Greetings!!
I am Swetapadma Satpathy working as a programme Manager in RD department, Govt.
of AP. I am staying in Hyderbad since 1.6 yrs.
Though I knew about Wikipedia, but since last 6 months I started writing
articles for Wikipedia thanks to the motivation of Subhashish Panigrahi, one of
the Odia Wikipedian working in Wikipedia foundation. In Hyderabad city large
population of Odias reside and work in various sector. We have several Odia friends who write very good articles in Odia language too. This led
us to plan for a Wikipedia workshop for the Odias staying in Hyderabad. With
the help and guidance of Subhashish, we planned to organize the Odia Wikipedia workshop
in Hyderabad. The date was finalized, so was the venue. But it came as a matter of
concern, when I came to know that roads would be blocked due to Ganesh idol immersion
followed up by Telangana Bandh. But
Shree Ganesh, being considered as
the destroyer of evils and all obstacles
, how could He create problem for our workshop ? To our utter surprise11 people
turned up for the workshop. (yeah!! It was no less number as per the
wikipedian Subhashis) . The workshop
though scheduled at 4.00 PM started at 4.30 PM as several participants got late
due to road blocks and continued up to 7.00 PM
Another Odia Wikipedian Amaresh also
supported for the event. We started the workshop around 4.30 pm. We both
introduced ourselves and asked our participants to introduce
themselves. We started the programme by
explaining the basic question” WHAT IS THE OBJECTIVE OF THE WORKSHOP?”
Then a ppt was presented and print out of the ppt was also distributed to the participants for future reference.(http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Outreach_Document_or.pdf) the History and current status of Odia Wikipedia and how it evolved. During the course of presentations participants were encouraged to ask various questions e. g. If there is any Admin from Wikipedia group for approving the article etc.
To create more enthusiasm among the participants, we asked them to come forward and create their user account. We wanted the programme to be more participatory rather a preaching session. Then we started demonstrating them editing Odia wikipedia. 6 of the participants created their accounts and started editing various articles from their home town to eminent personalities such as P. Gopichand. This session continued for 2.30 hrs. After the end of the session it was demonstrated how they can ask questions in Chatasabha (http://or.wikipedia.org/s/3h), a newbie support desk on Odia Wikipedia after they go back home.
All of them were invited to join facebook group (https://www.facebook.com/groups/OdiaWiki) and share their ideas and take help. For this emails and contacts were exchanged among the participants.
And of course, at the end we shared hot samosas with hot tea cuppas available in Lamakaan
This was the first Wikipedia workshop we have conducted and it was just so fulfilling. We hope to conduct a bigger event in near future with more number of volunteers joining the Odia Wikipedia group.
Wishing you peace and love,
Swetapadma Satpathy
Hyderabad
Reference
OdiaWikipedia presentation: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Outreach_Document_or.pdf
Chatasabha,HelpdeskonOdiaWikipedia: http://or.wikipedia.org/s/3h
Odia Wikipedia on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/OdiaWiki