QW2023/Nodes/Ahmedabad

Introduction

The LGBTQ+ Ahmedabad event, held under the theme of the QW2023 Queering Wikimedia conference, was organized by Wiki LGBTQ+ in collaboration with Ahmedabad Global Shapers. This event aimed to create a platform for discussion, collaboration, and empowerment within the LGBTQ+ community.

The event featured two main speakers, Ankura and Praful, who have both made significant contributions to the empowerment of the LGBTQ+ community. They have been actively involved in promoting inclusivity, advocating for equal rights, and raising awareness about the challenges faced by LGBTQ+ individuals.

Ankura, one of the speakers, who is the founder of Forum Foundation, has been instrumental in creating safe spaces and support networks for LGBTQ+ individuals in Ahmedabad. Through their work, Ankura has focused on providing resources, counselling, and educational initiatives to help LGBTQ+ individuals navigate various aspects of their lives. They have also been actively involved in organizing community events, workshops, and awareness campaigns to promote acceptance and understanding.

Praful, the other main speaker at the event, has been working tirelessly to challenge societal norms and stereotypes surrounding gender and sexuality. Praful has been a vocal advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and has been involved with various different organisations. T

By bringing together Wiki LGBTQ+ and Ahmedabad Global Shapers, this event aimed to leverage the power of collaboration and knowledge sharing to further the cause of LGBTQ+ empowerment. The conference provided a platform for attendees to engage in insightful discussions, share experiences, and learn from the expertise of Ankura, Praful, and other participants.

The event also aimed to highlight the importance of representation and visibility of LGBTQ+ individuals in the media, particularly in Wikimedia projects. By queering Wikimedia, the organizers sought to challenge heteronormativity and promote the inclusion of diverse LGBTQ+ perspectives and narratives in the digital space.

Organised by

Khushtar Heritage Collective - coordinated by Khushi Shah

in collaboration with Ahmedabad Global Shapers

Speakers:

• PRAFUL BAWEJA
• ANKURA

About the Speakers

PRAFUL BAWEJA (HE/HIM)

Praful is a Queer Neurodivergent Entrepreneur and an Experiential Marketing & Inclusive Recruitment Consultant.

He narrate stories with or without technology for corporate and social sector clients for almost 2 decades. These stories change business volumes, bring cultural changes at the workplace and sometimes win awards too. His expertise lies in various spectrums such as Mapping Partnerships & Alliance Diversity, Equity Inclusion & Belonging etc.

Some of his recent achievements are:

• 2022 Eurax Award for Best New (P-Vividh Diversity Fair
• 2020 Wow Awards Asie Gold for Best Use of Augmented Reality, Silver for Best Use of Virtual Reality & Bronce for Best Use of Interactive Technology for Capgemini Tech Fiesta

• 2019 Eernax Siver-Award Ceremony for Crossword Book Awards Show Management

• 2008 Sabre Award Asia for Decoding the Hair International Exhibition by Loreal Paris

Qualifications & Achievements:

• Top 10 Linkedin Social Selling Index Ranking Alumni - UNOP, Atal Innovation Mission & Youth Cohort for Innovations in Gender Equality 2021 Jury Member Maybelline Erbies Awards 2020

Custodian for Criteria Creation of Disability Inclusive Places to Work by American India Foundation

• Certification in Design Thinking from QAI (2020) Recipient of Fellowship & Mentorship by Thomson Reuters Foundation for Communication of LGBTQ+ Issues (2021) Future of Mental Health Cohort 2020-Complexity University. Creator of Happiest when inclusive program-promoting consent, inclusivity & mental health assistance at Large Format Live Events which has reached over 300000 attendees of NH7 Weekender & Lotapatos
• Since 2019, Founder of degrees-India's first LGBTQ+ business networking & skill share forum. Under its aegis created Vidh-India's First Clersity Job Fair & Queeroes-Awards for the queer community leaders & allies
• Part of Core Organising Committee of Mumbai Pride - Queer Azaadi March bom 2008 till date. Assisted in growing it from 800 pax to 20000 pax attendance
• Visiting Faculty-Leisure Marketing (initiated the subject in India) 2008-10 batch of Mudra Institute of Communications EDC (Ahmedabad)
• Scripted and directed Short Film Where Drums May Ge premiered at the

Ankura Ankura is the founder of Foram Foundation is a Vadodara-based organisation which works towards empowering Gay, Bisexual, Trans people

Participants:

• Khushi Shah
• Krunal Shah
• Urva Patel
• Bharat Patil
• Jay Merja
• Raj Andani
• Nitin
• Panchi
• Devang
• Veera
• Kundan
• Hardik

Virtual partipants

• Avi Agraval
• Vijay Samraj
• Riya Maheriya
• Purva Inamdar
• Lisa
• Myat Moe Khaing
• Utthan Roy
• Tejashree
• Anjali Gohil
• Farakh Nargis
• Nitin
• Jahanvi Narendrasinh Rajput
• Bharat

Sessions

Venue : Club Babylon

Date : June 6th, 2023

Wiki LGBTQ+ Local Node Ahmedabad 1

You can stream the session on YouTube at: Wiki LGBTQ+ Local Node -Ahmedabad]