Punjabi Wikimedians/Annual Report/2023

In-person activities and events

12 January : Wikipedia Workshop at Chormar Khera (Sirsa)

Meta page can be seen here This was an interactive workshop on Educational Awareness and Wikipedia Education that was held on January 12, 2023, at Govt Senior Secondary School, Village Chormar Khera, District Sirsa, Haryana, India. This event was organized in collaboration with the local school administration as a part of the school's Life Skill Development Camp.

The workshop's primary objective was to spread awareness about Wikipedia as a reliable source of information, with a special focus on female students in grades ten and twelve. The workshop also encouraged volunteer participation in editing Wikipedia by teaching fundamental tools and methods.

The sessions were around the introduction to Wikipedia and basic Search and Editing on Wikipedia. A discussion forum was also facilitated to engage participants and address any queries related to the workshop topics.

In the result of the workshop, successfully introduced students to the importance and reliability of Wikipedia as an educational resource. The interactive sessions provided practical knowledge on searching and editing Wikipedia, fostering a sense of volunteerism and community participation among the students. The event concluded with a positive response from students and faculty, highlighting the effectiveness of integrating educational awareness programs within the school curriculum.

14 January : Punjabi Wikimedians visited Bagrian

A historical palace where ideas regardings preserving heritage, and culture were discussed. The Punjabi community recently connected with a family from Bagrian, renowned for their historical palace, which is a significant heritage site in Punjab. The meeting aimed to discuss the preservation of this heritage and explore how Wikimedia can contribute to these efforts.

The meeting focused on the following key objectives:

• Understanding how Wikimedia operates and how its resources can be utilized for heritage preservation.
• Demonstrating the functionality of Wikimedia Commons and encouraging contributions to this platform.
• Discussing potential collaborations between the Punjabi community, the palace, and local schools to promote educational awareness and heritage conservation.

• Discussions and Demonstrations

During the meeting, we also had the following:

• • Wikimedia Operations: Community members provided an overview of Wikimedia's mission and its various projects.
  • Wikimedia Commons Demonstration: Attendees were shown how to use Wikimedia Commons, including uploading and managing content related to the palace's heritage. This hands-on demonstration highlighted the ease and importance of contributing to the platform.

• Outcomes and Agreements
  • Content Contribution: The family agreed to provide historical content and materials related to Bagrian Palace for preservation on Wikimedia platforms.
  • Collaborative Efforts: The family also committed to supporting the Punjabi community in establishing collaborations with local schools and other educational institutions.

Awareness Program: An awareness program was proposed to further engage the community and educational institutions in heritage preservation efforts.

• Future Plans

The conversation with the palace representatives is ongoing, with plans to develop detailed action steps for implementing these initiatives. The collaborative efforts aim to create a sustainable model for heritage preservation, leveraging the resources and reach of Wikimedia.

The meeting marked a significant step towards preserving the rich heritage of Bagrian Palace. Through collaborative efforts and the utilization of Wikimedia resources, the Punjabi community aims to ensure that this historical legacy is preserved for future generations. The proposed awareness program and ongoing discussions indicate a promising future for these preservation initiatives.

Involvement in Wiki Conference India 2023

• WikiConference India 2023 took place in Hyderabad in April 2023, bringing together contributors and enthusiasts from various Wikimedia communities across the country. Fourteen members from the Punjabi community actively participated in this conference, marking a significant presence and engagement. The conference happened in April 2023 in Hyderabad, India.

Meeting Details: During the conference, the Punjabi community scheduled an in-person meeting. This meeting was an essential platform for discussing the concerns and challenges faced by the community. Key topics included strategies for increasing involvement at both the local and national levels and ways to enhance the visibility and impact of Punjabi Wikimedia projects.

Discussion Highlights: Local and National Involvement:

Local Engagement: The discussion emphasized the need for more localized events and workshops to engage the Punjabi-speaking population. Ideas for outreach programs in schools and colleges were proposed. National Collaboration: Opportunities for collaboration with other regional Wikimedia communities were discussed. The potential for joint projects and knowledge-sharing sessions was considered to strengthen the overall Wikimedia movement in India. Awareness Campaigns: Initiatives to raise awareness about the importance of free knowledge and how individuals can contribute to Wikimedia projects were discussed. Social media campaigns and public events were suggested as effective methods. Action Plan: An action plan was devised to address the challenges discussed. This included setting specific goals for community growth, content improvement, and increased participation in national Wikimedia events. Follow-up Events: The community agreed to organize follow-up events, both virtual and in-person, to monitor progress and continue discussions on ongoing projects and initiatives.

The participation of the Punjabi community in WikiConference India 2023 was a significant step towards strengthening their presence in the Wikimedia movement. The in-person meeting provided a valuable opportunity to address challenges, share ideas, and plan for future growth. The community is committed to implementing the discussed strategies and continuing to contribute actively to Wikimedia projects at both local and national levels.

Punjabi Wikimedians On-ground Event Patran, 2023

The Punjabi Wikimedians community organized an on-ground event aimed at raising awareness and recruiting new members to the Punjabi Wikimedians user group. This one-day event, designed for newcomers, took place on June 17, 2023, in Patran, Punjab. The event's primary goal was to educate participants about Wikipedia, Wikisource, and other Wikimedia sister projects while providing hands-on experience and fostering a collaborative spirit.

That happened on 17 June 2023, Saturday in Patran, Punjab. The event commenced with a warm welcome to all participants, followed by an introduction to the day’s activities and objectives. The organizers provided an overview of the importance of Wikipedia and its sister projects in promoting free knowledge.

The Punjabi Wikimedians event in Patran marked a successful effort in community building and knowledge sharing. The enthusiastic participation and positive feedback underscore the event's success and its impact on promoting free knowledge. The Punjabi Wikimedians community looks forward to organizing more such events to continue its mission of fostering collaboration and expanding the Punjabi Wikipedia.

Virtual Activities

23 January: A lecture on Wikipedia Commons and Creative Licenses

On January 23rd, the community collaborated with a school in Punjab that was interested in educating their students about photography techniques, free knowledge, and how to edit Wikimedia Commons. A virtual session was planned for the students and a few teachers. Two or three users from the Punjabi community joined the session and talked about photography, photowalks, and demonstrated how to upload content on Wikimedia Commons. This activity was part of the Punjabi community's awareness campaign in Punjab.

The session aimed to provide practical knowledge and skills to the students, emphasizing the importance of free knowledge and open-source platforms. The speakers discussed various photography techniques, the significance of capturing high-quality images, and the ethical considerations in photography. They also highlighted the importance of documenting local culture and heritage through photography.

Additionally, the session included a hands-on demonstration where the students were guided through the process of uploading their photographs to Wikimedia Commons. The speakers explained the licensing policies, the importance of proper categorization, and how to add relevant descriptions to their uploads. This practical experience not only enhanced the students' technical skills but also encouraged them to contribute to the global repository of free knowledge.

The collaboration with the school is a significant step in the Punjabi community's ongoing efforts to promote digital literacy and active participation in open knowledge projects. It also fosters a sense of community and engagement among young learners, inspiring them to become future contributors to Wikimedia projects. Through such initiatives, the Punjabi community aims to create a sustainable model for spreading awareness and building capacity for contributing to free knowledge platforms.

Mission 50000

On the occasion of Punjabi Wikipedia's 21st anniversary, the Punjabi community set a target to enhance the content on Punjabi Wikipedia. The community took on the challenge of completing 50,000 articles on Punjabi Wikipedia within two months. When the campaign started, the total number of articles was more than 40,000. The community worked hard on this and achieved the target ahead of time.

During this period, the community also published a diff blog in both English and Punjabi. In that blog, the community mentioned the journey of Punjabi Wikipedia and detailed the Mission 50,000 articles, culminating on June 2nd. In line with this effort, the community also planned an in-person meeting to discuss and plan further initiatives. The successful completion of Mission 50,000 is a remarkable achievement and a great example of teamwork and dedication.

Additionally, the community organized several workshops and online edit-a-thons to encourage participation and improve the quality of content. These efforts not only helped in reaching the target but also strengthened the sense of community and collaboration among contributors. The Punjabi Wikipedia's growth is a testament to the power of collective effort and the passion for preserving and promoting the Punjabi language and culture.

Monthly virtual meetings

The Punjabi Wikimedians user group conducts monthly virtual meetings to discuss ongoing projects, address challenges, and plan future initiatives. These meetings play a crucial role in fostering community engagement, collaboration, and growth. They provide a platform for members to share updates, seek assistance, and collaborate on various Wikimedia projects.

Meeting Details

Frequency: Monthly Platform: Virtual (Google Meet) Duration: Approximately 1-2 hours

Typical Agenda:

• Welcome and Introductions:
• Brief welcome by the meeting coordinator
• Introductions of new members or participants
• Project Updates: Updates on ongoing Wikimedia projects, including Wikipedia, Wikisource, and Wikimedia Commons
• Progress reports on specific community initiatives and events
• Sharing of metrics and milestones achieved
• Discussion of Challenges:
• Future Plans and Initiatives:
• Brainstorming new project ideas and outreach activities
• Planning upcoming events, workshops, and edit-a-thons
• Setting goals and targets for the next month
• Training and Capacity Building:
• Conducting mini-training sessions on specific skills (e.g., editing, content creation, uploading media)
• Sharing resources and tutorials to help members improve their contributions
• Providing mentorship and support to new contributors
• Community Engagement: Strategies for increasing community participation and retention

Discussing ways to engage with the broader Punjabi-speaking population Planning social media campaigns and other outreach efforts

• Open Floor:

Allowing members to bring up any additional topics or concerns Encouraging feedback and suggestions for improving community activities

The monthly virtual meetings of the Punjabi Wikimedians user group are vital for maintaining community cohesion, driving project progress, and fostering an environment of collaboration and learning. These meetings ensure that the community remains focused on its goals, addresses challenges proactively, and continues to grow and thrive.