The first surprise is a Guinness World Record for the longest chain of people licking ice cream. The second is that it was broken in Chennai this week, by 4,008 school students — and a lot of ice cream.
Students from eight schools in Chennai worked together to break this Guinness World Record at the RK Convention Centre, Neelankarai, on January 21. The previous record, set on July 23, 2011, was held by 2,728 participants at an event organised by the UK’s award-winning ice-cream brand Morelli’s of Portstewart.
Instructions were simple — the record had to be set in one minute. The participants formed a human chain, with each person holding an ice cream in their right hand and offering it to a neighbour.
As some students fought brain freeze, and others dived right in to finish the ice cream stick, the countdown reached a crescendo. Finally, Richard William Stenning, adjudicator at Guinness World Records, UK, made the announcement alongside Milind Verlekar, Guinness World Record Team, Pune. “You were all very patient and you have broken a world record set in 2011,” he announced. ‘We are the Champions’ by Queen, played at the DJ booth and caps were tossed into the air.
The event, ideated for close to two months, by Hatsun Agro Product’s flagship brand Arun Icecreams celebrated the unadulterated joy of childhood with everyone’s favourite frozen treat.
The certificate and honour were presented to C Sathyan, vice chairman, Hatsun Agro Product, in the presence of participanting schools, Nellai Nadar Mat. Hr. Sec. School, Narayana Group of Schools (eight branches), Ramachandraa Public School, Suddhananda Vidyalaya, Budding Minds International School, SV High School, Vels Global School, and Padma Seshadri Bala Bhavan Senior Secondary School.
A visibly delighted R G Chandramogan, chairman of Hatsun Agro Product, said, “This is a cherished moment, to see 4,008 children setting a Guinness World Record in ice cream eating.”
The day began early, as students entered the venue by 8am, greeted with a kit containing a red-white cap and t-shirt to commemorate the special occasion. Once they donned the uniform, they were seated in rows, under the supervision of teachers, in an especially chilly room: an ideal environment for icecream.
As an instruction video played on two large screens across the twin halls at the venue, the students did practice runs, without icecream. Stewards were placed across the rooms to monitor the number of participants and timing while volunteers stood with large ice boxes. The record was attempted at noon, with Tamil and English pop tunes keeping the energy high.
Satyanwiti, a Class VI student from Narayana Group of Schools said the students were informed of this event two days ago and were “super excited” to participate. Her friend P Viruthika, chimed in to say she enjoyed eating her Jolly Train, a chocolate and butterscotch ice cream bar. Then giggled, “I just wish we didn’t have to wait for so long.”
Chennai is no stranger to Sweet Guinness World Records
The tallest tower of cupcakes is 12.69 metres (41 feet and eight inches) and was achieved by Preethi Kitchen Appliances and Food Consulate Chennai (all India) at Forum Vijaya Mall, in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India, on January 19, 2019.
