Post 3
From Learning to Recognition — My NIS 2026 Journey 
Namaste India!
NIS 2026 was not just about meeting people.
It was about learning, sharing, contributing, creating memories — and experiencing the power of the Local Guides community.
After the amazing connections and conversations, the Summit gave me something even more valuable: new ideas and new inspiration.
Conversations That Made Me Think
One of the highlights was listening to experienced Local Guides share their thoughts, experiences, and perspectives.
The panel featuring @NareshDarji, @deepakjhic and @AjitThite was full of valuable insights.
PHOTO 1 — Panel Discussion
These conversations reminded me that every Local Guide has a different journey, but we are all contributing toward the same goal — making Google Maps more useful for everyone.
Hearing Directly From Google
It was a special experience to hear directly from the Google team.
The session with @Latika_Malhotra, Product Marketing Lead at Google, gave us insights into what is coming next and how Maps continues to evolve.
PHOTO 2 — Latika Malhotra / Google Session
I also had the opportunity to learn from @ketangandhi, Product Manager at Google, especially around upcoming Tell Maps features.
PHOTO 3 — Ketan Gandhi / Tell Maps Session
It was exciting to think about how these new features could make contributing information to Maps even more meaningful.
Ask Maps — A Glimpse Into the Future
Another interesting session was by @harishsimha on Ask Maps.
PHOTO 4 — Ask Maps Session
It made me think about how the way people discover places and information is changing — and how important accurate, useful contributions will become in the future.
Seeing Places Through a Better Lens
The photography session with @TravellerG was another memorable learning experience.
Photography Session with @TravellerG**
For a Local Guide, photography is not simply about taking a beautiful picture.
It is about capturing a place in a way that helps someone who has never been there understand it.
That was one of my biggest takeaways from the session.
Different Voices, One Community
The women’s panel was another beautiful part of NIS 2026.
With @Tejal, @Himanikapoor, @kalgichhaya and @Sparetimer866, the discussion brought different experiences and perspectives to the community.
PHOTO 6 — Women’s Panel
Different stories.
Different journeys.
But one community.
And Then Came One Special Moment…
Every journey has that one moment that stays with you.
For me, it was this one.
PHOTO 7 — RECOGNITION PHOTO / SOCIAL MEDIA CAMPAIGN WINNER
Being recognized as “Social Media Campaign Winner” at NIS 2026 was a truly special moment for me.
It was not just about receiving recognition.
It felt like a reminder that the time, creativity and effort we put into the Local Guides community can create an impact.
And honestly, sharing that moment with so many amazing Local Guides made it even more special.
But NIS Was Much Bigger Than One Award
The award was one moment.
The real memories were everywhere.
The conversations.
The laughter.
The photographs.
The introductions.
The unexpected meetings.
The people I had known online who suddenly became real friends.
PHOTO 8 — Best Group / Friends Photo
From @Hemang_Rindani, @Kumaarsantosh, @AjitThite, @Tejal, @TravellerG, @SharmaK, @deepakjhic, @Pajamatraveller, @SonamW, @Anil6969, @VikramSingh_Valera and @bhayani_naitik to so many other amazing Local Guides…
Every interaction added another memory to this journey.
Little Things, Big Memories
And then there were the little things that made NIS 2026 even more memorable.
The NIS T-shirt.
The badges.
The Certificate of Recognition & Participation.
The Google travel pouch.
The tote bag.
These may look like simple souvenirs, but for me, they will always carry the memory of NIS 2026.
One Roof. 130+ Local Guides. One Incredible Experience.
On 15 August — India’s Independence Day — more than 130 Local Guides came together under one roof.
Different cities.
Different backgrounds.
Different stories.
But one common connection — Google Maps and the Local Guides community.
That is what made NIS 2026 so special.
A Heartfelt Thank You
A big thank you to everyone who made this Summit possible.
Ambrish bhai, Naresh Bhai, Ajit Dada, Santosh sir, Deepakbhai, Tejal Ma’am, KK Sharma sir, the Core Committee, volunteers, Google team, speakers and every Local Guide who was part of this incredible experience.
And a special thank you to @Henil bro for those amazing clicks.
Your efforts created memories that will stay with us for a long time.
From Learning to Action
I came to NIS 2026 as a Local Guide.
I am going back with new ideas, new inspiration, new friendships and an even stronger motivation to contribute.
Better photos.
Better information.
More useful contributions.
More meaningful community participation.
Because being a Local Guide is not only about points or levels.
It is about helping people discover the world around them.
What NIS 2026 Means to Me
For me, NIS 2026 was:
A journey from Gujarat to Delhi.
A journey from online profiles to real people.
A journey from learning to action.
And finally… a moment of recognition.
But above all…
It was a reminder that behind every profile, every post, every photo and every contribution…
there is a person with a story.
And when those people come together,
a community becomes a family.
Thank you, NIS 2026.
From Gujarat to Delhi — a journey I will always remember.
@Latika_Malhotra
