proprietary software. However what will happen if the proprietary software comes with innovative ways to win users to their side . How do we encounter it.

2) Shakuntala, a full time activist with stree jagruthi samithi , who mobilises house maids, works on child rights and womens right and a slum dweller herself:

a) Software is generally a elite thing in our Indian context. What makes you come into a marginalised area, why did you want to visit our slum. Most of use here are dalit. What is the change you envision or want to see in our context.

3) Mani, son of a load / unloading woker, who is gimp artist and teacher at the center

a) What are your feelings about what we are upto at the slum computing center .

Program plan ==========

Date / Time : 13th saturday. RVCE book release function ends at 1.30 p.m. After lunch and rest ... RMS visits slum computer center.

Orgn : This community computing center , is not a ngo or a organisation ..its a wiki space and few dedicated volunteers working for a free socitey using free software. Its a local community effort to bridge the digital divide. it speaks of the injustice suffered by the people in local community , like no access to a rest room of their own, wage injustice which makes them dependent on philanthrophy for digital access and the factor of being looked down as a slum community.

AIM : We aim to utilise the visit to promote slum computing and free software to the youth in nearby slums and non profit orgns in bangalore.

A small stage : in the street will be made. About 50-100 people are expected.

1. RMS comes to the center. We receive him with a book

2. A song by Santhosh - slum commuity center teacher - 15 years old - who teaches smaller children

3. RMS cuts the ribbon and opens Mani's painting exhibition done using gimp ( Mani is 15 years old and the son of loading/unloading worker from the area and is also physically challenged)

4. Presentation on the center by Mani/Sarasu ( first year college student from the slum , mani, sarasu also teach the younger children ) after RMS looks at the paintings.

5. Would RMS like to answer questions given above - to the community - we can transalate. .

6. Would RMS like to talk to the community . We can transalate if neccessary. However if its a longer talk . 40 mts might not be enough.

7. Release of photo story on how the center started ( authored by Mani and Sarasu ) by RMS

8. Song by Shankunatala/Selvi ( Activists of stree jagruthi samithi - a womens group working on unionising house maids - for a descent living )

http://slumdweller.wikispaces.com BLOCKED::http://slumdweller.wikispaces.com/