Dear Shrini,
One official you could possibly write to :
*Sr. Director & Head, Human Centered Computing Division,
*
Technology Development for Indian Languages,
Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology,
Electronics Niketan,6,CGO Complex,
New Delhi - 110 003.
Email Id : tdilinfo.dit[AT]deity.gov.in
Tel : +91-11-24363525
Fax : +91-11-24363525
http://tdil.mit.gov.in/Default.aspx
A few thoughts about some of the points in your msg :
*** Like to know that if there is any govt law says that all the software
funded by public money should be released as Free/Open Source
software. If so, please share the details about it.
=> The sentiment has been expressed regularly -- e.g. Satyakaam , Kenneth
To my knowledge, there is no such law. Further, there are procedural
restrictions about "funded by public money". The funding is generally
through a consortium of government departments and other agencies, each of
which bring in their "legal constraints.
[An example : Collabcad, developed by NIC, was a very good autocad
alternative, esp. in academics. In fact, it was promoted among engineering
colleges -- some nominal cost to be paid. Even though it was "claimed" to
be free/open source software, source code could not be downloaded. Dept of
Atomic Energy, with stringent conditions about what could go into public
domain was part of the funding consortium, I think. But I don't think that
was the only reason for holding back the source code.]
*** Next is whom and how to ask for it.
=> TDIL could be a good starting point. They do release several products,
but source code!!!!
Like Prof. Hema, the individual development teams, even if it is from CDAC
or Tamil University, Tanjore, or others, cannot or may not feel authorized
to answer. But, tha need not stop us writing to them and following up with.
I remember Kenneth persisted with IIIT Hyderabad and got some voice samples
released when we were at NRCFOSS @ AU-KBC.
*** Do we need to file a RTI? or need to request via any legal firm? is
there any legal organization to support these kind of activities? can
we get support from political party like communist to move it further?
=> could check with Mishi or others at SFLC.in
Personally speaking, I would keep off from "official support" of political
parties.
West Bengal, FOSS enabled during communist regime, went a bit off-track.
*** It may be tougher to get the source as it involves more money, power,
fame, policies, politics etc. But, we should ask for our rights as the
TTS is made by our own money.
=> having interacted closely with babudom for over 30 years, let me give a
"devil's advocate" answer :
"we want to deploy it for common good and do not want it to be exploited by
vested interests".
Remember, vested interests also have ubiquitous presence to ensure that
FOSS doesn't become prominent. Like in Lord of the Rings, there are enough
Gandolfs and Galadriels working, albeit silently, to preserve and use FOSS
culture.
Srinivasan
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