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Lokmat Media's Aurangabad initiative enters the Guinness Book

On the eve of republic day, 15243 people sang the National Anthem together

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BestMediaInfo Bureau
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Lokmat Media's Aurangabad initiative enters the Guinness Book

On the eve of republic day, 15243 people sang the National Anthem together

January 27, 2012

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In a rousing display of patriotism and unity, the voices of thousands of Aurangabadkars, singing Jana Gana Mana in full-throated fervour, created history this morning. With a tally of 15243, they took India into the Guinness Book of World Records for 'the most people singing a national anthem simultaneously', erasing the previous record held by Pakistan for 5800 individuals.

Andrea Banfi, Head of Adjudicators, Guinness World Records Limited, who had flown in from London, handed over the certificate to Rajya Sabha MP and Chairman of Lokmat Media Limited, Vijay Babu Darda, who accepted it on behalf of each and every Aurangabadkar who had created the world record for India.

Other Guinness World Records Limited officials present on the occasion were Lucia Sinigagliesi, Adjudications Manager, and Nikhil Shukla, Adjudicator – India.

Commenting on the achievement, Rishi Darda, Editorial Director – Lokmat Media Ltd., said, “This is our gift, as a responsible media house deeply connected with Aurangabad, to not just Aurangabadkars, but every Indian. We are delighted that Aurangabadkars responded so splendidly to our world record attempt initiative to commemorate the completion of 100 years of Jana Gana Mana since it was first sung.” It will be recalled that Jana Gana Mana was first sung at the Calcutta Session of the Indian National Congress on 27 December 1911. It was declared the Indian National Anthem by the Constituent Assembly on 24 January 1950.

Lokmat Media had pulled out all stops to inform every Aurangabadkar of the world record attempt. Rishi Darda said, “I would like to thank our sponsors and media partners who ably supported us in the initiative.” While Radio Mirchi was the radio partner, MCN Hathway, IBN7, IBN Lokmat and CNN IBN were the TV partners, and Abhishek Advertisers was the outdoor media partner. The sponsors were WS Developers, while the Phadnis Group was the co-sponsor.

As early as 7 am, all roads leading to the District Sports Complex (Vibhagiya Kreeda Sankul) in Garkheda witnessed traffic jams, with students, working people, housewives and families making their way purposefully to take part in the historic world record attempt with the National Anthe on the eve of Republic Day. Armed with incomparable zeal and energy, they came from all walks of life and far-flung locations of Aurangabad.

GWR head adjudicator Andrea Banfi said, “We were not able to include all the people present at the stadium in the count, as it was physically impossible since they were so closely packed. And after the first singing, many people left. But, for us to do a proper count as per the stringent GWR standards, we had to request Lokmat Media to ask the people to assemble once again, in a particular, countable order, and to sing the national anthem again. The figure of 15243 is what we arrived at after the second singing.”

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