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On the way to Guinness with the longest book title

— PHOTO: S. SIVA SARAVANAN

FOR A RECORD: S.A.C. Vasanth, Founder, Maya Maya Academy of Magic (centre), receiving the first copy of a book authored by S. Subramonian, Principal, R.V. Arts and Science College (left), from V. Ramakrishnan, Correspondent, S.R.S.I. MHSS, Karamadai (right), on the occasion of the release of the book on the college premises in Karamadai on Monday.

COIMBATORE: S. Subramonian, Principal of R.V. Arts and Science College, Karamadai, has done it again. If one had a doubt as to the possibility of teaching 1,934 students spread over 16 different venues in 10 countries simultaneously, it was Mr. Subramonian who laid such doubts to rest in November 2006.

He addressed students of the ‘Largest Computer Class - Multiple Location’ for an hour from the college premises through a dial-up connection. The Guinness Book of World Records recognised him in January 2007 as the record holder in online teaching. He used his computer to create a virtual classroom. His students were from Austria, Ecuador, Ghana, Greece, Kuwait, Lithuania, Mexico, Malaysia, Nigeria, Poland, Philippines, Russia, Taiwan, Nepal and the United States, besides Kerala, Haryana and Bangalore.

The proud record holder had then expressed the hope that if he got the necessary support and recognition from the State Government, he would be able to produce a world record every year in the field of education.

True to his word, he has done it again. Exactly after a year, to coincide with the Guinness World Records Day celebrations, Mr. Subramonian has made his second attempt “without support from any quarter, including the Government” on Monday.

He has authored a book which reportedly has the longest title in the world with 1,022 words.

V. Ramakrishnan, Correspondent, S.R.S.I. Matriculation Higher Secondary School, Karamadai, released the first copy of the book. S.A.C. Vasanth, Founder, Maya Maya Academy of Magic, a former student of Mr. Subramonian, received the book.

The title of the book on the famous character of J.K. Rowling’s book ‘Harry Potter’ begins thus: “Daniel Radcliffe the story of the not so ordinary boy chosen from”, ……and after some 1,000 words ends with “to his ever royal crown of fame”. The title does not have a single full stop. It runs continuous with other punctuation marks.

The book has 123 pages and an 8-page pull out containing 3D pictures from the movie that can be viewed with an anaglyph glass that comes along with the book. Mr. Subramonian will now send the book to the Guinness along with a detailed thesis. The book priced at Rs. 230 will also be for sale.

“Harry Potter is one book that has evoked reading interest among the people. The character of Harry Potter portrayed by Daniel Radcliffe has had a great influence on the youth. Hence I have written a book on him. His virtues of charity, humility and the urge to excel in life in the face of challenges will help children and youth look up to him as a role model,” says Mr. Subramonian.

After three months of intense research and another three to create a suitable software to make his dream come true, Mr. Subramonian has come up a clear winner. However, he has to wait for three more months for the Guinness to officially recognise his attempt as a record. Whether he will be the first one to create a record or not will then be decided.

Mr. Subramonian also has a record in the Limca Book of Records for having performed the feat of teaching students continuously for 61 hours and 35 minutes. Yet, his thirst for creating records remains unquenched. He has already set his eye on his third attempt in November 2008.

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