<div>Hello team, </div>
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<div>Its great to see that there has been some concrete efforts to establish the Indian Chapter of Wikimedia Foundation. After many years of repeated efforts, its good to see that we are close to fruitition. There is a strong team with diverse background and rich involvement in Wikipedia working on this. While I was initially part of this effort, I'm no longer involved with the formation of the foundation. There are times I overran myself in the assumption that Foundation formation time could happen sooner and assumed I'd be part of the board and hence a Director (designate) without realizing the really long gestation period it takes to set up the foudation or the confusion it would cause. In this regard, I apologise to the entire Wikipedia India community. </div>
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<div>I will continue to be associated with helping out with Wikipedia outreach and the concept of Open Knowledge on a personal level. This year, I'll help in organizing Creative Commons Salon (bringing in artists who believe in open creativity), Wikipedia Academy ( to teach people who interested in contributing but dont know how) and WikiCamp (an unconference that will aim to tap into the concept of collective wisdom using wikis, and not just Wikipedia). I recently published a book 'Wikipedia : A beginners' Guide' which is completely on a CC license. I seek help in translating this into mulitple Indian languages and freely distribute this to school libraries in towns and villages. Any help in this regard would be highly welcome. All these activies are done as a volunteer without assuming any formal positions and look forward to contributing actively. I can be reached at 98415 97744 and at <a href="mailto:Kiruba@Kiruba.com">Kiruba@Kiruba.com</a>. Thanks in advance. <br>
<br>-- <br>Regards,<br><br>Kiruba Shankar <br>Cell: +91-0-98415 97744 <br>Email: Kiruba@Kiruba.com<br>Personal Blog: http://Kiruba.com<br>Twitter: <a href="http://twitter.com/kiruba">http://twitter.com/kiruba</a><br>Linkedin: <a href="http://linkedin.com/in/kiruba">http://linkedin.com/in/kiruba</a> </div>