New Delhi, May 13 -- 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 mon...