Wikipedia Celebrates 25 Years: India Highlights in Global Volunteering

Wikipedia Celebrates 25 Years: India Highlights in Global Volunteering

Post by : Bianca Suleiman

Wikipedia, renowned as the largest online encyclopedia, celebrated its 25th anniversary on Thursday, marking a remarkable journey of offering free and accessible knowledge to individuals around the globe.

In celebration of this significant milestone, the Wikimedia Foundation initiated a worldwide campaign that reflects on its history, the commitment of its volunteers, and prospects for the future. Maryana Iskander, CEO of the Wikimedia Foundation, expressed, “Wikipedia is a remarkable digital innovation. It has surmounted numerous obstacles, thanks to the dedicated individuals behind it, sharing trustworthy knowledge worldwide.”

To commemorate the occasion, Wikimedia debuted a docuseries featuring eight devoted volunteer editors from various regions. This series showcases their relentless efforts, from chronicling storms in California to providing essential COVID-19 information in India. Dr. Netha Hussain, an Indian medical professional, played a crucial role in sharing pandemic-related insights, underscoring India's significant contribution to the Wikipedia community.

India stands fifth globally in terms of Wikipedia page views, accumulating approximately 800 million monthly, while ranking third in English Wikipedia contributors following the United States and the United Kingdom. With entries available in over 25 Indic languages—including nearly all 22 scheduled languages of India—Wikipedia serves as an invaluable tool for local educational initiatives.

To celebrate its anniversary, the Wikimedia Foundation has planned:

  • An engaging quiz aimed at exploring Wikipedia’s trajectory

  • A global initiative for signing a digital birthday card

  • A virtual birthday celebration scheduled for January 15, streamed live on platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram

  • Special “Birthday mode” surprises featuring the new mascot, Baby Globe

  • Exclusive Wikipedia merchandise, including a plushie of Baby Globe

Despite the rise of AI technology, Wikipedia continues to rank among the top ten global websites. Its expansive collection of 65 million articles across over 300 languages garners nearly 15 billion views monthly, serving as a critical foundation for search engines, AI chatbots, and voice assistants, reaffirming the enduring cruciality of human knowledge.

Jan. 15, 2026 4:36 p.m. 127
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