Narayana Group of Schools honors holistic excellence with prestigious world records achieved in the Thirukkural Recitation Marathon and Spellathon.

Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India], October 3: The Narayana Group of Schools, which has over 801 branches across India, proudly marks 45 years of academic excellence. Their students consistently achieve top positions in NEET, JEE Mains, and JEE Advanced. In addition to academics, Narayana emphasizes holistic development by balancing extracurricular and co-curricular activities. The group is dedicated to instilling a strong appreciation for the cultural heritage of Tamil Nadu and India, nurturing well-rounded individuals who excel both academically and culturally, thereby preparing them for a promising future.

Ponguru Sharani, Director of the Narayana Group of Institutions, remarked, "In line with our vision of holistic education, the Narayana Group of Schools in Tamil Nadu successfully hosted the 'Narayana World Records Festival 2024,' achieving two remarkable world records. The event featured the 'Longest Thirukkural Recitation Marathon by a Team (Multiple Venues)' and the 'Most Participants in a Spellathon at Multiple Locations.' Held on September 22, 2024, the festival saw participation from 8,384 students from Pre-Primary I to Grade VIII across 19 branches in Chennai and one branch in Madurai. These record-breaking accomplishments were certified by Elite World Records, Asian Records Academy, India Records Academy, and Tamilan Book of Records, marking another milestone for Narayana."

Dr. Lakshmi Samyuktha, Academic Head, elaborated on the extraordinary achievement of setting a new world record for the "Longest Thirukkural Recitation Marathon by a Team (Multiple Venues)." This initiative aimed to promote the timeless values of the Thirukkural and took place across 41 venues in India, celebrating Tamil Nadu's rich literary and cultural heritage.

Originally planned for 42 venues, 41 actively participated, with 54 adjudicators overseeing the event. A total of 7,827 students took part, including 7,231 from Pre-Primary I to Grade V and 596 from Grades VI to VIII. The event was inclusive, with 36 students with special needs and 41 unwell students participating. The marathon lasted for 353 hours, 50 minutes, and 31 seconds before penalties, resulting in an approved cumulative duration of 342 hours, 13 minutes, and 3 seconds. This significant achievement included a total of 7,770 approved participants.

This remarkable event not only set a world record but also reaffirmed the Narayana Group of Schools' commitment to instilling the universal human values represented in the Thirukkural. The recitation marathon serves as a powerful tribute to the Thirukkural's enduring legacy and its message of wisdom for future generations.

Lau Thein Poh, CEO of Elite World Records, Singapore, praised the Narayana Group of Schools for establishing a new world record for the "Most Participants in a Spellathon at Multiple Venues." This event was conducted across four venues, with 557 students from Grade I to Grade V demonstrating their spelling abilities. Participants spelled words dictated by six adjudicators, with each student spelling between 50 and 90 words within a five-minute timeframe. The efficient rotation allowed continuous engagement, ensuring all participants remained actively involved. The event emphasized inclusivity, featuring five students with special needs, including those with Down Syndrome, Dyslexia, and Hyperactivity. Notably, four students, despite being unwell and hospitalized, displayed remarkable determination by participating. While 28 students were absent and two were disqualified, 527 students were officially recognized based on their performance.

The Spellathon lasted 36 hours, 13 minutes, and 29 seconds, allowing ample time for participants to excel. This event highlighted both the impressive spelling skills of the students and Narayana's dedication to holistic education, fostering life skills alongside academic success.

Following the successful completion of these record attempts, a grand citation ceremony took place on September 28 and 29, 2024, at the Anna Centenary Auditorium in Chennai. Distinguished international dignitaries from Elite World Records, representing Singapore and Malaysia, along with Indian representatives from various world record agencies, attended the event. Notable attendees included Lau Thein Poh, CEO, and Dr. Toy Wan Ching, Ambassador and Adjudicator from Singapore; Elizabeth Louise Gerard, Adjudicator from Elite World Records in Malaysia; Sudhay S, Adjudicator from Elite World Records in India; Dr. A.K. Senthil Kumar, Ambassador and Senior Adjudicator from the Asian Records Academy; P. Jeganathan, Senior Records Manager and Former Associate Editor from the India Records Academy; and Dr. B. Bala Subramanian, Senior Records Manager from the Tamilan Book of Records. The world record citations were presented to Director Smt. Ponguru Sharani, Academic Head Dr. K. Lakshmi Samyuktha, and the Narayana Institutions team.

The dedication of both students and staff made the event truly memorable and impactful. The achievements of the Narayana Group of Schools celebrate not only academic excellence but also cultural heritage, inspiring future generations through holistic education and inclusivity.