2027:Expressions of Interest/Wikimania 2027: Expression of interest - India

Expression of interest: India

Abstract/description

Chennai, the capital city of Tamil Nadu, is a thriving cultural, economic, and educational hub, making it a prime location for hosting Wikimania 2028. With a rich heritage spanning over 380 years, Chennai blends tradition with modernity, offering international visitors a unique experience through its historic landmarks, temples, museums, and the renowned Marina Beach. The city’s well-established infrastructure includes an international airport with direct connections to major global cities, ensuring easy access for attendees worldwide. Chennai also boasts excellent metro rail connectivity, which links the airport, major hotels, and key conference venues like the Chennai Trade Centre. This efficient public transportation system ensures smooth travel across the city for international guests, reducing traffic congestion and improving overall event logistics. With a variety of accommodations, from luxury hotels to budget-friendly stays, and world-class venues equipped to handle large-scale conferences, Chennai is well-prepared to host an event of Wikimania’s caliber. The Chennai Metro Rail, along with the city's road and rail networks, further enhances the feasibility of organizing such a grand international event. Additionally, Chennai’s booming IT sector, top academic institutions, and thriving tech community make it an ideal destination that aligns with the knowledge-sharing ethos of Wikimania. The city's experience in hosting major international events, such as the Chennai International Film Festival, showcases its capacity to deliver a successful and memorable Wikimania 2028.

Organizers

VGLUG FOUNDATION. VGLUG Foundation is a non-profit organization based in Tamil Nadu, India. It is dedicated to promoting Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) and fostering a community of learners, developers, and enthusiasts who contribute to the open-source movement. VGLUG Foundation's primary mission is to spread awareness and provide education about GNU/Linux, open-source tools, and software freedom in both rural and urban regions. The foundation organizes workshops, seminars, hackathons, and coding sessions to engage students, professionals, and hobbyists in open-source software. VGLUG also collaborates with educational institutions to integrate FOSS into their curriculum and supports projects that contribute to the open-source community. Through its outreach programs, the foundation emphasizes the importance of technology access and digital freedom, particularly in underrepresented areas. The VGLUG Foundation plays an instrumental role in advocating for the use of open-source technologies across Tamil Nadu and India. By creating a supportive environment for knowledge sharing and collaboration, the foundation empowers individuals to develop skills in open-source software and contribute to projects that benefit the larger community

Core Organizing Team

@SathishKokila - Organizer of VGLUG

@KowsalyaVglug - Executive Member of VGLUG

@Sulochanaviji - Executive Member of VGLUG

@Diliphari - Coordinator of VGLUG

@Deepakraghavan - Executive Member of VGLUG

Requirements

Chennai, being a major metropolitan city in India, offers a wide array of venues and lodging options suitable for both large-scale international events and smaller gatherings. The city has developed a robust infrastructure for conferences, meetings, and exhibitions, along with comfortable and diverse lodging options for attendees.

Venue + lodging

Chennai Trade Centre: One of the premier venues in the city for hosting international conferences, exhibitions, and conventions. The centre offers several halls with state-of-the-art facilities, ample seating, and advanced audio-visual technology. Its strategic location near the airport and key hotels makes it a convenient choice.

ITC Grand Chola Convention Centre: A luxury hotel that houses one of the largest convention centers in the city, ideal for hosting grand international conferences, corporate events, and banquets. It offers modern amenities, advanced conferencing equipment, and elegant interiors.

Le Royal Méridien Chennai: This hotel is well-known for its grand ballrooms and conference halls that can accommodate both medium and large events. It is a preferred choice for corporate events, seminars, and workshops.

The Music Academy: Known for its rich cultural heritage, The Music Academy in Chennai also offers excellent facilities for conferences, especially those focused on arts, culture, and education. It provides a well-equipped auditorium and meeting spaces.

Taj Coromandel: A luxury hotel that offers high-end meeting rooms and event spaces suitable for international conferences. The hotel is renowned for its service and facilities that cater to business events.

Madras Management Association (MMA) Auditorium: A popular venue for hosting seminars, workshops, and conferences. It is well-equipped with modern technology and is located in the heart of the city, making it easily accessible.

Lodging

ITC Grand Chola: A 5-star hotel offering luxurious accommodations, fine dining, and proximity to the Chennai Trade Centre and airport, making it ideal for high-profile international visitors.

Taj Coromandel: A luxury option in the heart of the city, offering spacious rooms, high-end amenities, and proximity to major event venues.

The Leela Palace Chennai: Known for its elegance and comfort, this 5-star hotel provides ocean views, world-class dining, and exceptional service.

Hyatt Regency Chennai: Centrally located, offering excellent conference facilities and luxurious accommodations.

Hilton Chennai: A premium hotel located near the airport, offering modern amenities, elegant rooms, and excellent dining options. It also has facilities for large-scale conferences and meetings.

Hablis Hotel: Known for its stylish rooms, great service, and proximity to both the airport and business hubs, Hablis offers a blend of comfort and luxury.

Citadines OMR Chennai: A high-end serviced apartment hotel offering spacious, fully-equipped suites, ideal for long stays. It features a range of luxury amenities along with conference and meeting spaces.

Holiday Inn Chennai OMR IT Expressway: A modern luxury hotel with well-appointed rooms, offering business travelers easy access to IT hubs, top-notch conference facilities, and comfortable accommodations.

Travel + visas

Conference Visa:

Purpose: Issued to foreign nationals attending international conferences, seminars, or workshops organized by government or private organizations. Duration: The Conference Visa is typically issued for the duration of the event and can range from a few days to six months. Eligibility: This visa is issued to attendees based on an invitation from the event organizers, with approval from the Indian government (Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of External Affairs, etc.). Conditions: The conference must be organized by a recognized institution or organization. Participants must be invited to the event, and the event organizers must provide relevant documentation to facilitate the visa application. Application Process: The attendee needs to apply for the Conference Visa at an Indian embassy or consulate in their home country, along with the invitation letter and event details. Some conferences may be pre-approved, and attendees can apply using a simplified process.

Business Visa:

Purpose: For individuals attending business-related events, including corporate conferences, meetings, or trade shows. Duration: Typically issued for up to six months to one year, depending on the type of business activity and the invitation. Eligibility: Suitable for professionals attending corporate or business events, with sponsorship from their company or the event organizer. Conditions: The visa holder cannot engage in employment or earn income while in India, other than for business meetings or contracts. Application Process: Requires an invitation letter, proof of business activity, and relevant company details.

Tourist Visa:

Purpose: For foreign nationals attending smaller informal gatherings or events who may also be exploring India as tourists. Duration: Issued for up to six months with single or multiple entries. Eligibility: Suitable for attendees who are not engaging in formal business or conference activities but participating in more casual or smaller-scale gatherings. Application Process: The applicant can apply for a tourist visa online (e-Visa) or at an Indian consulate.

e-Visa (Electronic Visa):

Purpose: India offers an e-Visa facility for attendees of international events. This includes e-Conference Visa and e-Business Visa. Duration: Generally issued for a short duration, with a maximum stay of 60 days for conference purposes. Eligibility: Available to nationals of over 165 countries. Suitable for short-term event participation, including attending conferences, workshops, or seminars. Application Process: The e-Visa process is fully online. Applicants need to upload their passport, invitation letter, and other documents, and they typically receive the visa within a few days.

Facilities + services

Chennai Police:

Chennai has a well-organized and efficient police force, under the jurisdiction of the Tamil Nadu Police. The Chennai City Police operates multiple units, including traffic control, law and order, and crime prevention units, to ensure the safety of citizens and visitors. Tourist Police: Chennai has a dedicated tourist police unit that assists international visitors with any security-related concerns. They provide help in English and other languages and are stationed at key tourist spots and public areas.

Emergency Response Services:

The city has a reliable network of emergency services. The emergency contact numbers for police, fire, and medical help are easy to access, with a universal helpline number (112) available across India. Hospitals and Medical Care: Chennai is known for its excellent healthcare facilities, including both public and private hospitals like Apollo Hospitals, Fortis Malar, and Sri Ramachandra Medical Centre, which provide emergency services and world-class medical care. Safe Public Transport:

Chennai has a well-developed public transport system that includes buses, metro rail, suburban trains, and app-based cab services like Uber and Ola. The Chennai Metro Rail is known for its clean, safe, and reliable services, with enhanced security at stations through CCTV cameras and regular patrolling. Auto-rickshaws and cabs are generally safe for travel, though it is recommended to use metered or app-based services for better security and fare transparency. Women’s Safety:

Chennai has been consistently ranked as one of the safer cities for women in India. The Chennai Police have launched initiatives like She Teams and All-Women Police Stations, focusing on women's safety in public spaces. Several public transport systems, including metro trains and buses, have designated seating areas for women. Additionally, many cabs and app-based ride services offer women-only options to ensure safer travel.