The Smarter Paan-wala: Building Local Knowledge Banks
6 – 8
November 2023
STEM
21 Days
About Project
A decade or two ago, the corner paan/ vegetable shop used to be the go-to person for local information. We can even say that they are the local knowledge banks throughout the country. Over the last decade, Google Maps, Whatsapp location sharing, and other advances in technology have seen a shift from reliance on corner shops. However, there are things still lost in translation and differences in language, accent, and other personal preferences make it harder to communicate certain information in absolute terms (crystal clear manner). We would like to explore solutions to this problem that are based on technology and/or social engineering. The project invites students to engage with their neighbourhood in a fun and quirky manner and find a way for the local shops (paan shop, tea shop or any other vendors) to become repositories of local information/ stories/ anecdotes/ legends. It also invites students to think of technologies that can be used to build these local knowledge banks. The final output that the students will present will be a solution (either a product such as a digital app/or a service) that will help the local vendors and visitors to the neighbourhood exchange information reliably and enjoyably.
Expert Profile
Dr. Gaurav Gupta is a researcher and academic at Macquarie University, Australia, specializing in finance and sustainable investment. His work focuses on financial markets, risk management, and the intersection of technology with investment strategies.
With a strong background in academia and industry, Dr. Gaurav Gupta has contributed to research on responsible investing, corporate governance, and financial decision-making. He has collaborated with global institutions and policymakers to enhance financial sustainability and innovation.
At Macquarie University, he is involved in teaching, research, and mentoring, shaping the next generation of finance professionals while driving impactful insights in the field of financial sustainability.