Latest news with #Shashwat
Mint
13-05-2025
- Business
- Mint
From tracking ‘Sharma Sweets' to ‘Chai Tapris' - How Google Maps got a desi makeover over the years
A data science expert took to LinkedIn to explain how Google Maps got a desi makeover in India over time, adapting to the way locals understood directions beyond the Western grid system. Shashwat Prem, a Product Manager at Eureka Forbes, highlighted that Indians use 'Take a left after the banyan tree,' 'Next to Sharma Sweets,' 'Opposite the mandir,' as their landmarks for navigating through areas. 'Google Maps didn't understand India at first,' he said, adding that it was launched in India using the same model as the West—structured addresses, road names, and grid-based navigation. 'But on the ground, we used a different language.' Sharing an anecdote, Shashwat said he was visiting a local area in Lucknow last month when he was suddenly reminded of the Indian way of navigation, beyond Google Maps. He said it was late at night, and the official street name and the direct route that Google Maps had provided him with were closed. So, he resorted to taking directions from a local guy, who said, 'Take a U-turn from the dairy, and then go till you find the first 'gulley'.' 'Maps had no idea,' Shashwat quipped. However, he highlighted that over time, Google has adapted. 'It started indexing tiny kirana stores, chai tapris, and landmarks that only locals knew. Business pins became more useful than street names,' he said, adding that today, Google Maps has started to sound more like that in the US. 'It's not just localisation—it's cultural integration. And it didn't come from day one,' he exclaimed. Netizens agreed with Shashwat's observation, saying, 'Navigating culture is as important as navigating roads.' However, a few users also pointed out that Google's understanding of routes still lags, especially in hilly areas. 'In India, the banyan tree gives better directions than satellite signals. Glad tech finally realised that navigating culture is as important as navigating roads,' a social media user said. 'Best one so far is - 'Take Flyover'...game changer,' a user added. A netizen said: 'I think localisation of any product to the country it is launched in makes a lot of sense. The whole point of helping people is out is to entrench within their existing lives and make it easier/better. This has extended to all walks of life including entertainment, lifestyle products and durables as well.' 'The Million Dollar question is: Maps adapted; when will other MNCs doing business in India adapt?' asked another user.
Mint
13-05-2025
- Business
- Mint
How Google Maps became Indian: Data science expert explains how it did cultural integration
A data science expert took to LinkedIn to explain how Google Maps became Indian over time, adapting to the way locals understood directions beyond the Western grid system. Shashwat Prem, a Product Manager at Eureka Forbes, highlighted that Indians use 'Take a left after the banyan tree,' 'Next to Sharma Sweets,' 'Opposite the mandir,' as their landmarks for navigating through areas. 'Google Maps didn't understand India at first,' he said, adding that it was launched in India using the same model as the West—structured addresses, road names, and grid-based navigation. 'But on the ground, we used a different language.' Sharing an anecdote, Shashwat said he was visiting a local area in Lucknow last month when he was suddenly reminded of the Indian way of navigation, beyond Google Maps. He said it was late at night, and the official street name and the direct route that Google Maps had provided him with were closed. So, he resorted to taking directions from a local guy, who said, 'Take a U-turn from the dairy, and then go till you find the first 'gulley'.' 'Maps had no idea,' Shashwat quipped. However, he highlighted that over time, Google has adapted. 'It started indexing tiny kirana stores, chai tapris, and landmarks that only locals knew. Business pins became more useful than street names,' he said, adding that today, Google Maps has started to sound more like that in the US. 'It's not just localisation—it's cultural integration. And it didn't come from day one,' he exclaimed. Netizens agreed with Shashwat's observation, saying, 'Navigating culture is as important as navigating roads.' However, a few users also pointed out that Google's understanding of routes still lags, especially in hilly areas. 'In India, the banyan tree gives better directions than satellite signals. Glad tech finally realised that navigating culture is as important as navigating roads,' a social media user said. 'Best one so far is - 'Take Flyover'...game changer,' a user added. A netizen said: 'I think localisation of any product to the country it is launched in makes a lot of sense. The whole point of helping people is out is to entrench within their existing lives and make it easier/better. This has extended to all walks of life including entertainment, lifestyle products and durables as well.' 'The Million Dollar question is: Maps adapted; when will other MNCs doing business in India adapt?' asked another user. A user highlighted: 'While Google Maps has definitely adapted to Indian cities, it still struggles in hilly and remote regions like the Northeast. Landmarks change fast, roads are unpredictable, and context is hyperlocal. Still a gap to be bridged in truly understanding all of India.'
Hindustan Times
05-05-2025
- Health
- Hindustan Times
ICSE, ISC success stories: Not cowed down by ailment Brave hearts beat adversity, score full marks in grit
While many students were on cloud 9 after the announcement of ICSE and ISC results, a few others celebrated their victory over the odds. Not cowed down by ailment, they scored full marks in showing grit, determination and added a chapter of success to their life by writing the board exams even when they were advised not to do so. Shashwat Shukla, 18, a student of City Montessori School, combatted stage 3 tongue cancer to score 66% marks in the ISC examination. His will guided him to take the examination despite his parents wanting him to rest. The boy discovered a blister on his tongue five months before the examination. At first, it felt like any other blister, but on the advice of doctors, he along with his parents travelled to Mumbai to get it diagnosed for any signs of cancer. 'We went to Mumbai with a plan to return after a week, expecting Shashwat's reports to be negative. On finding it to be a stage 3 cancer, we decided to stay back and get his surgery done. He underwent a major surgery in October and continued to get radiation and chemotherapy for the next few months,' shared his mother Alka Shukla who is an HR official at a private organisation. Sharing his story, Shashwat said he was constantly supported by his parents, teachers and friends. 'At one point of time, it felt like the end of the the advice of one of my friends, Urvi, stayed in my mind throughout my treatment - that I must bounce back and keep going. When I decided to write my examination, everybody was against it as they felt it would be an extra burden on me. But I was adamant to take the examination,' said Shashwat who aspires to become a doctor. Priyanshi Singh, 16, another student at City Montessori School who scored 95.20% marks in ICSE examinations, suffered Chronic Suppurative Otitis Media (CSOM), a chronic condition in her left ear, which led to fluid collection behind her ear drum causing unbearable pain since November last year. 'The pain was such that I could not lay down for more than three years at a stretch and had to sleep in a sitting position. I was on heavy medication/steroids for three months from December to February. I underwent the first surgery in December, after which doctors said the condition was rare and required a second surgery in January. Three ossicles were removed from my ear as they corroded due to the condition...I faced several post-surgery complications,' she said. The post-surgery complications included facial paralysis, orbital cellulitis – a condition in which one cannot open eyelids as they get swollen, and sinus. 'I was in hospital for almost a month in January and was administered intra-venous injections thrice a day. The board exams were set to begin on February 18, but doctors told me that I won't be discharged before February 27. I went against the doctors and my parents' wishes to take the examination and was discharged on February 16, at my own risk,' said Priyanshi. 'I was taken care of by a nurse at home for 10-15 days. I studied whenever I found admitted to hospital even in between my exams due to various medical conditions. But I somehow managed to pull off my examinations with support of my parents, teachers and friends,' said Priyanshi who aspires to become an aeronautical engineer.
Time of India
03-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Survivors narrate narrow escapes, help from unknown devotees
Bicholim : Pratima , from Tivim, was metres away from the spot of the Shirgao jatra tragedy . She had a narrow escape from the chaos, but her nephew she was accompanying wasn't so lucky. Sitting next to the seriously-injured Shashwat Naik, 29, at the Bicholim community health centre (CHC), she recalled how she averted becoming a victim too. Shashwat was one of the 'dhonds' — or devotees — who observe fast and abstinence for over a month prior to the Shirgao jatra, to be able to participate in the rituals. Pratima was accompanying the survivor to help carry his clothes and other belongings. 'I was right behind when the stampede occurred. I had stayed a little behind to escape the chaos. When it took place, I was unaware of what had happened. There is no mobile range there either. Yet, someone managed to call me and tell me about Shashwat. I rushed to the spot,' said Pratima, Shashwat's maternal aunt. At the Bicholim CHC, Shashwat was one of 38 who were brought in from the early hours of Saturday till afternoon. Some of them were then referred to Goa Medical College , Bambolim due to their critical condition, while others were referred to Asilo hospital, Mapusa. Some were lucky enough to secure a discharge with only minor injuries. Chest compression from the stampede left Shashwat one of two survivors at the Bicholim CHC still undergoing treatment. He was brought to the centre in an emergency services vehicle, the authorities possibly having run out of ambulances. 'I was participating in the rituals as a 'dhond', and the stampede took place at around 3am. Same say a security rope got entangled in a devotee 's feet and that led to the stampede, but we will never know. I was barely conscious after being crushed in the stampede. I was conscious yet not fully conscious, unable to breathe,' said Shashwat. 'Someone happened to pull him out from below the pile of people and so he got saved,' said Pratima. On another bed opposite that of Shashwat lay another survivor of the tragedy, Sanjay Gaonkar from Thane, Sattari. 'I felt someone push me when I was accompanying my nephew, who is a 'dhond'. I hit my head on a rock after the fall, and the next thing I know, I am undergoing treatment here. I went after many years to the jatra and had to endure this. I will be afraid now to attend the jatra next year,' he said.
Time of India
30-04-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Excelled in exam ensuring cancer's failure in test of grit
Lucknow: Class 10 student of City Montessori School , Gomtinagar 1 branch, Shaurya Kaushik , set an example of perseverance and courage, scoring 98.8% in ICSE board exams and proving that with determination and positive attitude, no obstacle is insurmountable. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now In class 9, Shaurya was diagnosed with brain tumour and had to undergo multiple rounds of chemotherapy. Amid the physically and emotionally draining process, he remained committed to his studies, said his teachers. Only child of Harish Kumar, a railway employee and Bharati, working in Union Bank of India, Shaurya would attend classes and complete assignments even during treatment, his perseverance being admired by everyone around him. Shaurya continues to undergo medical check-ups every three months, which involves a tiring 10-day travel from Lucknow to Mumbai and back. "But he manages his schedule efficiently, balancing hospital visits and academic responsibilities with maturity beyond his years," said Bharati. Shaurya has been issued a Unique Disability ID by Govt of India, certifying 55% disability, but he refuses to let that define him. His consistent hard work and strong will helped him emerge as one of the top performers in his class. Sharing his mantra for life, Shaurya said "We should always strive to move forward with a positive mindset. Instead of dwelling on problems, it is more productive to focus on finding solutions and progressing consistent toward our goals." No different is story of class 12 student of City Montessori School, Mahanagar branch, Shashwat Shukla, who was diagnosed with tongue cancer in Oct 2024. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now For seven months, Shashwat underwent treatment at a private hospital in Mumbai, said his teachers. Giving tough fight to all hurdles, just a week before board examination, he came back to the city and scored 66.5%. A student of physics, chemistry and biology with biotechnology, Shashwat shared it was sheer determination and hard work that helped him excel in the exam. His mother, Alka Shukla, senior manager in a finance company, said, "During treatment in Mumbai, Shashwat received his textbooks and study materials by courier and kept studying though many, including his school, advised him to drop one year, but Shashwat said not appearing for the exam, would mean the disease had defeated him." Shashwat's father, Sanjeev Shukla, an engineer at TCL, stood by him throughout the challenging period along with the entire family. Defying all odds, Abdullah Khan of CMS Rajendranagar branch scored 93% marks in Class 10. He suffers from Achrondoplasia (skeletal dysplasia, resulting in short stature or dwarfism). He aspires to become a computer engineer "My mother Saba Khan and my grandfather Mohd Usman Khan are my biggest motivation and strength," he shared. "I didn't do anything special to score high marks, I only focused on what was taught at my school," said Abdullah. The key was solving last 10 years question papers' and gathering online resources for studying, he added. "My advice to students would be stay focussed and give their best and use all resources in the correct way," said Abdullah. (With inputs from Pratyusha Srivastav)
