Why FOSS 2009?

Linux Manipur Team *

When we talk of Free and Open Source Software or FOSS, we are reminded of what Archbishop Desmond Tutu, the great South African leader and activist once said, "One of the sayings in our country is Ubuntu - the essence of being human. Ubuntu speaks particularly about the fact that you can't exist as a human being in isolation. It speaks about our interconnectedness. You can't be human all by yourself, and when you have this quality - Ubuntu - you are known for your generosity. We think of ourselves far too frequently as just individuals, separated from one another, whereas you are connected and what you do affects the whole world. When you do well, it spreads out; it is for the whole of humanity"

It is not surprising then, that the term Ubuntu had been adopted by Linux developers to name one of its multiple software packages which users are free to run, copy, distribute, study, change, develop and improve. With an aim to introduce this concept especially among school going children, Linux Manipur [1] in collaboration with Manipur University is organising FOSS 2009 at Imphal, Manipur for the 3rd successive year. Free and Open Source Software has become all the more relevant in the context of Manipur and the tremendous strides Information Technology (IT) has taken in recent times.

In the parallel universe of the internet, there is the emergence of a new global federation of digital tribes that build a new kind of democratic culture which is embodied in Free and Open Source Software (FOSS). These innovations are not primarily the cultures we inherit from conventions of the state or the marketplace. They represent a new order in the realm of collective wealth of knowledge generated by ordinary people through their own resourcefulness and sharing, largely outside of the money economy.

IT has indeed become a way of life in today's world. Despite so much development in the IT industry, most parts of the North-East (NE) are still lagging behind compared to other regions around the world. IT in NE so far meant livelihood or professional aspiration for the few lucky children of those parents who can afford whereas around the world it has become a necessity for an informed and qualified life.

NE is located in an economically underdeveloped region still struggling for access to raw materials and easy transportation. The Per-Capita income of Manipur is estimated at Rs. 19,625 (current) in 2006-07 as compared to a national average of Rs 29,069 (current) for the same year [2] .

One glance at the figure shows the wide gap in the two figures with far reaching consequences. We at Linux Manipur pondered over this and its impact on the education of youth in Manipur in general and something as resource intensive as IT in particular. This figure has rendered the region less capable of matching the marching strides of other states in India in the development index as understood by economists. Despite this grim picture we need to keep pace with the IT industry which is growing by leaps and bounds in a way that makes it affordable and accessible.

Linux Manipur tries to embody this culture of 'resourcefulness and sharing' to the new generation of Manipur and NE. Linux Manipur, a not-for-profit virtual organization, whose primary aim is to create and spread awareness for Linux or Free and Open Source Software in Manipur and the North East. FOSS 2009 is an attempt towards that direction and to create a 'willing interest' inside the minds of the young to go beyond the boundaries and compete with the rest of the World. FOSS 2009 aims at:

1) To spread awareness about Free and Open Software Source,
2) To tap and develop young IT talents,
3) To guide interested youths to accessible and affordable IT solutions.
4) To develop alternative models of learning IT
5) To provide a platform for Young IT aspirants to meet and interact.

How it all began?

It all began in 2005, when a bunch of inspired friends armed with the passion to give back what they thought they owned to their motherland. What started out as a small bunch has now grown to a big group. They have successfully conducted two events in Manipur in the last two years with participation of over 900 students from various schools and institutions across Manipur.

FOSS 2007 - 2008

The last two chapters of FOSS has been an event that many of the members hold dearly in respect to the learning curve each of them had in making this event a success. From the word go, the members come together to reach out to many people as they can to support, assist and help. The dedicated members didn't leave a single stone unturned to bring together many people across to a single platform be it students, teachers, business houses and various other individuals.

The result was phenomenal with over 900 students from over 50 schools from areas as far and wide as Bishnupur, Imphal East, Imphal West, Senapati, Tamenglong, Thoubal, Ukhrul, Chandel and Churchandpur. Faculties of DBS, ITCTC, Department of CSE, MU, students of Manipur University and many selfless volunteers made FOSS 2007 and FOSS 2008 a remarkable experience.

WHY FOSS 2009?

Having successfully organized two chapters of FOSS in the last two years and seeing the overwhelming response not just from the students and their parents, but also from members, inspired individuals who have come forward with donations, business houses that have supported the event in the last two chapters. We are also determining to bring another chapter of FOSS to the people who matters and the realization that there can be no greater joy than assisting and supporting those who needs exposure to IT and Free and Open Source Software.

FOSS 2009 will take place in Sunday, 5 July 2009 at the Don Bosco School, Imphal. FOSS 2009 will see participation of over 1000 students from various schools across the state as far as Chandel, Tamenlong, Churachandpur and Senapati to name a few. It aims to create a will, generate interest inside the mind of the youth to go beyond the boundaries and compete with the rest of the World.

What is Linux Manipur?

Linux Manipur is a virtual organization, whose primary aim is to create and spread awareness for Linux or Free and Open Source Software in Manipur and the North East. It focuses and seeks to help and guide the students and computer users, share domain knowledge, discuss technical issues etc.

We are a non-profit organization and we are not an NGO too. We are self funded and all fundings so far are from internal accruals. Whatever we do, we do by putting in our time, energy and, of course our money. We do it for the love of freedom (of software), ethics, sharing, excellence… and most of all for the love of Manipur, doing things in little ways we can.

There are no physical offices or staff. We got together as a group voluntarily four years ago, striving to create and sustain technical knowledge. There are about 200 people connected via our mailing list**. There is no hierarchy; everybody in the group came forward voluntarily. However, a Core team takes the lead for crucial decisions for any work or activity.

About 20 people scattered across the country and abroad, and about five people based in Imphal constitutes the core team of this group. Anyone who is active and takes initiatives becomes a part of the core team. In the past, we have conducted free workshops, seminars and installation demos beside our main annual event (FOSS 07 and FOSS 2008). Among the members who reside across the globe we exchange technical knowledge, helping each other with technical collaborations and issues and above all, sharing knowledge.

We are now trying to reach out to the new generation of Manipur from the hills and valley alike, who are living on the razor's edge - somewhere in between their world of hopes/dreams and the state of our homeland which is getting paralysed in every front; to show them what Computers and Linux is all about, and guide them whenever they need us.

Notes:
[1] A not-for-profit virtual organisation, whose primary aim is to spread awareness of Linux or Free and Open Source Software in Manipur and the North East, help and guide the students and computer users, share knowledge, discuss technical problems etc.
[2] a) Directorate of Economics and Statistics, Andhra Pradesh and C.S.O., New Delhi. b) Economic Survey Manipur, 2007-08