The simple but auspicious ceremony with gorgeous announcement marked the event titled "Software Freedom and Open Content" organized by Bangladesh Open Source Network (BdOSN). The programme was held in the Teare Cafe of Liberation War Museum in Dhaka on 12th, May 2008. The programme incorporated the Bangladesh release of Ubuntu 8.04 and Language Movement picture album to WikiCommons. It also included declaration of publication under open licence of picture resources at Centre of Bangladesh Liberation War Studies, the picture of Bir Shreshtho Motiur Rahman and publication of all books by M Zafar Iqbal under open License. The gallant freedom fighter Mahbub Elahi Ranju (Bir Protik), uncovered the cover of the new release of Ubuntu Linux. In his inaugural speech, the freedom fighter expressed his thanks and gratitude to the new generation as they uphold the same spirit of freedom to prepare the nation for the information era.

In her touchy announcement, Ms Milli Rahman, the wife of Bir Shreshtho Motiur Rahman declared that all the pictures and documents of Shaheed Bir Shreshtho Motiur Rahman would now be the property of the humankind. She told that Motiur Rahman fought for the nation's liberation and thus became the property of the nation. She announced with the help from BdOSN that all pictures and associated documents of Bir Shreshtho Motiur Rahman would be published in the Internet under Open License. Major (Retd.) Kamrul Hasana Bhuiyan, Chairman of the Centre for Bangladesh Liberation War Studies announced that the liberation war resources they have collected so far, would be released under same Open License. Prof. Dr Rafiqul Islam, who has released his Language Movement pictures into Wiki Commons earlier, shared his experience of picturing those events. He shared his days at the war camp by Pakistani Janta in 1971 and urged the new generation to continue upholding the spirit of the liberation war. The renowned novelist M Zafar Iqbal declared that from now on, digital version of all of his books will be published in the Internet so that readers around the globe could enjoy his books from anywhere in the world. In a symbolic presentation, he handed over the book "Dipu Number 2" to the General Secretary of BdOSN. Earlier in his welcome speech, Mr Munir Hasan, briefly explained the activity of BdOSN to the audience. He informed the audience that BdOSN is a network of volunteers who work for the liberty of software and information. He said that to have a knowledge based society, we do not have any option other than to adopt open source philosophy. Core member of BdOSN, Ms Lusha Mirza conducted the programme.

The Picture of Language Movement by Professor Rafiqul Islam in Wiki Commons

May Issue of Mukto Barta

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Regards,
Abu Mohammad Omar Shehab Uddin Ayub
Software Engineer, Nilavo Technologies, Banani, Dhaka
Bangladesh Open Source Network, Dhaka
2000 batch, Dept. of CSE, SUST
www.nilavo.com
www.bdosn.org
www.sust.edu