NY: Chillal's hand permanently-handicapped for not cutting nails for 66-years
India's Shridhar Chillal, 82, finally cut his nails after 66 years but his record of having the world's longest fingernails measuring over 31ft left his hand permanently handicapped. Chillal was flown in from India by Ripley's Believe It or Not! museum in Times Square for a special event during which his fingernails were cut. Read on to know what happened to his nails.
Weight of nails left Chillal's hand permanently handicapped: Ripley's
Chillal only grew the nails on his left hand. Due to years of growing his nails and the weight of the nails, his hand is permanently handicapped. He cannot open his hand from a closed position or flex his fingers, a statement by Ripley's said.
Chillal's 'cut fingernails' will be displayed at museum in NY
Chillal's fingernails have been acquired by Ripley's, which will display them at the museum in New York. His cut fingernails, having a height equivalent to a three-story building, are laid flat in a memorial case. Chillal didn't cut his nails on his left hand since 1952 when he was scolded by his school teacher as a result of accidentally breaking the teacher's long nail.
Privileged to display one-of-a-kind exhibit, says Ripley's
Ripley's said it was privileged to display the unique and one-of-a-kind exhibit. "Chillal dedicated his life to something truly remarkable and Ripley's is the perfect home to honor his legacy," Ripley's Believe It or Not! PR Manager, Suzanne Smagala-Potts, said. The Ripley's Believe It or Not! Times Square museum features 20 galleries and more than 500 artifacts from around the world.
Despite long nails, Chillal leads a normal life with family
Besides his unusual choice, Chillal leads a normal life with his family. However, as he aged, his long nails were proving more challenging to maintain an ordinary lifestyle. He found it difficult to sleep, and even a gust of wind was a cause for alarm.
