Free Software Movement has arrived on the National Scene !

History was made in Bangalore today! At the valedictory of 2-day National Conference on Free Software-2010 held at a historic announcement was made. 16 Free Software Movements (FSMs) working in various states and sectors came together and decided to form a National Coalition of FSMs. It was named Free Software Movement of India (FSMI). With this historic development Free Software Movement has arrived on the national scene. 275 Delegates elected at the conferences of the respective organisations met at Shikshakara Sadana, Bangalore and took this historic decision. The organisations include State level FSMs such as Swecha (Andhra Pradesh), FSMK (Karnataka), Democratic Alliance for Knowledge Freedom (DAKF), FSFTN (Tamilnadu), FSMWB (West Bengal) and Sectoral movements such as Knowledge Commons, Academics Initiative, National Consultative Committee of Computer Teachers (NCCCTA).
The founding conference after extensive debate adopted a document describing – aims and objectives, scope of activities and organization structure. It unanimously elected a General Council of 69 members, 28 member Executive Committee and a 9 office bearers to finalise constitution, and other formalities.
 
The office bearers are
 
President
Joseph Thomas

General Secretary
Kiran Chandra

Vice Presidents
Prof Gopinath, IISc,
Prof. Debesh Das
Prabir Purkhayastha

Secretaries
Jay Kumar
Dr. Nandini Mukherjee
Siddartha

Treasurer

Pratap Reddy

Some of the major aims of FSMI are :
 
·           Take forward free software and its ideological implications to all corners of our nation from the developed domains to the underprivileged
·           creating awareness among computer users in the use of free software
·           work towards usage of free software in all streams of sciences and research
·           take forward implementation and usage of free software in school education, academics and higher education
·           work towards e-literacy and bridging digital divide based on free software and mobilising the underprivileged
·           work among developers on solutions catering to societal & national requirements
·           work towards a policy change favouring free software in all walks of life
·           stop any penetration of software patents and methods which restrict the development, usage and percolation of knowledge
 
FSMI considers all organisations working for free software, free knowledge, free science & technology and free society as allies and intends working with them closely. It also invites such organisations to join FSMI.