W. P. Carey School to graduate record number of students again

 

May 06, 2011

For the second year in a row, a record number of students are graduating from the W. P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University in the spring. More than 2,200 students are eligible to receive degrees this month, and many will take the stage to receive their diplomas on May 12 and 13.

“We’re proud to be educating more and more students at the school, while still maintaining the high standards of excellence consistently recognized with Top 30 rankings for our MBA and undergraduate programs,” says W. P. Carey School of Business Dean Robert Mittelstaedt. “Year after year, our faculty and staff members do a tremendous job of changing lives through education.”

Among the students participating in commencement ceremonies in Tempe are 23 professionals flying in from China, from the school’s executive MBA program in Shanghai. More than 100 students will graduate from the Shanghai program this month. The program, currently ranked No. 28 in the world by the Financial Times, educates senior-level executives and government officials in charge of policy-making that can influence and improve the lives of millions of people in China.

This year’s graduate-level convocation in Arizona will be open to a total of about 1,000 students, including about 700 MBA candidates. The event will take place Friday, May 13 at 5 p.m. at the Wells Fargo Arena on ASU’s Tempe campus. The guest speaker will be William E. Keitel, executive vice president and chief financial officer of Qualcomm Inc., one of the world’s leading providers of wireless technology and services. Keitel is a W. P. Carey MBA grad and will receive a Distinguished Achievement Award.

More than 1,200 students are eligible to graduate at the undergraduate convocation Thursday, May 12 at 8 a.m., also at the Wells Fargo Arena. The featured speaker will be Roger Wittlin, an ASU alum with about 25 years of capital markets experience. He is managing director of Silver Lake Financial and will also receive a Distinguished Achievement Award.

The spring 2011 Turken Family Outstanding Graduating Senior Award goes to accounting major Isaiah McCoy. He was named a McCord Scholar, has a 4.0 grade point average, and interned at Deloitte, where he will have a full-time job after he attends and completes the Master of Taxation program at the W. P. Carey School of Business. McCoy helped facilitate Camp Carey and WPC 101 (introductory programs) for other students at the school. He also helped to reestablish ASU’s chapter of Beta Alpha Psi, a business fraternity that connects students to professional accounting firms. He also helped organize a career awareness program for minority high school students that is sponsored by the School of Accountancy, in conjunction with the National Association of Black Accountants. More than 70 percent of the participants wind up attending college and majoring in a business field. McCoy also volunteers at a local church and recreation center and helped design an inventory management database for a local food bank.

about the same size as Vancouver Island

I’d been told “if you want to see all of China but don’t have enough time, Taiwan is a great alternative.” Settled by talented, creative and industrious Chinese who rejected communism under Mao Tse Tsung in 1945 and fled to what was then called Formosa, the little island (about the same size as Vancouver Island) has evolved into a technological powerhouse. However, it’s really the traditions of art, food and old-fashioned good manners that reveal the real Taiwan.
Ilha Formosa, which means Beautiful Island, was the name that Portuguese sailors gave to Taiwan when they arrived in 1517. Only 394 km long and 144 km wide, I discovered that — outside of cosmopolitan Taipei and the crowded west coast cities — the island boasts magnificent scenery ranging from lush rice paddies to mountain ranges flourishing with flora and fauna, to rugged coastlines and several unique offshore islands.
A complete circumnavigation of the island can easily be done in a week, starting with the modern capital. Taipei 101, the world’s tallest office tower, shows off the shiny steel and glass side of the city. The best of Chinese art can be found in Taipei’s huge National Museum, where 3,000 years of Chinese history evolve before your eyes. (The Nationalists took it with them for “safekeeping” when they fled the mainland.) Across town the Chiang Kai-shek Museum tells the story of more recent Taiwan in several glittering pavilions, all free. Colourful night markets and armies of scooters crowd the city’s busy streets.
I jumped on the bullet train and flashed south at 300 kph, stopping off for some side tours to visit old Hakka Chinese villages such as Beipu and Lugang. Under no circumstances should anyone miss the architectural gem of Nan Yuan in Hsinchu County, at 88-hectares the largest private Chinese garden in the world. Built in 1985 for private use, the garden was only opened to the public in 2008. Imagine a quiet life of meditation, conversation, poetry, painting, calligraphy and music, all hidden within a walled garden filled with rocks, water, trees, plants, sculptures and temples. In ancient times only the elite could dream of such a life, and to most people today such a vision is no more than pictures in a book or a Hollywood movie. In Nan Yuan the dream becomes a reality.
I headed further south down to Miaoli County where 47,759 lanterns of many shapes and sizes were on display at the 2011 Miaoli Lantern Festival, breaking the Guinness World Record. I visited with a man known only as the Old Lantern Master at his shop where, at 89, he still paints his traditional paper lanterns by hand in the style of his ancestors.
Few westerners seem to know that tropical Taiwan is mostly mountainous with the highest peaks in all of Asia. Hiking and biking trails criss-cross the island.
A paved cycling trail is being built to circumnavigate the entire island, and bike rentals are available everywhere. Surfing is apparently popular, in the (very) hot summer season, which is also typhoon time. Skip the blistering heat and go in spring or fall.
So far off the beaten track is remote Kinmen Island that even most Taiwanese have never visited it. The big surprise is that this tiny island is just a half kilometre off the mainland Chinese coast, so close that the two Chinas have fought several wars over control of its strategic location. In 1959 Mao’s forces bombarded Kinmen endlessly, forcing the fearful inhabitants to dig shelters and tunnels for survival. Today, with relationships between the two Chinas improving, several kilometres of tunnels have been opened as tourist attractions. A strange experience indeed is stumbling through these tunnels in the dark while listening to air raid sirens and simulated bombardments. I followed with a visit to Master Wu’s nearby knife factory where the renowned artist keeps busy turning a mountain of old artillery shells into expensive stainless steel knives and swords, a souvenir with a story to tell.
Heading back north up the rocky eastern coast, I ventured into territory few tourists ever visit. Surprising to me was the discovery that 14 aboriginal communities are alive and thriving in Taiwan. Bunun Village provides a glimpse of the traditions and lifestyles of this ancient aboriginal tribe. The Bunun lived in the mountainous regions of central Taiwan since their arrival several millenniums ago (from Indonesia or Polynesia) until the coming of Christian missionaries a century ago. The Bunun were known to be fierce warriors and headhunters. Today, they are better known for singing and dancing, with weekend shows attracting large crowds.
The entire east coast of Taiwan in inundated by hot springs. The Taiwanese love to bask in indoor and outdoor hot pools, but for me perhaps the strangest sensation of any of my trips in the world was the hot springs where a special breed of fish has been raised and trained to suck on your toes. Yes, totally true. The tiny piranha-type fish nibble dead skin off your feet when you stick your feet into their hot pool, truly an electrifying feeling. I jumped two feet in the air and lasted only a few minutes before fleeing in front of laughing villagers.
The National Centre for Traditional Arts in the northeast’s Yilan County is a 24-hectare park that should never be missed. Although the complex looked more like an expensive shopping mall than art gallery, I was wowed by the craftsmanship evident in the dizzying array oleather workrk, Chinese calligraphy, glassware, pottery, woodwork, puppets, and Chinese lanterns. This is pure shopping heaven for those determined to find “the real deal” and not replicas. Everything from food to hotels here, and all over Taiwan, is reasonably priced.
No visit to the east coast is complete without a tour of Taroko National Park, Taiwan’s own Grand Canyon, famous for its 19-km gorge through deep mountains, with a rushing white-water river working its way through sheer cliffs and bizarre marble formations. The entire northeast coastline is a photographer’s delight with high jagged cliffs tumbling down to rocky beaches.
Back in Taipei, those looking for the “real Taiwan” should take a stroll through the emerging Kang-Qing-Long District, a community of cutting-edge artists, writers and intellectuals operating tea houses, record stores, book and antique shops, all of who share a unique business model: “Earning life rather than earning money.” Here you’ll find owners and staff keen to discuss Taoist philosophy while selling you a record from the hippest underground bands in Asia or tea grown from the most select hillsides in the countryside.
Perhaps the biggest surprise from a visit to this “jewel of the Pacific” is not the art or landscapes, but the polite people and culture of modesty. In an increasingly globalized and jaded world where so many travellers wear T-shirts, old jeans and a baseball cap, the Taiwanese are radically different. Old and young, rich or peasant farmer, all Taiwanese seem to be well dressed, very polite and outgoing. Outside one museum I even read a notice that read: “No admittance for slovenly dress.” Now that’s certainly a sign you sure won’t see in Disneyland.
The only words you need to know are “née how? (“how are you?) and “shey shey!” (thank you) which roll off the tongue at every transaction. Thailand may be known as the Land of Smiles but surely that title should go to Taiwan. A journey to this exotic land swings back and forth between old and new, hip and traditional, keeping you surprised all the time. One thing is a constant, though, and it’s that the Taiwanese are classy people. Be sure to bring an entire box of business cards, because everyone will ask you for one as a memento of meeting you. Chances are you’ll make more friends from a trip to Taiwan than in a lifetime of other journeys.

Dr Ashish Patil - Most Number of Kidney Stone Removal World Record set by Indian Doctor

Most Number of Kidney Stone Removal from Single Patient World Record set by Indian Doctor.

In what can only be termed as a medical marvel, Dr Ashish Rawandale-Patil, a urologist from Dhule, Maharashtra, gained a place in 'Guinness Book of World Records' on Oct 20 for removing a record number of 172,155 kidney stones from a single kidney.

The world record feat was carried out on 8 December last year at the Institute of Urology at Dhule, when Dr. Ashish performed the Herculean task of removing over a lakh stones from a single kidney of his patient, Dhanraj Wadile.

Dr Patil stated, “The Guinness team took time to verify world-wide records. The earlier record holder, a doctor
from Nashik, had removed 14,098 kidney stones.”

He added, "The certificate from the Guinness Records officials only came 10 days ago so we waited this long to make the announcement. We are very excited.”

Wadile suffering from rare birth defect
Wadile, 45, had been enduring acute pain for over six months and had stopped eating and going to work. He had consulted numerous doctors and was also taking medicines
for the pain before he approached Dr. Ashish.

A thorough examination revealed that Wadile was suffering from the rare birth defect called Pelvi-Ureteric Junction obstruction where his kidney was abnormally positioned in the pelvic and had an obstruction.

In addition, the clinical investigations revealed the patient
had a large number renal stones.

After the patient was cleared as medically fit, the doctors worked out the details of the surgical procedure to be performed.

A 4-hour complex operation
The doctors used both open surgery and flexible endoscopy in the complex four-hour operation. The team of medical experts working on Wadile was amazed at the number of stones that were removed from the patient.

Wadile felt relieved immediately after surgery. The stones removed comprised of calcium oxalate and calcium phosphate and varied in size from one millimetre to 2.5 cms.

Dr Patil stated, “The surgery was complicated due to the number of kidney stones. It was difficult to remove so many stones from his kidney. These stones were anywhere between the size of 1mm to 2.5cm.

“The possibility of leaving some stones behind was one of the risks as it could have jeopardized the surgery. Bigger stones had to be tackled individually. We also did a plastic surgery to widen the opening of the kidney.”

Counting the stones another mammoth task
Following the surgery, the doctors faced another mammoth task of counting the stones. For this purpose they employed a diamond worker who counts and verifies diamonds on a regular basis to team up with one of the doctors.

The counting process of the stones took nearly three daily for well over a month to be completed.

Dr Patil stated, "I then wrote to the Guinness Book of World Records and they asked me to send the stones and related documents. They verified it and wrote back to me in October telling me that I have made a record".

He added "This is an important milestone for me and my institute. It is the combined effort of my team that could take this small town to an international level.”

Thursday, October 21, 2010 Radio City 91.1FM - India’s first leading FM radio enter the Limca Book of record

Radio City 91.1FM, India’s first and leading FM radio brand is attempting to enter Limca Book of records with “Call me Dil” - the latest track from Saregama’s Jhoota Hi Sahi. The music of the film has got rave reviews and on listeners demand Radio City 91.1 FM aired the song “Call me Dil” 360 times in a day across 15 stations nationally

Commenting on the attempt, Apurv Nagpal, MD, Saregama India Ltd, says “We are extremely happy with this development. We are attempting to enter the Limca Book of Records. Radio City 91.1 FM network had selected the song after it got numerous requests from the listeners to air the song. This is the first time a bollywood film track has been repeated on radio the same is a record by itself. In fact a team from Limca Book of Records will be monitoring the air play at Radio City 91.1 FM.

The music of this film has been composed by none other than Academy Award Winner A R Rahman. Apart from Call me Dil, the other sound tracks have also been appreciated by the audiences like Cry Cry and Mayaa Yashoda.

Ashit Kukian, COO and President Ad Sales, Radio City 91.1 FM commented “Radio City 91.1 FM has always set benchmarks in innovation that are appealing to the listeners. The high song rotation is an attempt to give listeners the song that is fresh and is gaining affinity. We are sure that the listeners would be more than pleased to hear their current favorite on Radio City 91.1 FM. We are glad to be a part of the attempt to set a record through this innovation”.

The 15 cities that Radio City that aired the track across India are Mumbai,Delhi, Lucknow, Jaipur, Ahmedabad, Baroda, Surat, Sholapur, Nagpur, Pune, Jalagaon, Ahmednagar, Sangli, Nanded & Akola.

Microsoft Windows 7 - Microsoft Dominoes enter in to Limca Book of Records 2011

The fall of a chip sets off a cascading effect. As the chips lined up in formations fall, a wave is created and vibrant colour pattern emerges. It was not a mean task at Microsoft's Hyderabad Centre. The falling chips made a dazzling display of the logo of Windows 7, the operating system made available on October 22 last year.

This was the way a team of 22 Microsoft employees celebrated the first anniversary of the general availability of Windows 7 and the effort enabled Microsoft storm into the Limca Book of Records for the first ever dominoes display of its kind in India. The Microsoft Dominoes effect required 7,000 wooden dominoes, each weighting 12 gm and placed barely 0.2 inches apart sidewise and 0.5 inches lengthwise to create the logo.

“Placing each domino took an average of three seconds a person. We were extremely tense and knew that a small mistake would cost us 20-30 minutes of effort. To our relief, the event went off really well, with over 1,000 employees witnessing the chips fall from all around the atrium floors and create a dazzling display of the Windows 7 logo. It was seamless!” said team member Tanvi Ritwik.

The idea of organising a domino display was generated in a brainstorming session of Microsoft employees of Windows & Windows Live Group at Microsoft India Development Center that had worked on some key features of the Operating System. The team, led by Archis Gore, spent nearly 1056 hours (from planning to the culmination of the event). The effort required the same precision engineering and team work that product development does.

A Microsoft release quoted Limca Book of Records Editor Vijaya Ghose as saying: “This is the first ever display of dominoes in India and is a symbolisation of perfect coordination and exceptional synergy among team members.

Thursday, October 28, 2010 Jhootha Hi Sahi - Indian Bollywood Movies in Limca Book of Records

India’s premium music company and film production house Saregama India Ltd is attempting to enter their film Jhootha Hi Sahi in the Limca Book of Records. The attempt is for one of the songs in the film ‘Call Me Dil’, which has received tremendous appreciation from the listeners, was played 360 times on 91.1 fm Radio City across 15 cities nationally. The film is directed by Abbas Tyrewala starring John Abraham, Pakhi, Raghu, Mansi Scott, Prashant Chawla and Omar.

Commenting on the attempt, Apurv Nagpal, MD, Saregama India Ltd, says “We are extremely happy with this development. We are attempting to enter the Limca Book of Records. The Radio City network had selected the song after it got numerous requests from the listeners to air the song. This is the first time a bollywood film track has been repeated on radio the same is a record by itself.  In fact a team from Limca Book of Records will be monitoring the air play at Radio City.

The song ‘Call Me Dil’ has been a rage with the youth. Not only this particular song but in totality the music of Jhootha Hi Sahi is extremely fresh and melodious. The music has got great reviews and tops the list of all chart busters.

Says  Apurva Purohit, CEO, Radio City 91.1 FM “Radio City has set benchmarks in innovation. This film song promotion is a unique offering to cater to the listeners choice of popular music. We believe that this offering would now change the way new film music is promoted on the medium.”

Comedian Alex - Non Stop Magic Show set World Record by Alex

Comedian Alex, who is also a well-known magician, was honored with the Chevalier Award recently in Abu Dhabi.

His name features in the Guinness Book of World Records and Limca Book of Records for conducting a magic show continuously for 24 hours. This has earned him the prestigious Chevalier Award.

Those who were present at this function include the United Arab Emirates Tamil Sangam President Ravi Maran, and Justice A Kulasekaran.

Alex forayed into the film industry with Rajinikanth’s Valli and later went on to star in several films.

Jyoti Amge - World's shortest living teenager set Limca Book of Records 2011

World's shortest living teenager set Limca Book of Records 2011 by Indian teen Jyoti Amge.

At age 17, Jyoti Amge stands just 2 feet tall, but she could have some big shoes to fill.

Amge -- who is already recognized by Guinness World Records as the world's shortest living teenager and in the Limca Book of Records as the "Shortest Girl" -- is poised to become the world's shortest living woman, so long as she doesn't grow more than 4.3 inches in the next 360 days.

The Indian teen dreams of finding fame as an actress in movies, but she'll likely first find fame when she's measured shortly after her 18th birthday on Dec. 15, 2011.

Amge was last measured by Guinness officials at a height of about 24.3 inches -- significantly shorter than current world record holder Elif Kocaman of Turkey, who stands about 28.6 inches.

Despite her short stature, Amge says she's an ordinary teenager.

"I am proud of being small. I love the attention I get," she told the Sunday Mirror. "I'm just the same as other people. I eat like you, I dream like you. I don't feel different."

So far, her height hasn't stood in her way. Like normal teenagers in the city of Nagpur, Amge goes to school and likes spending her time listening to music and shopping.

"When I first went to school, everyone was so big I used to get scared but I'm OK now, I like it," she told the Daily Mail. "I have a different desk and chair that were made for me. I'm a normal student."

Amge has a form of dwarfism called achondroplasia, which researchers believe occurs in just one out of every 25,000 births, according to Fox News.

wednesday, December 29, 2010 M.Lavinashree - World's Youngest Microsoft Certified Professional

World's Youngest Microsoft Professional World Record set by M. Lavinashree

M. Lavinashree has won the acclaim of being the youngest Microsoft professional by passing the Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP) Pro metric Examination with 842 marks out of 1000.

She says MCP exams measure the ability to perform specific, real world job functions or set of tasks.
They also deal with installing, configuring and administering Windows XP.

“I broke the world record set by a 10-year-old Pakistani girl, Arfa Karim Randhawa, as the world’s youngest MCP professional, as I am only eight years old,” she says in all innocence.

When she was in Std. II, she joined a one-year multi-media course that made her well-versed in animation, Corel Draw, Photoshop, Illustrator, Flash, Dream Weaver and Web Designing.

Awards & Achievements

Limca Book of World Record Holder, equivalent to Guinness Book of World Records, at the tender age of 3 for her photographic memory.

National Child Award for Exceptional Achievement, 2006, for Lavinashree’s exceptional ability in the field of recitation of 1330 Thirukural, conferred by the Government of India.

Appreciation from His Excellency, the President of India, Dr.A.P.J.Abdul Kalam, for her excellent memory capacity.

Publication of M.Lavinashree’s excellent memory power in the world famous Wikipedia Encyclopedia under the category: List of Child Prodigies (Memory/History)

Reference: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_child_prodigies


Teachers’ Motivation and Inspiration

Since she showed interest, her father, K. Muniyasamy, sent her for MCP coaching classes. The teachers took special care and prepared her to sit for the examination.

Her cousin, Kannan, who is in the U.S., encouraged her.

Muniyasamy wants to make her the youngest Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer and Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator.

“It comes naturally to her. She is playful and we don’t compel her into anything,” he says and adds that she begins her day at 6.30 a.m. and spends about two hours learning computers.

Lavinashree is in Std. IV at VMJ Higher Secondary School, Madurai.

She entered the Limca Book of World Records when she was three years old. She also received the National Child Award for Exceptional Achievement, 2006, conferred by the Government of India, for her exceptional ability to recite all the 1330 Thirukkurals.

She wants to become a scientist like A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, who is her inspiration.

Suneet Varma - World’s longest embroidered saree set Limca Book of Record 2011

Indian style guru Suneet Varma has gone beyond the ramp and has created the world’s longest embroidered saree at 55 meters. Beams the designer, “The saree is my forte. I have always looked up to this five yard wonder as a canvas on which I can do interesting things. It has paid off with this world’s longest embroidered saree, which a labour of love and a tribute to its timeless allure.”

It took 10 weeks for Suneet and his team to complete the masterpiece, which includeshand sequins embroidery, mirror work, thread work in aari and zardozi, hand sprinkle of bead work, and 3D flowers.

Ask him what inspired him to come out with something like this, and he say, “I took inspiration from Draupadi’s ‘chirharan’ episode in the Mahabharata. Therefore, the motifs and work on the saree are very Indian.” Now this saree finds its way into the Limca Book of Records.

Meanwhile, the designer who’s taught at various fashion houses plans to start a fashion archive. “As teachers, we only know to impart knowledge, and as a student the key to success is to absorb as much knowledge as one can. Therefore, I want to create an archival resource where we have works of all the prominent designers from India.”

After the super success of his clutch collection in Hollywood with the likes of Sarah Jessica Parker, Jennifer Lopez et al sporting it at various red carpet events, Suneet is all set to present the second collection of his clutch line with a high end luxury clutch brand.

“This time, the theme is inspired by minerals from India. I have created textures with the help of crystals of Tamba (brass), black soil instead of the motifs. It’ll be global in styling and yet Indian in essence and feel,” concurs the designer

Tuesday, February 1, 2011 Republic Day parade - Indian Army Bike Stunt in Limca Book of World Records 2011

The Dare Devils of the Army revved up their bikes at the Republic Day parade on Wednesday and showed why they had five world records to their credit. Their stunning stunts included a 35-man human pyramid on a single motorcycle!

Over 100 Indian Army signalmen displayed breathtaking daredevilry on their well-tuned motorcycles at the Rajpath boulevard, raising the adrenaline flow of spectators, who couldn't stop themselves from shouting with enthusiasm.

Many held their breath as 35 of the men from the Corps of Signals formed a human pyramid on a single motorcycle - one of them carrying the national flag. The crowds spontaneously saluted the men!

Images: Indian culture, military might unfold at R-Day

People craned their necks to see Captain Ankur Deewan, who led the team, standing on a running motorcycle for more than half a kilometre.

As an announcement was heard asking people not to imitate the act as the Delhi traffic cops would levy a fine, the crowd burst into laughter. Delhi policemen men in the security wing also smiled.

The team is 45 years old. With five world records to their credit and six in the Limca Book of Records, the team has performed over 1,200 displays since 1965.

Among the first stunts to be showcased by the team, dressed in white and astride Enfield Bullet bikes, was the 'Rocket' formation which saw four signalmen on two motorcycles in a breathtaking display.

There was complete silence when 22 daredevils in lotus structure rode on two bikes.

It was daredevilry at its best.

World’s longest sand cricket bat on Orissa's Puri beach set Limca Book of Record

The fever of World Cup cricket has seen every where around the World. This time the cricket mania is more in India than other country because this year India also organized some matches.

The World Cup has caught everyone's imagination, from sand artists to sculptors and advertisers, who want to wish Team India good luck.

International sand artist Sudarshan Patnaik has crafted a 125-ft long cricket bat, a ball and a stadium on the Puri beach. Patnaik has also launched a "sandy" signature campaign to wish the willow-wielders good luck.

"The sand sculpture will be featured in the Limca Book of Records as the longest cricket bat in sand," said Patnaik with pride.

Fifteen students of Patnaik helped him to put the artwork together. The artist, who has in the past handcrafted mind-blowing sand images of Michael Jackson, Barack Obama, George Bush, Saddam Hussein and Santa Claus, has a long association with cricket. He was invited to England to prepare sand sculptures for the 2009 World Cup. Recently, he showcased a sand animation show to wish Team India in CEAT Cricket Award in Mumbai.

L Eswar Rao, a stone sculptor from Jatani, has created a miniature form of the World Cup on a pencil nib, probably the smallest world cup! The one centimetre long world cup is minutely crafted on the granite bar of a pencil with the help of a needle and a blade. Rao has also created a world cup which is about half an inch long with tamarind seed.

"Since I love cricket and I am a great fan of Sachin, I want to do something to cheer the Indian team. I don't know if my message will reach them but I sincerely wish the Cup should come to India. Moreover, it is the last World Cup of Sachin. So it must come to India," said 28-year-old Eswar.

Wednesday, February 16, 2011 Vinod Punamiya - Non stop cycling Delhi to Mumbai attempt World Record

Non stop cycling Delhi to Mumbai attempt World Record by Vinod Punamiya.

It may be hard to believe, but Mumbai-based Vinod Punamiya claims he can cover the 1485-km distance from Delhi to Mumbai on his cycle in JUST 30 HOURS!

Three years ago, at the age of 50, Punamiya, who hails from Dombivli, shocked the nation and registered his name in the Limca Book of Records when he cycled from Pune to Dombivli (distance of 140 km) in just two hours, 14 minutes, 14 seconds 20 minutes faster than the Deccan Queen train. "Ive been cycling for the last 30 years. It's been my passion and I've always dreamt of doing something extra-ordinary to make my country proud," said Punamiya of his next endeavour.

The 53-year-old cycling enthusiast, who will begin his journey from India Gate in New Delhi on February 19 at 7 am, is confident of touching the Gateway of India in Mumbai by 1pm the next day.

"Once I start my race from Delhi at 7am, I'm confident of reaching Jaipur by 11 am (distance of 272 kms), Ahmedabad by 1 am (another 753 kms) and Surat (another 260 kms) by 7am. Once, I enter Maharashtra, I will face a number of ghats, besides the traffic in Mumbai that will slow me down. But, I'm confident of achieving my target," said Punamiya.

"I practice by riding daily for about 400-500 kms between Kolhapur and Satara. This has increased my stamina and confidence that I can ride 1485 kms non-stop," said Punamiya.

Punamiya has previously covered the distance between Mumbai and Delhi in four days when he rode in memory of the 26/11 victims two years ago.

"Back then, it was in memory of the martyrs, but this time it will be a different challenge. It will be a lot faster," assured Punamiya.

Friday, February 25, 2011 Narayan Krishna Mahajan Rappelled across a 1200 Feet Deep Valley set Limca Book of Record

91 Year Old Man Rappelled across a 1200 Feet Deep Valley set Limca Book of Record

Age is no limit for Narayan Krishna Mahajan.

The ninety-one-year old set a new high inspiration for people of all age groups by climbing a mountain 3,500 above sea level without any help or assistance, but for a walking stick as an occasional aid.

He tied himself to ropes, and rappelled from the top of the peak to the peak of another hill in India's western state of Maharashtra on Sunday (February 20).

Mahajan said that he performed the adventure to instil the new age youngsters to be motivated to engage in outdoor sports and actions.

'I don't consider myself as old, because I believe that if one's attitude is strong, the body would also be fit. The body should be maintained healthy since childhood. I have done this to boost the morale of the youngsters and they don't get scared and participate in such activities,' Narayan Krishna Mahajan said.

Mahajan said that he was not aiming to set a world record but only with an intention to encourage people to have a healthy and active lifestyle.

'Don't sit within the confines of your house, before the computer and television. Come out on the ground and play games like hockey, football, go for trekking, climb mountains and stay healthy. Then you will stay healthy at old age as well,'

Narayan Krishna Mahajan Rappelled across a 1200 Feet Deep Valley set Limca Book of Record Video

Longest radio Antakshri on 92.7 BIG FM Set To Enter Limca Book Of Records

92.7 BIG FM, the radio initiative of Reliance Broadcast Network Limited (RBNL), has partnered with telecom service provider, Uninor, and are all set to make it to the Limca Book of Records. Uninor alongwith 92.7 Big Fm created and executed the longest antakshari called Uninor Big Antakshri which unfolded in 17 cities and played simulateously for 12 continuous hours with an intent to create history.

Uninor Big Antakshari’s music innovation echoed across 17 cities – Bangalore, Mangalore, Mysore, Hyderabad, Tirupati, Vizag, Asansol, Kolkata, Rajkot, Baroda, Surat, Jhansi, Allahabad, Kanpur, Aligarh, Bareilly and Agra. To further amplify and create buzz amongst the listeners, the activity was also taken on-ground across all markets where 92.7 BIG FM RJs interacted with listeners and took them live on air. By partnering in such an innovation, Uninor complements its promise of providing access to ‘Unlimited Music’ that a subscriber enjoys in the form of caller tunes, my music station & creating ring tone (CRBT) at a very nominal price of Rs 2.5 per day.

Commenting on the innovation Rajiv Bawa, EVP, Corporate affairs, Uninor said ,“Music on mobiles doesn’t get bigger than this. We are glad to partner with 92.7 BIG FM on such a milestone innovation across so many cities. We launched Unlimited Music a few weeks ago and its evident that the youth in this country truly rock! Unlimited music for one full day for only Rs. 2.50. That’s all you spend to convert any mobile phone into a personal music player with a library of over 2.5 lakh songs. This is a powerful proposition and we will take it to our customers in new and different ways”

Also commenting on the innovative antakshari programming, Soumen G. Choudhury,Business Head, 92.7 BIG FM said, “We at 92.7 BIG FM are committed to create superlative content to entertain our listeners. The longest running Antakshari has been designed to deliver wholesome entertainment to our listeners and we are glad that our listeners responded to Uninor BIG Antakshari with the same enthusiasm, with which they have responded to our other initiatives”.

Gillette India - World’s Largest Shaving Lesson - Gillette Shave Sutr

Worlds Largest Shaving Lesson World Record set by Gillette India - Gillette Shave Sutra

Shortly after the launch of Shave India Movement 3, Gillette, has achieved yet another milestone by taking the success to the next level. Shave India Movement 3, today, witnessed 150 couples coming together at a common venue to engage in a shaving activity to break the world-record for the World’s Largest Shaving Lesson – Gillette Shave Sutra.

Gillette Mach3 Turbo Sensitive came on board to support the Shave India Movement 3, following the results of a Nielsen survey, revealing the preference for the clean-shaven look by a majority of Indian women. The movement kick-started earlier in January, with the Stop Prickly Men’s Stubble campaign supported by leading Bollywood divas Preity Zinta, Neha Dhupia and Malaika Arora Khan. Stop Prickly Men’s Stubble is one of a kind movement started by like-minded women to tell men that their stubble is prickly for women and they need to get rid of it by shaving EVERYDAY.

To add momentum to the campaign, Bollywood actors Arjun Rampal & Malaika Arora Khan came to the rescue of Indian men by solving the eternal mystery of – What Women Want and that was clearly clean-shaven and well-groomed men.

Gillette Shave Sutra - World’s Largest Shaving lesson saw 150 men getting the ‘perfect shave’, helping them to look and feel their best. These men along with their partners, all supporters of the Gillette Mach3 Turbo Sensitive, Shave India Movement 3, gathered in an attempt to create a record for the world’s Largest Shaving Lesson – Gillette Shave Sutra in the Guinness Book of World Records, Limca Book of records and India Book of Records.

Actor Arjun Rampal, the new brand ambassador of Gillette said, “The Gillette Mach 3 Turbo Sensitive, Shave India Movement 3 generated phenomenal response from the masses. The Gillette Shave Sutra is a fitting reply to the cry from large sections of women asking men to Stop Prickly Men’s Stubble. We want couples to start enjoying shaving together and making it more fun. Clearly, shaving is no longer a chore. This is a great moment for India with so many couples having gathered here today to signify that men should get rid of their stubble and sport the clean-shaven look.”

Commenting on her support to Shave India Movement 3, actress Neha Dhupia, said, “Women find the act of shaving their men alluring. With this movement, Gillette has put forward a unique thought that shaving can be made a fun activity that both partners can engage in and enjoy together. With the overwhelming success of the campaign, I see more and more men stepping forward to shave and be more thoughtful towards the needs of their women. The Nielsen survey highlighted that 89% men agree that Sensitive skin needs a sensitive shave. I am glad that Gillette has launched the Mach 3 Turbo Sensitive at an affordable price of Rs 125/-, for men with sensitive skin who can now shave everyday even on the more sensitive areas of their face”.

Speaking on this historical occasion that is poised to go down in the world-record books, Sharat Verma, Marketing Manager, Gillette India Limited, said, “Today is truly an incredible moment as Gillette is all set to create the shaving world-record yet again this year. Gillette has always believed in enabling men to look and feel their best and the launch of the Gillette Mach3 Turbo Sensitive razor at Rs 125 is a step in that direction. Mach 3 Turbo sensitive is backed by excellent research and technology that provides consumers with sensitive skin a close and comfortable shave with less irritation, even on the most sensitive areas of the face - including the neck and jaw line. It makes shaving effortless”

Saturday, May 8, 2010 The Tree Man of Java - Dede Koswara

               Tree Man of Java - Dede Koswara Picture

 Dede Koswara, 37, who is also known as ‘The Tree Man of Java’ had underwent four major operations that hacked away the bark like tissue sprouting from his hands and feet. Dede was able to see the outline of his toes for the first time as medics removed more than 4lbs of warts from his body. Spending his last 20 years (his ordeal started when he was 15 and cut his knee where a small wart developed and spread) with the bizarre condition, Dede expressed that he wants to get better and find a job and hopes that one day he will meet a girl and get married.
    "This is the most remarkable case, the most severe case, I have seen in my career," said American doctor Anthony Gaspari at a news conference in Bandung, about a two-hour drive from capital city Jakarta.

    For Dede (who is known by his first name), what started as a simple wart on his knee as a teenager spiraled his life out of control when it became infected. Treelike growths gradually spread all over his legs, arms, chest and face.

    He became physically unable to do basic functions and everyday tasks.
    As a result of his condition, Dede lost his job, and his wife left him. He moved in with his parents and has been supported by extended family. His two kids often visit him at the hospital.

                 Tree Man of Java - Dede Koswara Photo

    Doctors have learned that Dede has a defect in his immune system. This defect doesn't allow him to control the type of human papilloma virus -- an extremely common virus that most of us develop an immunity to -- causing the warty growths on his skin. Their treatment plan is to control the tumorous growths and restore his immune system.

    Hopes are high for Dede to have a second chance at life

Largest Flower in the world - World's individual largest flower

Rafflesia arnoldii is a member of the genus Rafflesia. It is noted for producing the largest individual flower on earth, and a strong odor of decaying flesh – the latter point earning it the nickname of “corpse flower”. It occurs only in the rainforests of Sumatra and Borneo in the Indonesian Archipelago. Although there are some plants with larger flowering organs like the Titan Arum and Talipot palm, those are technically clusters of many flowers.

Several species of Rafflesia grow in the jungles of southeast Asia, including the Philippines. Many of them are threatened or endangered. The flower of Rafflesia arnoldii is the largest which attains a diameter of nearly one meter (3 ft) and can weigh up to 11 kilograms (24 lb).

It lives as a parasite on the Tetrastigma vine, which grows only in primary (undisturbed) rainforests. Rafflesia lacks any observable leaves, stems or even roots, yet is still considered a vascular plant. Similar to fungi, individuals grow as thread-like strands of tissue completely embedded within and in intimate contact with surrounding host cells from which nutrients and water are obtained.

Perhaps the only part of Rafflesia that is identifiable as distinctly plant-like are the flowers; although, even these are unusual since they attain massive proportions, have a reddish-brown coloration and stink of rotting flesh, which is why it was nicknamed the “corpse flower”. This scent attracts insects such as flies which then pollinate the rare plant. It is not to be confused with the Titan Arum, Amorphophallus titanum, which is also commonly referred to as the “corpse flower”.

Rafflesia arnoldii is rare and fairly hard to locate. It is especially difficult to locate the flower in forests as the buds take many months to develop and the flower lasts for just a few days.

 The flowers are unisexual and thus proximity of male and female flowers is vital for successful pollination. These factors make successful pollination a rare event.

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Tuesday, March 15, 2011 2011 Super Moon - March 19th Closest Position in its Orbit to Earth

Super Moon 2011 - March 19th Closest Position in its Orbit to Earth

The astronomer Richard Nolle coined the term "Super Moon" which means a new or full moon at 90% or greater of its closest perigee to Earth. Well on March 19th the moon will be at perigee (its closest position in its orbit to Earth). This will be the closest perigee in 18 years.

The largest effect will be on the tide which occurs at the full moon every month as the closer to the earth the moon orbits, so the effect on tides increases. A 5% increase in proximity makes about 20% difference in the power the moon exerts so those in coastal regions should anticipate stronger tides.

An extreme "SuperMoon" is when the moon is full or new as well as at its 100% greater mean perigee (closest) distance to earth. By this definition, last month's full moon, this month's and next month's will all be extreme "SuperMoons".

Some largely internet-based claims say such events are related to catastrophies such as extreme siesmic events or extreme weather and some coincidential strong events have happened at the same time as Super Moons, however no definitive scientific research has concluded that.

2011 Super Moon - March 19th Closest Position in its Orbit to Earth Super Moon 2011 - March 19th Closest Position in its Orbit to Earth

The astronomer Richard Nolle coined the term "Super Moon" which means a new or full moon at 90% or greater of its closest perigee to Earth. Well on March 19th the moon will be at perigee (its closest position in its orbit to Earth). This will be the closest perigee in 18 years.

The largest effect will be on the tide which occurs at the full moon every month as the closer to the earth the moon orbits, so the effect on tides increases. A 5% increase in proximity makes about 20% difference in the power the moon exerts so those in coastal regions should anticipate stronger tides.

An extreme "SuperMoon" is when the moon is full or new as well as at its 100% greater mean perigee (closest) distance to earth. By this definition, last month's full moon, this month's and next month's will all be extreme "SuperMoons".

Some largely internet-based claims say such events are related to catastrophies such as extreme siesmic events or extreme weather and some coincidential strong events have happened at the same time as Super Moons, however no definitive scientific research has concluded that.

Tuesday, February 22, 2011 Ziona Chana largest family - World's biggest family set world record by Ziona Chana

A polygamous man from India has earned himself the world record for the biggest family. Ziona Chana, 66, has a record 39 wives, 94 children, 14-daughters-in-laws and 33 grandchildren. This brings the total number of family members to an astonishing 181 people.

Chana lives with his family in a 100-room, four-story house the family named 'Chhuan That Run' or the House of the New Generation. The house is located in Baktawng village, in the Indian state of Mizoram, and is completely operated by the family without any state support.

According to the Sun,"It has its own school, a playground, carpentry workshops, piggery and poultry farms, paddy fields - and a vegetable garden big enough to feed the entire extended family."

Chana states, "We don't want any help from the government," according to the World Records Academy.

"Today I feel like God's special child," said Chana. "He's given me so many people to look after, I consider myself a lucky man to be the husband of 39 women and head of the largest family."

According to a news report in the Sun, Chana is the hereditary leader of the Chana sect, a group that believes that one day they will rule the world through Christ.

In an effort to continue his legacy Chana states, "To expand my sect, I am willing to go even to the US to marry."

Tuesday, February 15, 2011 Le Yati Min - Most fingers and toes for a living person set Guinness World Record

Burma girl Le Yati Min has 12 fingers, 14 toes set Guinness World Record.

From almost the moment Le Yati Min was born, her mother knew the girl had a little something extra.

"I asked the nurses whether my kid was born complete with hands and legs," says her mother. "They replied that the baby even has more than she needs."

Born with 12 fingers and 14 toes, Le may be the most "digitally enhanced" person in the world. Now, the 16-month-old girl's family in impoverished Myanmar is seeking a Guinness World Record to prove it.

A neighbor is helping her mother apply to claim the record hearing that a boy from India currently hold bragging rights for the most digits, with 12 fingers and 13 toes.

Polydactylism — being born with an extra finger or toe — is fairly unusual, but it is even more rare for someone to have a spare functional digit on both hands and feet, as Le does.

Le lives with her family in a small wooden house on the outskirts of the Southeast Asian country's former capital of Yangon, where she runs around with seven toes on each foot.

Proud mom Phyo Min Min Soe, 26, said Tuesday that she'd be happen to see Le gain a world record, but even without that, her daughter already has a happy life, and even some natural advantages.

"She seems to have a stronger grip on things — so she doesn't drop things much," she says, as Le plays nearby with a mobile phone.

According to the Guinness World Records website, the record for most fingers and toes for a living person is currently held by two people in India, who have 12 fingers and 13 toes each.

Sunday, December 5, 2010 Kerala - World's shortest cow set Guinness World Record by Suryaprakash

Kerala - World's shortest cow set Guinness World Record by Suryaprakash

A youth in Kerala has claimed that he owns the shortest cow in the world which has a height of just 74 cm, shorter than the existing record holder and 83 cm-tall Swallow of the United Kingdom.

Keen to get his six-year-old cow registered with the Guinness Book of World Records, Suryaprakash from Muipoth village near here has also dented the recent claim of the Kerala Agricultural University that the 77-cm tall Diana at its farm is all set to take over the British cow's status.

Aptly named Chotti, which means small in Hindi, Prakash's pet has delivered thrice and is pregnant again.

A student of Chartered Accountancy, Suryaprakash's interest in farming and livestock rearing prompted him to own the cow that belongs to the breed known in the state as Kasargode Dwarf, when it was a calf about six years ago.

"I learnt from some farmers that the milk of this variety of cow has high nutritional and medicinal value. But what really sparked my interest was its short-stature, amiable disposition and adaptability," Suryaprakash told PTI.

"She never scares or kicks. Even children can go near her and play with her. She adapts herself easily to the surroundings of rearing but prefers to graze in open areas with fresh green grass, instead of artificial cattle feed or hay," said the proud owner.

Chotti yields 2.5 litres of milk per day on an average and its dung and urine are of higher bio-fertiliser value than those of the common varieties, he said.

Prakash said he would make a request to the Guinness authorities to get his cow's height certified by a competent veterinary surgeon.

The Centre for Animal Genetics and Breeding under the Kerala University had claimed last month that the 77 cm-tall Diana at its farm is the shortest cow, which can take over the record held by the Dexter cow from Britain.

Diana belongs to a breed called Vechur cows, saved from the brink of extinction through a conservation programme in the late 1980s. The Vechur cows derived their name from a village near the temple town of Vaikom in Kottayam district in the state, where they were reared in large numbers in the past on account of the high quality of their milk.

After extensive research as part of conservation efforts in the late 1980s, eight cows of the breed were traced in the state, with which the University started the conservation project.

Gautam Varma - Peeling Coconut by Teeth World Record - Karnataka,India

In a bid to create a world record, Gautam Varma, a native of Patlugrama village of Karnataka's Ramnagar District peeled three coconuts with his teeth in 42 seconds here on Tuesday.
Dreaming of doing something unique in his life, Varma has been peeling coconuts with his teeth for over 15 years.

Earlier, he had made a record of pulling a Maruti 800 car by his ears.

   Gautam Varma Pilling Coconut by Teeth photo

Gautam Varma also claimed that he can climb 40 feet coconut trees holding a bicycle in his mouth, and can even balance a motorcycle for half-an-hour without holding or touching the handle.

"There is a world record of peeling 51 coconuts using the teeth. My name has been enrolled in Limca Book of Records for pulling a Maruti 800 car from my ears. I can climb a 40-feet coconut tree holding a bicycle in my mouth, said Varma.

"I can even do stunts on a running motorcycle for half-an-hour without holding it. I want to set a record in Guinness Book of Records, and for I have been practicing hard with coconuts," he added. 

Cycling world record 2011 set by Hitchin teachers

Cycling world record 2011 set by Hitchin teacher.

TWO teachers from a Hitchin school have returned to England with a world record under their belts after completing a charity cycle ride in memory of a former student who died from leukaemia.

Matthew Good and Chris Pope, teachers at Priory School, cycled nine countries in one week with friends Darren Daley and Szilvia Zsigmond.

Their aim was to raise money for CHILDREN with LEUKAEMIA, in memory of former pupil Tasnim Kalam.

The quartet, who far surpassed their target of cycling the 584 mile course in nine days, also smashed the previous record of cycling seven countries in as many days.

They are currently awaiting formal confirmation from Guinness World Records after sending off evidence of their feat.

“It went really well, a lot better than we thought it would actually,” Mr Good told The Comet.

“We were cycling 85 to 90 miles a day, more than we thought we would be. We got to the eighth country after six days.

“We didn’t get one puncture at all throughout the whole journey and the weather was good apart from on one morning. It all went very smoothly.”

The group began the gruelling route in Italy, and finished in The Netherlands.

Their journey took them through all European countries including Austria, Germany, Switzerland and Liechtenstein.

Howard Berg - World's fastest reader

Bookshelves and desk lamps brought serenity to Howard Berg. Not much else could growing up in the Brooklyn projects.

"I found the safest place in the neighborhood was the library," he said. "To this day, I don't think anyone's ever felt threatened by gangs in a library."

Gangs of bookworms, however, might feel intimidated by Berg's uncanny ability to peruse a book. The McKinney resident is the world's fastest reader.

Courtesy of Howard Berg

He is listed in the 1990 Guinness Book of World Records for reading more than 25,000 words a minute. The average person reads 200 words a minute.

Berg's learning ability is also anything but average, and has been since his early days in New York.

"I made some good choices," he said. "I read at a college level in the sixth grade because I basically hung out in the library. It was the only place to play. I was surrounded by a lot of high-level books so I was reading at a pretty high level early."

By high level, he means analyzing the relativity theory at age 9. He means processing 3,000 words a minute by the time he got to college at the State University of New York, Binghamton.

Coincidentally, Berg gained an interest in college in the brain and how it works. He switched his major during his junior year from biology to psycho-biology, eager to learn the physiology of the nervous system and the brain's role in learning.

Berg completed a four-year psychology program in one year, a feat not even the school dean said was possible. Reading, analyzing and test-acing his doubters down, Berg had a revelation.

"It hit me that they don't teach you how to learn in school," he said. "They tell you what to learn and why to learn. They don't explain why you can remember the words to, 'I Shot the Sheriff,' or why you'd even want to.

"But when you read something you actually want to know, the next day you don't know who wrote the book and who was in it. So, I started learning about learning."

Berg moved to McKinney 14 years ago. He first came to the area when he appeared on "Good Morning Texas" as part of a national tour focused on his rare mental abilities.

New York --- his home --- had not appreciated, or perhaps understood those abilities. Berg worked in the city for 10 years, set on spreading his knowledge to kids who suffered through a push-them-along education system, that is, to those kids who even stayed in the system.

One school had a 2 percent graduation rate. The rest of the students either flunked or dropped out of the system. Berg volunteered to teach what he knew to the students who did stay in school, but the principal wouldn't have it.

"Kids in biology couldn't do the homework because they didn't know how to find the answers, so I was teaching them how using their bio book in their bio class," he said. "The principal said they weren't paying me to do that and wrote down that I wasn't doing my job because I was teaching kids how to do their homework and how to learn."

Berg said he couldn't help those unwilling to be helped.

"So I quit my job as a teacher to become an educator," he said. "I wasn't going to spend my life making kids dumber."

Berg has stayed true to his promise since the 1980s, when he began educating anyone who would listen. School and business success depended on their listening, he said.

"There's more printed in one week in the New York Times than a person in the 18th century learned their whole life," he said. "When you're trying to do well in school, you need to read faster than two hundred words a minute."

Berg had taken graduate courses in how to teach reading, and more importantly, he figured out what he did to reach insane speed reading milestones.

"I observed myself reading," he said. "I took a part of my mind that wasn't reading, and I observed myself, asking what I was doing now that's different than what someone else would be doing while reading this."

Some might find that a daunting task, but Berg came to a fairly simple, yet complex conclusion. He compared reading to cruising down a North Texas highway. Drivers read the road in four directions --- front, back, left and right --- while eyeing the speedometer and gas gauge, switching the radio and playing Words With Friends on their iPhone. Berg said their brains should explode, but multitasking comes easier.

People read a book 200 words a minute in one direction and barely remember what they read an hour later. Berg realized the disconnect.

"In a car, we see everything," he said. "In a book, it appears there's a little person in the back of our heads looking at a book through our eyes, and this little person reads one word at a time aloud. So, we're using our eyes to hear a book instead of to see a book."

Seeing the words as a visual process, instead of an auditory one. So knowing what to look for during that process, particularly when studying a textbook, will increase one's reading speed, Berg said.

"If you want to hit a target, you have to know what you're aiming at," Berg said. "Most people are clueless when they're given a book. They need to stop reading and start analyzing."

Teaching people how to analyze, and do it quickly, became Berg's mission. He organized his methods into a system, a program that even the youngest kids could use.

One student who used the program finished a four-year degree at Thomas Edison in six months. Another graduated with a 4.0 grade point average in economics from the University of Texas-Arlington. He was only 16.

"He taught math as a graduate student when he was 18," Berg said. "His biggest challenge was that he couldn't date students who were younger."

Berg's 9-year-old grandchild took his program and can read 750 words a minute.

Of course, others took notice, many doubting his seemingly unreal speed-reading madness. Dr. Kuni Beasley, founder of the former NEW American School and Gateway Preparatory School, saw about an infomercial about Berg's mega speed reading product. A speed reader himself, Beasley didn't believe Berg's claims.

Largest number of airhostesses placements by Frankfinn enter in Limca Book of World Records

Largest number of airhostesses placements by Frankfinn enter in Limca Book of World Records

For long, the unquestioned rule for students in Kerala has been to try to get into a professional college and become a doctor or engineer.

But the trend is, mercifully, changing. Youngsters in Kerala are all set to fly high and accomplish their dreams, if the numbers trotted out by the Frankfinn Institute of Air Hostess Training are to be believed.

The institute which boasts of an entry in the Limca Book of World Records for getting placements for the largest number of airhostesses, has found jobs for 665 students in the last financial year from Kerala alone, said Ajith Prasad, the regional head of the institute, at a press conference held in the city. “The highest salary which was offered to one of our students last year was Rs.15 lakh per annum,” he said.

It seems as though Kerala’s youth are now more open to New Age careers rather than stereotypical jobs. With so many girls aspiring to reach for the skies, it looks like the narrow path of offbeat career options has finally opened up.

Though we may have the picture of a highly sophisticated young woman in mind when we think of an airhostess, one doesn’t need an excellent academic record or speak Queen’s English to be trained as an airhostess, claim experts.

After the one-year training period — the selection criteria for which would include a minimum height and complexion analysis — all the sophistication and smartness would become one’s second nature, is what the institute promises.

Students who have finished their plus two can apply for diploma courses in airhostess training. PG diploma options are also available for those interested in joining the training after completing their degree.