Gopa Vasanth
2023 had its share of ups and downs, with both joy and sorrow. It brought a mix of emotions and valuable life lessons. I was fortunate to form some fantastic global connections, but I also had to cope with the challenge of letting go of some important people.
Travel played a significant role in my year. I had the opportunity to explore Athens, the classic city; Paris, the fashion hub; Singapore, known as the city of lions; and California, the Golden State of the USA. During these trips, I enjoyed immersing myself in local cultures, staying in homestays, and experiencing the everyday life of these new cities.
A standout moment was my visit to Silicon Valley, where I met brilliant minds and explored the impressive offices, including Apple’s Cupertino ‘the ring’ campus and Google’s HQ in Mountain View.
Despite some lonely times, I’m grateful for Sreejith’s constant support throughout the year. While facing challenges, I managed to work on personal projects, improve my skills, and share my knowledge and experiences at various events and conferences. Here are some key highlights from 2023.
January - March
- Contributed to the Wiki Conference India 2023 - Hyderabad through the scholarship committee.
- Made a significant investment in my first two-wheeler, a TVS Jupiter 125, acquired in Bangalore.
- Provided technical training to students at Amrita University on Wikimedia spaces and organized a mini-hackathon at Amritapuri.
- Had a delightful experience in Kochi, homestay, and late-night car rides with my Wiki friends.
- Cherished moments with college friends Gopi Reddy & Praveen, who came to Hyderabad from the USA. Explored the Statue of Equality and engaged in some local shopping.
- Marked the celebration of Sankranthi with friends and relatives in my hometown. The occasion was especially memorable as all my relatives gathered, creating a special and enjoyable atmosphere.
April - June
- Reconnected with fellow Wikimedians at wmhack 2023 in Athens, Greece. Explored new projects and tools like the Montage app and Wikidocumentaries, and had the opportunity to contribute to Wikimedia technical projects.
- Drove a Ferrari to the beautiful Santorini in Greece! Explored Oia and other islands, tried swimming in hot springs, and visited an active volcano. It was an amazing experience!
- Presented the CHALET project at Dkom 2023 in a demo pod.
- Collaborated on ideas and participated in the annual planning of the Indic Mediawiki Developers User Group 2024 in Bangalore with the team.
- Showcased the Change Execution and Automation Framework project at the SAP Demo Jam, securing a spot in the Semi-finals as one of the Top 14 teams out of 50.
- Developed the Wikishootme User script for Wikipedia at the 2nd Wikimedia Technology Summit & Mini-Hackathon in Hyderabad. Also, led the hackathon track during the mini-hackathon.
- Represented the technical community and shared our IMD-UG work at the WikiConference India 2023 at Hyatt, Hyderabad.
- Had a nice holiday in the fashion capital and city of love, Paris, France! Explored iconic landmarks like Notre Dame, the Palace of Versailles, the Eiffel Tower, and the Louvre Museum. Enjoyed local cuisine, strolled through charming streets, and visited beautiful spots like Luxemburg Gardens, Sainte-Chapelle, Point Alexandre III, and more. Paris truly left a lasting impression!
July - September
- Coordinated the Google Summer of Code 2023 Midterm check with interns and Wikimedia Outreach programs, collaborating with Soham and Onyinye.
- Took the lead in the technical track at Wikimania 2023 in Suntec, Singapore, working alongside Slavinia, Jay, and other Wikimedians.
- Collaborated on the development of ToolWatch with Soham and others. This tool monitors the health status of the Wikimedia toolforge tools.
- In Singapore, I experienced the wonders of Sentosa Island, Gardens by the Bay, and Marina Bay. Thrilled at the Singapore Flyer, and Universal Studios, Explored Chinatown and relished Indian Tamil Nadu cuisines, creating memorable moments in this vibrant city.
- Successfully developed and released Chalet v0.2, including modules for Execution, Validation, and one-click automation.
- Made a significant personal purchase, acquiring my first laptop - a MacBook Air - and Airpods from SFO. Special thanks to Gayathri Balasundaram.
October - December
- Achieved a dream by presenting a lightning talk on Wikimedia Outreach programs at Google’s HQ in California. It not only marked my first visit to the USA but also provided an opportunity to collaborate with various OSS organizations and Google at mentor summit, making the experience truly fulfilling.
- Ventured into Silicon Valley, exploring Apple HQ (Cupertino campus), Google’s Mountain View campus, Pure Storage, Microsoft, and SAP Palo Alto. Engaging with experts from these tech giants added a valuable dimension to the journey.
- Had a delightful stay for a couple of weeks at Sandesh Ghata’s home in Santa Clara. Grateful for the warm hospitality of these amazing hosts!
- Participated in IndiaFOSS in Bangalore, winning the Burno quiz and took part in the iedcmec CTF.
- Celebrated Dussehra with family and relatives in Dhone, it was fun to spend time with relatives and cousins.
- Released later versions of WhatsKaro, adding support for multiple nations. thanks to Immadi Sai Raj for the amazing contributions to the project.
- Organized a mini version of the Indic Mediawiki hackathon in Chennai. Where 22+ people participated and worked on 12+ Wikimedia projects and 15+ folks presented their work in the showcase.
- Joined the SuccessFactors Event Overloaded, marking my debut dance performance on stage and showcasing a live Rubik’s Cube act—an exhilarating experience of stepping out of my comfort zone and embracing new talents.
- Launched the OSM (On Shift Mate) project, aimed at planning shifts on the fly and providing user-friendly views.
- Enjoyed quality time with school friends and had a day out at Rock Gardens in my hometown to celebrate my friend Datta Sai’s marriage.
- Wrapped up the year with a bang, having a blast with my UG friends on a trip to Dandeli. From thrilling bike mountain rides and exciting river rafting to a relaxing resort stay, it was an adventure-filled experience. Explored the stunning Sathodi Falls with an amazing bike ride through the heart of the Yellapur forest. Now, gearing up to ring in the New Year’s Night with the same wonderful folks!
All in all, In 2023, my journey was marked by a tapestry of experiences, the year was a mix of growth and joy. As the year concludes, I look back with gratitude for the support, the opportunities seized, and the memories created. Amidst the highs, I recognize the challenges faced, making it a year of valuable lessons. Cheers to a year of lessons, achievements, and cherished connections! Wishing you a very happy new year 2024!