The Hindu Business Line : Keltron plans research centre for free software

THE Kerala State Electronics Development Corporation (Keltron) is planning to set up a "free software research, development and promotion centre" here with the support of the Union Government.

The centre, estimated to cost Rs 10 crore, is aimed at facilitating the use of free software in public applications, according to Mr V. Ramkumar, Managing Director of Keltron.

The centre would also function as a consultancy cell to provide information regarding free software to government and other public bodies, he said here on Wednesday.

The other objectives of the centre include creating linkages with organisations, both within the country and outside, working in the area of free software and initiate collaborative ventures, undertake research and development in free software solutions, particularly for e-governance, and conduct training programmes to improve the human resources availability in free software.

Keltron is also planning to hold an international conference on open source technologies in Thiruvananthapuram at the end of October or early November this year with the objective of facilitating co-operative projects in this area for mutual benefit.

The international meet is designed, among other things, to improve the awareness of free software in the State and ensure its use among the public so as to benefit the common man. The event will showcase Kerala's achievements in information technology and free software in a bid to make the State a major destination in these areas.

Mr Ramkumar said Keltron had been able to provide custom-built solutions for e-governance over the last two years. The company has been focussing on local language computing, GIS applications in association with Centre for Earth Sciences Studies (CESS), "Akshaya" solutions and free software community activities.

With its rich experience in free software applications in these fields, the company has initiated talks with governments and non-government agencies outside the country for starting similar projects.

The Government of Brazil had shown interest and a team from that country was expected to come here for discussions at the government level, Mr Ramkumar said.

Keltron has already developed an operating system in Malayalam. It has now taken up a project for development of operating systems in Sanskrit and Arabic.