FOSSMeet '25 took place on campus from March 14 to 16, igniting the passion for open-source among a diverse group of enthusiasts. The event brought together a community of developers, tech enthusiasts, and curious minds eager to delve into the world of Free and Open-Source Software (FOSS). Packed with thought-provoking talks, hands-on workshops, and interactive discussions, the event showcased the true essence of open collaboration and knowledge sharing. Attendees explored cutting-edge technologies and real-world applications of open-source principles, fostering an environment where everyone could learn, share, and grow.

Day 1: A Deep Dive into FOSS Concepts

The first day kicked off with an Opening Note at 4:45 PM, setting the stage for an exciting journey into the world of open-source. The evening unfolded with a series of insightful talks:

FOSS Policy 101: What You Need to Know About the Union and State FOSS Policy

Delivered by Poruri Sai Rahul at 6:00 PM, this session provided an overview of the policies governing FOSS adoption at the Union and State levels, emphasizing its importance in promoting digital freedom and inclusivity.

Privacy-Preserving Technologies 101: How FOSS Empowers Digital Freedom At 7:00 PM, Het Joshi explored how privacy-centric technologies in the open-source domain empower individuals to reclaim their digital freedom.

Taking Your First Steps in the FOSS Ecosystem

Kamalavelan S wrapped up the day’s talks at 8:00 PM, guiding newcomers on how to navigate and contribute effectively to the open-source ecosystem.

The night concluded with a BoF (Birds of a Feather) session at 9:45 PM, where like-minded enthusiasts engaged in lively discussions about FOSS-related ideas and projects, fostering a collaborative exchange of thoughts and experiences.

Day 2: Hands-On Exploration and Cutting-Edge Technologies

The second day started bright and early at 9:00 AM, diving straight into How to Create a Custom Linux Distro by Harsh Lathwal, where participants learned how to build a Linux distro tailored to their needs. This was followed by a series of engaging sessions:

Open Board Design by Shreekumar at 10:00 AM, shedding light on the principles and practices of designing open hardware.

KuttyPy by Jithin BP at 11:00 AM, introducing a versatile microcontroller programming interface.

Zero to IPO: Rails and Open Source by Vipul A M at 12:00 PM, offering insights into leveraging Ruby on Rails for scaling open-source projects.

The afternoon was filled with exciting hands-on workshops running parallelly from 2:15 PM:

GPU Programming Workshop by Abhinav Garg and Christudasan Devadasan

Introduction to Kubernetes by Aravind I M

Exploring Software Defined Radios by Sunil Thomas T

Kotlin: Modern, Concise, and Versatile by Amarjit Singh

Each workshop gave participants the opportunity to dive deeper into practical applications, learn new skills, and apply them in real-world scenarios.

The evening saw an engaging session on Introduction to eBPF by Madhav Prabhu at 5:45 PM, followed by an inspiring talk on Technology & Palliative Care: High Tech, High Touch by Dr. Athul Joseph Manuel at 6:45 PM.

The day ended with an Open Lab Session at 9:30 PM, allowing participants to collaborate, tinker with technology, and engage in open exploration.

Day 3: Empowering Communities and Open Tech

The final day began with an inspiring talk on the Free Software Movement by Ajith Kumar at 9:00 AM, tracing the history and impact of free software on modern computing. This was followed by:

Legal Aspects of Open Source by Ajshal CA at 10:00 AM, highlighting the importance of licenses and compliance in the open-source space.

Building Open Tech Communities in a Challenging and Diverse Way: Challenges and The Way Forward by Bhuvana Meenakshi at 11:00 AM, addressing the challenges of nurturing inclusive and diverse open-source communities.

How to Build an Open Source Community by Anish Anil Kumar at 12:00 PM, offering actionable insights on fostering a thriving community.

The day concluded with the Closing Note at 4:00 PM, marking the end of an inspiring and knowledge-filled journey into the FOSS universe.

Conclusion: Until We Meet Again!

As the curtains fell on FOSSMeet '25, participants left the campus with a renewed sense of enthusiasm and inspiration. The event was not just about learning new technologies but also about forging connections, exchanging ideas, and fostering a sense of belonging within the FOSS community. The SuperTuxKart showdown added an extra dash of fun, bringing out the competitive spirit in participants as they raced to victory under the night sky.

While the event may have ended, the spirit of FOSS lives on. The participants may have dragged their feet while leaving, but their minds raced with ideas, ready to embark on their own open-source journeys. And as always, “May the FOSS be with you!” Until the next one! 🚀