2022
PHYSICAL / VIRTUAL MEET-UP
This is the one, first of its kind meet-up in two ways.
- Helping Fishermen Business
- Physically and virtually meeting at a time. Two-in-one meet-up
Due to the pandemic precautions, we had decided to have a small group of Local Guides to have a physical meet-up. Between 6.30 to 7.00am, we, a group of six Local Guides met at the Besant Nagar Beach and proceeded to the Broken bridge area. From there it's a half mile walk.
Photo by Gurukrishnapriya at the meet-up point.
It's just behind the Theosophical Society of India. Not very crowded and not polluted. Clean backwaters and looked very beautiful. It's a very beautiful scenic place.
The view of the Broken Bridge. Picture by LG Deepak Sundar
The early morning Golden hour is a time when the Fishermen along the sea coast will be bustling with business of their fresh catch. One can have the idea of the life of those Fishermen. How they toil to get their businesses done? We as a Local Guide, can help those Fishermen, by adding their business in Google Maps.
The is MY REVIEW in Google Maps after the physical meet-up. Information got from local fishermen.
We also had a photo walk near by. It's a beautiful Sunday sunny morning.
Picture taken by LG Gurukrishnapriya
Early morning @Ewaade_3A called through whatsapp video and joined us. It was around 2.30 am her local time.
Since, this is the first physical meet-up after the pandemic, I had made Google Stars for this meet-up.
Though an offline event, this was open to Local Guides virtually through Google Meet online. This was coordinated by @TravellerG
The virtual meet started by 8.30 am promptly. TravellerG Sir opened the site by 8.15 am. About 40 to 45 Local Guides attended the virtual meet-up. I got connected to the virtual meet-up accompanied by my co-host @Deepak_Sundar and other Local Guides a few to mention @jaisoncbe and @Sreenath-pesala were present for the physical meet-up.
Through the virtual meet-up I showed the backwaters, the broken bridge and the estuary. I explained to the Local Guides, where the Fishermen will come for fishing and how they depend on the fish coming through the backwaters. I also showed them the flowing backwaters from the sea.
A crane in the waters waiting for the fish. Photo by LG Jaison
The Local Guides who joined virtually got a feel about that place. They could see the cranes fly and catch fish. Then my co-host showed the nearby Olive Ridley Turtles' Hatchery to the Local Guides. He described how the government is preserving the place for ridley turtles by collecting the eggs, preserving them and after they hatch, put the young ones into the sea.
The following are the Local Guides who joined the meet-up:
Aarti Shinde
Alwy Paul
Ajit Thite
Anil Singh
Bidur ChandraZuhra
Bijohn Adams
Deepak Sundar
Devansh Jain
Devi Ddimitra
Doc_Dells
Erna LaBeau
Ewaade (through whatsapp)
Falguni Paleja
Govind_Jha
Guru Krishna Priya Sr.
Harsha Reddy
Jaison
Jitender Kumar
John peter
Kalyan Pal
Madhusoodan Bisen
Md Reazul Hoque
Naga Vijay
Naresh Darji
Roshan Bajpai
Rosy Koli
Sathyamoorthy R
Sofie Fusion
Sreenathpesala
Stephen Abraham
TravellerG
Tejal Chhaya
Varghese Jose
Yash Pratap Singh
Many more Local Guides other than the above list have also joined. Pardon me, if I have missed anyone. Many LGs Shrut19, Shreeya and Shruti Upadhyai motivated and shared thier wishes.
There was a very active participation by the attendees. TravellerG was interacting with them throughout the meetup. It was visible that @Erna_LaBeau was thrilled to see the beautiful beach. So also others.
Then I showed the audience, the Fishermen Hamlets, their boats and nets, many fishermen selling fish. It was a sunny morning. Being Sunday their business was brisk.
My co-host proceeded in his two wheeler to nearby Astalaksmi Temple. This Temple is a three storied Temple dedicated to the Goddess of Wealth, Health and Happiness. He has connected his camera to his bike, so that everyone can see the road he rode.
In the meantime I showed the audience the Besant Nagar Beach (Elliotts Beach), the beach bungalows, the walking path, the parking lot, the beautiful sands, the small vendor shops which sell tender coconuts, juices, ice-cream, eatables, shell crafts etc. Early mornings and evenings this place will be flocked by walkers, joggers and other visitors.
By then my co-host reached the Temple and described about this shore Temple showing virtually the Temple and the adjacent beach.
Collage of screenshots by LG Rosy Koli
@Anil6969 gave a description to the audience about the deity and eight forms of Goddess Laksmi. This meet-up was really a feast to the eyes and ears. The audience interaction was simply amazing. They enjoyed every moment of the meetup and felt as if they were literally in that place. @Tejal , @RosyKohli and many others shared their knowledge
Then @FalguniP took over the introduction of attendees, in her own casual way. By the time the audience introduced themselves, from Astalaksmi Temple my co-host reached the Marina Lighthouse. He showed the panoramic view of the Marina Beach from the top of the Lighthouse to the attendees. Everyone were thrilled.
This is the PHOTO ALBUM of photos and screenshots by our enthusiastic Local Guides
I take this opportunity to thank TravellerG, Deepak Sunder, Jaison, Selvamani Sir and Sreenath who were instrumental and very helpful throughout the meetup. Also a big thanks to the attendees who joined on a Sunday morning and made this meet-up a great success.
Though not wholeheartedly, we had to end the Meet-up here, as it has already exceeded the time limit. Wishing to meet again and soon in person, everyone bid goodbye.
THANKS IN ADVANCE
It was a really great virtual meetup with all of you 😊 @Gurukrishnapriya and team. I am very happy to have the opportunity to see some of the beautiful places in Chennai. Thank you for showing us great beauty of Chennai.
नमस्कार..
Very nice all photos & Recap,
I Love your cover photo & The view of the Broken Bridge Picture by LG @Deepak_Sundar
Thanks for Sharing..
