Odisha woman with 19 toes and 12 fingers sets Guinness world record

A woman, hailing from Odisha’s Ganjam, has entered the Guinness Book of World Records for having the maximum number of fingers. She has 19 toes and 12 fingers.

With this, 63-year-old Kumari Nayak has beaten the previous record-holder Devendra Suthar, who entered the Guinness Book of World Records in 2014 with 14 toes and 14 fingers.

Nayak was born with polydactylism – a common abnormality at birth where the person has extra fingers and toes.

However, she says that this abnormality has led to her being called a ‘witch’ by her superstitious neighbours, due to which she confines herself to the four walls of her house.

”It has been 63 years since I have been in the condition I am today. The residents nearby believe that I am a witch and keep away from me. I was born with this defect and I couldn’t be treated as we belonged to a poor family,” she said.

Though the new record has brought her name, Kumari says she has no money to fund any form of treatment. However, some government officials are reaching out to help her and she has been offered a new home and is also eligible for a regular pension.

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