Celebrating Asian Diversity: The Asian Month 2024 Edit-a-Thon on Assamese Wikipedia

by , an active Assamese Wikimedian from Assam mainly contributing to Assamese Wikipedia, English Wikipedia, Wikidata and Wikimedia Commons.
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November marks a special time for Wikipedians around the world, as they come together to celebrate the rich cultural heritage of Asia through the Wikipedia Asian Month (WAM) initiative. Since its inception in 2015, this annual event has been spearheaded by the Wikipedia Asian Month User Group, with a mission to infuse Wikipedia with a diverse array of Asian content. By inviting contributors from various language-specific Wikipedia projects and Wikimedia Foundation initiatives, WAM promotes cross-cultural exchange and cooperation among Wikipedians worldwide. This month-long festivities breaks down geographical barriers, fostering a sense of community and shared purpose among participants, and ultimately enriching the online encyclopedia with a more comprehensive and nuanced representation of Asian cultures.

The Spirit of Wikipedia Asian Month

At its core, Wikipedia Asian Month is a dynamic and inclusive movement that extends beyond the digital realm. It empowers local leaders to organize events, mobilize their communities, and contribute to the growth of Wikipedia. The initiative recognizes and rewards outstanding contributions, with the coveted Wikipedia Asian Month Golden Award being presented to participants who create the highest number of articles on each Wikipedia platform. Furthermore, local partners are encouraged to establish their own evaluation criteria and offer additional prizes, allowing them to tailor the recognition of their community’s achievements to their unique needs and contexts. This flexible and collaborative approach fosters a sense of ownership and motivation among participants, driving the creation of high-quality content and promoting a culture of engagement and excellence.

WAM 2024: The Assamese Wikimedia Community’s Journey

The Assamese Wikimedia Community has been an integral part of Wikipedia Asian Month (WAM) since its inception in 2015, consistently demonstrating its commitment to enriching Assamese Wikipedia with high-quality content. This dedication stems from the community’s passion for preserving and promoting Assamese cultural heritage. In 2024, participants were encouraged to explore diverse topics beyond the primary theme, resulting in an edit-a-thon that saw enthusiastic participation from dedicated community members.

A notable highlight of WAM 2024 was the exceptional performance of new users who joined through the WikiSanjog program. WikiSanjog is a three-month mentorship initiative launched by the Assamese Wikimedia Community, slated to conclude on December 31, 2024. This program aims to support and guide newcomers interested in contributing to Assamese Wikimedia projects, providing them with a nurturing environment to learn and grow.

Through WikiSanjog, experienced community members mentor and guide new participants, helping them develop essential skills and confidence in navigating various Assamese Wikimedia platforms, including Wikipedia, Wikisource, Wikiquote and Wikimedia Commons. The program focuses on fostering active engagement, building skills, and ensuring that new members feel valued and supported in their contributions. By providing a structured mentorship experience, the Assamese Wikimedia Community is empowering the next generation of contributors to make meaningful contributions and drive the growth of Assamese Wikimedia projects.

Report and Statistics

This year’s edition of Wikipedia Asian Month (WAM) on Assamese Wikipedia was jointly organized by active Wikimedians Chanakya Kumar Das, Pranjyoti Nath, and Rumi Borah from November 15 to December 15. A total of 17 members participated in the edit-a-thon, creating 189 new articles.

The contributors were:

Notably, Dr. Kumud Ghosh, Dipankar Das, Naruna Baruah, Jyoti Chiring, Nipan Niyor Sensuwa, Saddam Husain Rahmani, Paban Barman, Papori Borah, and Anjumoni Saikia are mentees under the WikiSanjog mentorship program.

Active Assamese Wikimedians Dr. Gitartha Bordoloi and Ajay Das served as local jury members for the edit-a-thon.

Legacy of WAM 2024

The Assamese Wikimedia Community’s efforts during Wikipedia Asian Month (WAM) 2024 have left a lasting impact on Assamese Wikipedia. The contributions not only enriched the platform with diverse content but also inspired others to participate in future edit-a-thons. By highlighting Asian cultures and fostering collaboration, WAM continues to bridge cultural gaps and promote understanding.

This year’s edition saw new members from the Wikisanjog Mentorship program excel exceptionally well, demonstrating the program’s success in creating a new generation of active users on the platform. As we look forward to future editions of WAM, the legacy of the Assamese Wikimedia Community serves as a testament to the power of community and the endless possibilities that arise when people come together to celebrate knowledge and culture.

The success of WAM 2024 is a shining example of what can be achieved through collective effort and a shared passion for promoting cultural heritage and knowledge. It inspires us to continue striving for excellence and to nurture the next generation of Wikimedians who will carry forward the torch of knowledge and cultural preservation.

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