A fixation with long nails has left an old man's hand paralysed. Long back in 1982, 72-year-old Murari Aditya had created a Guinness Book record for the world's longest nail (180 inches in total) but later he had to cut it down.
Knowing well that he cannot create another record with his nails, he started growing it once again from 1986. "Nails have given me so much in my life, how can I cut it now? I feel incomplete without my nails. I am very sentimental about it," Aditya said. Under the weight of his 120-inch-long nails (including all fingers), his left hand has become skinny and paralysed. His fingers are stiff and the prized possession - nails - are kept hidden under a sling. All this results in his movements being restricted and he can't do any work with the hand.
As he walks, sleeps or even moves his body, he has to take extra precautions not to hurt or damage his precious assets, estimated to weigh around half a kg. His neighbourers in Jadavpur know him as 'Nokh kaku' (nail uncle) who takes pride in displaying his assets. "But I can't stand on the roadside with these nails and seek money. I am unable to use it for earning money now. The government is also not coming forward to help me with funds to survive as I cannot do any work," says Aditya, who had left a government job in the eighties to pursue his passion.
The ring, which he wore three decades ago on one of his fingers now cannot be taken out as it will hit the nails. Out of its ability to attract people, he has given his nails the name of the flower 'Rajani Gandha'.
A die-hard fan of Argentina's soccer team, Aditya has coloured his nails with the team's colour of white and green. Recalling his early days, he says that his fixation with nails started at the age of 19 and soon he knew he could make a world record. Now with age, the growth of his nails has receded.
Taking his obsession further, he has also started a 'Fingernail art house' where he creates art forms from small pieces of trimmed nails. "I collect it from barbers and then make images of dragon, lizard, eagle, scorpion, etc. out of it," he says. A little-known art form, he wants to promote nail art and pass it on to the next generation. "But it requires lot of patience. Who has the time in this fast-paced world?," he wonders.
A bachelor, he spends time feeding stray dogs
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