The Microsoft DreamSparkProgram is an initiative by Microsoft where all the students of the VTU would be allowed to download free versions of Microsoft original software and portraying an act of benignity from Microsoft for the student community. Microsoft through this program (with the real intention of suppressing any development of intellectual self reliance of the students), was able to make a deal with the VTU. Also, as part of ‘developing curriculum’, Microsoft would be a part of ‘suggesting’ modifications to the existing curriculum so that these technologies are included. Let’s look at the possible scenario which could arise from this. We would have an entire group of technical students, future software engineers, well versed in Microsoft technologies. In the near future, if other universities in the country followed the path as shown by VTU, we would have a whole set of people conversant only with Microsoft technologies. Clearly there is no point in these undergraduates learning only about Microsoft technology which is “locked in knowledge” or knowledge which cannot be further explored. We need a broad approach to develop our intellectual self reliance. We have to equip our students with deeper knowledge. The continuing attempt of big institutions selling off our intellectual independence needs to be condemned. And with this intention the volunteers of Free Software Movement Karnataka came up strongly to raise voice against the vendor lock that has happened in the VTU.

People from all walks of life participated in the campaign which solemnly protests against the VTU-Microsoft tie-up in the Dream Sparks program. The campaign is being held by Volunteers of Free Software Karnataka on 29th November, which had diverse groups such as Free software Movement Karnataka, Kannada Bloggers, Ambedkar Computer Community Centre, Free Software Users Group – Bangalore .The front of the M G Road Gandhi statue was filled up with the enthusiastic free software volunteers by around 5 PM .The awareness campaign started with 2 minute silence to condemn the Mumbai terror attacks that happened on 26th November 2008.

After paying tribute to the Mumbai terror attack victims with the observance of few minutes silence, the campaign started with the introductory speech by Senthil (who is the convener of Free Software Movement Karnataka) who briefed about the Dream Spark program that VTU and MS has taken up. He started with the philosophy of the free software and how it creates knowledge freedom to the students and different people. He stressed upon the broader approach that is to be followed in the educational institutions and the disaster that students will face if they only learn the MS technology. Senthil concluded with the a strong message on how the awareness campaign should be carry forward to different levels and how it can enable the free software to achieve its goal for a large social mass movement.

Venky from IISC also shared his protest against the MS VTU tie up and explained how all most all the major educational institutions are falling in to the trap of corporate which finally leads to the vendor lock in all the major institutions. Naveen Kumar from SFI participated on behalf of the progressive students organizations and expressed his solidarity to the awareness campaign. He offered his and his organization full support for the campaign that we have taken up. Renuka Prasad form FSUG also made a strong protest against the tie up between the MS and VTU. This free software group promised to take this small beginning into a large mass movement by holding awareness campaigns in the colleges affiliated to VTU thereby creating the awareness in the student as well as lecture community. Prabodh, Lecturer from CMRIT has given his views and registered a strong protest against the tie up. Vijoo Krishnan, who was the head of the history department in St Josephs College also expressed his solidarity for the awareness campaign. Likith Shetty who is a mechanical engineer by profession and an active member of Free Software movement Karnataka made a brief speech.

The major highlight of the awareness campaign was the involvement of the Ambedkar Computer Community Centre kids who actively involved in the protest organized by the Free Software Movement. Saraswathy from the AC3 also shared her thoughts on the campaign and on behalf of AC3 raised a strong protest against the Microsoft VTU tie up. The campaign ended with a nice song from the AC3 kids and the Volunteers of Free Software Movement pledged to take the awareness campaign to new level to stop the Vendor lock in the educational system.