Indian man cuts fingernails for the first time in over 60 years
Shridhar Chillal held the Guinness World Record for "Longest fingernails on a single hand - ever", but he has now let go of the unbelievable extensions.
India's Shridhar Chillal has been growing out the fingernails on his left hand since 1952. The nails have grown steadily over the decades and reached a length of 909.6 cm.
Shridhar earned the Guinness World Record title for "Longest fingernails on a single hand - ever", appearing in the book first in 1979 and then in 2016. Earlier this week, Shridhar had the unbelievably long nails sawn off.
Warning: the following video contains graphic images.
Many who have seen Shridhar over the years have worried about the hygiene of having nails that are longer than several cars put together end to end. But Shridhar was never discouraged, choosing instead to stay disciplined and grow long nails without once breaking them.
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The bizarre pursuit dates back to the man's school days when a teacher beat him and a classmate for breaking his nail, which he had grown to a certain length. The teacher said the children deserved to be punished because they "did not understand the care required to not break a nail".
Shridhar is incredibly proud of his achievement: "I have achieved the biggest goal in my life. I can tell everyone now with pride about my record. When I am on my travels, people will recognise me as a Guinness World Records title holder".
The weight of the nails caused damage to the nerves and muscles in the left side of Shridhar's body. Despite his unusual appendage, Shridhar was able to make a living as a photographer using a specially designed camera.
Shridhar has finally let go of his nails, which will now be put on display at Ripley's Believe It or Not in New York City.