Flashback to a few years ago, a lot of us struggled to comprehend the philosophy of rapid technological advancement. It was really difficult to cope up with the emerging revolution. Not everyone could fathom the idea of “help” on fingertips.
Fast forward today, we have made a huge progress in terms of technology. Thanks to the wonderful creation called smartphones and apps, everything has become easier and convenient.
Keeping the spirit alive, kindly allow me to introduce you ‘Darjmate,’ an app specifically designed to help the natives in Darjeeling and the many tourists who visit the town. The app covers everything in around the town and is the first of its kind.
As a tech-enthusiast, I cannot but help get in touch with the developer Tashi Bhutia. As we spoke about the app’s foray into the market, I wanted to learn more on the inspiration behind it and what purpose does it serve.
Here’s a quick chat with the app developer.
When asked, what made you start this project, when did you start and how was the journey? Mr Tashi Bhutia answers,
My background: Started my career as a faculty on Zee Career Academy, Darjeeling where we use to use Windows 98 :). My interest drifted towards Web Technology and doing further courses I landed working in Kolkata, Delhi and now Bangalore. Having experience 10+ years, I was always passionate about doing something for Darjeeling in terms of technology, but I was carried away by my mainstream job.
And around 2010, I started taking freelancing job to a limited number of customers and thus introduced Darjeeling Web (
www.darjeelingweb.com). However I could sense the numerous hindrances, especially awareness of technology in Darjeeling and its people. People are still happy with Facebook and WhatsApp and least bothered about building a website for their business and others. I'm amazed to see big organizations in Darjeeling still don't have a website or online presence.
DarjMate - Initially I thought of starting ecommerce portal on Darjeeling but after conducting a few research, I came to realize that other than tea nothing can be sold online. And Mobile APP had started to become trendy, and thanks to Google that APP creation was doable. So I started building hybrid APP with Cordova, HTML & Angular (technology) as "DarjMate" and published on 1st Nov 2015. Keeping the internet connectivity in mind, till DarjMate version 1.4 we were working in offline mode but latest 1.5 is totally backend process with advance feature and UX/UI improvement.
Since this is the first of its kind in Darjeeling, I wanted even the native can benefit using this APP especially Medical, HealthCare and Services sections so, I urge Darjeeling Chronicle and others to help me in this sections. I dream and assure of taking this project to further levels.
As of now the app is build for
Android users. As per Tashi bhutia, iOS and Windows phone users can use the url
m.darjmate.com to see the app. In future the same will be developed for both iOS and Windows supported smartphones and tablets.
The landing page of the Android app has a photo of Batasia loop with the name of the app "DarjMate" in it. It also has the tagline "Darjeeling Guide". As the app is developed by "Darjeeling Web", you can see their logo DWEB there too.
Once you get inside the app you can see 18 different tabs with different captions in it. From those 18 tabs, the first 15 are in blue color and remaining 3 are in red. When asked to the developer why only the last 3 are in red he said, "Felt that's likely to be used more".
Now let me quickly take you through all the 18 tabs present in the app
Darjeeling: This tab gives you basic details of Darjeeling. It has 5 different sections. The first section is the overview of Darjeeling which gives brief description of its latitude and longitude. The Flora and Fauna, climate etc. The second section says about the history of Darjeeling, how the name Darjeeling came into picture. The third section says about the transformation from the British rule to the present administration. The fourth section describes its rich culture and different ethnic Gorkha groups. The fifth section will let you know the correct time to visit the place.
Airport: This tab will let you know the nearest airport from Darjeeling.
Railway: This tab will let you know the nearest railway station from Darjeeling.
Travel: Now once you are in Darjeeling, this tab will certainly be of your help. It contains all the verified tour and travels in Darjeeling as told in app. The listing includes travel, trek and adventurous sporting arrangements in Darjeeling.
Hotels: Your vacation is ruined if your stay is inconvenient. So, this tab brings you the best hotels in Darjeeling. The app has listed out the best hotels based on budget, service and location.
Food: Food is what everyone wants to taste when someone visits a new place. This tab lists the best eateries in Darjeeling be it restaurant or kiosk.
Medical: This tab here lists all the hospitals, clinics and doctors in Darjeeling. You can use the search by option and filter it at your convenience.
Banks: This tab lists all the government and private banks in and around Darjeeling along with their IFSC code and phone numbers.
Shopping: This is the best part when you go to some new places. This tab lists the main shopping destinations in Darjeeling. Apart from these there are many shops where you will enjoy shopping too.
Education: Darjeeling is also known for its center of excellence in the field of education. This tab lists all the schools and colleges in Darjeeling.
Pubs: Nightlife in Darjeeling? Yes, there is. This tab lists the entire restro bar in the town where you will enjoy the ambience and the rich taste of various music with various genres.
Parlours: This tab lists all the salon and spa in and around the town.
Organizations: This tab lists all the Government, NGOs, Associations and Clubs in Darjeeling. The basic details section gives you important phone numbers.
Health Care: Everyone knows “Health is Wealth”. This tab lists all the health care and fitness centres in and around Darjeeling.
Rental: This tab lists all the vendors from whom you can rent mountain bikes, motorbikes, cars, flats, hiking kits once you land there.
Attraction: Darjeeling located at the foothills of the Himalayas with its natural scenic beauty has so many natural tourist attraction places. This tab lists those tourist attraction places.
Gallery: This tab has Darjeeling captured in the form of photographs.
Services: This tab lists the different services provided individually by different people. Here it encourages individual skills and motivates them to a larger exposure/ marketplace.
Android users you can download the App from
here.
