I take strong offense to this mail and see it as an attack on Anirudh, aka Sir Nicholas. He is a senior member of the community, an active editor and administrator on the English Wikipedia, and a founding member of the chapter. One doesn't need Indic contribs to be an Indian Wikipedian. You might want to search again, or use a different search engine. The community hasn't reached any low because of this but because people are busy ranting out her and not contributing or letting others contribute.
On 2/18/13, Raj Tagore <[email protected]> wrote: > ---------- Forwarded message ---------- > From: <[email protected]> > Date: Sat, Feb 16, 2013 at 10:29 PM > Subject: Re: [Wikimediaindia-l] Chapter Misleading Community! > To: [email protected], [email protected] > > > Dear Anirudh and List members, > > I am forced to send this e-mail because I feel that the Wikimedia Movement > in India has hit a new low by moderating its own active member (Abhishek > Suryawanshi) on the Wikimedia India mailing list. > > This is not to say that I agree with Abhishek's tone, but I feel that there > is nothing wrong in what he was asking. > > Few of my concerns: > > 1) Why does Anirudh respond on behalf of EC and why has the EC not > responded to Abhishek/community? Do we assume that the entire EC is acting > as sock-puppet of Anirudha? Sorry to ask this but I feel there is too much > shadow puppetry happening in the Wikimedia India Chapter. This act of > moderation is only an indication of this. I wish the EC comes out clean and > Anirudha minds his own business, where ever he is. > > 2) Initially I felt, probably Anirudh 'felt' like an elder and was > concerned. I went in search of what he has done for the Indian Wikimedia > movement and realized that there is very less that I could find. There is > nothing that you seemed to have contributed to 'Indic' wikipedias. I think > someone asked the same question in the past to which there is no answer > from you. Please help and redirect to your contribution to Wikipedia India > movement. > > I feel it is much more important that Anirudh be moderated. It would be > gracious if he self moderates his actions. > > Taking the liberty to cross post this to many as I feel this highhanded > suppression of 'freedom of expression' be seen seriously by the community. > With a hope that Anirudha will avoid taking such repressive steps in future > and allows this post reach the WM-India mailing list. > > > > > Thanks, > Rajat > > > On Fri, Feb 15, 2013 at 1:17 AM, Anirudh Bhati <[email protected]> > wrote: > >> Abhishek, >> >> The chapter's response has been to ask you to stop making >> unsubstantiated allegations. Sunil has clarified that that the WMF >> sponsored A2K programme is funding travel and accommodation of some >> members of the Wikimedia India Executive Committee for the purpose of >> a training session in Bangalore organized for the benefit of the new >> employee(s) of CIS/A2K. This is the sole purpose of funding travel >> and accommodation from CIS/A2K perspective and nothing else. What the >> members of the WMIN board decide to do in their spare time while they >> are available in the same city is up to them. If they use this time >> to organize a face to face board meeting, all the more better, since >> this way they save some precious chapter funds. Your accusation that >> the chapter is misleading the community is a falsification. >> >> Since you have chosen to ignore my previous warning and continued to >> post on the same topic on this mailing list, I have put your account >> on moderation. If you wish to discuss this matter further, please >> feel free to send an email to the chapter directly. >> >> Thanks, >> Anirudh >> >> On Fri, Feb 15, 2013 at 2:16 AM, Abhishek Suryawanshi >> <[email protected]> wrote: >> > >> > >> > Dear Anirudh, >> > >> > Please direct me to the response/clarification from Wikimedia India >> > Executive Committee. >> > >> > Only Sunil has made the whole thing clear and now its "only" You who >> > is >> > saying - >> > It is clear to us all that some members of the Executive committee will >> be >> > travelling to Bangalore in order to train the new employees of CIS on >> > matters pertaining to their new assignments. The Executive Committee >> > has decided to utilize this time when all the members of the board are >> > in the same city together to have a face to face meeting. There is >> > nothing that has been said that goes to prove that CIS regularly funds >> > chapter activities. >> > >> > >> > >> > >> > Regards, >> > Abhishek Suryawanshi, >> > On Behalf of Wikipedia Club Pune >> > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> > On Fri, Feb 15, 2013 at 12:20 AM, Anirudh Bhati <[email protected]> >> > wrote: >> >> >> >> Abhishek, >> >> >> >> I noticed that you have been repetitively raising the same issues over >> >> and over again. The members of the Executive Committee of Wikimedia >> >> India and Sunil@CIS have already responded to your questions. It is >> >> clear to us all that some members of the Executive committee will be >> >> travelling to Bangalore in order to train the new employees of CIS on >> >> matters pertaining to their new assignments. The Executive Committee >> >> has decided to utilize this time when all the members of the board are >> >> in the same city together to have a face to face meeting. There is >> >> nothing that has been said that goes to prove that CIS regularly funds >> >> chapter activities. >> >> >> >> I have to ask you to please refrain from sending further emails on >> >> this topic. If you ignore this warning, I will have to put your >> >> account on moderation. >> >> >> >> Thanks, >> >> Anirudh >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> On Fri, Feb 15, 2013 at 1:16 AM, Abhishek Suryawanshi >> >> <[email protected]> wrote: >> >> > Dear Executive Committee, >> >> > Wikimedia India Chapter. >> >> > >> >> > >> >> > Could you be please be kind enough to clarify, Why EC was/is >> interested >> >> > in >> >> > misguiding mailing list and Indian community? >> >> > >> >> > >> >> > When asked about CIS funding - Executive Committee member wrote : >> >> > >> >> >> The Chapter has alwaya made things public and will xontinue to do >> >> >> so. >> >> >> If >> >> >> the CIS funds us, it will be madw public. >> >> > >> >> > >> >> > Then why weren't they made public by you? CIS clearly stated - they >> are >> >> > funding Chapter, and in past (also) they have supported in-kind. >> >> > >> >> > Why is the hesitation for acknowledging this? On the contrary - >> >> > there >> is >> >> > strong rejection of even having any kind of connection with CIS from >> >> > Chapter >> >> > representatives. (On the other hand CIS is graciously open/alright >> >> > to >> >> > acknowledge links with the Chapter) >> >> > >> >> > >> >> > On A Query about CIS funding Chapter Flight Tickets : Response from >> >> > Secretary was- >> >> > >> >> >> .....making unsubstantiated claims on a public mailing list, >> >> > >> >> > >> >> > Which part was unsubstantiated? Its the reality that this time >> Chapter >> >> > Board Member's Flight tickets ARE covered by CIS even if it includes >> >> > training the A2K team. >> >> > (CIS has already made it clear on this mailing list) >> >> > >> >> > >> >> > Why there is hesitation/resistance to have transparency? >> >> > >> >> > Also, the Chapter President gave statement on same thread - >> >> > >> >> >> Please be open and transparent to the >> >> >> community. The more you become transparent, it is better for all. >> >> > >> >> > >> >> > Are Chapter EC Members exception to this? >> >> > >> >> > On same lines, Another EC Members says - >> >> > >> >> >> The Chapter is financially accountable to it's MEMBERS, >> >> > >> >> > >> >> > As correctly stated by , Chapter is having money from WMF, Which >> >> > comes >> >> > from >> >> > individual donations. So ideally >> >> > Chapter should be accountable to the overall community and not just >> its >> >> > members, as rightly pointed out by someone >> >> > >> >> > Again, What is the need to find excuses for transparency? >> >> > >> >> > When there was statement that ''AGM travel expense is covered'' >> instead >> >> > of >> >> > correcting statement and saying, its wrong - and CIS is paying for >> Board >> >> > Trip (which is coinciding with CIS training!) >> >> > Even Chapter President preferred to give out half truth and kept >> >> > everyone in >> >> > dark. And there was Secretary and another EC Member to take whole >> >> > mailing >> >> > list on a ride! >> >> > >> >> > >> >> > Why it is important? >> >> > >> >> > This could be start of new era - Where CIS supports Chapter >> financially >> >> > whenever needed. >> >> > (or in-kind as they did in past and hopefully will continue to do >> >> > so). >> >> > >> >> > So more and more volunteer efforts can be devoted for >> >> > outreach/activities. >> >> > >> >> >> Please remember that chapter is representation of the community and >> >> >> works for the community >> >> > >> >> > >> >> > Current scenario gives wrong interpretation and implies that >> >> > community >> >> > should not raise questions on transparency because after-all we are >> your >> >> > representation! Either consult community before lying or speak >> >> > (complete) >> >> > truth. >> >> > >> >> >> Here is response from Sunil,CIS - >> >> >> >> >> >> This month, we are reimbursing the Chapter EC travel and related >> >> >> expenses because the Chapter EC has kindly consented to support a >> >> >> training programme that CIS is organising for it's A2K team in >> >> >> Bangalore. It is only happy coincidence that they were also >> organising >> >> >> a meeting in Bangalore during those dates. I was not aware of this >> >> >> when I reached out to the EC and asked for their support us. >> >> > >> >> > >> >> > >> >> > From Sunil's mail it is clear that Sunil extended the offer in >> >> > good-faith, >> >> > unaware of Chapter-Board meeting falling at the same time. However >> >> > Chapter >> >> > also seems to have taken this opportunity and is now shy to accept. >> >> > I >> >> > don't >> >> > understand why? >> >> > >> >> > And why CIS was also kept in dark? >> >> > >> >> > >> >> >> CIS will cover air travel and accommodation for all EC members. CIS >> >> >> will >> >> >> also provide per diem for meals that are not provided during the >> >> >> training. Unfortunately, we don't have a separate budget for fees. >> >> > >> >> > >> >> > Along with 'air Travel', CIS is providing accommodation too. >> >> > And Last sentence about fee budget is interesting. >> >> > >> >> > >> >> > If Chapter is expecting public support for fundraising and other >> >> > activities, >> >> > then it should be more transparent and 'should avoid organized and >> >> > dedicated >> >> > efforts to misguide community/keep in dark.' >> >> > >> >> > >> >> > And Hope so CIS takes care of all the >> >> > remaining Chapter financial needs as well, Just keep community in >> loop. >> >> > And >> >> > Thanks to Sunil/ CIS for being transparent and open. >> >> > >> >> > >> >> > >> >> > >> >> > Keep Clarifying, Keep Inspiring! >> >> > >> >> > >> >> > >> >> > -Abhishek Suryawanshi, >> >> > On Behalf of Wikipedia Club Pune >> >> > >> >> > >> >> > >> >> > ---------- Forwarded message ---------- >> >> > From: Sunil Abraham <[email protected]> >> >> > Date: Thu, Feb 14, 2013 at 12:29 PM >> >> > Subject: Re: [Wikimediaindia-l] why to donate >> >> > To: Abhishek Suryawanshi <[email protected]> >> >> > Cc: Wikimedia India Community list >> >> > <[email protected]> >> >> > >> >> > >> >> > Dear Abhishek, >> >> > >> >> > CIS is not supporting travel expenses for Chapter EC meetings. Nor >> >> > has >> >> > CIS provided funding to the Chapter so far from the Wikipedia grant. >> >> > CIS has provided in-kind support to the Chapter in previous >> >> > financial >> >> > years for ex. society registration costs and the costs of their >> >> > financial adviser during their first financial year. We strongly >> >> > suppor >> >> > >> >> > This month, we are reimbursing the Chapter EC travel and related >> >> > expenses because the Chapter EC has kindly consented to support a >> >> > training programme that CIS is organising for it's A2K team in >> >> > Bangalore. It is only happy coincidence that they were also >> >> > organising >> >> > a meeting in Bangalore during those dates. I was not aware of this >> >> > when I reached out to the EC and asked for their support us. >> >> > >> >> > Dear Friends, >> >> > >> >> > In the first week of March, we hope to release a 6-monthly report of >> >> > the utilization of the grant so far. Usually we only provide an >> >> > annual >> >> > consolidated report for all grants at the ledger group level. But >> >> > for >> >> > this particular grant we will increase the degree of transparency to >> >> > address concerns of the community. If you have any suggestions on >> >> > how >> >> > we should structure this report or if you have any further questions >> >> > about how CIS is spending the grant allocated do not hesitate to ask >> >> > me. >> >> > >> >> > Best wishes, >> >> > >> >> > Sunil >> >> > >> >> > >> >> > >> >> > -------- Original Message -------- >> >> > Subject: Training of CIS-A2K team on 23 or 24 of February >> >> > Date: Mon, 28 Jan 2013 10:48:42 +0530 >> >> > From: Sunil Abraham <[email protected]> >> >> > To: Wikimedia India EC <[email protected]> >> >> > >> >> > Attn: >> >> > Sudhanwa Jogalekar >> >> > Karthik Nadar >> >> > Anirudh Singh Bhati >> >> > Nikita Belavate >> >> > Pranav Curumsey >> >> > Srikanth Ramakrishnan >> >> > Viswa Prabha >> >> > >> >> > Dear Members of the Wikimedia India EC, >> >> > >> >> > Hope 2013 has gotten of to an excellent start for all of you. >> >> > >> >> > CIS is organising a training for the A2K team on the 22nd, 23rd and >> 24th >> >> > of February in Bangalore. The new Programme Director - Vishnu >> >> > Vardhan >> >> > will also be attending this event. We would like the EC to spend one >> day >> >> > training the team on a variety of issues. We would prefer if you opt >> for >> >> > either 23rd or the 24th as we have some other trainers that have >> >> > confirmed for the 22nd. >> >> > >> >> > CIS will cover air travel and accommodation for all EC members. CIS >> will >> >> > also provide per diem for meals that are not provided during the >> >> > training. Unfortunately, we don't have a separate budget for fees. >> >> > >> >> > This idea has been discussed with Anasuya Sengupta and Jessie Wild >> >> > at >> >> > the Wikimedia Foundation and they have supported it. >> >> > >> >> > Best wishes, >> >> > >> >> > Sunil >> >> > >> >> > >> >> > On Wed, Feb 13, 2013 at 1:08 AM, Abhishek Suryawanshi >> >> > <[email protected]> wrote: >> >> >> >> >> >> Dear Sunil, >> >> >> >> >> >> Could you please share information about CIS supporting Chapter >> Travel >> >> >> expenses? >> >> >> >> >> >> And Its nice and positive move, Great to see CIS continues to >> >> >> support >> >> >> movement in India. >> >> >> Volunteers can devote their time in doing activities and CIS can >> >> >> support >> >> >> as >> >> >> per request. >> >> >> >> >> >> As Chapter is shy/silent about acknowledging funding from CIS - >> >> >> Hope >> so >> >> >> your >> >> >> reply will clarify that CIS is there to support Chapter activities >> >> >> irrespective of criticism. >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> Keep Supporting, Keep Inspiring! :) >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> Regards, >> >> >> >> >> >> Abhishek Suryawanshi, >> >> >> On Behalf of Wikipedia Club Pune >> >> > >> >> > >> >> > >> >> > >> >> > >> >> > >> >> > >> >> > >> >> > _______________________________________________ >> >> > Wikimediaindia-l mailing list >> >> > [email protected] >> >> > To unsubscribe from the list / change mailing preferences visit >> >> > https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimediaindia-l >> >> > >> >> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> >> Wikimediaindia-l mailing list >> >> [email protected] >> >> To unsubscribe from the list / change mailing preferences visit >> >> https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimediaindia-l >> > >> > >> > >> > _______________________________________________ >> > Wikimediaindia-l mailing list >> > [email protected] >> > To unsubscribe from the list / change mailing preferences visit >> > https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimediaindia-l >> > >> >> _______________________________________________ >> Wikimediaindia-l mailing list >> [email protected] >> To unsubscribe from the list / change mailing preferences visit >> https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimediaindia-l >> > -- Srikanth Ramakrishnan Member of the Executive Committee Wikimedia Chapter [India] Donate to the Wikimedia India Chapter today<http://wiki.wikimedia.in/Donations> _______________________________________________ Wikimedia-IN-PUN mailing list [email protected] https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimedia-in-pun
