Villager sets world record by teaching continuously for fiv

New Delhi: Dilip Kumar Chandel, a 23-year-old mathematics teacher, has set a new world record by teaching continuously for 125 hours in Seoni district ofMadhya Pradesh.

Chetan Upadhyay, an observer of the India Book of Records, told sources that Chandel has broken the previous record of 120 hours of continuous teaching held by Jaisingh Ravirala from Hyderabad. However,Guinness World Records removed this category from its listing in 2007.

The event took place at Shaskiye Prathmik Vidyalaya in Jammunpani village under continuous camera surveillancefrom the observer team of the India Book of records.

Chandel began teaching at 11.17 a.m. on January 16 and surpassed the previous record at 12.17 p.m. on January 21 but continued till 4.17 p.m. As per the rules, he was allowed five minutes of rest every one hour.

"It was his enthusiasm and willpower that made him set the new record. He wanted to achieve a target of 200 hours but doctors did not allow him as his blood pressure was going down," said Upadhyaya.

He added that Harwansh Singh, Madhya Pradesh assembly's deputy speaker, was present in the school when Chandel completed his feat and awarded the teacher a Rs.5,001 cash prize.

Speaking to sources on the phone, Chandel credited his parents with his success. The family of farmers survives on five acres of land.

Upadhyay said a large number of people had gathered at the school to support Chandel while he was trying to set the record. Many had also come in tractors from neighbouring villages to see how he could teach for so long.

"The entire village is overjoyed by Chandel's success. It is not the victory of one individual but the victory of every person here. We are very proud of him," said village chief Bal Govind Pathak. IANS