When I look back at the last few years of my journey in the Wikimedia technical ecosystem, there are a few moments that feel like quiet turning points.
The Indic Wikimedia Hackathon Kochi 2025 (24–27 July 2026) became one of them.

The story began when I received a message from KCVelaga (WMF) asking if I would be interested in mentoring students at the event. I still remember reading it twice. Despite contributing actively, I didn’t expect to be entrusted again with a role like this—especially so soon after my first mentoring experience at HackByte 3.0. It felt like one of those moments when the community quietly taps you on the shoulder and says, “We see you.”

I said yes instantly.

About the Hackathon

The hackathon aimed to create a beginner-friendly, hands-on space for students in and around Kochi—including members of the amFOSS community—to explore Wikimedia’s technical world. While participants were expected to have some prior open-source experience, this event served as a guided runway to get started with:

• MediaWiki core and extensions

• Web-based tools

• User scripts and gadgets

• Bots and templates

• Other technical workflows that support Wikimedia contributors

Beyond onboarding, the hackathon served as a collaborative hub. Developers, technical writers, designers, and long-time Wikimedia contributors came together to solve real technical challenges, clear outstanding bugs, and support each other’s learning. It was a space where expertise met curiosity, and where contributors at different stages of their journey exchanged skills and stories.

A Community Coming Together

When I arrived at the venue, the atmosphere had its own rhythm: students setting up their systems, mentors discussing tasks around tables, volunteers arranging cables like lifelines, and posters of free knowledge pinned proudly across the walls.

The hackathon was designed as a gentle entry point into Wikimedia tech for students from Kochi and members of amFOSS, many of whom had prior open-source experience but had never stepped into the world of MediaWiki. The organizers wanted participants to not just learn, but build—to get their hands into the code that powers some of the world’s largest public knowledge platforms.

It was the kind of space where someone with a half-written patch and someone with years of MediaWiki experience could sit side-by-side without hesitation.

The Work, the Learning, and the Moments That Stayed

The curated task list gave everyone a clear direction, but the magic was in the small moments that weren’t on the spreadsheet.

One of those moments was a long conversation with Ranjith Siji, Co-Founder of the Wikimedians of Kerala User Group. We started talking about our ongoing projects, then drifted into deeper reflections—how local communities shape global contributions, how newcomers see the movement differently, and how the future of Wikimedia tech needs both simplicity and resilience. It felt like talking to someone who’s seen the movement evolve, and is still deeply invested in nurturing its next wave.

Another moment came from a completely different direction:
I finally understood Transclusion—properly. Not just how it works from a user perspective, but the mechanisms behind the scenes. Ironically, it was connected to a task I was helping participants with, so their questions pushed me to explore more deeply. It was a reminder that mentoring is never a one-way street; you grow alongside the people you guide.

And then there were the participant interactions—someone struggling with Gerrit setup, another debugging a persistent API error, a group excited after their first successful patch. Every win felt like a collective cheer.

Where I Grew as a Mentor

Mentoring here taught me things I didn’t expect:

• Patience in the face of wildly different learning curves
  At one table, I’d be explaining how to claim a Phabricator task; at another, helping debug an edge-case failure in a tool.

• Asking better questions instead of giving quick solutions
  Helping participants discover answers made them more confident than simply pointing them to one.

• Balancing teaching with listening
  Sometimes the real challenge wasn’t technical—it was helping someone overcome the hesitation of contributing to a large open-source project.

Across the three days, something shifted in me.
I arrived as a mentor, but I left with a stronger sense of responsibility—to make Wikimedia tech less intimidating, more welcoming, and more accessible to anyone who wants to contribute.

Gratitude

Events like this do not happen by accident. They’re the result of countless quiet efforts.

A huge thank you to KCVelaga, Nivas, Harigovind CB, the organizing team IMWDUG, and the volunteers who were everywhere at once—troubleshooting, guiding, coordinating, and making the hackathon feel seamless. Their work created a space where learning became joyful, and where newcomers felt truly welcomed into the movement.

Closing Reflection

Walking out of the venue on the final day, I realized something simple but powerful: every hackathon is more than code, tasks, and patches. It’s a reminder that Wikimedia grows because people choose to show up for one another—whether it’s by mentoring, documenting, fixing bugs, or just asking good questions.

Kochi gave me more than a mentoring opportunity.
It reminded me why I’m part of this movement in the first place: to help others find their way into a world where knowledge is shared freely, openly, and without barriers.

And if even one newcomer from this hackathon continues contributing, continues learning, and continues shaping the future of Wikimedia—then every moment spent mentoring was worth it.

On 26 September 2026, we marked an important milestone at Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology and Sciences (SHUATS): the launch of the Road to Wiki Program and the official establishment of WikiClub Tech SHUATS. Alongside fellow speakers Ankit Kumar Verma and Aditya Kumar, I had the privilege of introducing over 110 students from four institutions across the Prayagraj region to the world of Wikimedia and open-source technology.

This gathering wasn’t just another tech event—it was the beginning of a student-led movement to build an informed, engaged, and technically empowered Wikimedia community on campus.

Setting the Stage

The event opened with a warm welcome followed by the traditional lighting of the lamp. We were honored to have Mr. Ankit Kumar Verma, Project Coordinator for Wiki at IIIT Hyderabad, as the guest speaker. His presence set an encouraging tone for the day.

Mobile App Development Session: Setting the Momentum

I began the sessions with a talk on mobile app development, focusing on how Wikimedia ecosystems intersect with mobile technologies. We explored:

• Wikimedia projects that rely on mobile applications

• Pathways for students to contribute to the Wikimedia movement

• How no-code tools can help prototype wikimedia-related apps quickly

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The energy in the room was remarkable. Students asked questions, debated ideas, and built small prototypes during the activity segments. Their eagerness made the speaker-led session truly collaborative. A short faculty panel discussion and student Q&A followed, bringing forward insightful questions about app development, tooling, and real-world implementation.

Understanding the Wikimedia Movement

The next session was delivered by Ankit Kumar Verma, who broke down the Wikimedia movement from a community and impact perspective. His examples—ranging from global knowledge equity efforts to local language initiatives—helped many students understand that Wikimedia is more than Wikipedia; it’s a global mission powered by everyday contributors.

He also introduced the structure and goals of the Road to Wiki Program, and why campuses like SHUATS are essential to building the next wave of open knowledge contributors.

Diving Into Open Source Contribution

Our final speaker, Aditya Kumar, gave a hands-on walkthrough of open-source contribution workflows. He demonstrated:

• How to use Gerrit for code contributions

• Navigating Phabricator

• Working with GitLab and patch submission workflows

This session was especially valuable for students who have always wanted to contribute but were held back by unfamiliarity with these tools. Several participants later shared enthusiastically on social media about making their first Phabricator accounts and exploring open-source tasks.

Keeping the Momentum Alive

To keep spirits high, we closed the event with an interactive quiz on the Wikimedia movement and open-source software. Students were highly competitive—buzzing with excitement as they formed teams and debated the answers.
Top scorers received certificates and WikiClub Tech swags, which quickly became the highlight of the day’s Instagram stories and WhatsApp statuses.

One student shared afterward:
“I didn’t know contributing to Wikimedia was this accessible. I’m signing up for the cohort!”
Comments like these reaffirmed that the event had sparked something real.

About the Road to Wiki Program

The Road to Wiki program is designed to introduce aspiring developers to Wikimedia technologies through a structured, cohort-based learning journey. Over recent months, the program has grown into a vibrant learning ecosystem connecting students from diverse universities.

Its goals include:

• Bridging the gap between student developers and the Wikimedia technical landscape

• Encouraging hands-on contributions through assignments, sprints, and mini-projects

• Building regional communities capable of sustaining long-term engagement

For many participants, this is their first step into open-source contribution—with mentorship, peer learning, and real-world exposure shaping their journey.

Celebrating Women in Tech

During the event, we hosted a dedicated Women in Tech moment to recognize and celebrate the women and under-represented contributors who are actively shaping the Wikimedia and open-source ecosystem. It created a safe, encouraging space for them to share their experiences, highlight their impact, and inspire more voices to step forward.

What’s Next for the Community

After the main sessions, we gathered for a brief but insightful discussion on the community’s next steps. Students explored how they could stay engaged—through upcoming Road to Wiki cohort activities, hands-on technical assignments, and collaborative local projects. The conversation set a clear direction for sustaining momentum and building a thriving contributor community at SHUATS.

About WikiClub Tech

WikiClub Tech is a youth-driven initiative formed by a group of enthusiastic technologists and open-source advocates. Incubated by the IndicWiki Project at IIIT Hyderabad – Open Knowledge Initiatives (OKI), the club aims to equip students with the skills and confidence to contribute to Wikimedia’s technical ecosystem.

Since its early beginnings in 2023, the initiative has grown into a consistent presence on campuses, hosting workshops, mentoring cohorts, and actively contributing to Wikimedia’s technical projects.

Gratitude and Next Steps

A heartfelt thank you to Ankit Kumar Verma, the IndicWiki team at IIIT Hyderabad, SHUATS for providing an excellent venue, and the dedicated WikiClub Tech SHUATS core team and volunteers who worked tirelessly behind the scenes. This event wouldn’t have been possible without everyone’s support.

The launch of the Road to Wiki Program at SHUATS is just the beginning. The enthusiasm we witnessed signals a promising future—one where students from Prayagraj contribute meaningfully to open knowledge, open technology, and open communities.

We're excited for what comes next.

Last year, I travelled to Hyderabad for a gathering that would quietly reshape my journey as a contributor and mentor—the 3rd Wikimedia Technology Summit (WTS) 2024, hosted at IIIT Hyderabad. Walking into the campus felt like stepping into a space filled with curiosity, purpose, and an unmistakable sense of community. As a mentor with WikiClub Tech – Road to Wiki, the experience was more than just attending a summit; it was witnessing how far our collective efforts had come.

A Warm Start: The Mini-Hackathon

The summit technically began a day early with an energetic mini-hackathon that set the tone for everything that followed. For many of us, this was where the ecosystem opened up in unexpected ways.

I still remember the moment I discovered Phabricator, learned how tags like Good First Task and Welcome Patch guide newcomers, and understood how even the smallest patch can become the foundation of a bigger contribution journey.

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  Abijeet Patro

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  at WTS 2024 mini-hackathon

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More importantly, this day brought me face-to-face with the people whose names I had only seen online:

• Praveen Das (WMF), patient and thoughtful with beginners

• Rachit Sharma (WMF), always smiling, always encouraging

• KC Velaga (WMF), someone whose mentorship would shape the months ahead

• Abijeet Patro (WMF), who later became a guiding presence during the summit

• Gopa Vasanth, energetic and community-driven

• Satdeep Gill (WMF), calm and clear in his vision

• Jay Prakash, whose MediaWiki expertise inspired everyone

Day 1: Opening Minds, Possibilities, and Finding My Place in a 20-Year Movement

Keynotes & Introductions

The first morning brought together voices who have shaped different layers of the movement:

• Prof. P.J. Narayan’s welcome set the collaborative tone.

• Prof. Vasudeva Varma walked us through the summit’s evolution.

• Dr. Radhika Mamidi explained WTS 2024’s goals and why Indic tech matters now more than ever.

• Praveen Das outlined the Wikimedia Foundation’s tech priorities.

• A prerecorded message from Selena Deckelmann reminded us of the global momentum behind this work.

These sessions helped ground the audience—not just in technology, but in purpose.

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  Prof. Vasudeva Varma

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  Praveen Das

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  Rachit Sharma

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  Prof. Dr. Radhika Mamidi

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  Selena Deckelmann at WTS 2024

Exploring the Movement

Talks on the structure of the Wikimedia Movement and on the state of Indic communities highlighted how local action fuels global progress. Each story was a glimpse into how volunteers transform challenges into opportunities.

Panels, Talks & Community Stories

There were rich conversations everywhere—from the “AI’s Impact: A Balancing Act” panel to Swecha’s Shata Sahasra Yagam presentation to Prof. Poonam Goyal’s talk on AI and digital inclusion.
The lightning talks were especially inspiring—showcasing indigenous language preservation, digitization pathways, student engagement, and the journeys of WikiClub contributors.

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  Panel Discussion

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  Satdeep Gill

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  Panel Discussion

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Tech Updates

Hearing directly from Niharika Kohli and Sudhanshu Gautam about emerging tools and upcoming features was a moment many of us had been waiting for. It connected the dots between what we build and how communities use it.

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  Niharika Kohli

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  Niharika Kohli

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  Niharika Kohli

Day 2: Community, Collaboration, and Looking Forward, The Day That Changed How I Think About Community

Opening Session

A quick recap reminded us how much we had absorbed in just one day—then we jumped straight into deeper conversations.

Panel on Gender Gap in Tech

One of the most meaningful sessions addressed gender representation in Wikimedia technology. The stories shared here reminded us why inclusive communities aren’t optional—they’re the foundation of sustainable growth.

Breakout Sessions

Two rounds of breakouts covered nearly every corner of the Wikimedia tech universe:

• IMWDUG’s annual plan

• Mobile editing workflows

• Unconference discussions

• Grassroots empowerment via VGLUG

• Data visualization for WikiProject insights

These smaller rooms were where real problem-solving happened. Everyone had something to share, and everyone had something to learn.

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  KC Velaga sharing details about the IMWDUG’s annual plan

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  Audience Photo

Tech Demos & Lightning Sessions

From voice and image-based user scripts to multilingual workflows, mobile app ideas, and machine-translation tools—the demo sessions were a reminder that innovation happens everywhere in this ecosystem.

Hackathon Showcase

Teams that hacked through the previous day showcased their prototypes—each one a peek into what the future of Wikimedia could look like when curiosity meets collaboration.

Closing Thoughts

The day wrapped up with reflections on where Wikimedia technology is heading for Indic languages. Krupal Kasyap and Dr. Radhika Mamidi concluded the summit with gratitude and a call for continued collaboration.

A Mentorship Moment I’ll Always Remember

Amid everything happening around us, I had the chance to sit down with Abhijeet Patro, who took the time to guide our group through the practicalities of contributing to Wikimedia’s technical spaces. That short conversation gave me clarity I had been searching for—how to navigate patches, how to choose tasks, and how to build for impact.

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  Mentorship session with Abijeet Patro

That short conversation did what entire workshops sometimes fail to do.
It gave direction.

The People Who Shaped My Summit

Throughout the event, I found myself constantly learning from mentors, contributors, and fellow developers. Every hallway conversation felt like unlocking a new door. Every session felt like an invitation to build something meaningful.

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  WikiClub Tech Team

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  WikiClub Tech Team

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Why This Summit Mattered

WTS 2024 was unlike any event I’ve attended. It brought together researchers, technologists, students, volunteers, open-source enthusiasts, and long-term Wikimedians—a crowd that would rarely share the same room otherwise.

Across two days, more than 150 participants explored how to strengthen Indic language access on the internet, build powerful open-source tools, and nurture young contributors through initiatives like WikiClubs. We spoke about challenges, but more importantly, we spoke about possibilities.

The conversations were bold, honest, and deeply collaborative. They asked:
How do we build the future of knowledge—together, openly, and inclusively?

What stayed with me was this thought:
The future of open knowledge won’t be built by individuals.
It will be built by communities who believe in sharing.

And at Hyderabad, I saw that community in action.

WTS 2024 wasn’t just another conference. It didn’t offer one single answer—it offered many starting points for the future we’re building together.

Press & Media Coverage of WTS 2024

The summit did more than bring people together—it generated buzz and media attention, signalling that the work of the Wikimedia movement and Indic-language open knowledge is gaining wider recognition.

Headline coverage

• According to a press release published in Business Standard, the summit drew “technologists, developers, and volunteer contributors of Wikimedia projects from all over the country,” highlighting its inclusive, cross-community mission. (Business Standard)

• The article noted the event theme — “Wiki Tech for All: Empowering Voices, Expanding Horizons” — and the focus on smaller language communities, hands-on training for students, and advanced tool showcases. (Business Standard)

• A local report in Hyderabad Mail echoed these points and added details about the venue (International Institute of Information Technology, Hyderabad + Hyatt Gachibowli) and the number of attendees (around 130) from across India. (Hyderabad Mail)

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  Wikimedia Technology Summit (WTS) 2024 Newspaper coverage

Key messages from coverage

• Inclusivity and languages: Many articles emphasised how the summit strove to bridge the gap for Indic languages — both by tech tools and by community building. (Business Standard)

• Community + tech synergy: Reports highlighted the collaboration between students, volunteers, developers, and research institutions — making it clear the summit was more than a technical meetup. (Hyderabad Mail)

• Media reach = movement reach: The fact that mainstream media covered the event suggests that the summit’s message is resonating beyond just the Wikimedia community.

Why this Matters

• Validation: When events like WTS 2024 are covered in media, it validates the work of volunteers and community members—they aren’t just working in the shadows.

• Awareness: Press coverage reaches new audiences—students, educators, tech professionals—who might not yet know about Wikimedia’s open-source movement or the need for regional-language support.

• Momentum: Media stories help carry momentum. They communicate that innovations, tools, and communities are active and evolving, inviting more people to join.

A Heartfelt Thank You

None of this would have been possible without the dedication of the IndicWiki Project team at IIIT Hyderabad. Their efforts in planning, coordination, program design, documentation, and execution created a space where learning was effortless and collaboration felt natural.

Leaving Hyderabad, I carried more than just notes and contacts.
I carried a sense of belonging—and an even stronger commitment to contribute.

This summer wasn’t like the typical ones where where majority students would travel to hill stations, visit realtives, or enjoy waterparks to beat summer heat. While others were relaxing and having fun, I found myself taking a completely different path. I discovered something that sparked my curiosity—Wikimedia’s open-source community - WikiClub Tech.

At first, I didn’t know much about it. But as I started reading the documentation, about how it works, watching tutorials, and exploring tools like MediaWiki (the core software that powers all of Wikipedia and other), I got hooked. I spent 2-3 months just learning—reading documentation, trying things out, and understanding how everything connects. At first, it wasn’t always easy—there were plenty of sleepless nights, but the satisfaction of figuring things out made it worth it in the end. Before I knew it, I was contributing to MediaWiki.

Then came the happiest moment of my life—my PR was finally merged. My hard work finally paid off. It

Once my first PR was merged, things became much easier. I ended up getting 3 more PRs merged, totaling 4 PRs in just one week across different projects in Wikimedia Ecosystem.

Contributing to Open Source

Contributing to Wikimedia felt amazing ✨. Knowing that my small contributions were part of something bigger was incredibly rewarding. It wasn’t just about writing code—it was about being part of a global community working together.

Then came a moment I never expected. I got invited to join Road to Wiki, an event organized by Ankit Kumar Verma from WikiClub Tech. Even better? I wasn’t just attending—I was mentoring two sessions!

Sharing my knowledge of Wikimedia OSS, What I have Learned

At Road to Wiki, I got the opportunity to mentor two sessions:

• [Day 1] SQL Basics to Advanced (with Krishna Chaitanya Velaga, Data Scientist-III)

  This session was all about breaking down SQL from the basics to advanced concepts. I explained how to write queries and use them in MediaWiki to manage data. It was a hands-on session, and I really enjoyed sharing what I had learned.

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• [Day 8] Essential Tools for Wiki Contribution (with Krupal Kasyap)

  In this session, I introduced tools like Phabricator, XTools and other platforms that make contributing to Wikimedia easier. The participants were super engaged, asking lots of questions, which made the session even more fun.

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Being a mentor was a new experience for me, and it showed me just how much I had grown. A few months ago, I was the one learning—and now I was the one teaching.

Taking the Next Step

Because of my hard work and the encouragement I received, I got to attend two big Wikimedia events:

Wiki 3rd Tech Summit in Hyderabad

When I received the selection email about the 3rd Wikimedia Technology Summit (WTS 2024), Hyderabad, I couldn’t contain my excitement. I was overjoyed because I’m always curious to learn new things, and this was the perfect opportunity. Without hesitation, I packed my bags and headed to Hyderabad with my team, eager to experience what this event had to offer.

And what makes this moment even more special is that, this achievement got featured in the newspaper! Seeing SHUATS highlighted for this opportunity is a moment of pride for me and everyone associated with the institution. This opportunity feels like a milestone in my journey, and I am incredibly proud to represent SHUATS at such a significant event.

From the moment I stepped in, the environment felt warm and welcoming—almost like being at home.

The people were incredibly friendly and helpful, treating each other like family members. It didn’t matter your age, gender, or level of knowledge—everyone was there to support and uplift one another. It was a space where doubts were openly addressed, connections were made, and everyone shared a collective eagerness to learn and explore.

One of the most inspiring parts of the summit was how seamlessly Wiki-pedians and
Wiki-medians connected. There was no barrier to networking; you could approach anyone at any time. Every second felt like an opportunity to learn something new, and I soaked up every bit of it.

During the summit, I had the chance to meet one of the most knowledgeable Wikimedians, Abhijeet Patro, Staff Software Engineer, Language Engineering, Wikimedia Foundation.

He had an incredible depth of expertise in Wikimedia open source and was generous in sharing it. He guided me on how to approach larger projects, which not only helped me sharpen my skills but also gave me the confidence to tackle more ambitious challenges in the future. His mentorship was one of the highlights of the event for me.

As the summit came to an end, we wrapped up with a group photography session. It was a beautiful way to celebrate the connections we had made and the knowledge we had gained. We shared ideas, made plans to collaborate on bigger projects, and left with a renewed sense of purpose and community.

Attending the Wiki 3rd Tech Summit, Hyderabad, was an unforgettable experience. It wasn’t just about learning technical skills; it was about being part of a community that thrives on collaboration, respect, and mutual growth.

Indic Wiki Hackathon in Bhubaneswar (BBSR)

The Indic Wiki Hackathon in Bhubaneswar (BBSR) was a three-day event, but what made it unique and exciting was how different it was from other hackathons. Typically, in hackathons, the main focus is on completing projects and being the best—there’s usually one winner, and the competition is intense. But here, the approach was completely different.

The goal wasn’t about winning as an individual but about collectively succeeding as a community. The focus was on learning together, sharing knowledge, and getting familiar with the Wikimedia ecosystem. It was a true celebration of collaboration. Students and contributors from all over India participated—some from Delhi University, some from southern states, and various Wikimedia communities like the Malayalam and Odia communities. Of course, we also had our own group, WikiClub Tech, representing!

One moment that stood out for me during this hackathon was when I unexpectedly saw Abhijeet Patro again. I didn’t know he would be there, and seeing him in person surprised me in the best way. I was so excited that I literally jumped and ran to greet him. His presence added so much energy to the event, and he continued to guide me and many others throughout the hackathon.

The hackathon started with tasks already assigned to participants, each with an individual mentor. Some of the mentors included Abhijeet Patro, Gopa, Krishna Chaitanya (KC), Jay Prakash, Satdeep Gill, and Jinoy, among others.

I was assigned two tasks during the hackathon:

1. Developing a tool to help with the Transliteration Tool for Indic languages.

   I worked on these tasks with guidance from Abhijeet Patro and Satdeep Gill. Abhijeet, in particular, was incredibly helpful and made the whole process smooth and enjoyable. Completing these tasks with their mentorship felt like a big achievement.

2. Adding type hinting to MediaWiki code following PEP 484 standards.

   This task was mentored by Jay Prakash, who provided valuable guidance throughout the process. His support made the task much more manageable and enjoyable, and completing it under his mentorship felt like a significant achievement.

The daily routine was simple yet intense: hacking sessions followed by informative talks, then lunch, and back to work again. It was a cycle of “work, eat, repeat,” but it never felt tiring because of the incredible energy and enthussiasm in the room.

On the last day, we wrapped up the hackathon with a social tour to Udaigiri and Khandagiri Hills, which was a refreshing change of pace. The tour gave us a chance to unwind and connect with each other outside of work.

The Indic Wiki Hackathon wasn’t just about solving problems or writing code; it was about coming together as a community to learn, grow, and share experiences. It showed me the true spirit of open-source collaboration, and I left feeling inspired and motivated to contribute even more.

Road to Wiki Graduation Day on 27th-28th February at Hyaat, Gurgaon

On February 26, 2024, our journey commenced as the core team and organizers set out for Lucknow. We planned to arrive a day early to ensure a smooth transition for our trip to Delhi the next day.

Arrival in Delhi & The Grand RoadToWiki Kickoff (Feb 27, 2024)

We reached Delhi by 3 PM and headed straight to our hotel, Hyatt Place. After a long journey, the first thing I did was take a refreshing swim—exactly what I needed before diving into the exciting events ahead!

By 5:30 PM, the much-anticipated RoadToWiki Cohort 1 officially began. As an organizing team member, I helped manage the event while also engaging with incredible people. I had the opportunity to meet Rachit, Nitesh, Gopa, Nivas, Satdeep, and many developers from different regions, all sharing a deep passion for open-source contributions.

Engaging Activities & Interactive Challenges

The evening was packed with engaging activities that encouraged teamwork, strategy, and creativity. Some highlights included:

🔹 The Wooden Block Challenge – A test of patience and teamwork as we built towering structures with a twist: pulling specific blocks caused the whole tower to collapse!

🔹 The Thread Stability Challenge – A deceptively simple yet tricky task that required precision and focus.

🔹 Dancing & Graduation Ceremony – The night ended with laughter, dance, and a special graduation cap ceremony to celebrate our journey in the cohort. We captured countless memories through photos, marking the perfect end to the day. After an eventful evening, we rested at the hotel, eagerly anticipating the next day’s grand experience.

Day 2 – A Dream Come True: Visiting the Meta Office (Feb 28, 2024)

The morning of February 28 began with a thrilling surprise—a visit to the Meta Office in Gurgaon!

As I stood before the Meta Office, I had to take a moment to let it all sink in. It felt surreal to be at the very place where platforms like Facebook and WhatsApp are built. A moment of awe washed over me, reminding me of how far we had come on this journey.

Inside Meta: Learning from Industry Experts After registering our credentials, we received Business ID cards, granting us access to the Meta workspace and exclusive sessions.

🔹 Quiz Competition – The day kicked off with an interactive quiz on open-source contributions and MediaWiki, reinforcing our learning in a fun way.

🔹 Expert Sessions & Insights – Industry leaders shared their knowledge:

Abhijeet Patro provided a complete roadmap for MediaWiki contributions.

Vasanth Gopa discussed the Advanced Cohort for deeper engagement.

Praveen Das explained the backbone of Wikimedia operations.

Ankit Kumar Verma shared his vision for WikiClub Tech and the future of open-source contributions.

🔹 Networking & Mentorship – Developers from institutions like Chitkara, Alva’s, UIT, SIET, UCER, and SHUATS (my college!) participated in open discussions, where we had the chance to interact directly with mentors and experts.

Mentorship Task Presentations – A Proud Moment

One of the most fulfilling parts of the event was the Mentorship Task Presentations. Each mentor showcased their team’s contributions, and as the mentor of Group 3, I proudly presented our work. Standing in front of such an esteemed audience and sharing our journey was a moment of immense pride!

The Grand Finale – Photos & Swag!

Before wrapping up, we captured our best moments at Meta Office with a grand photo session. As a token of appreciation, we received exciting swags, making this experience even more memorable.

Final Reflections & Gratitude

Being part of RoadToWiki Cohort 1 as a mentor has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. I am deeply grateful to Ankit Kumar Verma and WikiClub Tech for organizing such a phenomenal event that empowered us to grow, learn, and contribute meaningfully.

A special thanks to Praveen Das, whose guidance made this journey even more enriching. His passion for Wikimedia is truly inspiring, and meeting him was one of the biggest highlights of the trip.

This journey has been transformational—from understanding the depth of open-source contributions to getting a closer look at the tech industry. I am eager to continue my journey in MediaWiki and open-source development.

Looking Ahead The RoadToWiki experience has opened my eyes to endless opportunities within the Wikimedia ecosystem. There is so much more to explore, learn, and contribute, and I look forward to taking this journey further!