CIS-A2K/Events/Completion of first phase of Meghalaya GLAM project

Background

The knowledge about the North-East region of India is underrepresented on Wikimedia projects. Considering this, CIS-A2K has started building partnerships with the institutions in various states from the last two years. In 2022, the first project was launched in Arunachal Pradesh with local partner RIWATCH to document tribal culture and diversity on Wikimedia projects. CIS-A2K collaborated with West Bengal Wikimedians User Group (WBG) for this project. In February 2023, CIS-A2K in collaboration with Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama, Sohra, Meghalaya and West Bengal Wikimedians User Group (WBG) have started a project to jointly work on the "Digitization & Documentation of Cultural Heritage and Literature in Meghalaya". This pilot project is partially funded by "The North East Centre for Technology Application and Reach (NECTAR)".

Updates

The progress report for the first phase of the project was submitted to the NECTAR. The audited utilisation certificate for the first installment was also submitted. The project period has been extended till 30 September 2024 for the completion of the project activities.

As of March 2024, a total of 179 books, journals and pamphlets and over 13,000 pages have been completely digitised and made ready for upload. Once the entire library has been digitised and filed properly, a special review committee will be formed to select the literary works that can be uploaded and shared to appropriate sites and storage systems on the internet. This review committee will comprise members of the Jeebon Roy Family, Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama Shillong and Sohra, Seng Khasi and other individuals who have knowledge and experience in fields related to this work. The copyright of several of the books scanned belong to the authors or publishing houses or families of the authors. Therefore, permission and consent, if necessary, will have to be obtained prior to any form of digital upload or distribution.

The extensive database of monuments, heritage places, major festivals and dances, major institutions, tourist places etc. has been prepared in excel sheet by Ramakrishna Mission coordinator. The collection and uploading of photographs according to these categories has been started. The photo uploading training was imparted to the persons nominated by RKM in the first and second visit. Total 7 persons from the organisation were oriented and trained in Wikimedia projects.

As on 19 March total 166 photos and 25 videos have been uploaded in the project category on Wikimedia Commons - Category:CIS-A2K Meghalaya Project

Deliverables

• A separate gallery for the project has been created on Wikimedia Commons and uploading of 166 photos and 25 videos is completed.
• Digitisation of more than 13,000 pages is completed.
• Skill training of 19 volunteers in Wikimedia projects is completed. These include 13 persons from Ramakrishna Mission, 3 persons from Jeebon Roy Library and 3 persons from Vintage museum.
• Wikimedia project awareness sessions were conducted in Vivekananda Cultural Centre, Shillong; Jeebon Roy Memorial Trust; IIM, Shillong; Ramakrishna Mission Ashram, Sohra and Vintage Museum, Sohra. Around 50 participants were engaged in these sessions.

Gallery

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  Arwah cave
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  Elder Boys with the waitlam (sword) and symphiah (whisk)
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  Female Khasi dancing in Shad Suk Mynsiem
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  Khasi Traditional attire with a Khoh
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  Mawruduk Monolith
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  Nongkrem Dance depicting Male Khasis
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  Young khasi boys with their whisk also known as symphiah
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  Rice fields - Aerial view