Gadchiroli book reading event sets new Guinness world record

As many as 7,000 people today participated in a book reading event here and managed to break a Guinness world record set in Turkey in May last year, district officials said.
The event was organised by police authorities here and had representatives from the Guinness Book of World Records in attendance, officials added.
The event in Turkey on May 18, 2017 had seen the participation of 5,754 people as audience for a book reading event.
"Gadchiroli is mostly known for Naxal violence but this event will create a positive image for the district across the world. We wanted to propagate the message of non-violence and ensured maximum participation of school students. We are proud that we managed to set this world record," said Maheshwar Reddy, Superintendent of Police, Gadchiroli.

A passage in Marathi from the book "Gandhi Vichar Aani Ahimsa' (Gandhian Thoughts and Non Violence) was read out here today by Uday Jagtap of the Adarsha Mitra Mandal, Pune in the presence of Union Minister of State for Home Hansraj Ahir and other dignitaries, officials said.
Among the special guests were the descendants of tribal icon Birsa Munda, they added.

Sukhram Munda, Budhram Munda, Champa Munda and Jowni Munda had come from Jharkhand to attend it, the official said.
"A special band with a barcode was tied around the wrist of each participant to record their presence online. A giant video monitor displayed the number of people attending as mandated by the Guinness authorities," an official said.

The event in Turkey was organised by the Interior Ministry of that country in Ankara and a passage from the book 'Ayyildiz Ruhu' (Spirit of Moon and Star), authored by Omer Gurdal, was read out, said officials.