Introduction
This fellowship started as an experiment to see how Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) could be made more visible and meaningful in Tamil Nadu. Over the past few months, the focus has not been on hosting large events or chasing big numbers, but on building foundations that can last.
The work has moved gradually from raising awareness → forming student communities → connecting NGOs and institutions, → collaborating channels in the Tamil language and media. Small steps have started to add up, and the beginnings of a state-wide FOSS ecosystem are visible.
Key Outcomes
1. Growth of FOSS Clubs and Communities
At the start of this role, Tamil Nadu had only one active FOSS club. Today, there are 10+ clubs run by students themselves, across both engineering and arts colleges:
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VIT Chennai
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St. Joseph’s College of Engineering (Chennai)
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Coimbatore Institute of Technology (CIT – Coimbatore & Chennai)
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NGP Arts and Science College (Coimbatore)
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SRM KTR (existing club)
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SRM IST Trichy
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Pondicherry University
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Sai University (Chennai)
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SNS College of Engineering (Coimbatore)
Each of these clubs now has student volunteers leading sessions, planning activities, and exploring FOSS tools together. This means the movement is no longer dependent solely on external speakers. Instead, it is slowly becoming peer-driven and sustainable.
In parallel, the tamilnadu.tech initiative has given different FOSS and tech communities across the state a shared space. Communities have started contributing their own events to the repository, creating a living calendar of FOSS activities in Tamil Nadu. The Event page helped the individuals to find the events easily instead of searching through luma or meetup(dot)com and the communities page helped the fellow communities / community members to get to know each other.
2. NGO and Social Outreach
Besides the colleges, discussions had already commenced with NGOs like Agaram Foundation, Reap Benefit, and VV Charitable Trust.
These NGOs engage students at the school level and students outside the mainstream college system who often belong to rural or underserved areas. By integrating FOSS tools and practices at the level of education and skill development activities undertaken by them, we can ensure open-source goes far beyond the urban campus.
The three-month plan is to work more on this angle — beginning at NavGurukul alike NGOs — and how FOSS can be incorporated in the skills training initiatives. This outcome may not translate to numbers overnight, but it’s a long-term investment in inclusivity.
^ emdash here is used to give a natural pause — not an AI thing : )
3. Media and Public Discussions in Tamil
In this quarter, there had clearly been a focus on presenting FOSS talks in ways that were easier to follow in the Tamil language. Through YouTube and podcasting interviews with authors such as the Meta Monkeys and Hareesh Rajendar, open-source concepts began reaching new individuals who may never attend a proper meetup.
This has shown that language matters. When students and young professionals hear about FOSS in Tamil, it feels closer, more practical, and less like an “outsider’s concept.” Building a Tamil vocabulary for FOSS is a small but essential step for long-term cultural adoption.
4 . Engagement with Organizations and Companies
Visits to faculty and students at VIT Chennai, St. Joseph’s, Sathyabama University, and CIT have provided opportunities for greater collaboration. Some faculty members indicated awareness and interest in formally endorsing FOSS Clubs and, in some cases, incorporating open-source projects as part of the curriculum or credits.
Industry talks with Aravind Eye Hospital, GUVI, and IDFC Bank’s TechXpress initiative have referenced the notion of using or helping open-source methods. Talks are still at the nascent level, however, and are reflective of the industry gaining cognisance about the FOSS movement in Tamil Nadu.
Issues and Learnings
Momentum is more difficult to sustain than to initiate: Schools and organisations are eager initially, but follow-up and continued involvement are what actually convert interest into action.
Language matters: It is easier for people to relate to the Tamil language than the English language. For FOSS to flourish here, it needs to employ the people’s language.
Volunteers require assistance: Student organisations are energetic but require support and convenient resources in order to continue after the first semester.
Shared spaces allow individuals to collaborate: The positive reception of tamilnadu.tech demonstrates the preference for communities to collaborate if only they are provided a clean and transparent platform.
Plans Ahead
The following three months will be spent on two key areas:
Strengthening FOSS Clubs
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Make sure the FOSS clubs are active & conduct experimental events/workshops like OSM Mapathon , Contributing / Digitalizing Academic curriculum and resources.
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Encourage the clubs to discuss with each other and make collaborative events.
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Continue to engage with Agaram Foundation, VV Charitable Trust, Madhi Foundation, and other organisations to develop FOSS in non-engineering fields.
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Alongside these, tamilnadu.tech will continue to grow as a shared hub for community events, with the potential to also host resources and talks in the future.
Conclusion
This quarter has been less about large events and more about quietly laying the groundwork. From a single FOSS club, Tamil Nadu now has over ten. From scattered communities, we now have a shared platform in tamilnadu.tech. From a handful of classroom talks, we are now in conversations with NGOs that can bring FOSS to hundreds of rural learners. And from English-only discussions, we now have open-source ideas being spoken about in Tamil.
The ultimate plan is simple: the development of a self-sustainable FOSS ecosystem in Tamil Nadu, by students, supported by institutions and NGOs, and connected through shared platforms and localised discussions in the vernacular. The work accomplished thus far is merely a beginning.
p.s.: If you see a better way to approach this or have additions, I’d be happy to hear your thoughts!