🎉 Celebrating Connect Live Bengaluru with the Brand and Our Celebrities 🎁

SharmaKK · September 30, 2025, 5:05pm

Google is a brand and Googlers are celebrities. We, the Local Guides, had the privilege of celebrating Connect Live Bengaluru with the brand and the celebrities.

When I received the Connect Live invitation, my happiness knew no bounds! It was a fully sponsored trip, and everything went smoothly—from booking a suitable flight, using the voucher for local transport, to a hassle-free hotel check-in.But the most unforgettable moment came on 18th September, when we reached the Google office for the welcome reception. After the group photo with Googler Latika Malhotra at the ground floor, we entered the reception hall where Googlers—our celebrities—welcomed us with applause.

Just imagine, the celebrities themselves were welcoming us! It was a moment beyond words.

Soon after, Googler Kristen welcomed us warmly in words. I had already met Googler Latika during the Delhi Mega Meetup last June, but this was my first time meeting Googlers David, Kristen, Tina, and others in person. Like most Local Guides, I too clicked selfies with them to capture the memory.

We celebrated with the brand and the celebrities in our traditional attire.

Traditional Attire on Day One

In our WhatsApp group, many of us had also discussed dressing up in traditional attire on the first day (18th September) as Connect Live Bangaluru was not less a festival for us.

While it was optional, a good number of us—including me—proudly wore traditional outfits.
Later, Googler Kristen reminded us that the most important thing was to wear what we felt most comfortable in.

It was beautiful to see so many cultures shine through attire. Here is a collage of my selfi with Local Guides @Shrut19 and @Shubham (Top left), @SonamW (Mid), @Kumaarsantosh (Top right), @Raj_Tayade(Bottom left), @TusharSuradkar (Mid), @NandKK (Bottom right).

Leave One, Take One Experience

Googler Kristen announced a fun activity Leave One, Take One as an optional, meant to share a small part of our hometown, culture, or Local Guides community. Participants could bring a small, inexpensive item—either one piece to represent their place or enough for all attendees.This simple announcement created a lot of excitement, and it truly set the tone of festive atmosphere during Connect Live Bengaluru!. After Kristen’s welcome message on day one, we all moved to the Leave One, Take One area to display our gifts.
I found a corner table where I kept my gift: Tulsi Necklaces from Vrindavan, which I had brought for everyone. The Tulsi necklaces I brought were tangled in one packet. I separated a few, but as it was taking time, I left them for others to take and untangle themselves. Later, I also picked a paper bag made in Singapore, which carried a special message—while making this bag, no trees were cut, ensuring net zero deforestation. I only noticed this message back in my hotel while unpacking the gifts from Leave One, Take One. To my surprise, even the Googlers, our celebrities had brought gifts for us, which made this exchange even more special! Tim Tam Chocolates – brought by Googler Anshuman from Australia, with a sweet note: “These are awesome, just like you!” The chocolates were really tasty. Hello Panda Cookies & US National Park Postcards – brought by Googler @emilyg from the USA. She mentioned that Hello Panda Cookies are popular snacks among Asian American communities, and she brought postcards because of her love for visiting national parks. “Please enjoy the ones from my country,” she wrote. The Lovely gifts of Googler Anshuman ang Emily are in following Pic.

Greetings from New York Google Sticker – a lovely memento. Dodha Sweet from Haryana – brought by Gaurav, who mentioned that it is the most famous sweet from the most famous shop in his city. Tulsi Necklaces from Vrindavan (by me) – with spiritual and Ayurvedic healing qualities are shown in the following pic.

From fellow Local Guides, I received wonderful gifts—stickers, local specialties, handmade crafts, and eco-friendly keepsakes.

The gifts shared by Local Guides @abhishekpatk, @AjitThite, @Supriyadevkar, @TusharSuradkar, @Kumaarsantosh, @Sagarkanherkar, @Gvipin, @MathanVibranarayan, @Gujarat Local Guides, @ShreyaMusings, @SonamW, @Gurukrishnapriya, @TravellerG are shown in the following collage from Connect Live Bengaluru 2025.

Connect Live Stickers collected during the event days (18–19 Sept) are in the following Slide-

Connect Live Stickers collected during the Connect Live Bangaluru 20251640×924 312 KB

The gifts I’ve shared here are not all of them—I missed a few while untangling the Tulsi necklaces and later discovered them through friends at the hotel. Now I will talk about Google gifts.

Google Gifts

On 18th & 19th September, during the Connect Live sessions at the Google office, Google also surprised us with thoughtful gifts:

Customised T shirt on 18th Sept. at the time of Check in in Hotel
Tote Bag (19th Sept) with Google Maps and Local Guides, I Love Local Guides stickers, plus the 10th Anniversary Pin
A beautiful hamper after dinner, including Jams and wax bottles, wooden male–female figures (reminded me of Rajasthan’s Gangaur festival idols—Shiva and Parvati ), a box of assorted chocolates and a heartfelt handwritten note, which I truly cherished

A Surprise Secret Santa Evening

On 18th September, after returning from the Reception event at the Google office, we were treated to another magical moment.

Our dear friend @TusharSuradkar had planned and initiated a Secret Santa event in the lobby of Hotel Zuri, Bengaluru. The preparations for this fun surprise had been going on for weeks through our WhatsApp group and virtual meets.When the moment finally arrived:

Tushar Surdkar collected all the gifts from us at the hotel and arranged them neatly on the table.
41 of us had brought gifts to participate in this heartwarming activity.
All the Local Guides who had come together on our bus formed a circle around the gift table.(Those Local Guides who were not aware of this event were also invited to this event for watching it and giving their introduction.
One by one, everyone introduced themselves and picked a gift.

Since none of the gifts had name tags, nobody knew whose present they were picking—it made the whole activity suspenseful, fun, and full of laughter.

The details of this lovely evening are captured in this post Secret Santa - Celebrating Togetherness, Joy, and Community Spirit

Gratitude

This experience was more than just a meetup—it was about connecting hearts, exchanging cultures, and celebrating togetherness under the Google brand.

I will always cherish the moments when Googlers, our celebrities, clapped for us, welcomed us, and even shared their own gifts with us. Truly, words can’t capture the magic of Connect Live Bengaluru 2025.

Thank you Google, Googlers, and my fellow Local Guides for making it unforgettable!

Looking forward to your comments! If you spot your gift/sticker in my slides, please let me know so I can give you proper credit.

Reflections from Fellow Local Guides

I am happy to share that so far, Local Guides have posted 24 recaps of their experiences from Connect Live Bengaluru, and this post marks the 25th in the series. Below are the links to the posts shared by my fellow Local Guides, each capturing their unique experiences during the event. Their perspectives beautifully reflect the festive spirit, memorable interactions, and the joy of being part of this vibrant community.

mahatokoushik623 · September 30, 2025, 5:09pm

Such a heartwarming and detailed post @SharmaKK ji . You captured the true festive spirit of Connect Live Bengaluru—gifts, togetherness, culture, and joy. Loved the Secret Santa and Leave One Take One highlights …..

nish_25 · September 30, 2025, 5:33pm

Amazing reflection of event and also thanks for adding all the links under one post.

Shrut19 · September 30, 2025, 5:49pm

नमस्कार
@SharmaKK पोस्ट और टॅगींग के लिये धन्यवाद,
इतनी गडबडि मे मै तो भुल हि गई थी, किसने क्या गिफ्ट लाया है, आपका पोस्ट पढकर ज्ञात हुआ,
आपकि तुलसी कि माला मेरे पती को बहुत भा गईं, पर मैंने उनको बताया के सिर्फ शाकाहारी हि इस माला को धारण कर सकते है, और मै शाकाहारी हु इह लिए मैनै धारण कि है।

Gurukrishnapriya · September 30, 2025, 5:53pm

Wow, what a compilation of our Local Guides who attended Connect Live @SharmaKK . I am reading all posts and still in the Connect Live mood and not coming out of it. Thanks for beautiful display of gifts including my flower. Thanks for bringing out this beautiful post.

TusharSuradkar · September 30, 2025, 6:47pm

The most comprehensive round-up of the event @SharmaKK ji
I loved reading through it as memories flashed back in front of my eyes.

Of all the formal and informal events, the Secret Santa stands out as an epitome of Togetherness, Joy, and Community Spirit - thank you for this phrase that has almost become a slogan and inspiration for our future meetups and events.

All photos are nicely captured and the collages are superb too

Looking forward to meeting you soon at an upcoming event

NandKK · October 1, 2025, 12:46am

Very nicely written post @SharmaKK ji… it is the comprehensive post of all the post of connect live bengaluru so far.

KevinKwok · October 1, 2025, 4:38am

Thanks for gathering and linking all the recap posts!

Kumaarsantosh · October 1, 2025, 7:26am

Beautifully articulated post dear @SharmaKK. It feels like a one-stop destination offering a complete glimpse of all three days in one place. Thank you for putting in the effort to also include reflections from others. Your contribution to the community will have a lasting impact.

MathanVibranarayan · October 1, 2025, 2:17pm

@SharmaKK ji you are an ever-smiling master, your students should be really lucky to have such a passionate guide, mentor in their life. I loved the way this story has been written.

TravellerG · October 2, 2025, 11:14am

Ohh… great… @SharmaKK Ji…
Very detailed and informative Post.
The photos are well edited and included.
I can imagine the amount of time you should have spent to draft and publish this post! Highly appreciate your efforts and dedication to bring this out.
Admire and thank you for the same.

Also thank you for including my name and compliments…
Best regards

Sagarkanherkar · October 3, 2025, 6:19am

We met for the first time but it didn’t feel like we were meeting for the first time. Your nature is very cheerful and you are the same.

Vandana_shines · October 3, 2025, 10:53am

Beautiful post @SharmaKK sir

HinalLad · October 3, 2025, 4:46pm

Truly awe-inspiring post

SharmaKK · October 3, 2025, 5:00pm

Thank you @Sagarkanherkar for appreciation

SharmaKK · October 3, 2025, 5:01pm

Thank you for appreciation @MathanVibranarayan

SharmaKK · October 3, 2025, 5:03pm

Thank you for appreciation @TravellerG

SharmaKK · October 3, 2025, 5:04pm

Thank you for appreciation @Kumaarsantosh

SharmaKK · October 3, 2025, 5:08pm

Thank you @KevinKwok A comment from a Googler—our celebrity—means a lot to us.

SharmaKK · October 3, 2025, 5:08pm

Thank you for your feedback @NandKK