Hi LG friends,
It was an exciting and busy last year, 2023, for me, so I decided to take a look back and share some of my achievements and milestones as a local guide.
Here are a few things I wish to share with you:
The year started with a fantastic 8th year celebration meet-up by @Rohan10 in Mumbai.I attended it virtually, enjoyed every bit of it and posted my RECAP of the same.
Photo 01: A screenshot of the meet-up that occurred virtually along with @TravellerG sir!
I feel acknowledged that Oscarwadi Misal, the restaurant I reviewed, printed my review on their online advertisement banner.
Photo 02: A screenshot of the advertisement where the owner printed my review.
On Connect, I received 3 badges this year for my contribution here, namely Totally Popular, Budding Writer, and Connect Challenge Winner.
Photo 03: A collage of the badges received by me.
Apart from that, my vegetarian dish photo got featured in the post from Googler, acknowledging its quality. Here is the post for reference.
Photo 04: A screenshot of the post published
Also, I crossed a big milestone of 10 million (1 crore) views of all the photos on Google Maps.
Photo 05: A conceptual design by me on my 10 million photo views on my the post.
I began adding Edits in Marathi, our local language, on Google Maps this year, which helped me reach the significant milestone of becoming a local guide by moving up to Level 09 and earning a lot of points.
Photo 06: A few language translation issues by AI were raised and sorted out with the help of Googlers.
Photo 07: One of the edits suggested by me in local language is helping the viewers.
Photo 08: The banner of the post was published here by me.
I never realized that I had been contributing as a local guide for the last 5 years, and I celebrated it in September 2023. Here is the post for reference.
Photo 09: A screenshot of the email received.
Additionally, last year during the festival seasons, I made an effort to cover a lot of small businesses and help them promote their businesses by adding photos and/or reviews. Here is the post for reference.
Photo 10: Banner of my post shared earlier here.
Becoming one of the few local guides from around the world to feature in the video of 2023’s greatest moments was an honor for me. I found it to be a very touching moment and a really kind gesture from Google Maps and the Connect platform. The video on YouTube is here.
Photo 11: A screenshot of the video exhibiting my presentation skills!! 
At the end of the year, on December 17, 2023, we had our first physical meet-up in my home town, Pune, organised by @TusharSuradkar after a long gap and with an overwhelming response from the Puneri Local Guides. Almost 14 LGs attended the meet-up, and most of them also made a handsome contribution by posting their respective RECAPs on Connect. Here is my RECAP post.
The constant support and encouragement from my dear friends, @Shrut19 tai, @RosyKohli @NareshDarji bhai, @Anil6969, @travellerG sir, @tushar_suradkar, @rohan10, just to name a few, and newly made friends @PrasadVR @ShailendraOjha bhai, @Kumaarsantosh are always inspiring with a great content sharing here. Apologies if I missed out anyone mentioning here, but you all have a part in my achievements and sure it will continue in the future. Thanks from the bottom of my heart!
Here is the summarized note received from Google Maps.
I have a long list of goals for 2024, such as:
- 20 million photo views (Just joking!! )
- At least add 30k more points
- 5 Physical Meetups (First one is scheduled for next month; details will be shared shortly)
- A couple of more badges on connect portal
- Participating most of the challenges on Connect
- Importantly, writing and posting regularly on connect
As my good friend, @AdamGT , frequently says, if you go steadily, you can accomplish your goals with ease. I will be adhering to this philosophy going forward.
Cheers!
together.
.
