Thursday 23 February 2012

Nepalese Man, 72, Claims to Be World's Shortest

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Nepalese Chandra Bahadur Dangi, 72, who says he's only 22 inches (56 centimetres) tall arrives at the airport in Katmandu, Nepal

AP
He has never worked outside the home or seen a doctor, and until Wednesday, he had never left his remote mountain village in western Nepal. So 72-year-old Chandra Bahadur Dangi only recently learned he might be the world's shortest man.

Dangi says he's only 22 inches (56 centimetres) tall — about the size of a toddler — and he's hoping to claim the title. Guinness World Records said in an email Wednesday that its officials would arrive in Nepal's capital Sunday to measure Dangi, reports The Associated Press.

Dangi took his first trip outside his village and his first trip on a plane to reach Katmandu on Wednesday.
"I am very happy to be in Katmandu for the first time in my life. I am here so I can take the Guinness title," Dangi told reporters at the airport.

Dangi, who has never been married, lives with his eldest brother and his family in Rhimkholi village, about 250 miles (400 kilometres) west of Katmandu. Because of his height, he has never worked outside the house, doing only household chores. His five brothers are of average size.

His family is not sure when he stopped growing, and Dangi said he has never been checked by a medical doctor. He attended a few classes in the village school, but soon dropped out.

Dangi eats mainly rice and vegetables, and occasionally meat, but in small portions.

Since the village is so remote, it was only recently that Dangi gained notice. A forest contractor cutting timber in the village met him and informed local media after Dangi's height was measured.

Dangi's nephew, Dolak Dangi, said that before the contractor's visit, the family did not know his uncle's exact height, and that he was shorter than the world's shortest man.

Guinness currently recognizes Junrey Balawing of the Philippines, who is 23.5 inches (60 centimetres) tall.
Another Nepalese man, Khagendra Thapa Magar, was known as the world's shortest man, at 26.4 inches (67 centimetres), before Balawing took over the title on his 18th birthday in June.

In December, Guinness recognized an Indian teenager as the world's shortest woman. Jyoti Amge is 24.7 inches (62.8 centimetres) tall and wants to attend university and become a Bollywood star.

Aside from a Guinness certificate, the titles not come with any cash award.

Compiled by: Silverboy & Friends

Saturday 21 January 2012

Six-Year-Old Wolverhampton Girl Awarded Maths GCSE

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ESTHER OKADE
 
A six-year-old girl from Wolverhampton has been awarded a grade C in GCSE maths.

Esther Okade was entered for the exam by Ounsdale High School in Wombourne, Wolverhampton.

Her father Paul said she was due to sit A-Level maths next year and has been invited to read maths at the University of Cambridge if she passes.

"I am probably the happiest dad in the world," he added. He said Esther took after her mother who was a maths tutor.
Quadratic equations

"About three years ago my wife noticed her knack for numbers. She picked up her times tables very quickly and she was able to handle numbers that you wouldn't think a child of that age would be able to.

"My wife taught her the structure of mathematics, then moved on to algebra and quadratic equations."

Esther practised on past papers and took the exam in a private room in the secondary school, monitored by three examiners and her mother.

"Because she is so young I don't think she has realised the seriousness of what she has achieved.

"It's probably going to take a few years for her to realise what path she is on," Mr Okade said.


Compiled By: Silverboy & Friends.