User:Subodh (CIS-A2K)/Proposal2021

Re-licensing movement edit

Background
CIS-A2K is focusing on re-licensing for the last two years. The process has gained momentum in the state of Maharashtra. Multi-faceted approach was taken to achieve re-licensing of more than 220 reference value works. The simple manual in Marathi was developed to execute the OTRS process by copyright holders smoothly. The content donation was done by authors, copyright holders and various organisations. The works were digitised and uploaded in category on Wikimedia Commons.

Why
There is a need to make hidden, forgotten reference value works free, accessible and searchable. The readers like to read recent content relevant to current affairs which suits their interests. For this one can not wait for the expiry of copyright of works. Therefore re-licensing drives are need of an hour for every language community.

How
To achieve this systematically, we plan to build database of authors and copyright holders. The tutorials for the process will be created. Special efforts will be taken to build thematic content galleries in collaboration with organisations. These will be helpful in online capacity building of the community. The focus will also be on collaborations with Government agencies to open their collections. To facilitate and promote this process, liaison with media houses and publishers will be done.

Outcome
The re-licensing process will be started in three states. Total 200 works will be released. Total 20 community members will be involved in the process.

Building women's groups for knowledge creation edit

Background
CIS-A2K is working with various organisations working on women empowerment for the last three years. We were able to explore the potential in women through activities in Lingua Libre, audio books and Lexemes project in the previous year. On the occasion of Women's Day 2021, the women's group has completed uploading of more than 10,000 recordings in Wikimedia Commons through Lingua Libre. The similar methodology would be adopted to activate such women's groups in other places.

Why
There is a lot of hidden potential and expertise in women who could not pursue full time jobs due to home making responsibility. We collaborated with Jnana Prabodhini organisation to mobilise such women to work on Marathi language related projects like Wikisource audio books, Lingua Libre & Wikidata Lexeme project. Within three months we were able to mobilise communities of interest around language related projects. This pilot will be strengthened and expanded in other parts of India.

How
The methodology will be developed to build structured knowledge base in Lingua Libre and Wikidata Lexeme projects. The movement resources for the same will be created with experienced editors. The efforts will be taken to collaborate with communities concerned with documentation of vulnerable languages, e.g. Gondi, Korku, Warali, Halbi, dialects in North-east region of India.

Outcome
Total 100 women from 2 places will be involved.

Working with Resource Centres to Foster Collaborations for Better Visibility of Content related to Gender in Indian languages edit

Background
After executing the pilot programme for content generation and re-licensing activities successfully with Lek Ladki Abhiyan, an organisation active in gender issues, CIS-A2K started working on this project in the previous program year. Due to COVID restrictions, the field work could not be done. The literature survey, initial communications with prospective organisations has been done. The mapping of available resources is completed through desk research.

What
There are several organisations in India, which have been actively working in the areas of gender, sexuality, women and LGBTQIA+ rights etc. These include resource centres, publications and research institutions. We will map such resource centres and explore possibilities of collaboration for better visibility and access to this content.

Why
Collaborations with these organisations may offer valuable resources, inputs and expertise for enriching content related to the gender on Wikimedia in Indian languages. It may also help bring these resources into the mainstream to facilitate public discourse around bridging the gender gap.

How
In the pilot phase, a set of institutions will be identified through desk research, community networks and by reaching out to organisations, to develop a good understanding of their work, resources and challenges etc. We will actively work with the centres to explore possible areas of collaboration, including an introduction to Wikimedia and activities such as edit-a-thons, workshops on key areas such as open licenses etc.

Outcome
Around 5 resource centres will be identified and a series of activities ( workshops, training sessions, consultation on research and collaborations etc.) will be conducted to understand the resources, work and content available, and how they may be better access to a wider public in Indian languages through Wikipedia. Movement resources on gender-related content may also be created with the help and expertise of the individuals and organisations involved.

Digitisation set-ups edit

Background
CIS-A2K has collaborated with organisation Vigyan Ashram, Pabal to set-up scanning and processing facility in the campus. The scanner and training was provided by CIS-A2K to rural girls' team. In the last three years, more than 40,000 pages have been scanned and uploaded. The team has also completed rare books' digitisation project with public library.

What
It is proposed to set up De-centralised scanning centres at various places which are easily accessible to community and content donors.

 
Scanning set-up in Vigyan Ashram

Why
It is very much necessary to carry out digitisation of decaying, delicate material on site or near to the collection. This facility is also helpful in promoting digitisation of personal creative work collections. Through this initiative we also engage these centres in skill building of youths in digitisation sector.

How
After looking at the work of Vigyan Ashram documented in the short film - Savitri's online daughters, few organisations have approached us for support. We shall select such institutions where, the consistency and quality of the work would be maintained. The accessibility for community will also be taken into account. On the job training will be done for the first three months. This will include proper communication with community, record keeping, scanning and post processing. They will also be introduced to Wikimedia projects where the content would be uploaded.

Outcome
We shall set-up five scanning centres in India. About 50,000 pages will be scanned in these centres.

GLAM partnerships edit

Background
CIS-A2K has involved in collaborative projects with public libraries and museums in the last two years. The research study on GLAM mapping has opened many avenues of knowledge creation with these institutions. The systematic partnerships would be developed to achieve valuable content generation.

 
Main building of Kashibai Madhavrao Gawand Museum, Maharashtra

What
The GLAM institutions would be identified through mapping in at least three states. The content will be organised on appropriate Wikimedia projects with the help of experts in relevant fields. The Wikimedian in Residence or similar programs will be effectively implemented.

 
Artifacts in Kashibai Madhavrao Gawand Museum

Why
The knowledge in GLAM institutions is multi-faceted. This content in the form of text, images, audio-visual and objects needs to be integrated with various Wikimedia projects for greater accessibility.

How
The following activities would be taken up with different GLAM's -

  • Digitisation of PD, rare books with 100+ year old libraries
  • Digitisation of museum collections
  • WiR programs with museums and archives
  • Data donation campaigns with research institutions and libraries

Outcome
At least 5 GLAM projects from three states will be completed.

Sections for proposal edit

Partnerships edit

The institutions play an instrumental role in enhancing quality of life. There is similarity in objectives regarding educating the society and raising awareness on various topics among us. CIS-A2K believes that Wikimedia projects are the vehicles for dissemination of knowledge built by these institutions over the years. The capacity building resource material with the thematic organisations can be integrated with Wikimedia projects for expanding outreach from few beneficiary groups to larger society through increasing accessibility and searchability. Demystifying content and integrating multimedia for better understanding could be achieved with content donation from these repositories. Institutional partnerships develop into mutually beneficial relationships for sustainability of knowledge movement.

Activities:
CIS-A2K will focus on long term partnerships with various organisations in educational, cultural, social, environmental and research sectors. The activities would be evolved according to the core competence and priorities of each institution. The emphasis would be on building locally relevant topics and present needs of the society. These institutional partners will be developed as mentoring centres for the Wikimedians. The re-licensing will be promoted to create thematic archives. These archives will be utilised as reliable and verifiable sources by the movement. The deliberate efforts would be taken to involve scholars and experienced human resource in quality content generation. Some research institutions would be developed as reference desks for the Wikimedians. We are planning special projects with GLAM institutions. Some pilot projects with Wikimedians in Residence (WiR) will be executed with GLAMs.

All Partnerships edit

Institution Skills enhancement Content enrichment in Wikimedia projects Impact on free knowledge movement
Maharashtra Knowledge Corporation Limited (MKCL) Database management, developing CMRs & OERs High quality training material Strategy for knowledge dissemination
Vigyan Ashram, Pabal Editing Wikimedia projects, creating OERs Content generation on Appropriate technologies for livelihoods and Environment themes Knowledge Dissemination about Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
PAH Solapur University, Solapur Editing Wikimedia projects, creating tutorials Locally relevant topics, educational concepts Aligning academic processes with open knowledge creation
Gokhale Institute of Politics & Economics, Pune, Maharashtra Importing library database and digitised content Copyright free digitised content, database of books/reports Rare & unique content with good reference value will be made accessible, the catalogues & databases will be linked globally
National Digital Library of India Wikidata & Wikisource editing, Copyright policies, Re-licensing process Contents enrichment from NDLI on Wikisource and Wikidata Wikidata and Wikisource linkage on NDLI website
Kalashram Archive, Adilabad Copyright policies, Re-licensing process, Wikimedia Commons uploading Content on arts & culture Structured documentation of heritage and rare arts/crafts
Tarun Bharat Sangh, Rajasthan Editing in Wikimedia projects, Re-licensing process Content related to water and rivers of India Reliable database of rivers in India and their present status
Visva-Bharati University Editing in Wikimedia projects, Copyright policies, Re-licensing process Content from Santiniketan museum and Sangit Bhavana The visitors will have access to in-depth knowledge through QR codes to be installed
School of Cultural Texts & Records, Jadavpur University Editing in Wikimedia projects, Copyright policies, Re-licensing process Cultural texts, music archive, database of library & archives High quality, reliable and unique content on cultural history and traditional music will be available to the community
RIWATCH, Arunachal Pradesh Editing in Wikimedia projects, Copyright policies, Re-licensing process Cultural content about North-East region of India Identification and bridging of knowledge gaps about North-east region of India
INTACH chapters in India Copyright policies, Re-licensing process, Wikimedia Commons uploading Content on heritage, arts & culture Structured documentation of local heritage and monuments
Gender based organisations in India Editing in Wikimedia projects, Copyright policies, Re-licensing process Content generation on gender issues Reliable content on gender issues
Libraries Digitisation, metadata development Diverse content in searchable form Strategy to make valuable and rare reference content accessible

Knowledge Dissemination strategy edit

The delivery of knowledge is as crucial as creation of knowledge. In the era of internet, it should reach anyone instantly when they need it. To achieve this effectively - methods of knowledge creation, nature of target audience, channels of delivery - are some of the work areas to design the broader strategy and process. CIS-A2K will work on the 'Knowledge Dissemination Strategy' with reputed organisations like Maharashtra Knowledge Corporation Limited (MKCL) working for more than 30 years in the knowledge sector.