Guinness World Records awarded certification to Shakuntala Devi for ‘fastest human computation’, 40 years after she multiplied two randomly selected 13-digit numbers in 28 seconds.
Guinness World Records on Thursday honoured ‘Human Computer’ Shakuntala Devi with the long-overdue record title for ‘fastest human computation’, 40 years after she achieved the feat. The fastest human computation is 28 seconds. It was achieved by Shakuntala Devi when she successfully multiplied two randomly selected 13-digit numbers, at Imperial College London, UK, on June 18, 1980.
The late mathematician’s daughter Anupama Banerji received the certification. Banerji was barely 10 years old when her mother made the world record.
“Wherever I went, all people would speak about was that record. So I knew it was a huge achievement worldwide. I remember going to the Trocadero Centre (an entertainment complex on London’s Coventry Street). They have a room there which had mummy’s picture. It was fantastic,” she told PTI.
“While shooting for Shakuntala Devi in London, we would meet Anupama Banerji often. In my conversations with her, I realised that the late Shakuntala Devi didn’t have official certification from Guinness World Records – it wasn’t the norm then,” Vidya Balan said in a statement.
Producer Vikram Malhotra and Balan reached out to the Guinness World Records team to get the official certification.
Vidya Balan posted a tweet on twitter which reads, “I feel honoured to be able to share your journey with the world. Thank you Guinness World Records for honouring Shakuntala Devi with this new certificate! #ShakuntalaDeviOnPrime@GWR#AnupamaBanerji#AjayKumar@PrimeVideoIN@sanyamalhotra07@Jisshusengupta@TheAmitSadh
Craig Glenday, editor in chief, Guinness World Records said that Shakuntala Devi’s achievement continues to hold its place in their archives after so many years. He said, “No one has been able to even equal, let alone break, this record which is a testament to both the exceptional power of Ms Devi’s mind and the significance of this particular mental challenge. A global celebration of the life and career of the ‘Human Computer’ is long overdue, and Guinness World Records is honoured to play its part in championing this unique individual,” added Glenday.
Shakuntala Devi will join the thousands of television shows and movies from Hollywood and Bollywood in the Amazon Prime Video OTT platform.
