Global Warming settles island dispute between India and Bangladesh

A 30 year island dispute between India and Bangladesh has been settled, thanks to Global Warming. The rising sea-levels caused by Global Warming has buried the island in Bay of Bengal known as "Moore Island" to India and "South Talpatti" to Bangladesh. Now there's nothing to dispute over. This Google Maps view (2010 imagery) of the island clearly shows it being covered by water. (more at BBC)

Indian Railways could have used Google Maps in their Advertisement :)

Check this Indian Railways Advertisement which announces inauguration of a luxury train service "Maharaja Express" from eastern Indian city of Kolkata to New Delhi. This advertisement has a small map embedded in it which shows the route. Great Idea!!

The only problem is that the map shows Kolkata sitting on water in Bay of Bengal and it shows New Delhi in Pakistan.

Indian Railways' PR Officer said "It is a great mistake. We apologise for this. The advertising agency has been suspended".

(via Hindustan Times)

Indian Premier League Tweets Mapped #ipl #googlemaps

Check out Indian Premier League Tweets from India, mapped out on Google Maps. The map moves on to the next tweet location after every 5 seconds at which point a information window opens up at the tweet location showing the tweet text.

Indian Premier League is is a Twenty20 cricket competition initiated by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) . The first season of the Indian Premier League commenced on 18 April 2008. It includes 8 teams or "franchises" consisting of players from different countries.

Indian Premier League Venues Mapped #IPL #googlemaps

The Indian Premier League is a Twenty20 cricket competition got underway in India yesterday. There are 8 teams taking part in the tournament. Mumbai Indians leads the list in terms of valuation ($111.9 million). The combined total valuation of the 8 teams is $723.59 million. Cricket players from around the world are taking part.

Yesterday Google announced that the YouTube global community will be able to tune in to the IPL’s YouTube Channel (www.youtube.com/ipl) for streaming and on-demand access to witness the start of what promises to be one of the most widely-distributed sporting events in history. Fans can watch matches, highlight videos, player interviews and much more all on the IPL’s YouTube Channel

Here's a Google Maps Mashup of the Indian Premier League Teams with some basic information (Home Stadium, Team Owners, Team Worth ($$), Latest News (via Google News RSS Feeds), Video (YouTube)).

Swami Nithyananda Scandal Tweets mapped #nithyananda

I did not hear about Swami Nithyananda up until yesterday. Now a lot of people know about Swami all over the world after news came out from India about Swami's sex tape with a Tamil Actress. There is a lot of Twitter activity from India related to #nithyananda and some of it is hilarious. I have created this Google Maps Mashup of latest #nithyananda tweets from India. The map moves on to the next tweet location after every 7 seconds.

Swine Flu fear spreads in India #swineflu

The Government in the Western Indian State of Maharashtra has decided to close down all schools, colleges, cinema halls and malls in the Pune area from today in an attempt to stop the spread of swine flu in the state. In addition movie theaters will be shut for three days. This after 3 of the 6 swine flu related deaths in India have occurred in Maharashtra. (via Mid-Day).

So how is the Twitter World reacting to Swine Flu in India. Here is a Google Maps Mashup which shows tweets originating in India as it relates to Swine Flu (Note: This map also has options to view Swine Flu related tweets from United States and Europe).

Cabinet Ministers of India (2009)

Manmohan Singh, Prime Minister of India recently appointed 33 cabinet ministers. So who are these ministers and where were they born and how old are they? For answers to these questions check out this Google Maps Mashup I created:

India's 50 most powerful people - 2009

Business Week has come out with a list of India's 50 most powerful people. I have created a Video Montage of pictures of the 50 most powerful people. This was created using iMovie + iPhoto and then mashed up with "Zara Zara" song from Bollywood Movie "Rehna Hai Tere Dil Mein" Here it is:

Indian Members of Parliament with pending Criminal Cases - Mapped!

Here's a Google Maps Mashup which shows Indian Members of Parliament who have pending criminal cases. The names of the MP's concerned are listed in the the map sidebar. The data is sourced from here.

Note: Thanks to Google Maps Mania for mentioning this mashup.

On this day in 1984 - Bhopal Disaster

Today December 3rd is the 24th Anniversary of the greatest environmental disaster ever, which struck Bhopal, India. According to BBC, 3000 people died initially followed by 15,000 from related illness. Greenpeace claims that a total of 20,000 people died.

Related:BBC News on December 3rd, 1984

Google Maps Satellite view of Union Carbide plant site in Bhopal, India where the accident took place

Vaishno Devi, Jammu and Kashmir, India

Vaishno Devi is one of the holiest Hindu temples, located in the hill of Vaishno Devi, Jammu and Kashmir, India. It is the second most visited religious shrine in India.

Back in January, 2005 I visited India after a gap of 15 years. After attending a family wedding in New Delhi we headed north to Jammu & Kashmir for a pilgrimage to Vaishno Devi. From the base camp we had to walk approx 12 kms of narrow path up the mountain to the place of worship. It was a unforgettable experience (the view, having to walk thru metal detectors after every couple of kilometers).

The satellite view of this place of worship was blurred, I guess because of security reasons.

I am again planning to go on a pilgrimage to this temple in February. So while planning the whole thing out I decided to take a look at this location on Google Maps. Wow!! it is no longer blurred. Here's the view in Google Earth. For a view in Google Maps click here.

Google Hot Trends + Twitter Search

I got the idea for this mashup yesterday morning while looking into Twitter API's. Couple of weeks back I had created a Google Maps Mashup of Google Hot Trends which showed Top 10 cities where the search is originating from. But this mashup was looking at historical data.

So Google Hot Trends + Twitter Search mashup is an attempt at looking into why certain keywords on Google Search is trending up by looking into who is twittering that keyword. (Also check out the version for India).

Major Calamity in India - A river changes course

The Kosi river, a tributary of the Ganges in the Indian State of Bihar did something earth shattering this monsoon season. It burst through its banks to flow into a channel it had abandoned more than 200 years ago. The flooded channel swept over a region not accustomed to flooding and forced more than a million people from their homes.

These images below explain what exactly happened:

Here's a Google Maps View of The Kosi River during normal times:


Here's another image from NASA Earth Observatory taken on August 8th, 2008 (before the disaster)


Here's a image from Nasa Earth Observatory taken on August 24th, 2008 showing River Kosi changing its course and flowing through the channel which was abandoned 200 years ago. Looks like more water is flowing through this channel.

Happy 62nd Independence Day to India

As India celebrates its 62nd Independence Day (August 15th), here's a list of India related Google Maps Mashups:

• Indian Celebrities
• Google Trends Live Mapping - India
• Google Hot Trends - India
• Indian Premiere Cricket League
• Find me a Indian Bride/Groom
• What About Me!!
• Indian Dining in United States
• Bollywood Filmfare Awards History
• News from the Indian Sub-Continent
• Indian Mashups Listed at Google Maps Mania

What is India Googling right now?

Couple of weeks back I created Google Maps Mashps (Live Mapping) of Google Hot Trends for both India and US. You can see in this mashup, where the searches are originating from. Google Hot Trends which is "today's top 100 fastest-rising search queries", is updated hourly. Unfortunately, there is not a whole lot of location information available for United States whereas for India there is much more location information available. Here is a screen shot from Google Hot Trends (India). For United States click here.

(Related: Google Trends Historical Data (India) (United States)).

Google Trends - India

So what are folks in India Googling? There's a list for India which is updated hourly which can be found at http://www.google.co.in/trends. This must have been there for a while but I found out recently. After I found out I went about creating a Google Maps Mashup which shows the top 10 cities from India (you can drill down to the state level too) for a given keyword search along with historical data. Here it is: (You can click on the hot trends at the column on the left or type in a keyword at the input box - top left).

Related: For what the entire world is googling click here.

Indian Premier League (Cricket) Teams - Mapped!

The Indian Premier League is a Twenty20 cricket competition created by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). The first season of the Indian Premier League commenced on 18 April 2008. Currently there are 8 teams taking part. Mumbai Indians leads the list in terms of valuation ($111.9 million). The combined total valuation of the 8 teams is $723.59 million. Cricket players from around the world are taking part.

Here's a Google Maps Mashup of the Indian Premier League Teams with some basic information (Home Stadium, Team Owners, Team Worth ($$), Latest News (via Google News RSS Feeds), Video (YouTube)).

Congratulations to India on its 59th Republic Day

Indian celebrates its 59th Republic Day on January 26th. On January 26th, 1950 the Constitution of India came into force, and India declared itself as a "Republic".

Every year a grand parade is held in the capital, New Delhi, from the Raisina Hill near the Rashtrapati Bhavan (President's Palace), along the Rajpath, past India Gate and on to the historic Red Fort. The different regiments of the Army, the Navy and the Air Force march past in all their finery and official decorations. The President of India who is the Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Armed Forces, takes the salute. The parade also includes vibrant displays and floats and traditionally ends with a fly past by Indian Air Force jets. (via wikipedia)

Google Maps Satellite View of Rajpath, New Delhi

60th Anniversary of India's Independence

Here's wishing India and Indians all around the world a happy 60th Anniversary (August 15th, 2007). On this occasion I would like to mention some of the India related Google Maps Mashups:

(Please do email me or post a comment if you know of any other India Related Mashups)

About Me
Latest News from India
Celebrities from India
Indian Matrimony
Bollywood Filmfare award history
Indian IDOL 3
Sa Re Ga Ma Pa 2007 (another singing talent competition)
Sachin Tendulkar's record breaking test centuries

Found at (GoogleMapsMania)
Find My Ghar (means find my house)
India's Top 10 Colleges
Map of Mumbai Metro Rail System

Monsoon Floods in Eastern India

Image shown below from NASA Earth Observatory was taken on August 3rd. Quote from their website:

On August 3, the Ganges, Gandak, and Kosi Rivers were so swollen that it was hard to see exactly where the rivers normally flow. The tributaries that feed the Kosi River, not even visible on June 4, have combined in a vast web of water-covered land. The light blue area under the clouds in the lower left corner of the image is probably water-soaked earth, not standing water.

According to BBC as of August 3, nearly 20 million people had been displaced in India, Bangladesh, and Nepal, and 125 had died in India.

Pratibha Patil - India's 1st Woman President

Pratibha Patil was sworn in on July 25th, 2007 as India's first woman President succeeding Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam.

Pratibha Patil now moves into Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi - Official residence of President of India.

Here's a Google Maps View of Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi.

Singing Competitions from India - Mapped!

There are couple of Singing Completions taking place on Indian Television. Both are extremely popular with world wide following.

SA RE GA MA PA Challenge 2007 - The auditions for this show was held all over the world. The show narrowed down to 14 finalists (1 from Houston, TX, 3 from Pakistan, 10 from India). Here's a Google Maps View of the Contestants (includes YouTube video clips).

Indian Idol 3 - The format here is the same as American IDOL. Check out the Google Maps View of Indian IDOL 3 Contestants.

Note: In both of these Google Maps Mashups, a Information Window opens up for a random marker on initial page load. Click on the participant image at the top of the page for information window to open up for that particular participant.

On this day in 2005 - Mumbai, India is paralyzed with 37.2 inches of rain

Mumbai, India recieved 37.2 inches of rain in a 24 hour period on July 26th, 2005. This was followed by another 22.6 inches of rain the next day. Most places don't even get this much rain in a year. Human tragedy as a result - (233 from drowning, 120 from landslide, 24 from stampede, 126 from suffocation in cars after water levels rose rapidly preventing escape, 12 from electrocution) (more at wikpedia)
Google Maps view of Mumbai the city I grew up in.


Video of Mumbai Flood releif 2005

India Related Google Maps Mashups

FindMyGhar.com (meaning Find my house) is Bangalore, India real estate Google Maps Mashup. Initially it was featured at GoogleMapsMania on May 1st 2007. Now it has been featured in Times Of India on June 17th, 2007. If you are looking for a house in Bangalore then check out FindMyGhar.com

After finding your house if you want to find your future wife or husband then you might consider visiting my Indian Matrimony Google Maps Mashup.

How about latest news from the Indian Sub-Continent or if you are a Sachin Tendulkar fan then you might want to check out his record breaking Test Centuries journey on Google Maps.

I also have a filmfare awards Google Maps Mashup as well as the Indian IDOL 3 Contestants Google Maps Mashup

If you know of any other India Related Google Maps Mashup, do let me know or post a comment here.

Indian IDOL contestants on Google Maps

Here's a Google Maps view of Indian IDOL 3 Contestants along with YouTube video for some of them. There are 28 contestants (14 Boys and 14 Girls).

It has a international flavor. Though majority of the contestants are from India, there are couple from United Arab Emirates, 1 from Australia, 1 from United Kingdom and then everyone's favorite Meiyang Chang a Chinese Indian. He has a incredible voice. Check him out.

The format is pretty much similar to American IDOL.

Link: Indian IDOL

Bomb Explosion at Mecca Masjid, Hyderabad, India

5 people were killed today (5/18/2007) in a bomb explosion at Mecca Masjid, Hyderabad, India (more at CNN)

Here's a Google Maps View of Mecca Masjid, Hyderabad, India.

India joins the Nuclear Club on this day in 1974

On May 18th, 1974 India conducted its First Nuclear Test Explosion at Pokaran, Rajasthan (Google Maps). At the time it became the sixth nation to have nuclear weapons (the other five were USA, Soviet Union, Britain, China and France).

Google Maps Mashups from India

Here are couple of Google Maps Mashups from India. (Found at GoogleMapsMania)

Mumbai's (formerly Bombay) suburban rail system. This one takes me down memory lane. I use to take the local trains from Grant Road to Churchgate.

Top 10 Engineering and Medical Colleges of India.

FindMyGhar.com Looking to buy or sell a house in Bangalore, India, then check this mashup out.

Couple of India Related Google Maps Mashups I created:
Looking for a Indian Bride/Groom? I created a Google Maps Mashup last year with data from BharatMatrimony.

Bollywood Best Actors and Actresses

Sachin Tendulkar's Record Breaking Test Centuries.

Today in History - Mahatma Gandhi's Salt March

On March 12th 1930 Mahatma Gandhi along with 78 other men started his 23 day (240 miles) Salt March on foot from Sabarmati Ashram to Dandi, Gujarat. This march was an act of protest against the Salt Tax imposed by Britain on Colonial, India.

Google Maps View of Sabarmati Ashram, Ahmadabad, India


Google Maps view of Dandi, Gujarat

India's 60th Independence Day

Celebrities from India
India's 60th Independence day (August 15th) is round the corner and there are host of activties planned here in Michigan. There will be abundance of Indian Talent and Indian Culture on display.

Here is a patriotic song from Puja Chatterjee of Indian IDOL 3


Related Videos:
Mere Desh Ki Dharti - Manoj Kumar Classic
Brand India
Vande Mataram
India since Independence

Related links:
India's Freedom Fighters
Wiki: India's Independence