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Software Freedom Day Celebration in Rajagiri College of Social Sciences, Kalamassery
The Software Freedom Day was celebrated in Rajagiri College of Social Sciences, Kalamassery on 17th September 2009. The function started by 10:30 am in The Golden Aureole of The Rajagiri College. The main events include:
1.Prayer song by Becky and Feba

2.Welcome address by Fr. Prashant Parikkappallil (HOD, Social Work Department)

He welcomed all the dignitaries with great respect.
He mentioned that Software Freedom is Celebrated at Ernakulam, at Rajagiri College in collaboration with (SPACE – Society for Promotion of Alternative Computing and Employment) also other organizations like Kerala State IT Mission, ICSW(Indian Council of Social Welfare), ILUG – Cochin , Fireflies, VHSS Irimpanam and GHSS Peringassery.

3. Presidential address by Dr. Mary Venus Joseph (Vice Principal, Rajagiri College of Social Sciences)

She welcomed all the dignitaries with a rousing speech.
She also remembered the famous words of Rabindranath Tagore relating to the concepts of freedom.

4. The inaugural function took place by 10:50 am which was conducted by Fr. Jose Alex, CMI, Director, Rajagiri Institutions.

He addressed the gathering by giving an inspirational speech on free software by mentioning the importance of free software in the society and also mentioned that its infrastructure should be used for the benefit of the society and should also help in the development of individuals living in the society.
He ended his speech by appreciating all the people behind Software Freedom Day Celebration, wishing them ALL THE BEST for their future development in the society.

5. Key note address by Dr. B. Iqbal, Former Vice Chancellor of Kerala University

He explained the objectives of Free Software – to empower people, connect, create and share in a digital environment which is transparent, participatory and sustainable.
He mentioned that Internet is a digital area and we now live in a digital world.
Mentioned about the two changes that have taken place in Internet: firstly, the ARPANET, Information Super Highway ( Al Gore )and secondly, emergence of multimedia which has become a real source of education to the students.
Mentioned that Localization leads to cultural homogenization.
Mentioned about Richard Mathew Stallman (RMS) – Saint of Free Software
Also specified that free software means free in freedom (liberty). It implies freedom in four areas:
Freedom 0: Freedom to run the program for any good purpose
Freedom 1: Freedom to study how the program works
Freedom 2: Freedom to redistribute copies
Freedom 3: Freedom to improve the program and release your improvements
He concluded his wonderful speech by saying that we should think about how Free Software can be used to empower the people of the society.

6. Felicitation by Mr. Jay Jacob(Founding member, Indian Libre User Group(ILUG),Cochin

He began his inspirational speech by giving a brief introduction about Indian Libre User Group by saying that it started on August 1997 and has become 13yrs since its establishment.
Mentioned the importance of source code
Also mentioned that the freedom obtained from free software should not be misused and should be used for the development of the society.
Mentioned about FSK(Freedom Software Kootayima) started in Vocational Higher Secondary School Irimpanam.

7. Felicitation by M. P. Anthony, Project Director, Rajagiri Outreach

He wished ALL THE BEST to SPACE in the development of Free Software.

8. Vote of Thanks by Mr. Prinson Joseph, Regional Coordinator of SPACE

Mentioned about the handycam set in the Aureole which is showing a live webcast of the programme taking place in the Aureole, running the technology fully on Free Software.
Delivered vote of thanks to all the dignitaries for sparing some of their valuable time for this function from their daily hectic schedule thereby making this function more bright by their graceful presence.

9. Inauguration of Freedom Expo by Dr. B. Iqbal

Was held in The Darshanam ( Meditation hall of Rajagiri College) along with a procession with Orchestra (Chendamelam)

10. Tea Break (12: 15 – 12:30 pm)

11. Planting of Freedom Tree by Dr. B. Iqbal

Dr. B. Iqbal planted “Rudraksham” in the Rajagiri Campus as part of the Freedom Software Freedom day which was really a proud moment for us, the Rajagirians.

12. Lunch Break (1:00 – 2:00 pm)

13. Seminar by Mr. Satyapalan

He started his informational seminar by giving an idea – let us think, enlighten and sit together and let us not quarrel with each other.
Mentioned that – “Construction of knowledge is education”
Mentioned about the four pillars of education – Learning to know, learning to do, learning to live together and learning to be.
Spoke about the Freedom Slogan – Collect, Create and Share
Spoke about Digital Divide
Spoke about Wikipedia Foundation in India and all over the world – in relation to this there are many Wiki projects, Wiki books, Wiki versity, Wiki resources, Wiki courts, Wiki mapia, Wiki speeches, Wiki sources, Wiki media blocks, Wiki common etc.
Spoke about the starting of a new project – Wiki school here in Kerala.

14. Seminar on Introduction to Free Software by Sreenath. H (ILUG)

Mentioned about FSF(Free Software Foundation) – has a worldwide mission to promote computer user freedom to defend the rights of all the software users.
Mentioned about other free operating systems and concpets and projects like Copyleft, Free BSD, Net BSD, Open BSD etc.
Spoke about other different aspects in Free Software like Social Movement, Open Source Software – business model, Free Software license, Free Software community etc.
Spoke about the history of Free Software started by RMS, Founder – GNU Project and Free Software Foundation started in 1983.

15. Class by Binny V. A. on free software based web developing platforms

16. Film Session ( Big Buck Bunny) formed by Blender Foundation

17. Games – Coordinated by Mr. Rajeev Sir(Rajagiri Outreach) where in there were three competitions:

Balloon competition
Rubber band competition
Sitting without chair competition
Many won prizes including us, the BSW 1st yrs.

18. Beginning of Cultural Events:

Started with a musical band by Anthony and group
Followed by a dance performance by the BSW 1ST yrs.
Followed by a fusion dance by The Kalamassery Club

19. Fire dance in the Basketball ground of Rajagiri College

The whole program ended by 7:10 pm. It was really an enjoyable and informational experience to us i.e. BSW 1ST yrs and we hope for more opportunities like this to showcase our talents in different areas. Firstly we thank all our teachers for giving us the wonderful opportunity for coordinating such an event and also specially Mr. Prinson Sir for helping us and guiding us in all the areas, thereby helping us making the Software Freedom Day Celebration a big success .

ALSO VISIT OUR FACEBOOK GROUP :http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=146410583831
Report prepared by Anuradha Narsinha,1st Year BSW Student.

Software Freedom Day(SFD) is a worldwide celebration  of Free and Open Source Software(FOSS). The goal in this celebration is to educate the public about the benefits of using high quality FOSS in education in government, at non – profit organizations, at home and in business – in short everywhere.

The event is divided into technical and non technical, focussing the common man and computer geek alike. The event to be hosted at Rajagiri College of Social Sciences will also demonstrate the best free software available and you will be able to pick up free CDs with various Free and Open Source Software for Window users, Apple Mac users and Linex users. CD Roms containing Ubuntu Live, an alternative operating system to Microsoft Windows, will also be handed out. Lot of free software tools will be on show and we will be able to use it and see it in action. After the presentation on free software and how can you use it, we will get a chance to install and try Ubuntu OS

We, the Rajagirians of BSW – I were lucky to participate in a discussion held on the topic of Freedom Software Day in the classroom of BSW – I in Chavara Block on 8th September by 2:00 pm. The incharge of SPACE, Mr. Prinson welcomed all of us and led us to the concepts behind software freedom day celebrations. Mr. Prinson, who gave us a clear outline on Free Softwares, encouraged all of us to come forward and participate and take responsibilities in each of the areas, thereby making the whole Celebrations a great success. He also mentioned that the Software Freedom Day for us will be celebrated on September 17th starting from 10am to 7pm in the college campus. He also mentioned that there will be a range of programmes on that day which he showed in the form of a flowchart ranging from: Inauguration ceremony which includes procession with orchestra, Inauguration of Software Freedom Day, celebration, Key note address, Fecilitation etc, Secondly, the seminars which includes Freedom and Openness in the sphere of education redefining media freedom using technologies, Thirdly, Free Software Short Film Festival, Fourthly, open debate, Games time followed by some cultural events. We also discussed about the different committees and also chose certain representatives for each committees. The different committees included:
1. General Coordinators – Ajith and Sigha
2. Documentation Committee – Anuradha, Deepa, Lithin and Ranjith
3. Compiring – Ashwin and Sethulakshmi
4. Food Committee – Sr. Jaya, Sr. Reji, Madona, Jino, Sonu and Rigil
5. Seating Committee – Jibin V.J. and Nithin
6. Media Management – Linto and Shemin
7. Stage Management – Anisha, Elizabeth, Jibbin and Nisha
8. Games Committee – Telma, Jorfi and Jerin
9. Technical Committee – Abin, Bibin and Jestin
10. Cultural Committee – Feba, Nithusha, Nishita,Sreeja, Becky and Saranya

Mr. Mridul of ICSW, Mr. Sreenadh and Mr.Venkit of I-LUG-Kochin were also present at the Discussion.

Students were curious as they found different styles of poster on display in the campus all of a sudden. Thus started the unofficial announce of the event to the Rajagiri Campus.

SOFTWARE FREEDOM DAY is being celebrated on 17th September 2009 at Rajagiri College of Social Sciences, Kalamassery, Ernakulam. The event is organized by Rajagiri College of Social Sciences, SPACE(Society for Promotion of Alternative Computing and Employment, Indian Council of Social Welfare, Kerala- ICSW, ILUG – Cochin and Fireflies. VHSS Irimpanam and GHSS Peringasserry are other organizing partners. The event is supported by Kerala State IT Mission.