Latest news with #FreeandOpenSourceSoftware
New Indian Express
23-07-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
VS Achuthanandan's vision powered Kerala's free and open software revolution
KOCHI: While V S Achuthanandan is primarily remembered for his long and impactful political career, his legacy also profoundly shaped Kerala's engagement with the global Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) movement. His deep-rooted communist ideology, with its inherent opposition to monopoly and proprietary control, found a natural and powerful ally in the FOSS philosophy. VS came into contact with the proponents of free software during his time as LDF convener, when E K Nayanar was the chief minister, from 1996 to 2001. Krishnadas Menon, a former SFI leader with Thrissur Engineering College and an active member of the People's Planning Campaign (PPC), revealed that the initiative to network local bodies in Kerala sparked the idea of using free software as a political tool. According to Das, it was the late Joseph Thomas, a BSNL staff member and union leader of the National Federation of P&T Employees (NFPTE), who approached VS with concerns about using proprietary software. Thomas warned that it would compromise the decentralised campaign's underlying politics, lead to royalty issues, and burden the government. 'VS trusted Thomas, whom he had known for years through NFPTE. The communist ideology resonated with the politics behind supporting the free software movement and VS asked us to brief the party secretariat. He associated himself with it ever since,' Das pointed out. Meanwhile, Kerala's free software movement gained momentum from around 1996, with various groups organising meetings and conferences on the topic. A pivotal event was the 'Freedom First!' conference held in Thiruvananthapuram in July 2001, where Richard Stallman, founder of the GNU Project, inaugurated the Free Software Foundation of India (FSF India). Joseph C Mathew, former IT advisor to the chief minister during Achuthanandan's tenure, said, 'Free software was chosen due to its politics. We approached many political leaders in the state, but it was VS who took interest and championed it. As a result, free software was incorporated into the general education curriculum. And it has now become an integral part of our governance. VS' support gave free software visibility at the national level too.'
Arabian Post
05-06-2025
- Business
- Arabian Post
Bruno's Sponsorship Marks a Milestone for Open-Source API Tools
Bruno, the open-source API client has been announced as a Platinum Sponsor for IndiaFOSS 2025, the upcoming edition of the Free and Open Source Software conference organised by the FOSS United community. The event is scheduled to take place from 20 to 21 September 2025 at the NIMHANS Convention Centre in Bengaluru. Bruno's sponsorship underscores its growing prominence within the developer community. Designed as a lightweight, Git-friendly alternative to Postman, Bruno emphasises offline functionality and data privacy. It stores API collections locally in plain text '.bru' files, facilitating seamless version control and collaboration without reliance on cloud services. The IndiaFOSS 2025 conference anticipates over 2,500 in-person attendees, with an additional 2,500 participants expected to join virtually. The event will feature a range of activities, including workshops, panel discussions, and showcases of open-source projects. Bruno's involvement as a Platinum Sponsor highlights its commitment to the open-source ecosystem and its dedication to fostering community engagement. ADVERTISEMENT Bruno's participation in IndiaFOSS 2025 is not its first engagement with the conference. Previously, its founder Anoop M D presented Bruno at IndiaFOSS 3.0, where he discussed the tool's architecture and its role in the API development landscape. The presentation highlighted Bruno's unique features, such as its offline-first approach and integration with Git, which distinguish it from other API clients. The sponsorship also reflects Bruno's broader strategy to support and promote open-source initiatives. By aligning with IndiaFOSS 2025, Bruno aims to contribute to the growth and sustainability of the open-source community. The conference provides a platform for developers, enthusiasts, and organisations to collaborate and share knowledge, aligning with Bruno's mission to empower users through accessible and transparent tools.
