Onika Maheshwari/New Delhi

Srinagar's Rutba Shaukat has brought laurels to Kashmir by earning a place in the Guinness World Records for an extraordinary feat in origami, the Japanese art of paper folding.

The young artist created 250 origami paper boats in one hour, surpassing the previous benchmark and securing her place in the record books.

Already known as a national-level martial arts player, Rutba has spent nearly a decade competing at state and national championships, winning around 60 medals, including a gold. The walls of her home in Srinagar are lined with trophies and medals that reflect her sporting achievements.

Rutba and her paper boats

Her talents, however, extend beyond athletics. Skilled in calligraphy and painting, she discovered a new creative pursuit during the COVID-19 pandemic when sports academies across Kashmir were shut and training opportunities became scarce.

Rather than allowing the lockdown to interrupt her journey, she turned to art, immersing herself in landscape painting. Her growing proficiency earned her recognition in the India Book of Records, a milestone that inspired her to dream bigger.

Curious about the process of setting international records, she began researching Guinness World Records and soon found herself drawn to origami. Although she already had some experience with the craft, learning that the existing record stood at 150 paper boats in an hour motivated her to attempt it herself.

Rutba with her awards

What followed was three years of disciplined practice focused on improving both speed and precision. Her first two attempts fell short, but instead of giving up, she carefully analysed what had gone wrong, refined her technique and prepared for another try. She kept her efforts largely private, hoping to surprise her family only after succeeding.

The perseverance paid off.

On her third attempt, she folded 250 paper boats in one hour—an average of one every 15 seconds—maintaining remarkable consistency and accuracy throughout the challenge.

Guinness World Records later confirmed the achievement, issuing an official certificate recognising the feat, accomplished in Srinagar.

Certificate from the Guiness book of World Records

Reflecting on the journey, Rutba said she never lost hope despite two unsuccessful attempts and believes persistence eventually brings results. She credits her parents for encouraging her in both sports and the arts, describing the international recognition as a proud moment for the entire family.

The journey, however, was not without sceptics. Some people dismissed her efforts as a waste of time, but she refused to be discouraged and remained focused on her goal.

She now hopes her success will encourage more girls to pursue their ambitions without fear or hesitation. Many, she says, hold themselves back because of social or family pressures, but becoming self-reliant and believing in one's abilities can lead to remarkable achievements.

For her, maintaining a balance between sports and art has been equally important. While athletics build physical strength and discipline, artistic pursuits provide mental peace and creative fulfilment.

Her story has since become an inspiration for many young people in Kashmir, particularly girls. By transforming the challenges of the pandemic into an opportunity for self-discovery, she demonstrated that determination and perseverance can turn even the most unlikely dream into reality.

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More than a personal triumph, her achievement sends a powerful message to Kashmir's youth: no obstacle is insurmountable for those who are willing to work hard and stay committed to their goals.