Bahrain-based thread artist Prithi Braganza has helped set a Guinness World Record as part of a global effort to create the world’s longest chain of crochet bunting featuring the Indian tricolour.
A total of 330 women from countries including the US, the UK, Belgium, Malaysia, Singapore and across the Gulf collaborated to produce a 12.18km-long streamer made up of 47,671 hand-crocheted tirangas (tricolour flags).
Over three months, Ms Braganza knitted 180 pieces and shipped them to organisers – Mahila Manovikas, a women’s empowerment and community-led non-government organisation headed by Madhavi Suribhatla.
The record was achieved on August 7, just days before India’s 79th Independence Day, when the flags were displayed at Visakhapatnam Port Stadium in India.
“This has been an emotional experience as we designed our Indian flag,” the Bahrain resident of 22 years told the GDN.
“There were challenges but by the grace of God I overcame them and completed the task I was assigned. I would like to congratulate all those who were involved, especially my team leader Padma Nakka who guided me throughout the process from India and of course, my family for their constant support,” she added.
While the initiative was launched earlier in the year, Ms Braganza was only able to embark on the project by April, which gave her limited time to finish the job.
“By the time I learned about it and sourced the material I had just three months left. It was not easy and I would try to use my lunch break at work or sleep late at night just to meet the daily targets I set for myself.
“Even sourcing the wool was a challenge as I had to ensure it was in the right colours and ship the kits from India. This was during the peak of the regional conflict during which there were airport closures that caused further delays,” recounted the trained psychologist, who has been crocheting for almost a decade.
This is the creative talent’s fourth Guinness accolade. Her past records as part of different India-based groups include the largest display of crocheted Christmas ornaments (2019), the largest display of pink knitted scarves for breast cancer survivors (2024) and the largest display of crocheted squares featuring a whopping 100,581 pieces last year.
“I learned a bit of knitting and needlework in school and have always enjoyed it. It helps me relax,” she said.
“Nine years ago, I learned about the local group Learn and Serve that used to crochet caps and donate them. But then the Covid-19 pandemic struck and that stopped,” she recounted.
As the crocheter awaits her individual certificate and medal for her latest Guinness record, she revealed that she has plans to start designing things for herself and showcasing her creations at craft and community fairs.
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