Wikipedia:WikiConnect/Conversations/Sanket Oswal

Sanket Oswal and Abhishek Suryawanshi met on 27th December 2014 at SGS Mall Pune. Here are key points discussed by them :

Inputs

 * Almost 70% India lives in rural area, they are far way from mainstream media. However mobile penetration is increasing day by day in rural area's.
 * We can promote English as well as local language Wikipedia in remote locations.
 * Nice initiative to promote Wikipedia and sister projects in rural community.
 * Health-related (verified) Wikipedia-articles can be shared for public health awareness. (ex : In rural community, we can distribute breast cancer/Dengue/AIDS Wikipedia article in English as well as local language)
 * Chapter is having minor representation from North-East India, it is better to execute this project in such region.

Challenges

 * Lack of support and community absence in remote locations.
 * It will involve lot of traveling and grass-root level work.
 * It may require financial assistance to execute it on better level.
 * Follow-up is necessary.
 * Volunteer-management.

Possible Solutions

 * Tie-up with local organizations who work in rural communities.
 * Dedicated staff/volunteer to manage project.
 * Guidance from experts who have worked in rural communities earlier.
 * Financial Help : Possible sources - WMF, CIS, WMIN etc

Anticipated Outcome

 * New community can emerge from WikiConnect.
 * Strong reader/editor base in remote locations as well as North-east.
 * Increased visibility and usage of Wikimedia Projects by rural community.
 * Global Health-access-knowledge sharing through Wiki will be useful to rural community.

Help from Sanket

 * On-ground outreach if needed.
 * Help to connect local organizations in rural communities.
 * Will be available to conduct workshop as per availability.
 * Will act as bridge between Chapter and WikiConnect.
 * Social-awareness help through online sources.

Sankoswal (talk) 14:49, 27 December 2014 (UTC)