Dubai resident Ramkumar Sarangapani has become a household name in the Emirate, not for a corporate empire or a media venture, but for an extraordinary personal ambition: breaking world records. The businessman, who relocated from Chennai to Dubai in 2003, currently holds 19 Guinness World Records, with a clear mission to reach 100 in his lifetime. What sets him apart from other record breakers is his singular focus: celebrating the UAE through every creation.
Sarangapani’s passion for breaking records stems from the Emirates itself. The UAE holds more Guinness World Records than any other GCC nation combined, a fact that inspired his journey towards record-breaking excellence. This inspiration manifests in a deliberate creative theme. Of his 19 records, 14 directly reference or celebrate the UAE. His creations range from the world’s largest pop-up greetings card to the longest line of dice arranged in the UAE flag’s colours.
Among his most celebrated achievements is the world’s largest electronic greetings card, which he created for the UAE’s 49th National Day in December. The card measures 12 square metres and plays the national anthem when opened. Shortly after, he broke his 19th record by creating an even more ambitious pop-up greetings card, featuring paintings by renowned Dubai artist Akbar Saheb, dedicated to Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai. The two-month creation process demonstrates his meticulous approach to record breaking.
On 18 November, Sarangapani tested his limits by breaking six world records in a single day. Starting at 8am and finishing at 3.50pm, with only brief 10-15 minute breaks between attempts, he achieved a 100 per cent success rate. His records that day included the largest magnet sentence, the world’s largest business card, and several other distinctions in the realms of numismatics and paper engineering. The day required months of planning, securing witness approvals, and arranging for Guinness World Records surveyors and verifiers.
The pandemic inadvertently became Sarangapani’s catalyst for rapid-fire record breaking. With more time at home, he pursued record attempts he had been approved for over previous years. Where others might have used lockdown for leisure, he channelled his energy into achieving what he describes as not merely personal milestones, but legitimate demonstrations of human potential and creativity.
Sarangapani believes every record holds equal prestige, regardless of how it appears to outsiders. His philosophy is simple: if eight billion people in the world have not achieved something, then achieving it is prestigious. This mindset underpins his approach to seemingly niche records, such as the world’s smallest pack of playing cards or the largest banknote mosaic spelling ‘I Love UAE’. He is now looking to commercialise his miniature playing cards, turning a record-breaking achievement into a marketable product.
As the founder and chief executive of Numisbing Corporation, Sarangapani brings a structured, business-like approach to his hobby. His ultimate aspiration is to present his latest pop-up greetings card to Sheikh Mohammed himself, turning his personal achievement into a symbolic gift to the leader who inspired his journey.
For Sarangapani, breaking world records is not about ego or status. It is about human endeavour, persistence, and celebrating the UAE’s unrelenting drive for excellence. With 81 more records to go before reaching his goal of 100, he is only halfway through his mission. If his current pace continues, the Guinness World Records book may need to dedicate an entire chapter to the man who brought Dubai’s spirit of achievement to world record breaking.