Sometimes, the best journeys are not planned. They simply happen.
That is exactly how #MyConnectCaravan began.
What started as a love for photography slowly evolved into a passion for sharing the real world with people looking for genuine experiences. Long before I became a Local Guide, I was someone who loved exploring places, trying local food, hopping between cafés, and discovering hidden gems. Wherever I went, I carried a camera or a phone, capturing moments exactly as they were—raw, natural, and unfiltered.
Over time, my devices filled up with thousands of photographs and memories. But they remained just that—memories stored away in folders.
One day, while planning a visit to a place through Google Maps, I noticed something interesting. The actual experience was often quite different from what was visible online. That’s when I discovered that anyone could contribute to Google Maps and help others make better decisions. Without realizing it, I had found the starting point of a journey that continues to this day.
I began with simple reviews supported by photographs. Gradually, I understood that a few pictures alone were not always enough. People needed context, experiences, and insights to truly understand a place. So I started writing more detailed reviews, sharing stories rather than just opinions.
And that is when the caravan truly began moving.
I was fortunate to have my brother, @rindanikrutarth, alongside me on this journey. He was already familiar with the Local Guides ecosystem and one day he came across a meetup organized by @NareshDarji at Science City, Ahmedabad, which he attended. Reading the recap of that meetup introduced me to a completely new world—Local Guides Connect.
Curious to learn more, I began exploring Connect and the amazing stories shared by Local Guides from around the world.
A few months later, I attended another meetup led by Naresh Darji at Gujarat University Incubation Center. That day, I finally met Naresh bhai in person. The conversations were simple, yet inspiring. Even today, I vividly remember those discussions around Connect, community, and contribution.
Motivated by that experience, I published my first Connect post—a story about a pastry shop.
Like every newcomer, I had much to learn. Fortunately, I found people willing to guide me. One of the earliest was @Tejal, whose advice helped me understand what makes a meaningful Connect post. Those early interactions shaped the way I write even today.
As days turned into months, Connect became a regular part of my life. I found inspiration in stories shared by Local Guides across India and beyond. Participating in the mega meetup at Vadodara opened even more doors and encouraged me to look at Maps more responsibly—not merely as a platform, but as a community-driven ecosystem built on trust.
Along the way, I had the privilege of connecting with wonderful people including @TravellerG, @AnshukMitra, @Premalpatel, @HinalLad, @KetanChhaniyara, @VikramSingh_Valera and many others who continue to inspire me through their contributions.
One of the proudest moments of my journey came when @JanVanHaver invited me to represent India in the global virtual meetup Explore the Globe. During the session, I showcased Ahmedabad’s iconic Atal Bridge and shared stories about the city’s culture, heritage, and history. Knowing that Local Guides from different parts of the world were listening made it a truly memorable experience.
As my journey progressed, I discovered something that became deeply personal to me—supporting local businesses.
I realized that many small businesses struggle not because they lack quality, but because they lack visibility. Sometimes a missing map pin, incorrect location, outdated information, or the absence of photographs can make it difficult for customers to find them.
That realization changed the way I looked at Google Maps.
I started adding places, correcting information, improving map details, and helping businesses become more discoverable. The more I did it, the more convinced I became that mapping is not about earning points.
It is about helping people find what they are looking for and helping businesses get the visibility they deserve.
This passion was further encouraged when @AjitThite invited me to speak about supporting local businesses in a virtual meetup alongside several experienced Local Guides. That opportunity remains one of the most meaningful milestones of my Connect journey.
Connect also brought countless opportunities to learn, participate, and contribute through initiatives like Monsoon Diaries, Chai Pe Charcha, #BagTheChange, Goosebump Moments, and Map Mentors—some of my favorite experiences to date.
These initiatives introduced me to even more inspiring members of the community, including @FalguniP, @TusharSuradkar (who is always active, supportive and brings up ideas for us to keep contributing), @AdamGT, @curatorofmemory @DurgaK03 @Supriyadevkar @Ptrivedi @Shrut19 @deepakjhic, and many others who continue to make Connect a welcoming place for contributors across the globe.
Looking back, this caravan is filled with stories, friendships, learnings, and memories. There are countless moments that deserve their own chapters, and perhaps I’ll share them another day.
But if there is one thing I know for sure, it is this:
My journey is only beginning.
I look forward to learning, contributing, and growing alongside this incredible community. Most importantly, I look forward to meeting many of the Local Guides who have inspired me throughout this journey at Namaste India Summit 2026.
This is my story.
This is my journey.
And this is #MyConnectCaravan.
”
