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Wacky Indians top record stakes
By CNN producer Suhasini Haider
NEW DELHI, India (CNN) -- When it comes to breaking world records, Indians are in a league of their own. Look up any record book, and you'll find Indians qualify for some of the wackiest categories: most arm rotations, fastest haircuts, longest moustache, longest nails -- even the longest ear hair. Some estimate that one fourth of all world record applicants are Indians and the Guinness Book of records lists 90 entries from citizens of this south Asian nation. Last week a young couple in the Indian city of Mumbai attempted the record the longest wedding under water -- and the first ever submarine Hindu ceremony. They were bidding to beat an earlier record of 10 minutes submerged, and have now applied for recognition from the Guinness publishers. Indians are so obsessed with the record books, they even have their own version of the Guinness classic, called the Limca book. While 99 percent of the people break records for publicity, some do it to find work, and some just do it to get popular. Others, such as Subba Rao, do it just for the personal satisfaction. Rao is bidding to claim the title of possessing the world's strongest facial whiskers. His well-oiled moustache can carry weights of up to 35 kilograms (77 pounds). "It hurts," he admitted to CNN, "but I want to show the world and prove myself." The same spirit drives Sheshu Babu to stand still, dressed as Gandhi, for more than 30 hours. Equally as challenging, especially for the digestive system, is P. Vittals' effort to down 170 chillis in five minutes. India even has its own record-breaking consultants. The appropriately named Guinness has applied for more than 300 Guinness honors, succeeding on three occasions, including once for the farthest pizza delivery -- from New Delhi to San Francisco. He now consults for hundreds of other Indians like him who also want a crack at those 15 minutes of fame.
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