[Fsf-friends] Re: RMS note to Vivaravichara

[eiidp@vsnl.com]

Through my earlier mail, I have tried to raise following four points.=0D
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1. The spatial and historical variation of the message conveyed through a=
 word should be taken into consideration while those are used in campaign=
 for freedom.=0D
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2. 'Swadesh' is not a proper word to represent 'free software', instead '=
taddesh' can be used which is synonymous with Gandhiji's 'gram swaraj'.=0D
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        It is true that Gandhiji had used the word 'swadeshi' in campaign=
 to boycott British goods during Indian independence struggle. However la=
ter Hindu fanatic groups through their vigorous campaign used it to divid=
e people on religious line.=0D
        Here it is unknowingly used by a person like Richard Stallman who=
 himself is an evangelist of freedom and leader of a freedom movement for=
 usage of software. It will in turn become a tool for right-wing fascist =
groups  in the contemperory India through synonymous use of 'swadesh' and=
 'freedom'. =0D
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3. 'Free' is not a proper adjective to represent freedom.=0D
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  As Ramanraj and others correctly pointed out 'sudandira' in Tamil and '=
swathanthra'  in Malayalam, Hindi, Sanskrit etc. are the best choice to r=
epresent freedom. However  these languages altogether is spoken by only l=
ess than 25 % of the world population. So there should be better adjectiv=
e in English itself.=0D
=0D
4. The usage of 'Linux' for 'GNU/Linux' is justified for ease of use.=0D
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  It is true that 'Linux' is name of a kernel. However it is more frequen=
tly used to represent the 'GNU/Linux' operating system.=0D
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Mahesh T Pai has pointed out certain links to philosophical documents. Th=
ere should be timely revision of these document, then only the philosophy=
 and practice of freedom will live for its purpose. Otherwise it may turn=
ed to formation of another cult.=0D
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Regards,=0D
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Anil=0D
(Appropriate Technolgy Promotion Society, Kochi)=0D