Today, October 2nd, 2025, will remain etched in my memory as an extraordinary day that brought together patriotic celebration, cultural sharing, and community connection!
Celebrating the 67th Anniversary of Guinea’s Independence
Sixty-seven years ago, on October 2nd, 1958, Guinea became the first French-speaking sub-Saharan African country to gain independence, marking a historic moment in African history. Celebrating this national holiday thousands of kilometres away from my homeland was a particularly moving experience.
MBA Garden Library
https://maps.app.goo.gl/6wanMk7cD5yoX9cs7
Here in Bhubaneswar, I had the honour of celebrating this day with my Guinean compatriots and other African students from Mali and Côte d’Ivoire. Our sisters brilliantly demonstrated their culinary skills by preparing authentically Guinean dishes that transported us directly back home. This moment of gastronomic sharing and African brotherhood created a warm atmosphere that made us forget the distance separating us from our native land.
A Long-Awaited First Meeting
After several months of waiting and contributing alone as the only active Local Guide in Bhubaneswar, I finally had the immense joy of meeting another Local Guide from the city! @Rajatsah007
This long-awaited meeting transformed what was already a special day into a truly unforgettable moment.
We had long, passionate discussions about our respective experiences as Local Guides, our motivations, our discoveries, and our shared vision for enriching Google Maps with valuable information about Bhubaneswar. It was incredibly enriching to exchange with someone who shares the same passion for community contribution and documenting places.
Exploring Bhubaneswar’s Durga Puja
Patia Gada Durga Mandap
https://maps.app.goo.gl/hRr2E4hfqDe6UKDT9
Kalinga Durga Puja Committee
https://maps.app.goo.gl/RjeGdzNrLnFCdNKUA
Nandan Vihar Durga Mandap
https://maps.app.goo.gl/ZnxoazfcZKq4QyUr9
We took this opportunity to explore several Durga Puja pandals across the city together. As a duo of Local Guides, we documented these cultural celebrations with photos, observations, and architectural details. We also visited the numerous temporary shopping spaces and markets specially set up for the occasion, where we discovered local handicrafts, traditional clothing, and culinary delights typical of this festive period.
Reflections on This Unique Day
This day represents several firsts for me:
- My first celebration of Guinean independence outside my country
- My first meeting with @Rajatsah007 a Local Guide in Bhubaneswar
- A unique opportunity to merge my African roots with my Indian experience
It perfectly symbolises what it means to be an international student and a Local Guide: building bridges between cultures, creating meaningful human connections, and documenting the richness of the world around us.
The Power of the Local Guides Community
This experience reinforces my belief that the Local Guides program transcends geographical and cultural boundaries. Whether we’re in Guinea, India, or anywhere else in the world, we share the same mission: making the world more accessible and better connected through our contributions.
I’m grateful for this community that has allowed me to never feel alone, even far from home. And now, with a fellow Local Guide companion in Bhubaneswar, our ability to document and share the wonders of this city will only amplify!
@NandKK, @ChinonsoOnukwugha, @christophesubilia, @cuicani, @Shaunak , @SholaIB, @Laurent, @Bapt, @K.K.Sharma, @NareshDarji, @Trishatishu, @Yulochka @Yannick_S @Trishatishu @TusharSuradkar @TravellerG @Globe_trotter_Ish @LuisMGonzalez @egiden
Long live Guinea! Long live India! Long live the Local Guides community!
#LocalGuides #Localguidesfr #DurgapujaPandalChallange #Durgapuja2025 #Guinea #IndependenceDay #Bhubaneswar #DurgaPuja #CulturalExchange #LocalGuidesMeetup #KIIT #Odisha #67YearsOfIndependence
his country’s freedom is one thing,and celebrate 
en revanche les couleurs des photos sont vraiment wow.
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