The Wikimedians of Santali Language User Group celebrated the 25th anniversary of Wikipedia, the world’s largest free encyclopedia, with a grand gathering at Club Central Hotel, Bolpur-Sriniketan, reaffirming their commitment to strengthening the Santali language in the global digital knowledge ecosystem.
The event brought together Wikimedians, academicians, students, and language enthusiasts to celebrate the remarkable journey of Wikipedia while recognizing the growing contributions of the Santali community to Wikimedia projects.
Since its launch in 2001, Wikipedia has expanded into 348 language editions, becoming one of the world’s most influential knowledge platforms. Through the collective efforts of volunteers from India, Bangladesh, and Nepal, Santali Wikipedia was officially launched in August 2018, marking a historic milestone for the language.
The movement gained momentum in 2024 with the establishment of Santal Wiki Akhra, Santiniketan, an initiative led by Dr. Ramu Hembrom, Assistant Professor in the Department of Santali at Visva-Bharati, together with senior Wikimedian Bodi Baski, students, and community volunteers. The initiative has successfully nurtured a vibrant community of digital contributors and played a pivotal role in launching the Santali Wiktionary project, “Wiki Ara Murai,” in February 2025.
The anniversary programme was coordinated by Dr. Ramu Hembrom and Bodi Baski and was attended by several distinguished guests, including:
Dr. Mansaram Murmu – Teacher-in-Charge, Department of Santali, Visva-Bharati
Dr. Dhaneswar Majhi – Assistant Professor, Department of Santali, Visva-Bharati
Dr. Ranvir Sumedh Bhagwan – Assistant Professor, Department of Marathi, Visva-Bharati
Dr. Srikant Gaikwad – Social Worker, Maharashtra
R. Ashwani Banjan Murmu – Veteran Administrator of Santali Wikipedia (joined virtually from Odisha)
During the programme, the dignitaries appreciated the contributions of Santali Wikimedians and emphasized the importance of deeper collaboration between the Department of Santali, Visva-Bharati, and the Wikimedia movement to promote digital education, language preservation, and open knowledge.
To commemorate Wikipedia’s Silver Jubilee, the community organized two major online contribution drives—an Article Writing Competition on Santali Wikipedia and a Word Addition Competition on Santali Wiktionary.
The competitions generated an impressive 514 new Wikipedia articles and 1,734 new Wiktionary entries, demonstrating the enthusiasm and dedication of Santali contributors.
Wikipedia Article Writing Competition
| 🏆 Wikipedia Article Writing Competition | ||
|---|---|---|
| Position | Winner | Articles Created |
| 🥇 1st | Rohit Sankar | 197 |
| 🥈 2nd | Sukol Baskey | 189 |
| 🥉 3rd | Pijush Pauriya | 60 |
| Jury: Arpita Hembram, Sekhar Murmu & Bodi Baski | ||
Santali Wiktionary Word Addition Competition
| 📖 Santali Wiktionary Word Addition Competition | ||
|---|---|---|
| Position | Winner | Words Added |
| 🥇 1st | Chhottulal Murmu | 466 |
| 🥈 2nd | User Wikipinakpani | 456 |
| 🥉 3rd | Pijush Pauriya | 422 |
|
Honourable Mentions: • Sukol Baskey – 226 words • Ankita Hembram – 62 words |
||
| Jury: Mangal Soren, Bodi Baski & Ankita Hembram | ||
The celebration witnessed the participation of 45 attendees, comprising current and former students of the Department of Santali, Visva-Bharati, Wikimedians, and language activists from different regions.
Participants travelled from Santal Pargana, including Laltu Mardi and Subhas Kisku, and from Jamshedpur, represented by Sekhar Murmu, reflecting the growing regional collaboration within the Santali Wikimedia movement.
The programme began with a formal welcome to the guests, followed by a virtual presentation by R. Ashwani Banjan Murmu, who shared the history and evolution of Wikipedia and highlighted the remarkable journey of the Santali Wikimedia community.
The celebration concluded with a ceremonial cake-cutting marking Wikipedia’s 25th anniversary, followed by interactive training sessions and hands-on workshops on Wikipedia and Wikimedia Commons, equipping participants with practical skills to continue contributing to free knowledge in the Santali language.
The celebration served not only as a commemoration of Wikipedia’s remarkable 25-year journey but also as a renewed commitment by the Santali Wikimedia community to preserve, enrich, and promote the Santali language through open knowledge. With sustained collaboration between academic institutions, community volunteers, and Wikimedia contributors, the future of Santali digital content continues to grow stronger, ensuring that the language remains vibrant and accessible for generations to come.
