Bali Jatra Enters Guinness Book Of World Records 

Bali Jatra Enters Guinness Book Of World Records 

The historic Cuttack Bali Jatra has found a place in the Guinness Book Of World Records after achieving a feat by 2121 students of making 22,473 paper boats in 35 minutes. The students were from 22 schools who created the world record at an event organised at Barabati Stadium by the district administration and Cuttack Municipal Corporation on Tuesday.

The world record was attempted with an aim to attain global recognition for Cuttack’s Bali Jatra, the largest open-air trade fair of the state. The headquarters of the Guinness Book Of World Records in London was contacted for an attempt to make 10,000 paper boats in just 15 minutes. The record book authorities had issued the protocol for organising the event and the administration roped in around 2100 students who were also imparted training on making paper boats.

The size and weight of the paper boats were prescribed by the record book authorities. While there was a record of making 1,300 paper boats in 15 minutes in Gujarat, the civic body had attempted to beat it by a huge margin. Collector Bhabani Shankar Chayani, Mayor Subhas Singh and around 50 officials of Guinness Book Of World Records, including one from London, were present for evaluation and management of the event.

Sibani Panigrahi, a student of class 9 of a government school in Cuttcak who was a participant of the record-making activity said, “It has been a pleasure for me to be part of such a historic event. I, along with my friends, enjoyed it to the fullest and it was fun to work fast and with ace to complete the task and etch our silver city’s name in the Guinness Book of World Records. A proud moment for me.”

Another student, Ratikanta Swain said, “We have made paper boats since we were very small but being a part of this event was historic. The aura with friends and people cheering was one-of-a-kind.”

The Guinness World Record was awarded for ‘the most people folding origami sculptures simultaneously’. “We are happy and proud that our historic Bali Jatra has finally found a place in the Guinness Book Of World Records,” Cuttack Collector Bhabani Shankar Chayani said. Meanwhile, Bali Jatra has been extended by a day and will conclude on Thursday.

“The CMC had made a resolution in its council meeting on Monday and Mayor Subhas Singh had urged the state government to extend the Bali Jatra festival by two days stating that the extension would be helpful for the traders and women Self Help Groups in making good business. The government, after considering all the aspects, has extended the fair by one day,” added the collector.