(If you are a commmon member of the lists to which this email is sent, you get more than one copy of this mail, sorry.)
As many of you know FSF India is organizing GPL V3 Conference at Bangalore, (http://gplv3.gnu.org.in). The response to the conference was overwhelming, and we already recieved registrations beyond the capacity. We thank you all for the enthusiastic response.
Due to recent increased security restrictions on both International and national airlines, some of our guests were diverted to other less restrictive airlines which allowed laptops and books. Making these alternative arragements to our guests caused doubling of the expenses, and cancellation expenses. In some cases refunds were also not possible. As a result FSF India does not have these extra funds at this moment. We thought of bringing this to the notice of free software community, and explore the possibility of support. This is an appeal to contribute to FSF India. Since we do not have enough time to make alternative arrangements we seek your active support at this needy hour. Even if the support is small from each of you, if more people give a small sum, we will be able to make sure this will happen. The additional required budget is around Rs. 150,000/- (or around $3000/-). If you also know any one who could sponsor a ticket or part of the ticket do let us know.
The conference registration was kept free and we thought we could manage well with our earlier budgets. Conference registration continues to be free, but do consider sending donations. You may also consider becoming taking fellowship (http://www.gnu.org.in/fellowship).
http://www.gnu.org.in/donate#account
FSF Account information:
Free Software Foundation of India. Acc No : 632000002698 Bank : HDFC Bank LTD. Branch : Trivandrum.
FSF India have 80G status under Income Tax Act. All donations to FSF India are tax-deductible (by order number: C. No 302/ADIT(E)/24/2005-05 Dated: 25/01/06 ).
Please note that, for the time being, we are unable to accept donations from outside India.
Thanks
Nagarjuna