According to Satish Babu, Director, ICFOSS, free software is capable of offering a freedom-enhancing, robust and reliable alternative, with additional economic advantages, compared to proprietary software, and therefore that free software could find application in the public and private sector organizations in the field of, inter alia, education, arts, and culture.[1]
Event
The theme of the event was "Free Software for a Free World".[2] Over 200 delegates attended the conference.[4] The inaugural speech was delivered by Richard Stallman, founder of the free software movement who was of the view that this software should enable access without compromising the security of one's identity. He also told that cameras installed on streets was a threat to the privacy of the public.[2][5]
Prof. Rahul De of IIM Bangalore, a speaker at the event, reported during his presentation that over ₹8,000 crore (US$960 million) could be saved in India, if free software was used for ICT in Education in the 320,000 schools across the country.[7]