Guinness World Records authorities have officially certified Bangladesh’s human flag record of 27,117 people created on December 16 last as the world’s largest human national flag. The record has also been officially posted on the Guinness World Records website Private mobile phone operator Robi Axiata Limited, in partnership with the Bangladesh Army, shattered the Guinness World Records for Bangladesh with the creation of the world’s largest human national flag using 27,117 people. The attempt was undertaken on Victory Day at the National Parade Ground, Sher-e-Bangla Nagar. Volunteers from the Bangladesh Army, schoolchildren and general population, comprising mostly of the youth and enthusiastic professionals, were brought together in an attempt to break the previous record held by Pakistan. The Bangladesh national flag was created with red and green placards, which were held above the heads of the participants. The world record required participants to hold their position for five minutes, but Bangladesh’s largest human national flag was depicted for a total of six minutes and 14 seconds. The main objective of the attempt was not only to celebrate Victory Day in a glorious fashion but to also show the world the inner strength and unity of the people of Bangladesh. The previous record for the largest human national flag was created in Pakistan, on 21 October in 2012, with 24,200 participants attending the Punjab Youth Festival at the National Hockey Stadium in Lahore, Pakistan. Representatives from Guinness-accredited auditor were present at the Parade Ground on Victory Day to oversee the attempt by Bangladesh and presented relevant documents and images to the Guinness World Record committee for formal validation. With official certification from the Guinness World Record authorities, Bangladesh’s name is now in the record books as the creator of the world’s largest human national flag. – UNB
