Grants:Project/Transparency regarding Indian Members of Parliament
Project idea
editWhat is the problem you're trying to solve?
editWhat problem are you trying to solve by doing this project? This problem should be small enough that you expect it to be completely or mostly resolved by the end of this project. Remember to review the tutorial for tips on how to answer this question.
Lack of centralized objective information about Indian Members of Parliament.
What is your solution?
editFor the problem you identified in the previous section, briefly describe your how you would like to address this problem. We recognize that there are many ways to solve a problem. We’d like to understand why you chose this particular solution, and why you think it is worth pursuing. Remember to review the tutorial for tips on how to answer this question.
There are very few objective data points for the public/electorate pertaining to elected representatives. These data points are publicly accessible, however, they must be accessed through convoluted government e-sources (namely, the Election Commission & Lok Sabha - lower house of India). By having this information on the Wiki pages of MPs, there will be increased transparency in the entire system. The electorate/public may choose to use this information to inform their vote and/or gain perspective about their elected representatives.
Project goals
editWhat are your goals for this project? Your goals should describe the top two or three benefits that will come out of your project. These should be benefits to the Wikimedia projects or Wikimedia communities. They should not be benefits to you individually. Remember to review the tutorial for tips on how to answer this question.
1. Creation of a uniform objective information backbone across the 543 wiki pages of Indian MPs who represent 1.4 billion people on the world's largest democracy.
2. Equal focus on all pages irrespective of how big/small the MP's constituency is, thereby reiterating Wikimedia's focus on Equity.
Project impact
editHow will you know if you have met your goals?
editFor each of your goals, we’d like you to answer the following questions:
- During your project, what will you do to achieve this goal? (These are your outputs.)
- Once your project is over, how will it continue to positively impact the Wikimedia community or projects? (These are your outcomes.)
For each of your answers, think about how you will capture this information. Will you capture it with a survey? With a story? Will you measure it with a number? Remember, if you plan to measure a number, you will need to set a numeric target in your proposal (e.g. 45 people, 10 articles, 100 scanned documents). Remember to review the tutorial for tips on how to answer this question.
Output 1: 543 information dockets in English and Hindi (created offline for each MP). Each docket will include information pertaining to the MPs: Name, Age, Gender, Constituency, State, Political Party, Number of pending criminal cases, financial assets/liabilities, income sources, attendance, questions asked, debates participated in). Output 2 : 543 wiki pages (X2 languages) edited to include the above information (in case some MPs do not have wiki pages, the pages would also need to be created).
Outcome 1: Access to objective information pertaining to Indian MPs who represent 1.4 billion people in the world's largest democracy in line with the Foundation's "Knowledge as a Service' mandate
Outcome 2: Equal focus on all MP's pages irrespective of the constituency size and/or MP's stature in line with the Foundation's 'Knowledge equity' focus.
Outcome 3: Allowing the community (and Indian electorate) to objectively view MPs (and their performances) beyond misinformation/narratives that are often sponsored by the corporate (politically influenced) media.
Do you have any goals around participation or content?
editAre any of your goals related to increasing participation within the Wikimedia movement, or increasing/improving the content on Wikimedia projects? If so, we ask that you look through these three metrics, and include any that are relevant to your project. Please set a numeric target against the metrics, if applicable. Remember to review the tutorial for tips on how to answer this question.
Some Indian MPs may not have wiki pages. These need to be created.
If this project is a success, similar projects can be done for 4000+ Indian members of legislative assemblies (MLAs)/ representatives at the state level. These projects would need to include Wikipedia pages in many regional languages.
Project plan
editActivities
editTell us how you'll carry out your project. What will you and other organizers spend your time doing? What will you have done at the end of your project? How will you follow-up with people that are involved with your project?
1. Setup - List all sources. This would include all govt and NGO sources of information. (Self)
Hire 2 personnel for translation and research (Self)
Create a critical-path for the project (Self)
2. Docket creation - The 2 personnel would create information dockets (as described in Outputs above) in English and Hindi. Review this information (Self)
3. Transcribe onto Wikipedia - Using the help of Wiki community and/or the 2 personnel hired, we would update the information to all 543X2 (English & Hindi)
4. Review/Test/Improve - With help from the community we would update the information as needed
NOTE: I have no experience editing wiki pages. I have only been an end-user. I would be happy to collaborate with those in the community with expertise.
Budget
editHow you will use the funds you are requesting? List bullet points for each expense. (You can create a table later if needed.) Don’t forget to include a total amount, and update this amount in the Probox at the top of your page too!
Translator / Researcher : Rs 50,000 per month X 2 persons X 3 months =
Rs 3 Lakhs or ~USD 4,000
Equipment/Services/Misc (e.g. Hindi keyboard, printing, office supplies) Rs. 70,000 or ~USD 1,000
Project Management (Self) Rs 50,000 per month X 3 months = Rs 1.5 Lakhs or ~USD 2,000
Given the ongoing COVID-19 situation, the translators/researchers would most like work remotely and have their own equipment (laptops/computers)
Community engagement
editCommunity input and participation helps make projects successful. How will you let others in your community know about your project? Why are you targeting a specific audience? How will you engage the community you’re aiming to serve during your project?
I will coordinate with my existing associations with India's National Election Watch and other networks to help spread word about this project and its benefits.
Get involved
editParticipants
editPlease use this section to tell us more about who is working on this project. For each member of the team, please describe any project-related skills, experience, or other background you have that might help contribute to making this idea a success.
Rsaxena1 - I have been involved in projects on electoral reform in India since 2009. I have worked on tech projects as well as legislative reform projects that increase transparency across the Indian electoral spectrum. I also run one of India's widest read political blogs. My blog has been recognized by The Guardian as a source for providing analysis on Indian elections.
I have an MBA in Nonprofit Leadership and have professionally worked as a Consultant in the social sector managing projects aimed at strategic planning, program evaluations, social-enterprise setup and social-needs research.
Community notification
editPlease paste links below to where relevant communities have been notified of your proposal, and to any other relevant community discussions. You are responsible for notifying relevant communities of your proposal, so that they can help you! Depending on your project, notification may be most appropriate on a Village Pump, talk page, mailing list, etc. Need notification tips?
Endorsements
editDo you think this project should be selected for a Project Grant? Please add your name and rationale for endorsing this project below! (Other constructive feedback is welcome on the discussion page).