Kerala - Kochi

Resist knowledge monopoly, says VS

KOCHI: Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan has called for a joint resistance against capitalist forces trying to monopolise knowledge.

In his inaugural address at the valedictory of the second national conference on free software at the Cochin University of Science and Technology here on Sunday, he said that capitalist forces had been advocating that development was possible only by establishing monopoly over knowledge.

Mr. Achuthanandan said the capitalist forces and those who supported them might call their opponents ‘old-fashioned’ and ‘anti-development.’ But this should not pull back the latter from the path of struggle.

The Chief Minister said that the markets should not be allowed to take control over traditional values. He said the success of the free software movement was a strong reply to those who voiced support for monopoly of knowledge.

Stating that his government would continue to support the use and distribution of free software, Mr. Achuthanandan said that a centre of excellence for coordinating activities in the free software sector would be established in the State in December. An international conference would be held in connection with the setting up of the centre.

Depesh Das, Minister for Information Technology in West Bengal, suggested that free software be used as a platform to develop software products. He said that free software could be used to develop talent pool in the country. By developing this talent pool, more industries could be attracted.

Delivering the keynote address on the occasion, Industries Minister Elamaram Karim said that the establishment of a centre based on free software at the Cochin University of Science and Technology would help in building human resources and research for the industry in the State. He said the State could be turned into a cost-effective destination for the industry by using the advantages of the free software platform.

The declaration adopted at the two-day national meet urged the governments to procure free software in government organisations, undertakings and government-funded organisations. It said that only non-proprietary software and open standards should be used for any government work.

The declaration said that the University Grants Commission should ensure the usage of free software in the curriculum framework and research. The meet urged the governments to set up free software development centres. It also requested the Centre to issue a White Paper on the implications of the global financial crisis on the IT sector in the country.

© Copyright 2000 - 2009 The Hindu