22 January 2004	Thursday	29 Ziqa'ad 1424

MUMBAI: With Microsoft off the computers and soft drinks off the menu, the anti-globalization movement's annual convention tried to practise what it preached: a world free from the influence of big corporations.

The World Social Forum banned multinational firms from advertising at the six-day event, which wrapped up on Wednesday. But the forum realized absolutism was not always possible in running a meeting of 100,000 people.

While Coca-Cola and Pepsi soft drinks were not available at the wooded exhibition grounds in Mumbai, one bottled mineral water for sale was produced by Coca-Cola's Indian subsidiary, Parle International.

"We know some of their (Coca-Cola's) brands are visible," said Gautam Mody, spokesman for the forum. "That was meant to provide essential services. There was no other way," Mr Mody said. "But there was nothing branded or displayed at the venue. We are quite clear on that."

The forum shunned Microsoft and ran computers throughout the venue on Linux, a free and open-source software. But no one prevented delegates or journalists from letting the multinationals in on their own laptops.

Organizers of the forum declined donations from companies or groups associated with corporations, most notably the Ford Foundation, which provided half the funding for the last anti-globalization meet a year ago in Porto Alegre, Brazil.

Mr Mody said the meet could not debate serious issues of globalization next to a corporate presence, which he said would lead to "exploitation". "There is no compromise possible given the way global capital works today," he said.

Most people interviewed were not concerned about lacking Coke at the World Social Forum, although some thought the blanket corporate refusal was going overboard.

"I personally like Coca-Cola. I find nothing wrong with it," said Indian trade unionist Satish Kumar, who said he generally prefers international brands over domestic products.

He noted that non-governmental organizations contributing to the forum are largely based in the developed world and may themselves take money from businesses.

Corporations came in for repeated attack during the World Social Forum, with Indian villagers smashing up Coke bottles to demand the company ensure enough water for local communities.-AFP