On a sunny Saturday afternoon, 24th May 2025,
I rushed to host my very first meet-up “Open Mic” at the NIV Art Centre, New Delhi.
As soon as I caught sight of the NIV logo hanging beside the gate, I knew I had arrived. A wave of relief washed over me after a long and hectic ride.
Walking through the passage that led to the reception area, I felt an instant sense of welcome. The banners and standees of upcoming events proudly displayed the energy and vibrancy of the venue, a place that has been thriving since its inception.
A Brief Introduction to NIV Art Centre
Established in 2008, NIV Art Centre is a renowned art and cultural organisation that supports both emerging and established artists. The centre offers various facilities, including exhibition galleries, artist residencies, studios, a media theatre, and an amphitheatre. NIV is also deeply involved in community engagement through cultural and educational programs.
About the Meet-up
The meet-up was attended by eight Local Guides. We gathered in a small yet well-kept library. After a round of warm introductions, we began the session by discussing the purpose behind organising this meet-up.
Here’s a brief summary of the Q&A session with the host and co-host:
Q: What is the agenda behind this meet-up?
A: To explore the NIV Art Centre and get familiar with its facilities, so we can make the most of the space during the upcoming Mega Meet-up on June 29th.
Q: Why choose the theme “Open Mic”?
A: “Open Mic” is a creative and engaging way to draw attention from fellow Local Guides. It encourages greater participation and builds a sense of community.
After the Q&A, we dived into various topics:
• The role of a Local Guide
• Maps editing tips and practices
• How to write effective reviews
• Updates on the upcoming Delhi Mega Meet-up
• Trending topics on Connect
Manish and Siddharth also shared details about their upcoming meet-ups focused on helping newcomers better understand the Connect platform.
We then explored NIV art centre.
At exactly 6:00 PM, we assembled at the Open Mic Theatre. With the device connected via Bluetooth to the speaker, the program began 
:
• Shreya opened the event with a heartfelt welcome note and a brief introduction to the venue
• Singing performances by Sonam followed
• Siddharth recited his own inspiring quote
• Hemendu Ji moved us with a poem dedicated to Mother
• Manish sang Frank Sinatra’s “My Way” 
• Rajen delighted everyone with a spontaneous salsa dance 
• Enkay shared his inspiring photography journey
• Shreya brought the evening to a close with a few more of her original quotes
After the performances, we headed to a local restaurant to indulge in some delicious snacks.
It was 10 PM by the time we finally bid each other goodbye.
As my car moved forward into the night, I carried with me one of the most special moments of my life. I was truly in my element ,heart full of joy and gratitude💖
A big thank you to @ShreyaMusings @Ssiddharth2000 @Manishhh @K.K.Sharma ji @Hemendu ji @Rajan @Nomad_Enkay
and Rajesh** for standing by me, for listening, for supporting, and for helping me experience this day with so much ease.
Also, heartfelt thanks to my Connect colleagues who supported me from afar.
My Takeaway?
With a great support system and a platform like Connect, every Local Guide’s dream can become a reality. All it takes is a little courage and confidence.
I would like to Thank and Tag @TravellerG @Gurukrishnapriya @Kumaarsantosh @AjitThite @TusharSuradkar and many other who wished us well. My Special Thanks to @ShreyaMusings my co host for introducing NIV art centre to me and Delhi Local guides.
