Elections 2016/Profiles at a glance


 * Q&A With Candidates

Ataullah Khan Kak Cenjary
(Proposer:Sayli Salvi INDI-812 ; Seconded by: Syed Muzammiluddin INDI-658 )

Short Profile* (including past involvement in Wikimedia activities in not more than 100 words):

I am a Teacher (University stream), Trainer (Life Skills and Soft Skills), Writer (Now Wiki writer). Some time back felt the need of helping myself and to others, Hence started editing in multiple Indian languages beside English. Till date have edited above ten thousand articles in Urdu Wikipedia.. I have been adjusted as a Featured Wikimedian for the month of February 2017. Till date organised 11 outreach programmes at various places (on my own) all over India, including Universities.(Certificates and Photographs are yet to be uploaded). I am best at Urdu (ur), English (en), Hindi(hi), Telugu(te) and Comfortable at Malayalam(ml), Kannada(ka), Persian (fa) and Arabic(ar). I am also a avid Learner (for that matter from anybody, anytime and anywhere)

Position Statement/Letter of intent* (in not more than 200 words):

I strongly believe that Wikipedia controls the current world of (In future it is going to rule the roost) knowledge/data. It is high time to support this system (along with its lovely and helpful tools) not only to increase and safeguard knowledge but also to protect languages from becoming defunct. Especially in an Indian context where multi lingual scenario prevails the need of Wikipedia and its sister projects is enormous. As a member of of an Indian Language speaker and also a member of Wikipedia there is a huge need of bridging the gap between the old and new generations. The old generation(Indian) is having mammoth knowledge where as New generation do have technical know-how. Both communities lives in colleges and universities. Hence our shift should be towards more and more outreach programes should be organized in an academic institutions. (That's what I am doing since the day one of my wiki activity. As a member of Board hopefully I can do miracles.

Harish Satpute
(Proposer: Kiran Ravikumar INDI-631; Seconded by: Santosh Shingare INDI-356 )

Short Profile* (including past involvement in Wikimedia activities in not more than 100 words):

I got in touch with Wikipedia in Wiki Conference India 2011. Participated in Hackathon session conducted in Wiki Conference India 2011. It was that hackathon which made me realize the power of Wikipedia in technical term. After getting close to the community I realize the importance of it in social terms too. over the years I have arranged several programs for the community. I was the Organizer of Wikipedia hackathons at IIT Bombay for the year 2015 (in collaboration with CIS ) and 2016 (in collaboration with WMF ) also supported events like women's Edithon and photothon.

Position Statement/Letter of intent* (in not more than 200 words):

I would like to consider my position for any technical contribution towards Wikimedia India Chapter for proper governance. I would like to initiate programs which will help in awareness about Wikipedia in technical community.

Harvinder Chandigarh
(Proposer: Ajit Kumar Tiwari INDI-700; Seconded by: Raju Suthar INDI-683 )

Short Profile* (including past involvement in Wikimedia activities in not more than 100 words):


 * Joined the Wikipedia in March 2015 and since then I am pro active on it and its related projects.
 * Multilingual editor and therefore contributed adequate content to Punjabi, Hindi, English,Shahmukhi(West Punabi), Urdu ,Fiji Hindi Wikipedias and Commons.My total edit count is above 8300.
 * Uploaded nearly 1500 images on Commons ,having high documentary value.
 * Special interest in cultural and natural heritage-organised special visits in few States in North India and covered important as well vanishing/neglected historical monuments and natural entities such as water bodies,bird sancturies, birds and animal species etc.
 * On the basis of contribution of just one year got an opportunity to participate in Wikimania 2016.
 * Contributed significantly through offline activites especially by writing series of articles in Vernacular print media and talks to writers and media persons.
 * Contributed in many important events of the movement Punjab and Chandigarh.
 * Proposed to form two User Groups(Wikimedians of North India" and "Hindi Wikimedians") to promote the movement in North India, where it is yet at primitive stage in many States.

Position Statement/Letter of intent* (in not more than 200 words):


 * I would like to enhance involvement of Wikimedia India Chapter in all regions of the nation where it has not penetrated yet.
 * I have the experience of working as a senior State Government officer of Punjab State and hence I would utilize my this experience to further strengthen the movement in the country in a systematic manner by formulating and implementing an "Action Plan" through Wikimedia India Chapter.
 * I would also try to integrate various projects of the movement with the government for the purpose of good governance as well as strengthening the movement.
 * I am an established writer and have good say and acceptability among writers,media and intelligentsia.I have been organizing various talks/workshops etc with these sections in my area of operation i.e. Punjab.I would utilize this advantage of mine for strengthening the movement in all other areas through strategic involvement of WMIC.
 * I have an adequate offline experience of strengthening the movement through writing articles in vernacular(Punjabi) print media  which has made a visible impact on the growth of the movement. I would  like to arrange to replicate this experience in every part of the  country through the Chapter.
 * I would like to enhance outreach and coverage to those regions,Wikipedias and languages neglected so for.
 * I would like to make arrangements for ensuring the financial sustainability of the Chapter which is further expected to ensure the overall sustainability and improvement of the movement in the country.

Jnanaranjann Sahu
(Proposer: Mrutyunjaya Kar INDI-610; Seconded by: Srikant Kedia INDI-11 )

Short Profile* (including past involvement in Wikimedia activities in not more than 100 words):
 * I am Jnanaranjan Sahu from Bhubaneswar Odisha. I work as a software developer along with a volunteer of Wikipedia.
 * I have been associated with Wikipedia since 2011. I am more active in Odia Wikipedia outreach programs.
 * I am part of the Odia Wikipedia community who have been organized many outreach programs like workshops and wiki events.
 * I have been contributing to Wikimedia in outreach/technical aspects as well as helping people from other communities.
 * I am also a regular contributor in Wikimedia commons.

Position Statement/Letter of intent* (in not more than 200 words):
 * I want to involve myself more in Wikimedia India Chapter activities. Creating awareness of Wikipedia in all types of digital platforms. I have a personal goal to make all Indian language Wikipedia more rich by initiating different ideas to bring more contributors.
 * This post can make me closer to my goals as I'll get directly involved in Wikipedia India chapter activities.
 * I hope to make the Wikimedia India Chapter activities more transparent and effective.
 * I am from a small Wikipedia community and I want to let others know that each Wikipedia member is important regardless their origin, state, and language by reflecting my success in the Wikimedia India chapter involvements.

Krishna Chaitanya Velaga
(Proposer: Mourya Biswas INDI-654; Seconded by: Suyash Dwivedi INDI-670 )

Short Profile* (including past involvement in Wikimedia activities in not more than 100 words):


 * I have been editing on English Wikipedia since December 2014 in the Indian Military history domain. Next to that I contribute to Commons and rarely on Telugu Wikipedia.
 * I have done 1 featured list, 5 A-class articles, 1 good topic, 10 good articles and 16 Did you know credits on en Wiki.
 * Military history newcomer of the year [2016], Military History WikiProject and Featured Wikimedian of the Month [January 2017], Wikimedia India Chapter.
 * My good article reviews are close to 100. Please visit my en Wiki user page for more details.
 * My rights on en Wiki include Extended confirmed, Pending changes reviewer, AutoWikiBrowser, Mass message sender, Page mover, Rollbacker,New page reviewer

Position Statement/Letter of intent* (in not more than 200 words):

If I am elected to the EC, the first thing I would love to work on is the FCRA license, which is a major problem currently that the chapter is suffering from. It has greatly affected the chapter's activities. Then I would like to get more editors on board and more editors to get registered with the chapter. Very few editors are aware of the chapter existence. It would be if more editors pool in. Apart from this, I attended the Train-the-Trainer 2017 conducted by the Centre for Internet & Society and gained good knowledge about WMG grant structure. So I wish to conduct as many outreach events and edit-a-thons as possible, particularly focusing on the students and educators. Above all, I would love to help out with anything that would enhance the chapter and its ideas.

Mourya Biswas
(Proposer: Krishna Chaitanya Velaga INDI-796; Seconded by: Jayanta Nath INDI-62 )

Short Profile* (including past involvement in Wikimedia activities in not more than 100 words):

''Short profile exceeds 100 words. Check the original short profile Here''

Position Statement/Letter of intent* (in not more than 200 words):

I am aware of a current problem that WMIN is facing; regarding the FCRA license (Issued by the Govt. of India) which needs to be addressed urgently. Provided, I am elected to the Executive Committee of Wikimedia India, the very first priority for me would be to work on this ongoing trouble. Conducting new innovative initiatives on behalf of WMIN will also figure in my to-do list. As a propagator of the Wikipedia/Wikimedia Movement in India, the role of Wikimedia India should under no circumstances get diminished in this subcontinent. On the contrary the Chapter needs to become enhanced and active. All the Executive Committee members and the other Chapter members can each play their role to cater to the concerned party; the 2000+ odd Wikipedia editors in India and to an extent other Free-knowledge enthusiasts. There has been considerable success with a few Photography Contest on Commons.org and if elected, I will, on behalf of the Chapter only be happy to continue forward with these Contests.

Nikhil Kawale
(Proposer: Priyanka Tiwari INDI-328; Seconded by: Satdeep Gill INDI-608 )

Short Profile* (including past involvement in Wikimedia activities in not more than 100 words): 

Not Yet Filled

Position Statement/Letter of intent* (in not more than 200 words):

Not Yet Filled

Raju Jangid
(Proposer: Syed Muzammiluddin INDI-658; Seconded by: Suyash Dwivedi INDI-670 )

Short Profile* (including past involvement in Wikimedia activities in not more than 100 words): 

Currently I am a student of Bachelor of Arts and also Independent News Reporter ,I have joined Wikipedia in 22nd January on 2015. I have almost 9000 edit via Java ancient and Smartphone and after received grant from WMF and now I am editing via Laptop.
 * Currently I have 14092+ edit on his name.
 * Articles created 1130.

Position Statement/Letter of intent* (in not more than 200 words):

Not Yet Filled

Rahul Deshmukh
(Proposer: Suyog Vyawahare INDI-127; Seconded by: Harish Satpute INDI-738 )

Short Profile* (including past involvement in Wikimedia activities in not more than 100 words):


 * Involved with Wikipedia, Wikibooks, and Wikiquotes.
 * Working with Wikipedia for more than  10 years.
 * One of the topmost marathi wikipedia editor.
 * Currently Admin on Marathi Wikipedia.
 * Initiated programs related to Wikipedia and its growth towards awareness and participation.
 * Initiated Marathi Bhasha Gaurav Din in collaboration with Maharashtra Government language department.

Position Statement/Letter of intent* (in not more than 200 words):


 * Would like to focus on Increasing reach and Increasing participation in Wikimedia India Chapter.
 * Wikimedia India Chapter's role is very important towards the growth of regional Wikipedia communities.
 * My work experience can help to create efficient administration with a to goal increase outreach and awareness of Wikimedia India Chapter and eventually Wikipedia projects.

Ranjith Sajeev
(Proposer: Satdeep Gill INDI-608; Seconded by: Subham Soni INDI-671 )

Short Profile* (including past involvement in Wikimedia activities in not more than 100 words):

I have been editing wikipedia from 2007. I am actively working on Malayalam wikipedia and participating on various offline and online activites in Kerala. I was co-ordinating conferences of Malayalam wikimedians for past few years. I am currently admin in Malayalam Wikipedia.

Position Statement/Letter of intent* (in not more than 200 words):

I would like to help in fixing the technical difficulties of WMIN also I would like to use my professional experience to take Wikimedia India further.

Sanket Oswal
(Proposer: Satdeep Gill INDI-608; Seconded by: Subham Soni INDI-671 )

Short Profile* (including past involvement in Wikimedia activities in not more than 100 words):


 * I have been member of the chapter since 2013.
 * I was actively involved in organizing edit-a-thons in Pune.
 * I was part of core team which helped in organizing Wiki Loves Food, Wiki Loves Earth, Wiki Loves Monument and more such events.
 * I was in the finance committee of Wiki Conference India.

Position Statement/Letter of intent* (in not more than 200 words):
 * My top most priority would be to help the chapter in getting permission to receive foreign funds under FCRA.
 * I would like to do outreach programs in North-East India region and expand editor base.
 * Revive SIG's and make them active.

Santosh Shringare
(Proposer: Satdeep Gill INDI-608; Seconded by: Suyash Dwivedi INDI-670 )

Short Profile* (including past involvement in Wikimedia activities in not more than 100 words):
 * Lead Hackathon event in Wiki conference India 2016.
 * I was jury for Wiki Love Earth and Volunteer for Wiki Movement love.
 * Actively participate in marathi wikipedia, commons and technical side.
 * Started contributing to Marathi Wikipedia since 2011, I was part of Photothon and Women's editathon (2012-2015).
 * Contributed in developing “Narayam” font in wikipedia hackathon-2011. Starting pointing to technical contribution in wikipedia.
 * Organised Wiki academy and Techathon at L&T Mumbai and IIT Bombay -2012
 * Organized Photothon for marathi wikipedia for three consecutive years (2012-2015), and gathered more than 20000 images from various contributors.
 * Developed android photo sharing application (Team) and published in Gnunify-2013 for sharing photos on marathi wikipedia. Google Play News in MumbaiTimes Newspaper

Position Statement/Letter of intent* (in not more than 200 words):
 * I will put efforts to take wikipedia on regional level and will encourage contributors from all indic language.
 * I believe that I do understand the spirit of freedom of knowledge and very much aware of Wikimedia movement in India.
 * Want to help the Wikimedia movement in India, where I want bring in the languages to start contributing, editing Wikipedia their individual languages.
 * I will encourage participation in wikipedia from india which will enhance scale of operation of wikipedia in india, will help improving finances of community.

Srikar Kashyap Pulipaka
(Proposer: Mourya Biswas INDI-654; Seconded by: Satdeep Gill INDI-608 )

Short Profile* (including past involvement in Wikimedia activities in not more than 100 words):


 * I have been a Wikimedian for over 5 years with over 24,000 edits to many projects including the English, Telugu wikipedias and Commons.
 * One of the leading military article writers of the English Wikipedia from India. Have written the first Good Article in the domain from India and hold the record for the most viewed Indian DYK of 2014.
 * Planned and organised the first multilingual meetup of Hyderabad and remains the largest meetup at Hyderabad ever. Brought together communities from 5 languages and projects and follow-up meetings still happen.
 * Former Intern at Wikimedia India (Feb to May 2016) where I revived the then dormant Featured Wikimedian award and contributed to reducing the backlog of monthly reports of the chapter.
 * Featured Wikimedian for May 2013 and Editor of the Week award at English Wikipedia
 * Co-founder of MediaWiki Club India, a technical club intended to bridge the tech gap of Indic Wikipedias. Currently involved in recruiting new technical editors trying to identify and solve technical challenges of the Indian wikimedians.
 * Curated a group of around 10 technical contributors and taught them basic wiki editing skills so that they can help the process. Two of them have already started editing templates with one of them crossing 150 edits in the Telugu Wikipedia.

Position Statement/Letter of intent* (in not more than 200 words):
 * I feel the technical contributors are severely under-represented at the Wikimedia India. I would like to bridge this gap by bringing a synergy between Wikimedia India and the recently formed MediaWiki Club India for which I'm the co-founder.
 * The existence of the WMIN chapter is relatively unknown and I would like to increase the visibility and reach of the same by organising more editathons and hackathons.
 * I would like to focus on bringing in more student editors to the wikiverse so that even the technical expertise of the Indian community increases incrementally.
 * Already made a wiki contribution agreement with K L University where the students get credits for contributing to the technical issues and requests of the Indic community. I would like to make many more such agreements so that the current technical divide gets closed in due time.
 * I would like to apply my top level experience of organising several large scale fests in my college to organise a WikiSource or MediaWiki summit/conference so as to bring together wikimedians under a single roof and help grow the movement.

Subas Chandra Rout
(Proposer: Srikant Kedia INDI-11; Seconded by: Jnanaranjan Sahu INDI-643 )

Short Profile* (including past involvement in Wikimedia activities in not more than 100 words):


 * I am Dr. Subas Chandra Rout, profession – doctor and Wikipedia editing, living at Bhubaneswar, Odisha.
 * I am involved in Wikipedia from 22/08/2012. I have edited in Odia Wikipedia, Odia Wikisource, Odia Wikitionary, English Wikipedia and commons. Besides I have edited articles created by others and made them encyclopedic in nature.
 * I have edited 719 articles, majority of them belong to medicine, largest number in the project next to English. I have been contributing one or more articles on daily basis without expecting any praise or accolade from any circle.
 * First contribution on 22/08/2012, Edit no. 5157
 * I have attended and worked as a member in all the workshops, meets and outreach movements since my joining in Odia Wikipedia without fail. This combined effort is responsible in creation of about 10,000 article within a short period of 3 active years only.
 * I am a member in the Board of Wiki Project Med Foundation.
 * I am Associate Editor in Wikivarsity WikiJournal of Medicine.

Position Statement/Letter of intent* (in not more than 200 words):


 * I want to involve myself more in the activities of Wikimedia India Chapter. I am interested in creation of awareness of Wikipedia in all types of digital platforms. I have a personal goal to make all Indian language Wikipedia more rich by initiating different ideas to bring more contributors.
 * This post can make me more closer to my goals as I'll get directly involved in Wikipedia India chapter activities.
 * I hope to make the Wikimedia India Chapter activities more transparent and effective.
 * I am from a small Wikipedia community and I want to let others know that each Wikipedia member is important regardless their origin, state and language by reflecting my success in the Wikimedia India chapter involvements.

Subham Soni
(Proposer: Satdeep Gill INDI-608; Seconded by: Jayanta Nath INDI-62 )

Short Profile* (including past involvement in Wikimedia activities in not more than 100 words):

Hi, I'm Subham Soni, currently a student in my fourth year in Bachelors in Computer Science (Honours) in BITS Pilani, Hyderabad Campus. I have been involved with the Wikimedia movement for about 5 years now, with different levels of interest in each field. I mostly edit the English Wikipedia and have been involved in a number of places there. Of them, my most important interest is in getting more people to edit our Wikimedia projects, and on making things easier for newcomers. Later, I was involved in a PEG Grant where we worked on a space for mentoring inexperienced editors. On my own, I have conducted two workshops on Wikipedia editing and a hackathon on MediaWiki and Pywikibot in my college. More recently, I was involved as a core organiser and member of the Programs, Finance and Scholarship Teams in WikiConference India, 2016 at Chandigarh, apart from helping with the logistics.

Please note - My name is SUBHAM SONI and the records of WMIN India needs to be corrected appropriately.

Position Statement/Letter of intent* (in not more than 200 words):

My priorities, should I become an EC member, will be in multiple fields -
 * First and foremost, outreach. Currently, there are very few people inside the editing community who are even aware of WMIN. A number of extremely experienced editors from India that I know of are not part of the WMIN. We have to reach out to respective communities as well as other experienced editors currently unaware of WMIN.
 * Second, documentation. As of the current instant, the MoA forms a skeleton of all the functionalities of the EC members, but not a comprehensive picture. To ensure continuity of the EC after each election and to promote more members to be involved in the day-to-day activities of WMIN, we must start a more concrete document about all that is done. This should go hand in hand with assistance to any interested people (who are not in the WMIN-EC) to learn more about and contribute to the functioning and activities of WMIN.
 * Third, editor recruitment. I am highly interested in taking on more outreach opportunities to those who are not yet editors, and convert them into members of the Wikimedia community. Specifically, I am highly interested in going ahead with collaborations with educational institutions. Events like hackathons, editathons and workshops and photowalks are a perfect match for getting more members in the community, and WMIN itself can take a lot of measures to take the initiative.
 * Lastly, organisational measures. According to my understanding of the current state of affairs of WMIN-EC, we have a number of things to work on, from an FCRA license to a secondary source for funds. In addition, I personally would like to have transparency in form of regular reports of chapter activities. This will also help encourage communities to reach out and try similar measures on a local scale (whether it be collaborations, meetups or any other measure), as well as take WMIN assistance for whatever they plan.

All in all, I believe that the Wikimedia movement works best when the communities lead the organisation, so my bigger focus if I am elected as WMIN-EC will lie within the respective communities for India, and what their priorities are.

Suyash Dwivedi
(Proposer: Krishna Chaitanya Velaga INDI-796; Seconded by: Satdeep Gill INDI-608 )

Short Profile* (including past involvement in Wikimedia activities in not more than 100 words):


 * Joined Wikipedia on 7 September 2013.
 * Coordinator for Wiki Loves Monuments (also Uploaded some 450+ Images out of these,133 images are used in wikipedia).
 * Hindi Wikipedia ,in program “Tooryanaad” where I gave a talk for engineering students.
 * Introductory talk about Hindi Wikipedia in a joint program on National Science Seminar' of Bhabha Atomic Research Center Mumbai and Atal Bihari Vajpayee Hindi University Bhopal.
 * Wikipedia Workshop at School for Excellence, Dewas (Madhya Pradesh)
 * World Hindi day celebration with wikipedia at Atal Bihari Vajpayee Hindi University
 * Introductory Talk on Hindi and Sanskrit Wikipedia at Rashtriya Sanskrit Sansthanam (Sanskrit University) Bhopal
 * Orgenized Hindi Wikipedia Conference,14-15 January 2017 at Bhopal (India).
 * Gave presentation On Wikipedia Contribution on science in a program organised by BARC Mumbai and DIRECTORATE OF CULTURE AND ARCHAEOLOGY (Govt of Chhattisgarh).

Position Statement/Letter of intent* (in not more than 200 words):


 * Since the penetration of Wikipedia in North India is very low so I would like to initiate mass awareness programs.
 * I would like to coordinate various Govt. departments (since I have long experience dealing with than) for there involvement in Wikimedia movement.
 * Would Like to concentrate on educational institutes for outreach.
 * Representation of Central India.

Viswanathan Prabhakaran
(Proposer: Satdeep Gill INDI-608; Seconded by: Jayanta Nath INDI-62 )

Short Profile* (including past involvement in Wikimedia activities in not more than 100 words):


 * Age: 53 years; Education: Degree in Electrical Engineering; Professional experience: Engineer/Project Manager/Consultant (Healthcare, IT, Logistics, Automation and Energy). Belongs to Thrissur(Kerala);
 * Languages: Malayalam(ml-n), English(en-n), Hindi/Urdu(hi-n),Tamil(ta-2), Arabic(ar-2), Sanskrit(sa-2);
 * Wikipedia user since 2004; Former Treasurer and Board Member of Wikimedia India Chapter, Former Member, Grants Advisory Committee for Wikimedia Global Foundation, A frequent resource person for various Wikimedia Training programs in India (like TTT, MWT, Hackathons etc.), One of the prominent architects and organizers of Wikimedia India Conference 2016 held in  Chandigarh as well as most Annual Wikisangamotsavam Conferences of Malayalam Wikimedia projects.
 * Very active in Malayalam Wikipedia and sister projects of the ml community both as an editor and off-line/on-line outreach agent; Active in .en /.sa / commons etc.; Outreach evangelist, new user mentor and community integrator, GLAM initiator; Represented ml community atWikiConference India 2011 and WikiConference India 2016, Represented ml and other India communities at Wikimania 2012 (DC), Wikimania 2014 at London and Wikimania 2015 at Mexico City; Heavily engaged in the planning and organization of various innovative models and pilot projects related to Wikimedia and open education, particularly in Kerala and ml community.

Position Statement/Letter of intent* (in not more than 200 words):


 * As a former member of the Executive Committee and having accumulated significant learning and experience about the governance, legal and financial affairs attached to the chapter, I am fully aware of the huge tasks and responsibilities that lay ahead of a prospective Board member. Heeding to many a members' demand, I am willing to stand for another term in an earnest effort to get the chapter regain its prominence as an instrumental organization promoting open knowledge missions in India.


 * If elected, I shall endeavour to upkeep the positive team spirits of the chapter deriving sustained growth and institutional strength. My care and attention will be imparted towards all Wikimedia communities of India with no particular regard to any race, gender, region or language.

Yohann Thomas
(Proposer: Srikant Kedia INDI-11; Seconded by: Subham Soni INDI-671 )

Short Profile* (including past involvement in Wikimedia activities in not more than 100 words):

A Mechanical Engineer by profession & have been editing Wikipedia since 2008 & been a member of chapter since 2013
 * I have been the President of Wikimedia India from November 2015 till March 2017.
 * I have been active in Pune & Hyderabad community meetups & been part of many outreach activities within them.
 * I was organizer of Wiki Loves Food, Wiki Loves Earth & WIki Loves Monuments.
 * I was also part of the Core committee of the WikiConference India 2016 & was involved in many activities of the Conference.

Position Statement/Letter of intent* (in not more than 200 words):
 * My Top priority is to get financial stability in WMIN. I plan to do this by organizing fund-raisers for WMIN.
 * Next priority is to organize community building exercises so that the WMIN can rebuild the trust with the community. This will lead to stronger community growth & development