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Stallman Goes to India

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the exploring-outsourcing-next-version-of-gcc dept.

SureshD writes "The Hindu is reporting on a 40 minute long meeting between Richard Stallman and the Indian President - Dr APJ Abdul Kalam. After the interview, RMS said that the President was 'receptive' to his views that development of software should be seen as a political and social issue and not just from the technological point of view. Interestingly, the article mentions that the President had prepared for the meeting by downloading and reading Stallman's biography (Free as in Freedom) from the Internet."

3 of 586 comments (clear)

  1. Predident has a history of Linux support by leoaugust · · Score: 5, Informative

    The Indian President is tech-savvy and has on earlier occasions tried to promote Linux. He was really a rocket scientist before he was appointed the President.

    In May 2003, he gave a speech in which he said "said it is 'unfortunate' that proprietary software - such as Windows - is so popular and has called for broader adoption of open source products." More details here - ZDNet UK - News - Indian President adds salt to MS wounds

    From the article, notes on a conversation with Bill Gates:

    President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam recounted a conversation earlier this year with Microsoft chairman Bill Gates. "We were discussing the future challenges in information technology, including the issues related to software security," Kalam said, according to a transcript of the speech. "I made a point that we look for open-source codes so that we can easily introduce the users built security algorithms. Our discussions became difficult, since our views were different."

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    To see a world in a grain of sand, and then to step back and see the beach where the sand lies ...
  2. Re:President not head of government by jkrise · · Score: 5, Informative

    Although this is true, it is also to be remembered that the Preisdent of India is highly respected in technical and defence circles. As such, his views and leanings have a lot of bearing on the political decision-making process.

    While launching the IIIT in Pune, the President made a pointed reference to his meeting with Mr. Gates, and made some brilliant points in exhorting the local IT community to further the cause of Free and Open Source software.

    India is indeed fortunate to have such an eminently qualified person at the apex seat, since IT is synonymous with national security these days....

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    If you keep throwing chairs, one day you'll break windows....
  3. POI's website by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Informative

    Dr.Kalam's website at http://presidentofindia.nic.in/ , runs on Linux and Apache . Undoubtedly one of the most qualified persons for the job, he headed India's defence research body, the DRDO and was one of the key members of the team planning and implementing India's second round of nuclear tests in 1998 (India tested its first nuclear device in 1974).
    Also a bachelor like India's executive head,the Prime Minister.