Mala: Prof. Francis Joseph's lecture on "sub-critical extraction unit" was interrupted by a huge applause. The audience in the hall gave him a standing ovation and distributed sweets among themselves. The man who walked away from his first class tongue-tied had broken the world record for the lengthiest lecture.
Prof. Joseph had been speaking continuously for eight days and seven nights to break the record set by Prof. Aravind Mishra from Haryana. He, however, resumed the talk for two more hours to enter the Guinness Book of World Records with a 142-hour speech.
The record was a long leap of faith for the professor, who struggled with stammering for 35 years of his career. He is the head of R&D department at the Holy Grace College at Mala.
He started the marathon speech at 5 pm on May 25. It ended at 3 pm on June 1. He spoke in front of four tables laid with reference books and samples and access to the internet.
He thanked everyone who supported him in the initiative, even naming his key supporters. "I could achieve this because of the prayers of my father and mother," he said. Francis Joseph is the son of Joseph and Rosily. His wife Jincy was also present among the audience.
