Wikimedians of Nepal/11th Anniversary of Nepali Wikipedia

Wikimedia Nepal celebrated the 11th Anniversary of Nepali Wikipedia as a national event. A whole day program was organized in Kathmandu to mark the special day.

Wikipedia welcome banner in Nepali language

Wikipedia was begun in Nepal in 3rd June, 2002 with Nepali Language Wikipedia. Now, there are three projects (Wikipedia, Wiki books and Wiktionary) in Nepali language and Wikipedia in four other languages spoken in Nepal (Nepal Bhasa, Bhojpuri, Pali, Sanskrit). In the past 11 years 13 thousand users are registered among them 121 are active every month. Nepali Wikipedia has 8 sysops and 3 bureaucrats.


Wiki Edit-a-thon edit

 
Banner of editathon used during 11th Anniversary of Nepali Wikipedia

A whole day wiki edit-a-thon program was held in the computer lab of Prime College. Over 41 participants participated in the edit-a-thon. Hempal Shrestha, Saroj Dhakal and Krish Dulal conducted Wiki-Wistar presentation before the edit-a-thon. Participants specially higher secondary students learnt about Wikipedia, how does it work and how to write/edit articles in the program. The hall where wiki edit-a-thon conducted was full of students and other sector participants. Young students and various sector's teachers including Nepali Language teachers were participating in edit a thon. 41 participants collaborated to create 10 articles and improve many other articles during the day.

Anniversary Talk Program edit

As the formal program of the 11th Anniversary of Nepali Wikipedia a talk program was organized. Over 60 people participated in the program. The Advisory Body of Wikimedia Nepal, various language writers, professors, communicators, engineers, and students participated in the program. Bairagi Kainla, the Chancellor of Nepal Academy was the chief guest of the event. Kainla appreciated the recent development in Wiki movement in Nepal. Addressing the program he added "working for multi-language is difficult but not impossible."

Member of Nepal Academy Sulochana Manandhar appreciated the "Wiki Women Initiatives Nepal" for the outstanding activities to expand women contributors and gender related content. She appreciated the continued efforts of Nepali Wikipedians for the growth of content and quality in Nepali Wikipedia.

Welcoming the praticipants Wikimedia Nepal Vice-President Hempal Shrestha explained about the Wiki Education Program that is going to be held in two colleges as pilot project in Nepal.

Nepali Wikipedia Sysop and Wikimedia Nepal General Secretary Saroj Dhakal put lights on Wikipedia, its sister projects and the advantage of all projects.

Wikimedia Nepal President and bureaucrat of Nepali Wikipedia Ganesh Paudel highlighted the Wikimedia Movement in Nepal and the achievement.

Internet Society Nepal Chapter President Baburam Aryal commented upon the content creation process and the reliability of it in Wiki projects.

Cake party edit

Chief guest Bairagi Kainla, the Chancellor of Nepal Academy inaugurated the cake party by lighting off the candles and cutting the cake(s). Nearly 70 people participated in the cake party followed by hi-tea.

Announcement of Wiki Love Monument Contest edit

Wikimedia Nepal also announced about Wiki Loves Monument context in the program. The contest is to be held in Nepal during the month September. "We are getting the list of historical monument sites from the Dept. of Archaeology." Said Saroj Pradhan, the project lead "We'll announce the procedure and eligibility to participate in the contest very soon." He added "Wikipedia doesnot pay for writing or contributing in any wiki project but this contest is organize to attract the professional as well as amateur photographers to get involved in wiki projects."


Wikipedia Honour edit

Nepali Wikipedia community has prepared to honour the wikipedians who have given mentionable contribution in wikipedia in last 11 years. The category is planned as follows.

  • The pioneer of Nepali Wikipedia
  • Highest contributor
  • Higest contributor women
  • Best contributor from Nepal in Commons
  • Best contributor in Nepal Bhasa Wikipedia
  • Best contributor in Bhojpuri Wikipedia
  • Best contributor in Pali Wikipedia
  • Wikimedian of the year

Wikimedia Nepal has formed a jury to select wikipedians for the above mentioned category. The jury contains the following.

  • Kedar Sharma
  • Ganesh Paudel
  • Hempal Shrestha