Amal College teacher wins Guinness World Record for mass book signing
Umesh U., head of the Department of Commerce at Amal College of Advanced Studies, Nilambur, has secured a Guinness World Record for the most authors signing their own books simultaneously. The milestone was achieved when 1,572 authors signed their books at the same time on October 5, surpassing the previous benchmark.
Record-setting event
The coordinated signing brought together 1,572 participating authors, eclipsing the earlier record of 1,502 authors set at the Sharjah International Book Fair in 2019. The achievement has been formally recognised by Guinness World Records, marking a new high for large-scale literary participation.
Certification and collaboration
Mr. Umesh received the official Guinness World Records certificate last week at the IIT Madras Alumni Industry Interaction Centre in Chennai. The record attempt was organised in collaboration with ESN Publications and the London Organisation of Skills Development (LOSD), with operational support from volunteers on the ground.
Among the volunteers were 18 fifth-semester B.Com students from Amal College who assisted with the event’s logistics, reflecting the institution’s hands-on engagement with the initiative and providing students with exposure to a large-scale, record-setting activity.
Previous achievements
This is not Mr. Umesh’s first brush with Guinness World Records. In 2023, he was part of a team that created what was certified as the world’s thickest unpublished book. The book measured 5.80 metres and contained 100,100 pages, underscoring his ongoing involvement in distinctive, record-calibre projects.
Felicitations and community response
Following the announcement, P.V. Abdul Wahab, MP, felicitated Mr. Umesh for the accomplishment. The college’s management, principal, teachers, students and alumni also extended their congratulations, highlighting the pride felt across the Amal College community.
Significance
The new record not only recognises Mr. Umesh’s role in mobilising a large cohort of writers but also places Amal College of Advanced Studies in the spotlight for its association with an international literary milestone. The achievement builds on his previous record-setting experience and reinforces the value of collaborative, large-scale cultural initiatives.
