[Board] Mapworld Forum 2011

[Ravi]

Dear OSGeo Board,
Sub: Participation of OSGeo  at Mapworld Forum  January 2011, at Hyderabad.
Ref: Mapworld Forum January 2011 Hyderabad.

The Executive council (E.C) of OSGeo India wish to convey the following to the OSGeo's board.

 The E.C learned that one of the Director's of  (OSGeo), Arnulf Christl may attend the Map World Forum January 2011.
 OSGeo India is not going to participate in the 'Map World Forum 2011', in spite of the fact that there is a good support for
 OSGeo activities, in the city of Hyderabad and a premier educational institute namely IIIT, Hyderabad is the seat of OSGeo India.

Reasons for non participation in Mapworld Forum January 2011:
    
1. We see the event 'Mapworld Forum', a facade to show case Proprietary GIS Solutions, and
   promote their market in India, which is counter productive to spread of Free and Open Souce GIS.
   The organisers only wish to have the much needed advantage, which they will gain for sure, through
   OSGeo (International) accepting to partner.
2. 'GIS Development', which conducts the event, has done precious little to support OSGeo and Open Source GIS
   since January, 2007, when OSGeo India was launched. The organisers have an educational institute which only
   propagates Proprietary GIS. To encourage use and teaching of Open Source GIS, OSGeo India resource persons attended
   events conducted by them free of charge, but in vain. OSGeo India has even contributed by way scientific articles in
   their journal, following their request.
3. Though the organisers are very much in touch with OSGeo India office bearers, they have not communicated with
   OSGeo India.
4. The event Mapworld Forum, is a very costly event with a very high registration fee structure
   which does not encourage serious participation by Open Source GIS users and developers alike.
5. We request the OSGeo (International) to avoid partnering / attending this event, as the absence of OSGeo India, in an event
   chaired by the OSGeo (International) will not set a good example, that too when most of active OSGeo India executive
   resides in the same city, Hyderabad, where the event is going to be held.

Cheers

Ravi Kumar
OSGeo India