Volunteers Are the Backbone of Linguistic Communities — Tanveer Hasan
International experts train participants at a two-day workshop by the Punjabi Wikimedians User Group
Patiala, 21 April
The true strength of any linguistic community lies in its informed and active volunteers. Only when a strong culture of volunteerism thrives can the reach of language and knowledge expand effectively. This was stated by Tanveer Hasan while addressing the inaugural session of a two-day skill development workshop organized by the Punjabi Wikimedians User Group.
Sharing details about the workshop, volunteer media advisor Aman Arora said that under the guidance of senior Wikimedians Satdeep Gill, Nitesh Gill, and group coordinator Kuldeep Burj Bhalaike, international experts conducted sessions on various subjects for volunteers during the Chandigarh workshop.
Tanveer Hasan emphasized that the long-term sustainability of linguistic communities depends on engaging new volunteers, providing continuous training, and nurturing leadership skills. He highlighted that capacity building and language promotion must go hand in hand to ensure steady community growth.
Rachit Sharma, Movement Communication Manager at the Wikimedia Foundation, shared insights into the organization’s annual plans and communication tools. He noted that effective communication is key to the success of any movement, and leveraging digital platforms can significantly boost community participation.
Senior Trust and Safety Community Governance Specialist Manavpreet Kaur spoke about the Universal Code of Conduct, stressing that a safe, inclusive, and respectful environment is essential for any online community. She underlined the importance of adherence to these guidelines to foster trust and collaboration.
Other sessions featured expert insights from Praveen Das on strategic planning and project design, Sneha PP on research in Indian Wikimedia communities, and Satdeep Gill on digital tools. Medhavi Gandhi, founder of Heritage Lab, highlighted the role of digital platforms in heritage preservation. Several other experts also contributed to the workshop discussions.
Senior Wikimedians including Charan Gill, Dr. Stalinjeet Brar, Dr. Gaurav Jhammat, Nishan Singh Virdi, Gurmel Kaur, and Tamanpreet Kaur, along with more than two dozen volunteers, participated in the training.
