Whether it is machines for FOSS.IN/2005, accommodation and travel for speakers, food for delegates, movement of man and machines, or just plain old talks scheduling – it can all turn out a nightmare if it isn’t done right.

Most people (especially detractors) see events like these as “child’s play” and are full of criticism when things aren’t done right. None of them would be able to handle an event a fraction of the size of even LB/2001 (never mind FOSS.IN/2005) without completely screwing it up. They don’t contribute to FOSS in any useful way, but are everready to criticize.

I don’t know if this is unique to India, but I have certainly seen the worst of it here.

And year after year, people ask me “Why do you do it?”

Because I have also seen the best.

I have seen big important foreign speakers arriving here, rolling up their sleeves, and pitching in. I have seen students and professionals alike dropping everything to help. I have seen people in far away lands working phone lines and writing emails, driving up financial support for the event. I have seen someone who just had an emergency operation (and who is an important speaker at the event) literally get out of bed and drive to the airport on the way to India to speak here. I have seen companies, people and people who know nothing about FOSS (yet) join hands to make sure that our event, which is so important to thousands of people across India and the world, succeeds in its objective. I have seen hundreds of people, many of whom have never ever spoken publicly before, submit talk proposals, to help showcase what the FOSS community knows.

I have seen the community.

That’s why I keep doing this.

Because this is the spirit of FOSS at work.