Inspired by India

Can't quite remember who originally posted the bharti ad, but I've had it open in a tab in my web browser for a week or so now.

And this times ad was youtube's suggestion of related content...

These two ads pack an emotional double whammy.

Indeed - Imagine what a Billion Indians could do if they worked together. Imagine what any of us could do if we worked together.

It makes me think about a couple of competing organisations I've been involved with. For a long time I've believed they have much in common, and by working together could increase their reach and effectiveness. But honest rivalry, politics and historical grievances have prevented them from forming a truly effective bond to forge something new.

The enmity has made me uncomfortable.

The open source world is filled with competing interests, but we work together and strive side by side toward the same goals - as athletes do. We all win, we all have a personal best when we are inspired to achieve more than before. This is not the kind of competition where losers are lost and ignored. It is the kind that looks towards the next challenge, the next opportunity, the next problem to solve. It is the kind of competition where the winners acknowledge the critical support and inspiration of their peers, and the runners up see what's possible.

These videos proclaiming an Indian identity that is proud of working together and happy to follow a leader to achieve a goal, inspire me to put my shoulder to the wheel.

Sometimes we just need a little bit of a push.

Software Freedom Day, Saturday 18 September is an opportunity to work together toward a goal of sharing the power of the Open Source Software community with the world.