Hello, WikiPuneris,

An important forward is attached below from Mumbai Community asking for finalisation of dates of WikiConference India 2011.

Backdrop 

A lot of excited tele conversations & web chat & some emails have occurred in the last few days. A WikiConference for India is being planned in 2011.  Mumbai community has offered to host it and asked that Pune Wikipedians be joint partner. A provisional enthusiastic reply has been sent from us to the Mumbai Wikipedians and they have been told that we will be discussing the whole issue before the Pune community on 14 May our next meetup date and then we will intimate you our "official reply". On the face of it, it is a great idea and a couple of Mumbai Wiikipedians will come over to meet us on 14th to discuss this.

However, time is running short. A Wikiconference in India without Jimbo Wales is like Pani Puri without the puri, :) Since Jimbo needs to be booked early - there appear to be other events contesting during that period for his attendance - the Wikipedia Community in Mumbai and Wikimedians Foundationeers in India recommend fixing the date as early as possible.

Hence this email.

Ashwin Baindur

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: <wheredevelsdare@hotmail.com>
Date: Wed, Apr 27, 2011 at 1:16 PM
Subject: RE: WikiConference India 2011
To: Bishakha <bishakhadatta@gmail.com>, ashwin.baindur@gmail.com
Cc: Kundan <kundanamitabh@gmail.com>, Hisham Wikimedia <hmundol@wikimedia.org>, Pradeep <pradeep.mohandas@gmail.com>, sudhanwa.com@gmail.com


Hi Ashwin/Pune Community,

There is a point that needs your urgent attention. We intend to invite Jimmy Wales for the conference. What are your thoughts on this? If we want to invite him we need to lock the conference dates ASAP so we can send him an invite. We understand his diary gets filled several months in advance hence the urgency.

At Mumbai Meetup IX we discussed 5,6,7 November 2011 (Saturday Sunday + Monday (Eid Bank Holiday)) as good dates as the criteria we had was a 3 day conference during a long weekend so that maximum people can attend. Can you please let us know if these dates are good with you. Other things can be discussed when we meet.

Kind Regards,
User:AroundTheGlobe


Date: Wed, 27 Apr 2011 11:45:55 +0530

Subject: Re: WikiConference India 2011
From: bishakhadatta@gmail.com
To: ashwin.baindur@gmail.com
CC: wheredevelsdare@hotmail.com; kundanamitabh@gmail.com; hmundol@wikimedia.org; pradeep.mohandas@gmail.com; sudhanwa.com@gmail.com


Also another point that needs discussion when you'll meet: what role would the India chapter play in the proposed conference?
Bishakha

On Tue, Apr 26, 2011 at 10:27 AM, Bishakha Datta <bishakhadatta@gmail.com> wrote:
Dear all,

Just a quick one to say that do finalize the dates for the wikiconference when you'll meet in Pune - simply because if we do want someone like Jimmy Wales to attend, we'll have to book him really soon.

I know finalizing venue will take some time...but it would be good to have dates.

Cheers
Bishakha


On Sat, Apr 23, 2011 at 6:47 PM, Ashwin Baindur <ashwin.baindur@gmail.com> wrote:
Oops, (;) (red-faced)

Warm regards,

Ashwin Baindur
------------------------------------------------------



On Sat, Apr 23, 2011 at 6:25 PM, Ashwin Baindur <ashwin.baindur@gmail.com> wrote:
Hi everybody,

I have added now Sudhanwa to this chain,

Warm regards,

Ashwin Baindur
------------------------------------------------------



On Sat, Apr 23, 2011 at 5:59 PM, <wheredevelsdare@hotmail.com> wrote:
Hi Ashwin,

I understand and look forward to the same. Can you please add Sudhanwa to this string - I do not have the persons email contact.

Kind Regards,
User:AroundTheGlobe


Date: Sat, 23 Apr 2011 17:36:48 +0530

Subject: Re: WikiConference India 2011
From: ashwin.baindur@gmail.com
To: wheredevelsdare@hotmail.com
CC: kundanamitabh@gmail.com; bishakhadatta@gmail.com; hmundol@wikimedia.org; pradeep.mohandas@gmail.com


Hi Wheredevelsdare,

That was my personal response but I'm sure the WikiPuneris will respond positively to the proposal too. The response on behalf of the group will be posted by Sudhanwa later. Please cc all mails to me to him also.

Warm regards,

Ashwin Baindur
------------------------------------------------------


On Sat, Apr 23, 2011 at 4:35 PM, <wheredevelsdare@hotmail.com> wrote:
Hi Ashwin,

That was the response we were expecting - positive and enthusiastic! I understand you are holding a Pune Wikimeet 14 May 2011. Kundan and myself (possibly with a couple of others) propose to come up there to discuss the intricacies of co-hosting such a nationwide event. Would it be possible for you to put this item in the agenda and keep requisite time for discussions?

We will thereafter have a Meetup in Mumbai on 21 May 2011 to take things forward from our end. 

Kind Regards,
User:AroundTheGlobe


Date: Sat, 23 Apr 2011 16:07:30 +0530
Subject: Re: WikiConference India 2011
From: ashwin.baindur@gmail.com
To: kundanamitabh@gmail.com
CC: wheredevelsdare@hotmail.com; bishakhadatta@gmail.com; hmundol@wikimedia.org; pradeep.mohandas@gmail.com


Hi Kundan,

You bet! Looking forward to a great WikiConference!

Warm regards,

Ashwin Baindur
------------------------------------------------------


On Sat, Apr 23, 2011 at 2:31 PM, Kundan Amitabh <kundanamitabh@gmail.com> wrote:
Hi Ashwin!
Please refer to preceding email. We r looking forward active participations of yours and entire Pune Wikimedians.

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: <wheredevelsdare@hotmail.com>
Date: 23-Apr-2011 2:22 PM
Subject: WikiConference India 2011
To: <gautam@prathambooks.org>
Cc: "Kundan" <kundanamitabh@gmail.com>, "Pradeep" <pradeep.mohandas@gmail.com>, "Hisham" <hisham.mundol@gmail.com>, "Bishakha" <bishakhadatta@gmail.com>

Hi Gautam,

You may recollect a recent string on the India list regarding instituting an annual WikiConference in India. The subject was discussed with much enthusiasm at the WikiMeet in Mumbai today - the result of which the community in Mumbai has decided to take the initiative and send invites to the community across India for such a conference.

It was thought best that we involve the Pune community - since they are relatively close to us geographically and the fact that they are a small but budding community. We plan to hold it in the Hill Station of Lonavala, between Mumbai and Pune on 5,6,7 November 2011 (Saturday, Sunday, Monday - Eid Bank Holiday). This may change when we look at the logistics ofcourse. Just keeping you in the loop and look forward to the Chapter supporting us in this initiative.

Kind Regards,
Pranav (User:AroundTheGlobe)