Thirty years – that is the amount of time I have lived in my place of residence Pune city! (pronounced as ‘Pu-nay’). Hear, hear, after three decades, it took my chance introduction to Google Bai ( Bai, pronounced as ‘baa-ee’ is a term of endearment similar to ‘aunt’ or ‘big sister’ in my mother tongue of Marathi) for me to fall in love with this town, situated in the state of Maharashtra, on the western part of India.
I remember when I posted my first photo- it was during a cricket match at the Gahunje Stadium. (oh yes, we Indians love cricket, especially the IPL summer matches!). May I add a fun play of words- Googly is a kind of confusing bowling action and a cricket match was my first connect with Google! How is that for something to remember this by?
I don’t think I imagined that the first ‘Hi Google’ would rapidly become a beautiful friendship. One thing led to another, and I kept posting. You see, the city of Pune is a classic example of a true historic artefact having to bear the onslaught of modernism and gleaming steel and glass buildings. Like any heritage city across the world, Pune straddles quaintness with the new. The population of 6.5 million makes for a buzzing metro that has old buildings, new buildings, institutes, parks, lovely streets, a range of eat-outs from street food to fancy restaurants, and so much more. While it grows at a phenomenal rate, we citizens of Pune (called Punekars) are concerned about preserving the city’s heritage and charm. Now, I am an architect and Chief Editor and Publisher of a national design magazine called designVISTA, so my happiness grows fuller every time I post the picture of a particularly beautiful and heart-tugging heritage building as well as any brilliant modern architectural structure, and it is seen by people! You know what I mean.
Yes, now, around a year and a half later, Google Local Guide is a precious extension of myself. Naturally you can imagine that in my line of work I need to meet many different kinds of people. This requires me to move around a lot. Often, my preferred mode of transport is my trusty red two-wheeler (called a ‘scooter’) and since my entry into the Google Local Guide world, stopping and clicking and posting has become as natural as waiting at a traffic light. Every time I go to eat out, my friends will say “There she goes again, taking pics of the food!!”
After the first few posts, something struck me - people were actually, actually, looking at my pics! They appreciated my reviews, thanked me, and generally made my points accelerate. My excitement reached stratospheric levels when three photos taken by me were featured as main pics of that place! Ha ha, it has given me a high. BUT hey- it is now also a huge responsibility. Come to think of it, writing reviews is to be done with care, but taking photos that showcase the unseen, unheard, hidden jewels of the city is also an important role that I can hope to fulfil- thanks to you Local Google guide, so that more people across our lovely world can see what my city says and feels.
I think Local Google Guide not only made me fall in love with the world’s many small and large wonders, but it led me to rediscover and look afresh at Pune and my country. Most important, it has, I believe, made me a better person too, for I began to analyse places that included streets and buildings and learnt that we are all in this together, as one planet, and what could be more deeply satisfying than to share its wonders through imagery that speaks with its colours and words?
While I put my pics, I always remember to appreciate the hundreds of other photos. The way in which each person looks at a place is nothing short of fascinating- it’s like thousands of hearts and minds and eyes are lovingly pampering a place and when it finds its way into Google Guide, it is there- permanent, like a shining pebble or a finely polished ruby.
To sum up, I would like to quote the great litterateur and humorist P. L. Deshpande, ‘To me, a party in a fancy hotel by a rich friend holds not as much charm as the old neighbour who would thrust candies in my little hand’.
For me, Local Google Guide is like that- it allows me to be myself, to explore, have my heart in its right place, and keep the love going!
