DevFest Kolkata: A Profitable Family Business?

The world of tech communities thrives on collaboration, transparency, and inclusivity, but when leadership roles appear to be handed out based on personal connections rather than merit, serious questions arise. In the case of DevFest Kolkata, one such connection seems to have turned the community into a family affair—raising eyebrows and concerns about integrity and accountability.

A Question of Qualifications

One of the newest faces in GDG Kolkata’s organizing team has no prior experience in event management, no visible qualifications in technology, and no history of community involvement. What they do have, however, is a personal relationship with one of the lead organizers. This individual’s rise to the organizing team appears to be based not on merit but on proximity—a decision that undermines the spirit of meritocracy and inclusiveness that GDG communities are supposed to champion.

This individual’s participation at the India Community Summit in Udaipur further amplifies these concerns. The summit, designed for invited community leaders and contributors, saw their attendance despite not being on the official invitee list. Was this an attempt to leverage the event for personal benefit—a free trip, perhaps?

Financial Questions Left Unanswered

The financial handling of DevFest Kolkata 2022 also paints a troubling picture. During that event, sponsorship funds running into lakhs were reportedly funneled into the personal account of this individual, who at the time wasn’t even an official organizer. Since then, there has been no transparency or traceability of these funds.

This raises critical questions:

• Why was this individual given access to event funds in the first place?
• Where did the sponsorship money go, and why hasn’t there been any accountability?
• Is their current involvement driven by the perceived profitability of running these events rather than a genuine commitment to the tech community?

Google DevRel India’s Silence

What makes this situation even more perplexing is the apparent lack of oversight from Google DevRel India. GDG chapters are supposed to operate under a global code of conduct emphasizing fairness and community development. Yet, in this case, there seems to be little to no intervention from Google to address these glaring irregularities.

Is Google DevRel India aware of these issues? If so, why haven’t they taken steps to investigate or rectify the situation? The silence from such a key stakeholder is both troubling and telling.

A Call for Accountability

For GDG Kolkata to regain the trust of its community, transparency must take center stage. The financial dealings, leadership decisions, and overall management of the chapter need to be scrutinized. Events like DevFest should be about fostering learning and collaboration, not serving as a profitable enterprise for a select few.

Until these questions are answered, the community will continue to wonder: Is DevFest Kolkata really a tech event, or has it become a family business?

Everyone who has been blocked and banned by GDG Kolkata organizers are welcome to send me their stories at u6i1ncdr5@mozmail.com