Guinness Book of World Record Holder Arnav Daga's teachers speak about his journey

In the world of extraordinary achievements, young Arnav Daga, is a name that shines brightly among the 18 brilliant youngsters honoured at The Telegraph Online Edugraph 18 under 18 Chapter 2 awards in 2023. He has now made history by entering his name into the restigious Guinness Book of World Records for his card stacking talent. At the tender age of 15, this student from Sri Sri Academy has accomplished the incredible feat of constructing the world's largest playing card structure, using a jaw-dropping 143,000 playing cards, and astonishingly, no tape or adhesive.

It's a remarkable feat that took 41 days of dedicated work and resulted in a structure that measured 12.21 metres (40 feet) in length, 3.47 metres (11 feet 4 inches) in height, and 5.08 metres (16 feet 8 inches) in breadth.

Arnav's journey to this remarkable achievement has been one characterised by a unique blend of dedication, and unwavering perseverance. Despite the enormity of his undertaking, he has never allowed it to compromise his commitment to his academic pursuits. Arnav's teacher, Ditipriya Mukherjee, the Middle school coordinator, aptly described him as an inspiration, and as he continues to thrive, hopes that he remains grounded and humble in his accomplishments.

The structure itself is a testament to Arnav's love for his hometown, Kolkata, featuring four iconic landmarks: the Writers' Building, the Shaheed Minar, Salt Lake Stadium, and St. Paul's Cathedral. These structures, crafted with precision, are a beautiful ode to the city he calls home.

Young Arnav's achievement doesn't stop at being a mere record-breaker; he has dethroned a record set 11 years ago by Bryan Berg from the USA. Bryan's record-breaking feat was a duplicate of three Macao hotels, measuring 10.39 metres (34 feet 1 inch) in length, 2.88 metres (9 feet 5 inches) in height, and 3.54 metres (11 feet 7 inches) in width.

Throwing light on his past, this journey began for Arnav when he was just 8 years old, inspired by a Cartoon Network show to build a pyramid out of playing cards. As he grew, so did his passion for card stacking. Now, at the age of 15, he has turned this pastime into a remarkable achievement. His dedication to this art form is evident in the countless hours he dedicates to it, and it's something he describes as his true passion.

Dr. Rinku Das Mamtora acknowledged Arnav as a deep and divergent thinker and wished him the very best in all his future endeavours. Mitu Sinha, the Senior school coordinator, commended Arnav's tireless effort, unwavering dedication, and his courteous nature, highlighting his talent in music and his love for the guitar.

Principal Mrs. Gargi Banerjee celebrated Arnav's exceptional accomplishment, describing it as a testament to what one can achieve with perseverance, dedication, and a resilient spirit. She hailed him as an inspiration to many and a source of immense pride and admiration for the entire school.

In breaking the Guinness World Record in card stacking, Arnav Daga has not only created a towering structure but also elevated hearts with pride and admiration. The Telegraph Online Edugraph congratulates Arnav on this record-breaking achievement and wishes him the best for his future endeavours.