The anticipation was palpable as I embarked to mark a double milestone: 10 years of Local Guides and an impressive 20 years of Google Maps! My starting point? Picking up @KetanChhaniyara, with the excitement building for the day ahead. We knew @bhayani_naitik and @NituGogoi were already at our destination, the Dandi Kutir Museum, a museum devoted to the life and legacy of Mahatma Gandhi.
Entering the museum was like going back in time. We toured with a group, all of us excited to know more about Gandhiโs remarkable life. Walking through the exhibits, something caught my attention.
The museum had a bike-sharing point and a baggage room, but neither showed up on Google Maps! What a Local Guidesโ opportunity! There and then, I pulled out my phone and added the missing places. It was a rush to get them accepted almost at once โ a tiny but gratifying bit of contribution to making the map more complete for all.
After our eye-opening trip to the museum, it was time to give some love back. I pulled everyone together and got into some cool facts about the Local Guides program and Google Maps history. We discussed how much both have progressed and the amazing community that makes them unique.
And of course, no party is complete without snacks! We wrapped up the meetup with some tasty goodies, the perfect ending to a day of history, community, and map magic. To another 10 (and 20!) years of discovery, sharing, and connection!
and 20 years of Google Maps! 
As part of these festivities, I had the pleasure of co-hosting a virtual meet-up 
alongside the physical gathering at the Dandi Kutir Museum.
Virtual Meet-Up Highlights 
But that didnโt stop us from having an exciting and insightful session! 
, sparking curiosity among our amazing participants. 
Their curiosity made the session even more interactive and engaging!
A Walk Through Google Maps & Local Guides History 
, shared some fascinating insights about the journey of Google Maps & Local Guides:
2005 โ Google Maps was launched 
2013 โ Google introduced the โCity Expertsโ program 
, a pilot initiative in select cities like NYC to encourage high-quality reviews.
2015 โ The program expanded globally as โLocal Guidesโ 
, inviting users worldwide to contribute to Google Maps.
2016 โ The program introduced a points system & new levels, making contributions more rewarding! 
to hear how far weโve come as a community of explorers, reviewers, and mappers! 
Accessibility at the Dandi Kutir Museum 
Fully accessible restrooms
Drinking water points are wheelchair-friendly 
Smooth ramps for easy navigation
to see such inclusive spaces that allow everyone to enjoy history & culture comfortably! 
Huge Thanks to Everyone! 
to everyone 
on the successful collaborative meetup as pioneered by 
