[Fsf-friends] Re: RMS note to Vivaravicharam: GNU Swatantra

[Ramanraj K]

Dear Friends,

Re: RMS note to Vivaravicharam
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freedom = swatantra (in sanskrit); and sudandiram (in tamil)

swatantra and sudandiram also mean the independence of a free country.

These  are very  old words.  Ancient  Tamil Kingdoms  that were  under
domination had to pay  kappam (tamil) or compulsory gold/valuables, to
the superior king for `protection'.  Free countries do not pay kappam,
and  fair nations  neither keep  people under  domination  nor collect
kappam.

Software licence fees could be  equated with kappam.  Kings who failed
to pay kappam  in the past were slaughtered and  humbled.  Kappam is a
tool for slavery.  Freedom is so valuable, that its beauty can be seen
and  appreciated  only in  the  background  of  the cruel  and  gloomy
darkness of  slavery. Choosing  non-free software is  like voluntarily
choosing slavery.

Free  software gives  the freedom  to use,  share, and  improve.  Free
software is also `alive' and  could be regarded as having life.  Under
terms  of  the  GPL,  they  can be  freely  duplicated,  improved  and
distributed.  All  free software vie  for acceptance, and  the fittest
survive.   Free  software  is   like  natural  life  itself.We  cannot
duplicate,  improve   or  distribute  non-free   software,  which  can
therefore be considered lifeless.

Our future hinges on the  ability to use high quality software without
slavery.  The GNU Project conceived  by RMS has paved way for enjoying
this natural freedom.

So let  us call  Free software, GNU Swatantra (hindi version)  or
                                GNU Sudandiram (tamil version).

GNU could  be pronounced  as Naya or  New in  hindi - meaning  our new
found freedom, and also recognize  the contribution of GNU at the same
time.

Regards,
K. Ramanraj.