First of all I would like to express my heartiest thanks to the Local Guide team for selecting me to host Google supported meetup in Nepal. Also the same goes to Laxmi Gautam, Rupendra Neupane and Surendra Shrestha for their strenuous support to arrange the needful for the meetup. My gratitude to @TraciC and @KlaudiyaG for thoroughly cooperating with me in each steps to formulate the program.
Album Link: Nepal National meetup Photo Album
File link: Nepal National Meetup Slide Presentation File
Questionnaire link: Nepal National Meetup Quiz Questions
The Meetup Eve
Everything was almost ready. We planned to visit at 5:30 PM in the evening to check the first venue which was for indoor program. Laxmi and I had to transport meetup materials (notepad, pen, flex, stand, t-shirt etc.) to the venue so became a bit late to reach there. There was an unusual traffic jam on the roads due to Sag game. Rupendra and Surendra had already been there and arranged the things like chairs, sound system, drinking water, decoration etc. Now we divided the work for tomorrow. I was suggested to break a slide into parts as it was too large (78 slides) so as not to get any processing error during the presentation. It was 8:30 PM when I reached my room. After dinner I started to edit the slide, embed the video and finished at 1:15 AM; the next day. As a final touch, the other members were also working on their tasks till late night. Not itâs a sleep time. (Waving hands in a Hangout group chat).
Reference slide courtesy:
âLocal Guides Educational Presentationâ by Local Guides team
Slide Videos from Local Guides World:
Osama Majeed; Jordan Local Guide, Julien Paul; France Local Guides, Sagir Adamu; Nigeria Local Guides, Mahabub Hasan; Bangladesh Local Guides, Valeria Aumasque; Argentina Local Guides, Jeroen Mourik; Spain Local Guides, Akmal Bajewa; Malaysia Local Guides, Samson Mosilily; Nigeria Local Guides, Ermes Tuon; Italy Local Guides.
(Rest of the videos used in the slides were my previous meetup collections)
Slide Photos Courtesy:
The âFriends Foreverâ banner by Naresh Darji; India Local Guides. Previous Meetup collections, photos from localguidesconnect.com
(Note: Weâd made the hooks, badges and the cards along with card holders on our own expenses, and they are not the part of supported program)
Pre-meetup Activities:
Woke up early in the morning and left the room at 7:30 AM and reached to the first venue; the Rolwaling College at 8 AM. After Surendraâs arrival we fixed the sound system. To give a local flavor Laxmi was told to bring a Panas (used for holy lighting) of her home and balloons for further decoration. I put an announcement that I was already there. Laxmi and Rupendra had gone to Bhaktapur to bring Lunch Pack. Soon Suraj Spkota arrived and he was the first newbie fellow I met that day. Later Pushpendra Khadka; a familiar fellow; joined us. Now we were a team of six to fix pre-requisites. At 10:30 AM we had our breakfast and waited the fellow attendees to come. Co-incidentally it was a sub-election day, which was announced later than I fixed the meetup date, in some parts of country and hence in nearby district Bhaktapur so some fellows faced the road evacuation. I was receiving a call that they were coming so had postponed the program for 30 minutes.
Pushpendra and Rupendra were taking the log of attendees and distributing notepad, pen and stickers to each attendee. We began the slide presentation at 11:30 AM.
Meetup Activities:
First part: The slideshow presentation in Rolwaling College, Kumaripati, Lalitpur, Nepal
It was 11:30 AM that Surendra turned on the microphone. I was concerned on conducting event in the theme âWherever You Go, Be Like a Localâ. So, as per plan, I called Laxmi to initiate the program by lighting the Jyoti (Lamp) of mustard oil; the common cultural process of initiating any new program in my country. It is taken an auspicious sign to eradicate the darkness viz. the lack of knowledge.
Then national anthem of Nepal was played followed by the slide presentation. I was aware that presenting 78 slides can be monotonous to the attendees so had prepared the slide by adding the videos got from fellows around the world. We were 39 in count. The lunch box was distributed to each attendee in between the program.
Activities under slideshow presentation:
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Wherever You Go, Be Like a Local (the statement was explained)
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Message from Sagir Adamu (a video file was displayed)
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Information on âWhat is Local Guides?â (Explained the Local Guides concept of Google and my experience so far)
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Experience of the my first meetup participation in âthe Nepal Summit - 2017â was shared
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Message from Julien Paul (a video message was displayed)
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Under âYour Contributionsâ tab options viz. âcheck the factsâ, âreviewsâ, âphotosâ, âQ & Aâ were explained
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Message from Osama Majeed (a video file was displayed)
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Under âHow do I contributeâ section eleven different ways to earn points were shared
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Experience of previous meetup âCoffee Connectâ hosted by Prasanna (@PrashZ) was shared
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Experience of previous meetup âChandragiri Photo Walkâ was shared
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Message from Mahabub Hasan (a video message was displayed)
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Local guide Rabin Kharel was invited to share his Local Guide experience
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Experience of previous meetup âBhaktapur Geo Walkâ was shared
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Experience of previous meetup âThamel Ambleâ was shared
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Local guide Saroj Dhakal was invited to share his local guides experience as well as participation on Local Guides Summit - 2017 in San Francisco
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Experience of previous 'Pashupatinath Meetupâ And launching of Nepal Local Guides t-shirt for the first time in Pashupati was shared
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Different map contributions the associated points; levels, points and badges were explained
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Message from Valeria Aumasque (a video message was displayed)
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Experience of previous meetup âWorldwide CafĂ© Walk - Lubhooâ was shared
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Smart ways to level up keeping the location history on and saving the places were explained
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Message from Jeroen Mourik (a video message was displayed)
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General information about âGoogle Street View trusted photographyâ and the app was provided
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Local guide Pushpendra Khadka was invited to share his SVT experience
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General information about âAR on Google Mapsâ was provided
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Message from Akmal Bajewa (a video message was displayed)
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Local Guide Sahaj kafle was invited to share his local guide experience
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Ways to help local businesses and the âGoogle my Businessâ platform was explained
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Message from Samson Mosilily (a video message was displayed)
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To show cohesion of local guides around the world a reference design âFriends foreverâ by Naresh Darji the information about www.localguidesconnect.com site was explained
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Worldwide events viz. Local Guides Clean the World, Worldwide Accessibility Walk, Worldwide Map Edit Walk, Worldwide Photo Walk, Worldwide Geo Walk, Worldwide 36 Photo Walk and international Month of monuments were presented to show the global contribution as a Local Guides
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A special video sent to us by Ermes Tuon regarding his âLocal Guides Clean the Worldâ campaign was displayed
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The requirement, process and available categories to host meetups were presented
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General information about different perks and the connect live 2019 were presented
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Local Guide Laxmi Gautam was invited to share her experience about organizing International Day of Culture ; the worldwide cultural meetup event
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Local guide Niraj Bhusal was invited to share his Local guide experience
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Each attendee was asked one by one to present their feedback, questions and issues related to Local Guides and Google map. In between, the lunch pack was distributed to all.
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Local guides Saroj Dhakal and Pushpendra Khadka were venerated by offering Nepal Local Guides t-shirt for uniting local guides by hosting National Local Guide Meetup in 2017 (the first noticeable Local Guide event in Nepal)
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Local guides Quiz was performed and winners were prized with Nepal Local Guides t-shirt
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A group photo was taken and announced the completion of first half of the event
I had asked if anyone is in hurry or not and took an agreement to extend the duration. It took me almost 2 hours 15 minutes to finish the slideshow presentation. Some of us who were in a hurry attended the first part only. It was 02:15 PM that rest of us headed for the photo walk.
Second part: Photo Walk to Patan Durbar Square; the UNESCO world heritage site and Patan Museum visit
It was a 15 minutes leisure walk from first spot to second spot. Then everyone started taking photos around the square. I went to buy 25 Museum tickets for the available attendees and fellows managed to take group photos. Then we visited the different parts viz. Keshav Narayan Chowk, Chaukot Durbar (four cornered fort palace), Bhandarkhal Garden, Mul Chowk, Sundarichowk, Tusha Hiti (Golden Tap), Taleju temple etc.
About Patan Museum:
The iconic Patan Museum, once was the presidential palace of Malla Kings, is located in the heart of Patan Durbar Square. It opens from 10:30 AM to 5 PM on a daily basis. Each sections of museum are the specialized galleries to provide the comprehensive history of 16th century, culture, iconography and sacred art. In Keshav Narayan Chowk it has the priceless collection of Tantric, Buddhist and Hindu artefacts. Sundari Chowk and Mul Chowk are the added wings of Patan Museum. The Austrian government is joining the hands with Nepal government to protect Patan Durbar Square. The renovation and reconstruction works are ongoing to recover the damage from devastating earthquake occurred in 2015.
After exploring the Patan Durbar Square and the Patan Museum we gathered to take another group photo. At 03:51 PM we waved hand to each other for the departure. Fellows with private vehicles returned back with us to Rolwaling College to take their ride. Laxmi, Pushpendra, Rupendra and Surendra helped me to reset the event hall and waste management. Finishing all we departed from there to our respective destination at 05 PM.
Some questions asked from the fellows in the first half:
- The indigenous people of Kathmandu valley are the Newars and hence the Newari names of the places are. But anytime I put the original name in the Google Map somebody always changes it to common name in Nepali. What should be done to solve it?
- I own a business. Someone who never has visited my business has rated my business single star. I checked his Google map profile and found that he was doing the same to other businesses too to collect the point. How can I remove this review?
- I am banned from Local Guides connect. How can my account be recovered?
- When I was in the Manang (a place in the Himalayas of Nepal) I didnât find the places added to the map. Even the cellular network didnât work. How can I contribute to such hidden places in map?
- How to add area in the Google map?
- Recently I am not being able to add new photos to the map, why?
Some shared tips in the first half:
- Do not translate the name of a place and businesses
- Do not add personal ego, biasness and any kind of influences in the ratings and reviews
- Visit the âyour placesâ tab to create the list on Google map
- Use the Google map app search bar to find the nearby places like ârestaurants near workâ
- Add more than 200 characters in a review to get more points
- Click on âsend a feedbackâ to add missing roads
- Turn location history on to remember the visited places
- Save the places even in offline mode by tapping and hovering in the place location
- Add 360 photos and wait for at least 50 photos to be approved to become street view trusted and hence to be eligible for hire
- Never run for points but earn at least level 03 to host the meetups
- Never wait for the perks but contribute qualitatively that it may arrive to you
- Save the life by adding rightful information of the emergency services like hospitals, police offices etc.
- Not to add private properties like own house etc.
- Visit www.localguidesconnect.com to share your world with the global fellows
Report of some nametags collections:
Hello my name is: Dhiraj Pradhananga. My current obsession is: being genuine for accurate information.
Hello my name is: Bibek. My current obsession is: Nice meetup, more participants expected next time.
Hello my name is: Sahaj Kafle. If I had a factory, I would make: cloths
Hello my name is: Milan Ghimire. When I travel I always: add popular place photos.
Hello my name is: Anil Kumar Shrestha. Iâve always wanted to live in: unique places every week.
Hello my name is: Rabin Kharel. My current obsession is: Nice great event is organized, got lots of knowledge and experiences.
Hello my name is: Rabina Shrestha. If my wife was a movie, it would be: Beautiful.
Hello my name is: Aadesh Shrestha. When I travel I always: take pictures & contribute to maps.
Hello my name is: Nirvaya Subedi. When I travel I always: breathe air & use Google maps.
Hello my name is: Anish Luitel. Iâve always wanted to: Shoot the 360 Photos. J
Feedback from some attendees:
Laxmi Basnet:
I used to add the photos, give rating and reviewing in the map on own but later noticed that the level goes increasing and rating can be given. Later I started getting mails then started to search about the benefits and knew about perks, connect live etc. Few days ago I found the localguidesconnect.com site and noticed this meetup. Being here I realize that something more can be done to the society via Google maps. Thank you so much for giving me this chance.
Bikash Khadgi:
I am personally a photographer. This is my first meetup and I got to learn many things from here. I use to do street view and knew more about it. Thank you so much!
Bikram Maharjan:
This is my first meetup. I was unknowingly adding the photos in the map. I never knew that this (meetup) also happens. I am very happy to be here. Thank you Bishow ji for your initiative on hosting the event and bringing us all together. Looking forward to for events in the future.
Prakash Dhakhwa:
Nepal National Meetup; already I was expecting that something will happen here. Professionally I am a Sculptor. In 1999 AD I opened a cyber café. Later started using Google Earth and started searching own house. Later mobile phone arrived. Because of new technology my cyber café was closed. Then I changed the business and now I use to build old houses. Later I was interested to add my business house on Google map. After multiple attempts I succeeded. Hereafter I began to add photos to the map. I felt like a true Local Guide when as a local resident I was called to give briefing to the prince Harry for 25 minutes when he was here (Patan) for the reconstruction of monuments that were damaged due to earthquake. I was here seeking to learn more and I learnt. Thank you so much for this.
Dhiraj Pradhananga:
My story is similar to most of you fellows. Exactly I donât know how I became local guide. But when my sonâs leg was fractured I went to BNB hospital. While checking the review I noticed the furniture related information and tried to edit the information but couldnât succeed. Then I changed the name of the place and then it got accepted. This grew more interest on me and started contributing as a Local Guide from 2017. The interesting thing of being here is that my perception is changed to the most extent. Normally most of us comment or review the negative and hate things on the social media. Since the program was delayed for half an hour I was feeling like this program is also the similar kind. Before arriving here I had known Bishow only through his posts on localguidesconnect and I didnât have positive feeling about him as he was doing a lot of meetups and posting his photos only. But itâs been almost 2 hours I am observing his way of presentation expressing the hard subjects in an easy and understandable way, with little bit smile on face, now I have become his fan. I have attended this program because I have few questions. Previously I had organized many events of sustainable transport. Sorry for taking more time. Normally I didnât use to speak in any program which are none of my profession but this is the first program where I realized that adding photos, places and reviews is my hobby so I really want to speak more. Before I used to think that I donât have any hobby. I knew about this event after receiving the email. I have sacrificed my family time and another important event to attend this meetup. While sitting here I was evaluating myself. Everyone is sharing their personal experiences so joufully. I like Bishowâs style of slide presentation, displaying the videos and calling the local guides to speak in between, I think he knows the technique of organizing the event. I know no one here but I am feeling so comfortable here which normally isnât felt in other events.
Suraj Sapkota:
This is my first meetup. Previously I was contributing as a Local Guides as an entertainment. In 2018, I noticed the mail to apply for connect live. Probably 24 hour was remaining for the application. Then I started searching other Nepalese fellows on localguidesconnect and found Sovita Dahal. I contacted her in this regard and later connect to Rupendra. I told him to inform about any upcoming meetups so that I could attend. So here I am.
Sahaj Kafle:
Contribution is always positive. As a Local Guide weâre contributing to the community. Itâs not about contributing for money. In 2014/15, I had noticed the photos of guides somewhere in social media. Then I searched for it and started adding photos seldom but hadnât know whether itâs a Local Guide program or not until I met one of my friend. Then I started contributing more actively.
Hari Pandey:
Namaste everyone! This is my 4th meetup. I had attended 3 meetups in India. With the help of Salmaan I got to know Rupendra. I knew about this meetup from connect website. I was interested in hosting a meetup in Lumbini but couldnât. Itâs because recently I have been to Nepal and I knew nobody. The program is nice and now I hope to take the events further.
Sujata Shrestha:
Good afternoon everyone! I think, as a human, we all should contribute to our society and I think, as a Local Guide, Iâll keep on contributing to my society. Thank you!
Safal Shakya:
Hello everyone! I want to keep this short. I am reading in level 12 and I donât have too much contribution. But while traveling with friends I used to take photos, 360 photospheres and videos, and add them to Google map.
Sudeep Shakya:
It was an amazing experience. Keep it up. Be local, promote local.
Nirvaya Subedi:
Hello everyone! Because of always being a geographic nerd Google Map was not a hard decision for me. I think all of us presenting here are some sort of nerds because everyone must have got complains like âwhy you behave like you know more?â, 'why youâre contributing to the place where you get nothing? And so on. So being here I am happy to meet nerdy people like me. In Mahalaxmi Municipality, there was absolutely nothing in the map so it was difficult for me to invite people using Google Map navigation. So I started pointing out the shop names and public places, and make them visible on Google maps. I want to share one o my experience. While being in India I had to go to Chadani chok for shopping. I followed the Google map but it was adding more hours instead of taking me to destination. This made me feel that people havenât been contributing enough. If we contribute it makes our places visible and makes easy even to call any person to our home. Itâs not a small thing as it saves peopleâs time and resources. We have to think about this a lot. Thank you for giving me the time.
Suman Aryal:
I am from Dhading. I am engaged in tourism industry since 2010 and using the features of Google since then. I used to use Google map I didnât know about Local Guide. I am regularly contributing since 2015/16. I have an issue that to become a Local Guide some people, who even havenât visited the business, are giving the rating haphazardly even in my business too. The problem is becoming viral. What can be done for it?
Rabin Kharel
It was wonderful event. We have exchanged great ideas, experiences pertaining to Local Guides and its related tools. Thank you Local Guides for such valuable contributions. Expecting in future also more events and meetups!! See you all soon, Take care & happy connect!!
I am sorry for not being able to cover reviews from all attendees. I am very thankful to each fellows for providing their valuable time to attend the program. Now itâs a time for Local Guides World to provide feedback about our event. Your any kind of feedback is always a lesson to learn and subject of motivation. ?
Namaste and greetings from Nepal Local Guides
Bishowvijaya Pandey; the Meetup Host
