Bharatpedia:Five pillars

The fundamental principles of Bharatpedia may be summarized in five "pillars":

Bharatpedia is an encyclopedia

Bharatpedia combines many features of general and specialized encyclopedias, almanacs, and gazetteers. Bharatpedia is not a soapbox, an advertising platform, a vanity press, an experiment in anarchy or democracy, an indiscriminate collection of information, nor a web directory. It is not a dictionary, a newspaper, nor a collection of source documents, although some of its fellow Bharatmedia projects are.

Bharatpedia is written from a neutral point of view

We strive for articles in an impartial tone that document and explain major points of view, giving due weight for their prominence. We avoid advocacy, and we characterize information and issues rather than debate them. In some areas there may be just one well-recognized point of view; in others, we describe multiple points of view, presenting each accurately and in context rather than as "the truth" or "the best view". All articles must strive for verifiable accuracy, citing reliable, authoritative sources, especially when the topic is controversial or is about a living person. Editors' personal experiences, interpretations, or opinions do not belong on Bharatpedia.

Bharatpedia is free content that anyone can use, edit, and distribute

Since all editors freely license their work to the public, no editor owns an article and any contributions can and may be mercilessly edited and redistributed. Respect copyright laws, and never plagiarize from any sources. Borrowing non-free media is sometimes allowed as fair use, but strive to find free alternatives first.

Bharatpedia's editors should treat each other with respect and civility

Respect your fellow Bharatpedians, even when you disagree. Apply Bharatpedia etiquette, and do not engage in personal attacks. Seek consensus, avoid edit wars, and never disrupt Bharatpedia to illustrate a point. Act in good faith, and assume good faith on the part of others. Be open and welcoming to newcomers. Should conflicts arise, discuss them calmly on the appropriate talk pages, follow dispute resolution procedures, and consider that there are 205,183 other articles on the English Bharatpedia to improve and discuss.

Bharatpedia has no firm rules

Bharatpedia has policies and guidelines, but they are not carved in stone; their content and interpretation can evolve over time. The principles and spirit matter more than literal wording, and sometimes improving Bharatpedia requires making exceptions. Be bold, but not reckless, in updating articles. And do not agonize over making mistakes: (almost) every past version of a page is saved, so mistakes can be easily corrected.