# Abhijith PA: A Weekend of Bug Squashing in Kochi

Last weekend, four individuals – three Debian Developers (DDs) and one soon-to-be – gathered for an unforgettable bug squashing party in Kochi, India. The event was the culmination of a discussion initiated on the #debian-in channel about the lack of Build Service Packages (BSPs) in India, which eventually led to hosting such an initiative.

The idea took shape when Abhijith PA announced plans for a BSP by himself, with the aim of migrating packages into testing before the hard freeze on May 15th. To make it work, they scheduled the event for May 3rd and 4th. The search for a suitable venue proved to be a daunting task, as Kochi's hackerspaces were scarce and company spaces had limited flexibility.

Abhijith finally settled on a rental apartment that could accommodate their needs – albeit with minimalistic features. Wi-Fi was nonexistent in the premises, prompting the group to take matters into their own hands (in true DebConf style). The venue came equipped with basic furniture and appliances, allowing them to focus on what mattered most: bug squashing.

Before the event began, Abhijith created a wiki page and sent out announcements. A list of newbie bugs was prepared in anticipation of any newcomers joining the party. However, it was not long before they realized that this would be an intimate gathering, with only four attendees and Kathara joining remotely.

The group embarked on their bug squashing adventure on May 2nd night, stocking up on snacks, instant noodles, and drinks to sustain them throughout the weekend. Abhijith's autopkgtest setup, which had been broken for some time, finally got its magic fix – attributed to #1017753. They transitioned to using autopkgtest-podman, a testament to their dedication to getting the job done.

On their final day, the group treated themselves to a delightful meal at a nearby restaurant. As they dined, they were treated to an enchanting church festival procession and fireworks display in the evening.

Throughout the weekend, the team managed to tackle 46 bugs, with 35 now fixed and 11 open for further work. Some of these issues will automatically resolve themselves once they enter testing – a testament to the event's success. The group not only achieved their goal but also had an absolute blast doing so.

Abhijith PA's bug squashing party serves as a shining example of community spirit and collaborative efforts in achieving a common objective. This event will undoubtedly be remembered for its unique blend of camaraderie, productivity, and fun – a true celebration of the Debian community.