The document discusses the history and development of free and open source software (FOSS). It describes how early software was freely shared among academic institutions and companies. Richard Stallman founded the GNU project in 1983 to develop free software and started the free software movement. Linux, developed by Linus Torvalds, expanded interest in FOSS using an open "bazaar" development model. Eric Raymond's 1997 essay promoted this decentralized model and helped popularize Linux. The document also outlines India's support for FOSS through initiatives like the National Resource Center for Free and Open Source Software.