There is a misconception that memory is an innate skill whereas it is a result of years of training and perseverance, says Santhi Sathyan, who holds a Guinness world record for the longest sequence of objects memorised in a minute.
The 28-year-old from Kadakkal needs just 60 seconds to save 45-odd objects to her memory, and after reshuffling, she can arrange them back in the same precise order in 2 minutes 57 seconds.
The previous record was held by Arpan Sharma of Nepal, whose record of 43 objects was easily broken by Santhi.
“There are many scientific methods to enhance memory. One of the main tricks is to convert the objects into visuals, something that will last longer in your memory,” she said at a press meet here on Wednesday.
Santhi has been undergoing memory training for the past seven years and started preparations to break the Guinness record a couple of years ago.
Her husband, Anith Soorya, an IT professional-turned-counsellor, is her coach.
From school days
“I have been practising this from my school days though I have never entered any competitions. Two years ago, a friend encouraged me to make an attempt to break the current record that had remained unbroken for two years,” she says.
The postgraduate student in psychology entered the Guinness Book of World Records at a programme held on May 28 at the Kadakkal panchayat conference hall in front of a panel approved by the Guinness World Records officials.
“I am grateful to the Kadakkal panchayat authorities, whose immense support helped me achieve this feat,” she says.
Gearing up for more
Santhi next wants to win the World Memory Championship.
“Many of us are not aware of memory training and its benefits. I want more and more children to come to this field and I am willing to train them,” she says.
A wish
Santhi is currently waiting for her Guinness World Record certificate, which has been shipped to Kerala, she says.
“Usually it’s handed over by a renowned personality and I wish I could receive it from cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar,” she adds.
