Local Guides make a difference one contribution at a time. In this edition of our Thankful Thursday series, we want to show appreciation for those who go the extra mile and add history on Google Maps. Here’s how two Local Guides from India do that.
** @PankajKukreti03 , Level 8**
@PankajKukreti03 loves historical places and sharing their stories on Google Maps and Connect. He says: “There is one thing about India that really fascinates me: you find a completely different language, culture, and heritage with every mile you cover, which are all associated mainly with local stories, legends, and mythological characters. As a Local Guide, I [feel] that these stories and knowledge are worth spreading.”
Pankaj has added more than 25 places with historical importance, like the 19th-century Nahan Kothi building. Some of the structures he adds are from India’s medieval period, but seem to go unnoticed. “I do this so I can help people around me or visitors to my city get to know the rich culture we have.”
He researches the spots he comes across, curious to learn about their origin. That’s evident in the detailed lists Pankaj creates on Google Maps, too, like this one of the War Memorials around Tricity and this one of Forts near Chandigarh.
** @abhishekpatk , Level 8**
@abhishekpatk has a passion for museums, especially those that explore the history of sports, travel, and more. His reviews and photos combine helpful details, like the availability of parking facilities and wheelchair access, and his unique experience. “I love to visit museums. If there is a museum about a favorite subject [of mine], then it is a paradise for me. I like to upload information about it on Google Maps, [and] my aim is to encourage people to visit.”
Abhishek also believes that checking facts, editing places, and answering questions on Maps makes it easier for others to navigate the world. One of his most memorable moments as a Local Guide was when he met a passenger at the Sitabuldi Metro Station who seemed interested in visiting local tourist spots. They started talking, and Abhishek was surprised to find out that he was the one who answered the person’s question on Maps the day before. “He actually thanked me face-to-face for the help. I received acknowledgement that my contributions on Google Maps are useful to others,” he remembers.
If you want to learn more about the museums Abhishek likes to visit, check out his posts on Connect.
Join us in celebrating these awesome Local Guides! Know someone who should be featured? Tell us about them in the comments below.
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