Nine-year-old Pakistani girl beats Indian professor to set world record in chemistry

The fastest time to arrange all elements of the periodic table is 2 min 42 secs, and was achieved by Natalia Najam in Lahore, Pakistan, on 18 July 2020 (Photo Courtesy: Guinness World Records Limited)

• Lahore’s Natalia Najam wins title after arranging all elements of periodic chart in just 2 minutes and 42 seconds
• Record previously held by Indian economics professor Meenakshi Agarwal who completed the task in 2 minutes and 49 seconds

ISLAMABAD: A nine-year-old Pakistani girl from Lahore has broken the record of an Indian professor to become the fastest and youngest person in the world to arrange the chemical elements of the periodic table.

“The fastest time to arrange all elements of the periodic table is 2 min 42 secs, and was achieved by Natalia Najam (Pakistan) in Lahore, Pakistan, on 18 July 2020,” the Guiness Book of World Records said on its website. “Natalia broke the previous record by 7 seconds.”

The record was previously held by Indian economics professor Meenakshi Agarwal who completed the task in 2 minutes and 49 seconds.

Local media reported that Najam has never had formal education and was home schooled by her parents. Videos on social media showed her screaming and jumping with joy as the judges announced her time.