Odisha varsity students set double Guinness records in a day

Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Bhubaneswar, Dec 11:

Students of a private university in Odisha yesterday formed a massive human chain reading “WE URGE FOR WORLD PEACE” and set a Guinness world record for the ‘largest human sentence’.

Students of Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS) sent out a powerful message of world peace on the occasion of International Human Rights Day on December 10 by forming a great human chain encircling the city of Bhubaneswar.

More than 25,000 tribal boys and girls of the institute stood hand in hand along all major roads of the city – stretching over 30 kilometer – forming the longest human chain in the world by indigenous people. Theme of the event, held in partnership with UNFPA, was: Joining hands against terrorism – Urge for world peace.

To bring home their message, students arranged themselves into a massive human formation which read, “WE URGE FOR WORLD PEACE”. For records’ sake, a total of 15,225 students were involved in making this human sentence. Guinness World Records official Fortuna Lisa Burke, who was present with her team of auditors and sub-auditors to witness the spectacle, certified it as a new world record for the ‘Largest human sentence’. Previous record on this feat was made in Dubai by 6,958 people.

The students created a second world record also – for the ‘Most simultaneous high-fives’. A total of 25,151 students participated in this, as certified by the Guinness World Records. Previous record for ‘Most simultaneous high-fives’ involved 7,238 people in Canada. According to sources, it is rare for any individual, organization or group to achieve two Guinness World Records titles at the same event on a single day.

The human chain was inaugurated early in the morning at Raj Bhawan square by Governor Dr. SC Jamir in the presence of Dr. Damodar Rout,  Cooperation & Excise minister, Prasad Harichandan, President, PCC, , Saswati Bal, President, KIIT & KISS; and Dr. Achyuta Samanta, Founder, KIIT & KISS. Be the change that you want to see, said Dr. Jamir, quoting Mahatma Gandhi, while advising students to excel in their education and be a global citizen.

The complete chain was formed at 8.00 a.m. and maintained for duration of three minutes, during which the traffic was regulated. “The world is suffering because of terrorism and we want everyone to come together to ensure world peace”, said a participant. While curious passersby greeted and encouraged them, dignitaries from different walks of life converged at all important intersections of the city to express solidarity with the students.  Colourful cultural programmes on the theme were performed by student troupes of KISS.

Later, students gathered for valedictory ceremony of the event at Kalinga Stadium, where they were addressed by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and other dignitaries. KISS is striving to bring poor tribal children into mainstream society through its various programmes, the Chief Minister said, lauding the role of the institute. Education is the key to awareness and success, he added, while congratulating the institute for the world records.