Supporters celebrate along with Abhijit Baruah in Jorhat on Tuesday. Picture by UB Photos

Jorhat, April 17: A call at the crack of dawn changed 22-year-old Assam police constable Abhijit Baruah’s life forever today with the news that he had made it to Guinness World Records.

“My dream of entering Guinness World Records has been fulfilled. I plan to set seven more records in future,” an elated Abhijit told The Telegraph at his Atiliagaon house, which witnessed a heavy rush of visitors as the news of his feat spread.

Baruah had received the call that ended his two-month-long nervous wait at 4am from Dr B.K. Chandrasekhar Tiwari, his Indian observer for Guinness World Records, informing him that Guinness had recognised him as the first man in the world to run at least 150km in 24 hours and that too, barefoot.

Baruah had run 156.2km barefoot in 24 hours at the bypass here on January 30-31 this year in adherence to all the norms prescribed by the London-based Guinness World Records. Tiwari was present at the attempt.

Baruah said Tiwari, who is abroad now, had been informed by Manu Gautam, chief observer at the London headquarters of Guinness World Records.

A festive mood prevailed at Baruah’s house as friends and well-wishers burst crackers and danced to celebrate Baruah’s achievement while newspersons and photographers surrounded him.

“I feel happy as an Assamese and as an Indian to get a place in the world records’ book,” said the youth, who is also a black belt in karate and kickboxing and has bagged several gold, silver and bronze medals at the national level and in martial arts competitions.

Baruah thanked Jorhat MLA Rana Goswami, who is also the president of the Great Run Club — a body that was formed to promote the event and comprises senior district administration officials — the police department, his friends and well-wishers for supporting him all along in his endeavour to set the world record.

He said he had plans to set the next Guinness record within two years. He, however, refused to disclose the categories he would endeavour to set the seven records in.

Baruah, who had gained entry into Limca Book of Records last month for an attempt he had made last year, said he needed Rs 20 lakh to prepare himself for the next attempt. As part of the preparations, he would have to undergo a three-month training in Australia and would need modern sports equipment and gadgets, he added.

He had got the Limca record for running continuously for 26 hours and 31 minutes a distance of 200km from Jorhat to Kaziranga National Park and back on May 28, 2011.

Goswami gave a cheque for Rs 2 lakh to Baruah on behalf of chief minister Tarun Gogoi, as announced earlier. He said Baruah’s feat was the “best Bihu gift” for Assam and the Great Run Club would continue to assist him financially to help him realise all his dreams.

“We will urge the government and corporate houses to help the young man who has done Assam proud,” the legislator added.