Meet Mumbai's Google guide stars championing inclusivity and sustainability

With travel season lurking around the corner wanderers are on the hunt for unique destinations In doing so the first thing that comes to mind is Google Maps an app that helps millions of users make informed decisions every dayYet Google Maps would not be what it is without the contributions of local guides across the globe This travel season Middaycom turns its attention to Googles guiding stars and local guides who inspire people to explore the world by sharing what they know about theirsThe inclusive mapper Isha BadachikarFor Thanebased Isha Badachikar it all began in London with a simple desire to assist others In a conversation with this writer she says ldquoBack in 2019 while residing in the UK I found myself looking for places to visit with my infantrdquoShe continues ldquoAs I checked Google Maps for recommendations I was unsure whether the suggested locations would be accessible for a mother with a stroller or suitable for a baby Whenever I stumbled upon a fitting spot I made it a habit to share that information on the map believing it could be beneficial to fellow parents in similar situationsrdquoAlso Read Delve into Maharashtras firefly season with this trek guideToday Badachikar has emerged as Indiarsquos first woman to be recognised twice as an lsquoInclusive Mapperrsquo by Google This honour is conferred to people who produce valuable content in the field of inclusion diversity empowerment and accessibilityAs a local guide she has taken the initiative to compile a list of autismfriendly places in and around Mumbai While her typical contributions involve adding photos videos and reviews Badachikar sought to go beyond the usual approach ldquoFor instance my reviews would address questions such as accessibility specifically whether the location is wheelchair accessible whether there are quiet spaces available for individuals with neurodivergence and whether a restaurant has a braille menu for blind peoplerdquoWorking as a senior manager for the Insights and Data Business Unit at Capgemini she is also Indiarsquos only female connect moderator to feature in a group of 44 moderators around the world With approximately 11000 approved contributions and 52 crore views on photos Badachikar helps Google make maps more userfriendly assisting people to get the most out of the experienceHer recent initiative launched in Thane is the Hashtag Green map series which is dedicated to local businesses that prioritise harmony with nature By highlighting these ecoconscious enterprises the initiative aims to promote sustainability and encourage efforts to keep the earth green and clean all while reflecting these practices on mapsThe local business champion Falguni PalejaDue to the unforeseen devastation caused by Covid19 many businesses found themselves unlisted online with crucial information like phone numbers and operating hours unavailable Recognising this need Falguni Paleja took it upon herself to visit local shops gather their details and add them to online mapsThis effort to support local businesses during a challenging time led Paleja to be awarded as a local business champion by Google in 2022 In a Zoom call with this writer she opens up about her journey ldquoEssentially Ive been focusing on local shops in my area that offer products or services Primarily its productbased businesses as some service providers lack physical storesrdquoShe continues ldquoWere now expanding our efforts to include artisans by bringing their work online Many talented individuals sell their artwork from home and were dedicated to promoting their creations This initiative sprouted from the constraints of Covid19 limiting our ability to venture far from homerdquoAlso Read Indian influence resonates in Thai clubs as Bollywood beats echo across ThailandRecognising the need to support local businesses online Paleja initiated an effort to inform them about the free opportunity to list on Google Maps as many were unaware of this option ldquoMany individuals initially believed that Google required payment to list businesses on maps We took the responsibility to educate people about the process breaking this misconception This initiative garnered widespread participation extending beyond our local community to regions across the globerdquo informs PalejaAnother initiative she undertook was to aid local restaurants in their postCovid recovery efforts identifying the decline in customers due to decreased outings To enhance support for these establishments she actively promoted her favourite restaurants that prioritised health and hygiene measures in the wake of the pandemicCurrently serving as a local guides connect moderator for 120 countries Paleja has also been conferred the Google Guiding Star recognition in 2020The local travel guide Rohan MudshingikarFor trekker and photographer Rohan Mudshingikar its a way of giving back to the travel community The Borivalibased contributor aims to evoke in fellow travellers the same emotions and experiences that he encountered at scenic locationsldquoHaving wandered through charming alleys misty forests and meandering rivers across India its a fulfilling act to be able to show it to the world Capturing and sharing these breathtaking places on Google Maps remains a consistent priority for merdquo Mudshingikar tells MiddayWhen it comes to Mumbai he has enhanced information on places like Nehru Science Centre Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya and other places in the realm of history and heritage Additioanlly living close to Borivali has given him the opportunity to cover Sanjay Gandhi National Park extensively as he received a badge of honour for sharing his review on Gandhi Smark inside SGNPWhile he is not a Google guide star Mudshingikarrsquos contributions are no less Currently he holds a seat at the Local Guides Connect forum where he has been featured for 100 posts on travel tips places to go and things to do As an electrical engineer he frequently adds updates on accessibility restroom facilities and operating hours that have fetched him 28 crore views for his contentHow does Google decide that someone is a map starPaleja informs that Google identifies individuals as map stars based on several criteria Firstly they consider the level of initiative taken by the individual including their ability to engage and mobilise others to participate in maprelated activities Active participation and communication within the forum community are also taken into accountAdditionally Google assesses the quality and quantity of map contributions made by the individual such as detailed reviews photographs and other informational content The overall helpfulness of the content provided to users is a crucial factor in determining map star status Ultimately individuals are recognised as map stars based on their consistent efforts to contribute valuable and relevant information to the Google Maps platformLooking to contribute Here are the 6 Google contributor categories to partake inHelpful HeroInclusive MapperCommunity BuilderLocal Business ChampionCreative ContributorSustainability StarAlso Read Discover hidden gems by pristine beaches in Maharashtra