On October 31, 2024, Kashmiri Wikimedians joined the global Wikimedia community in celebrating the 12th anniversary of Wikidata, a project that has reshaped the way knowledge is structured and shared worldwide. Since its inception on October 29, 2012, Wikidata has grown into a powerful, multilingual, and openly accessible knowledge base, designed to support Wikipedia and other Wikimedia projects as well as countless external platforms.
What is Wikidata?
Wikidata is a centralized, collaborative database that stores structured data, making it easier to share information consistently across languages and Wikimedia projects. Unlike traditional encyclopedia articles, Wikidata operates through “items” that consist of data points, which can be as simple as a birth date or as complex as interconnected information on historical events, scientific discoveries, or geographical locations. Each data point can be freely accessed and edited by contributors worldwide, supporting the mission of democratizing knowledge.
Why the Anniversary Matters
This 12-year milestone marks an important achievement for the open-knowledge movement. Wikidata’s success demonstrates how communities can come together to build a global resource that makes structured data available to everyone. With millions of data entries now in place, the platform has become an essential tool for developers, researchers, and organizations that need reliable, structured information across various subjects and languages.
Kashmiri Wikimedians’ Involvement
For Kashmiri Wikimedians, Wikidata offers a unique opportunity to represent and share Kashmiri culture, language, and heritage with the world. By contributing data about Kashmir’s historical landmarks, notable personalities, and unique cultural practices, they help ensure that Kashmiri knowledge is accessible and preserved on a global platform. These contributions also make it easier for others to learn about Kashmir through search engines and online platforms that pull information from Wikidata.