Deoband Community Wikimedia Turns 5! - Revision history

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2026-08-03T12:10:30Z

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	===What did we do at the 5th anniversary celebration===		===What did we do at the 5th anniversary celebration===
	DCW's 5th anniversary celebration was much more than a celebration cake. Its program was deliberately designed with 5 unique sessions showcasing diverse angles of the community. It began with '''Arrival and Impact Wall''', which asked the participants about their contributions that they are proud of, and their favorite DCW initiatives. It was followed by '''Show & Tell''', in which we heard reflections and stories from our community members. This was followed by cake cutting. purposely kept mid the sessions.		DCW's 5th anniversary celebration was much more than a celebration cake. Its program was deliberately designed with 5 unique sessions showcasing diverse angles of the community. It began with '''Arrival and Impact Wall''', which asked the participants about their contributions that they are proud of, and their favorite DCW initiatives. It was followed by '''Show & Tell''', in which we heard reflections and stories from our community members. This was followed by cake cutting, purposely kept mid the sessions.

	<gallery>		<gallery>

Aafi: /* Reflections */ tweaks

2026-08-03T08:09:12Z

Reflections: tweaks

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	''"I immensely enjoyed the Deoband Community Wikimedia [~~https://dcwwiki.org/Youth_Focus_Meetup~~,~~_October_2025~~ workshop], and it was also lovely hosting the group at my place. I look forward to welcoming you all again. Congratulations on the fifth anniversary, and on helping build a more open and inclusive world."''		''"I immensely enjoyed the Deoband Community Wikimedia [[Youth Focus Meetup, October 2025\|workshop]], and it was also lovely hosting the group at my place. I look forward to welcoming you all again. Congratulations on the fifth anniversary, and on helping build a more open and inclusive world."''
	<br><br>'''— Prof Swati Chawla'''		<br><br>'''— Prof Swati Chawla'''

Aafi: /* Glance at 5 Years */ tweaks

2026-08-03T08:08:06Z

Glance at 5 Years: tweaks

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	===Glance at 5 Years===		===Glance at 5 Years===
	DCW started with a consistent approach rather than fervour, and initiated diverse programs over these 5 years. I was joined by many others, who helped in their ways. Some contributed significantly to Wikimedia projects, while others helped organise events. Profit-driven communities see pride in how much money they make, but for a community that doesn't look at money, the proud resources are the volunteers and the conversations they have. We partnered with Yoruba and Kashmiri Wikimedians and tested a few other ideas. Today, we have been successful enough to have consistently organised '''43 editions of [[DCW Conversation Hour]]''' - a conversation that focuses on Wikimedia movement strategy and beyond. For [https://www.iup.edu/languageliteraturewriting/faculty/vetter-matthew.html Professor Matthew Vetter] of Indiana University of Pennsylvania, "These conversation hours are just incredible resources for engaging our communities and working to advance the mission of Wikipedia's free knowledge."<ref>25-11-2024, ''[[Wikipedia and AI: Ethical Boundaries in LLM Training]]''. DCW Conversation Hour</ref>		DCW started with a consistent approach rather than fervour, and initiated diverse programs over these 5 years. I was joined by many others, who helped in their ways. Some contributed significantly to Wikimedia projects, while others helped organise events. Profit-driven communities see pride in how much money they make, but for a community that doesn't look at money, the proud resources are the volunteers and the conversations they have. We partnered with Yoruba and Kashmiri Wikimedians and tested a few other ideas. Today, we have been successful enough to have consistently organised '''43 editions of [[DCW Conversation Hour]]''' - a conversation that focuses on Wikimedia movement strategy and beyond. For [https://www.iup.edu/languageliteraturewriting/faculty/vetter-matthew.html Professor Matthew Vetter] of Indiana University of Pennsylvania, "''These conversation hours are just incredible resources for engaging our communities and working to advance the mission of Wikipedia's free knowledge''."<ref>25-11-2024, ''[[Wikipedia and AI: Ethical Boundaries in LLM Training]]''. DCW Conversation Hour</ref>
	<gallery>		<gallery>
	File:Wikimedia-Futures-Lab-26-Friday-118.jpg\| Aafi and [[:en:Lisa Seitz-Gruwell\|Lisa Seitz-Gruwell]] during Wikimedia Futures Lab		File:Wikimedia-Futures-Lab-26-Friday-118.jpg\| Aafi and [[:en:Lisa Seitz-Gruwell\|Lisa Seitz-Gruwell]] during Wikimedia Futures Lab
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	</gallery>		</gallery>
	We organised '''8 iterations of our [[Heritage Lens]]''' program, bringing about 1714 images to Wikimedia Commons. Our Heritage Lens fellow, Afreen Banday, appreciates its focus on underrepresented heritage sites and living traditions. For her, "it helps bring attention to places and stories that are often overlooked in mainstream documentation efforts."<ref>[[meta:Heritage Lens/Iteration 8\|Learning Report]], Iteration 8, Heritage Lens, Meta-Wiki</ref> Through the [[DCW-K Editathon]], our volunteers contributed over 279 articles to the Kashmiri-language Wikipedia. Our volunteers helped revive Urdu Wikiquote and made significant contributions to the English and Urdu Wikipedias, as well as to Wikidata. Good articles, Did You Know facts, and much more.		We organised '''8 iterations of our [[Heritage Lens]]''' program, bringing about 1714 images to Wikimedia Commons. Our Heritage Lens fellow, Afreen Banday, appreciates its focus on underrepresented heritage sites and living traditions. For her, "''it helps bring attention to places and stories that are often overlooked in mainstream documentation efforts''."<ref>[[meta:Heritage Lens/Iteration 8\|Learning Report]], Iteration 8, Heritage Lens, Meta-Wiki</ref> Through the [[DCW-K Editathon]], our volunteers contributed over 279 articles to the Kashmiri-language Wikipedia. Our volunteers helped revive Urdu Wikiquote and made significant contributions to the English and Urdu Wikipedias, as well as to Wikidata. Good articles, Did You Know facts, and much more.

	<gallery>		<gallery>

Aafi: updates

2026-08-03T08:06:59Z

updates

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	\| description = Celebrating half a decade of advancing open knowledge, supporting volunteers, and impactful conversations. Discover our key milestones so far and the strategic roadmap shaping what comes next.		\| description = Celebrating half a decade of advancing open knowledge, supporting volunteers, and impactful conversations. Discover our key milestones so far and the strategic roadmap shaping what comes next.
	}}		}}
	On 31 July 2026, '''Deoband Community Wikimedia''' completed five years as an organized Wikimedia community. On 1 August 2026, community members and editors held a 3-hour event in Nehru Place, New Delhi, marking the anniversary and discussing plans.		On 31 July 2026, '''Deoband Community Wikimedia''' completed five years as an organized Wikimedia community. On 1 August 2026, community members and editors '''[[DCW Fifth Anniversary Celebration\|held a 3-hour celebratory event]]''' in Nehru Place, New Delhi, marking the anniversary and discussing plans.

	[[File:Group photo at DCW 5th Anniversary Event.jpg\|thumb]]		[[File:Group photo at DCW 5th Anniversary Event.jpg\|thumb]]

Aafi: tweaks

2026-08-03T08:05:46Z

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	\| description = Celebrating half a decade of advancing open knowledge, supporting volunteers, and impactful conversations. Discover our key milestones so far and the strategic roadmap shaping what comes next.		\| description = Celebrating half a decade of advancing open knowledge, supporting volunteers, and impactful conversations. Discover our key milestones so far and the strategic roadmap shaping what comes next.
	}}		}}
	On ~~'''~~31 July 2026~~'''~~, '''Deoband Community Wikimedia ~~(DCW)~~''' completed five years as an organized Wikimedia community. On 1 August 2026, community members and editors held a 3-hour event in Nehru Place, New Delhi, marking the anniversary and discussing plans.		On 31 July 2026, '''Deoband Community Wikimedia''' completed five years as an organized Wikimedia community. On 1 August 2026, community members and editors held a 3-hour event in Nehru Place, New Delhi, marking the anniversary and discussing plans.

	[[File:Group photo at DCW 5th Anniversary Event.jpg\|thumb]]		[[File:Group photo at DCW 5th Anniversary Event.jpg\|thumb]]
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	===Glance at 5 Years===		===Glance at 5 Years===
	DCW started with a consistent approach rather than fervour, and initiated diverse programs over these 5 years. I was joined by many others, who helped in their ways. Some contributed significantly to Wikimedia projects, while others helped organise events. Profit-driven communities see pride in how much money they make, but for a community that doesn't look at money, the proud resources are the volunteers and the conversations they have. We partnered with Yoruba and Kashmiri Wikimedians, and tested a few other ideas. Today, we have been successful enough to have consistently organised '''43 editions of [[DCW Conversation Hour]]''' - a conversation that focuses on Wikimedia movement strategy and beyond. For [https://www.iup.edu/languageliteraturewriting/faculty/vetter-matthew.html Professor Matthew Vetter] of Indiana University of Pennsylvania, "These conversation hours are just incredible resources for engaging our communities and working to advance the mission of Wikipedia's free knowledge."<ref>25-11-2024, ''[[Wikipedia and AI: Ethical Boundaries in LLM Training]]''. DCW Conversation Hour</ref>		DCW started with a consistent approach rather than fervour, and initiated diverse programs over these 5 years. I was joined by many others, who helped in their ways. Some contributed significantly to Wikimedia projects, while others helped organise events. Profit-driven communities see pride in how much money they make, but for a community that doesn't look at money, the proud resources are the volunteers and the conversations they have. We partnered with Yoruba and Kashmiri Wikimedians and tested a few other ideas. Today, we have been successful enough to have consistently organised '''43 editions of [[DCW Conversation Hour]]''' - a conversation that focuses on Wikimedia movement strategy and beyond. For [https://www.iup.edu/languageliteraturewriting/faculty/vetter-matthew.html Professor Matthew Vetter] of Indiana University of Pennsylvania, "These conversation hours are just incredible resources for engaging our communities and working to advance the mission of Wikipedia's free knowledge."<ref>25-11-2024, ''[[Wikipedia and AI: Ethical Boundaries in LLM Training]]''. DCW Conversation Hour</ref>
	<gallery>		<gallery>
	File:Wikimedia-Futures-Lab-26-Friday-118.jpg\| Aafi and [[:en:Lisa Seitz-Gruwell\|Lisa Seitz-Gruwell]] during Wikimedia Futures Lab		File:Wikimedia-Futures-Lab-26-Friday-118.jpg\| Aafi and [[:en:Lisa Seitz-Gruwell\|Lisa Seitz-Gruwell]] during Wikimedia Futures Lab

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2026-08-02T20:02:46Z

What did we do at the 5th anniversary celebration: ++

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	File:Participants responses, Interactive Quiz, DCW 5th Anniversary.jpg \| Exploring our focus as our volunteers want		File:Participants responses, Interactive Quiz, DCW 5th Anniversary.jpg \| Exploring our focus as our volunteers want
	File:DCW anniversary celebration.jpg\| Hearing from our [[DCW Graphic Design Internship\|Graphic Design Interns]]		File:DCW anniversary celebration.jpg\| Hearing from our [[DCW Graphic Design Internship\|Graphic Design Interns]]
	File:~~DCW~~ 5th Anniversary ~~Celebration Cake~~.jpg\| ~~The celebration cake~~		File:Aafi at Deoband Community Wikimedia 5th Anniversary.jpg\|Cake cutting
	File:Group photo from DCW 5th Anniversary.jpg\|Group photo		File:Group photo from DCW 5th Anniversary.jpg\|Group photo
	File:Celebrating 5 Years of DCW with goodies.jpg\|Cookies and pocket-notebook powered by the anniversary		File:Celebrating 5 Years of DCW with goodies.jpg\|Cookies and pocket-notebook powered by the anniversary

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2026-08-02T19:59:56Z

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	File:DCW 5th Anniversary Celebration Cake.jpg\| The celebration cake		File:DCW 5th Anniversary Celebration Cake.jpg\| The celebration cake
	File:Group photo from DCW 5th Anniversary.jpg\|Group photo		File:Group photo from DCW 5th Anniversary.jpg\|Group photo
			File:Celebrating 5 Years of DCW with goodies.jpg\|Cookies and pocket-notebook powered by the anniversary
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Aafi: /* What did we do at the 5th anniversary celebration */ sequence

2026-08-02T19:59:00Z

What did we do at the 5th anniversary celebration: sequence

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	<gallery>		<gallery>
	~~File:DCW 5th Anniversary Celebration Cake.jpg\| The celebration cake~~
	File:Ice breaker Session.jpg\| Learning about contributions our volunteers are proud of		File:Ice breaker Session.jpg\| Learning about contributions our volunteers are proud of
	File:Participants responses, Interactive Quiz, DCW 5th Anniversary.jpg \| Exploring our focus as our volunteers want		File:Participants responses, Interactive Quiz, DCW 5th Anniversary.jpg \| Exploring our focus as our volunteers want
	File:DCW anniversary celebration.jpg\| Hearing from our [[DCW Graphic Design Internship\|Graphic Design Interns]]		File:DCW anniversary celebration.jpg\| Hearing from our [[DCW Graphic Design Internship\|Graphic Design Interns]]
			File:DCW 5th Anniversary Celebration Cake.jpg\| The celebration cake
	File:Group photo from DCW 5th Anniversary.jpg\|Group photo		File:Group photo from DCW 5th Anniversary.jpg\|Group photo
	</gallery>		</gallery>

Aafi: /* What did we do so far */ change

2026-08-02T19:43:38Z

What did we do so far: change

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	Established on 31 July 2021, DCW began as a group of three people and has since recruited more than 40 active volunteer members who contribute across Wikimedia projects and represent the community at major Wikimedia spaces like Wikimanias and WikiConferences. Among the prominent DCW initiatives are the [[DCW Conversation Hour]], [[Heritage Lens]], and WikiClubs like [[Wiki Club AMU]].		Established on 31 July 2021, DCW began as a group of three people and has since recruited more than 40 active volunteer members who contribute across Wikimedia projects and represent the community at major Wikimedia spaces like Wikimanias and WikiConferences. Among the prominent DCW initiatives are the [[DCW Conversation Hour]], [[Heritage Lens]], and WikiClubs like [[Wiki Club AMU]].

	===~~What did we do so far~~===		===Glance at 5 Years===
	DCW started with a consistent approach rather than fervour, and initiated diverse programs over these 5 years. I was joined by many others, who helped in their ways. Some contributed significantly to Wikimedia projects, while others helped organise events. Profit-driven communities see pride in how much money they make, but for a community that doesn't look at money, the proud resources are the volunteers and the conversations they have. We partnered with Yoruba and Kashmiri Wikimedians, and tested a few other ideas. Today, we have been successful enough to have consistently organised '''43 editions of [[DCW Conversation Hour]]''' - a conversation that focuses on Wikimedia movement strategy and beyond. For [https://www.iup.edu/languageliteraturewriting/faculty/vetter-matthew.html Professor Matthew Vetter] of Indiana University of Pennsylvania, "These conversation hours are just incredible resources for engaging our communities and working to advance the mission of Wikipedia's free knowledge."<ref>25-11-2024, ''[[Wikipedia and AI: Ethical Boundaries in LLM Training]]''. DCW Conversation Hour</ref>		DCW started with a consistent approach rather than fervour, and initiated diverse programs over these 5 years. I was joined by many others, who helped in their ways. Some contributed significantly to Wikimedia projects, while others helped organise events. Profit-driven communities see pride in how much money they make, but for a community that doesn't look at money, the proud resources are the volunteers and the conversations they have. We partnered with Yoruba and Kashmiri Wikimedians, and tested a few other ideas. Today, we have been successful enough to have consistently organised '''43 editions of [[DCW Conversation Hour]]''' - a conversation that focuses on Wikimedia movement strategy and beyond. For [https://www.iup.edu/languageliteraturewriting/faculty/vetter-matthew.html Professor Matthew Vetter] of Indiana University of Pennsylvania, "These conversation hours are just incredible resources for engaging our communities and working to advance the mission of Wikipedia's free knowledge."<ref>25-11-2024, ''[[Wikipedia and AI: Ethical Boundaries in LLM Training]]''. DCW Conversation Hour</ref>
	<gallery>		<gallery>

Aafi: cite

2026-08-02T19:40:14Z

cite

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:40, 2 August 2026
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	In 2026, we have an active contributor base of 40+ people. Many are associated with our Wiki Clubs: [[Wiki Club AMU]] and [[Wiki Club Jamia]]. We organise our residential leadership and skills development program, [[Train a Wikipedian]], two times a year. We have partners like the Embassy of Ukraine in India, alongside the Kerala Wikimedians User Group.<ref>27-04-2026, ''[https://india.mfa.gov.ua/en/news/indian-wikipedians-join-ukraines-cultural-diplomacy-month-2026 Indian Wikipedians Join Ukraine’s Cultural Diplomacy Month 2026]''</ref> In early June 2026, our volunteers developed a '''[https://certificates.dcwwiki.org/ Digital Certification Portal]''', helping us to support retention - and making DCW the first to bring such a solution in the Wikimedia ecosystem.		In 2026, we have an active contributor base of 40+ people. Many are associated with our Wiki Clubs: [[Wiki Club AMU]] and [[Wiki Club Jamia]]. We organise our residential leadership and skills development program, [[Train a Wikipedian]], two times a year. We have partners like the Embassy of Ukraine in India, alongside the Kerala Wikimedians User Group.<ref>27-04-2026, ''[https://india.mfa.gov.ua/en/news/indian-wikipedians-join-ukraines-cultural-diplomacy-month-2026 Indian Wikipedians Join Ukraine’s Cultural Diplomacy Month 2026]''</ref> In early June 2026, our volunteers developed a '''[https://certificates.dcwwiki.org/ Digital Certification Portal]''', helping us to support retention - and making DCW the first to bring such a solution in the Wikimedia ecosystem.

	These are a few of the many works that the Deoband Community Wikimedia has been doing, and continues to do. For me, as the founder of the community, I recall what [[:en:Subroto Bagchi\|Subroto Bagchi]] expresses in his work, ''The Day The Chariot Moved'', "All good things have the capacity to replicate but often in ways we cannot comprehend in the beginning. Our job is to be the catalyst. Our job is to trust the power of good and pull the chariot."<ref>Aafi, A. A. (2026). The Day the Chariot Moved: How India Grows at the Grassroots. By Subroto Bagchi, New Delhi: Penguin, 2025. Xix+371 pp. ₹699.00 (hardcover). ISBN: 978-0-14-347125-7. Public Administration Review, 86(3), 864-865. https://doi.org/10.1111/puar.70118</ref>		These are a few of the many works that the Deoband Community Wikimedia has been doing, and continues to do. For me, as the founder of the community, I recall what [[:en:Subroto Bagchi\|Subroto Bagchi]] expresses in his work, ''The Day The Chariot Moved'', "All good things have the capacity to replicate but often in ways we cannot comprehend in the beginning. Our job is to be the catalyst. Our job is to trust the power of good and pull the chariot."<ref name="aafi">Aafi, A. A. (2026). The Day the Chariot Moved: How India Grows at the Grassroots. By Subroto Bagchi, New Delhi: Penguin, 2025. Xix+371 pp. ₹699.00 (hardcover). ISBN: 978-0-14-347125-7. Public Administration Review, 86(3), 864-865. https://doi.org/10.1111/puar.70118</ref>

	===Reflections===		===Reflections===
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	==Next steps==		==Next steps==
	DCW will extend its focus to Wikimedia technical spaces and the broader open source. Through DCW-Engage, we want our community to avoid using proprietary tools like Google Forms and other third-party platforms. We will work on becoming a volunteer-centric community: a community that thrives in helping develop the capacity and skills of its volunteers. For me, as the founder of the community, I hope to keep the community driving, as Bagchi notes, "There are ordinary people with simple tools that bring about great change", and help our community members bring about that change in the open knowledge ecosystem.		DCW will extend its focus to Wikimedia technical spaces and the broader open source. Through DCW-Engage, we want our community to avoid using proprietary tools like Google Forms and other third-party platforms. We will work on becoming a volunteer-centric community: a community that thrives in helping develop the capacity and skills of its volunteers. For me, as the founder of the community, I hope to keep the community driving, as Bagchi notes, "There are ordinary people with simple tools that bring about great change", and help our community members bring about that change in the open knowledge ecosystem.<ref name="aafi"/>

	==References==		==References==

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:02, 2 August 2026
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	File:Participants responses, Interactive Quiz, DCW 5th Anniversary.jpg \| Exploring our focus as our volunteers want		File:Participants responses, Interactive Quiz, DCW 5th Anniversary.jpg \| Exploring our focus as our volunteers want
	File:DCW anniversary celebration.jpg\| Hearing from our [[DCW Graphic Design Internship\|Graphic Design Interns]]		File:DCW anniversary celebration.jpg\| Hearing from our [[DCW Graphic Design Internship\|Graphic Design Interns]]
	File:~~DCW~~ 5th Anniversary ~~Celebration Cake~~.jpg\| ~~The celebration cake~~		File:Aafi at Deoband Community Wikimedia 5th Anniversary.jpg\|Cake cutting
	File:Group photo from DCW 5th Anniversary.jpg\|Group photo		File:Group photo from DCW 5th Anniversary.jpg\|Group photo
	File:Celebrating 5 Years of DCW with goodies.jpg\|Cookies and pocket-notebook powered by the anniversary		File:Celebrating 5 Years of DCW with goodies.jpg\|Cookies and pocket-notebook powered by the anniversary

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:59, 2 August 2026
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	<gallery>		<gallery>
	~~File:DCW 5th Anniversary Celebration Cake.jpg\| The celebration cake~~
	File:Ice breaker Session.jpg\| Learning about contributions our volunteers are proud of		File:Ice breaker Session.jpg\| Learning about contributions our volunteers are proud of
	File:Participants responses, Interactive Quiz, DCW 5th Anniversary.jpg \| Exploring our focus as our volunteers want		File:Participants responses, Interactive Quiz, DCW 5th Anniversary.jpg \| Exploring our focus as our volunteers want
	File:DCW anniversary celebration.jpg\| Hearing from our [[DCW Graphic Design Internship\|Graphic Design Interns]]		File:DCW anniversary celebration.jpg\| Hearing from our [[DCW Graphic Design Internship\|Graphic Design Interns]]
			File:DCW 5th Anniversary Celebration Cake.jpg\| The celebration cake
	File:Group photo from DCW 5th Anniversary.jpg\|Group photo		File:Group photo from DCW 5th Anniversary.jpg\|Group photo
	</gallery>		</gallery>