... if this money was not paid to Microsoft for software licences for some 3000 Std XI science students, on the excuse that GNU/Linux is too-difficult for them to cope with....

o Set up a Free Software Research Lab that would have build assets of a permanent nature -- of the human kind o Invest in additional 500 computers, at approx Rs 20,000 per computer o Refurbish, many times over, the local Computer Society of India-Goa chapter's computer lab and thus create a permanent training asset which could be optimally utilised to bring in real local returns for many years down the line o Built up about a hundred community centres, each with about five computers, o Invest in about 10,000 external 33.3 kpbs external modems (purchased in bulk at approx Rs 500 each) plus hundred hours of Internet access, to phenomenally expand Net access among students already owning computers in Goa o Buy about 20,000 books (each priced approx at Rs 500) that would give students a complete how-to understanding of GNU/Linux, inclusive of one or two CDs each containing an entire distro. o ... any other ideas you have, please add to this list. FN

PS: Of course, don't expect politicians and decision-makers to be convinced by arguments such as these...