To cut a long story short ... Jyoti Amge next to a size 9 shoe
The 18-year-old is officially the world’s smallest woman, standing just 2ft
0.7in (62.8cm) tall.
But while she’s short in stature, she’s certainly not short of confidence —
taking on the world with a winning smile, as I discovered when I joined her
for a day out in London.
Record breaker ... Jyoti and Sun man Lee
Dan Jones / The Sun
Jyoti suffers from the form of dwarfism known as achondroplasia, which means
she will never grow any taller.
She took the Guinness World Record from American Bridgette Jordan — who is
around two inches taller — when she turned 18 in December.
To celebrate, Jyoti, from Nagpur, India, fulfilled a lifelong dream by coming
to London with The Sun, ahead of the launch of the 2013 edition of the
Guinness World Records book.
Speaking through an interpreter, she said: “I’m very happy to be the world’s
smallest woman.
“Getting this record has made me feel better about myself. I feel popular,
special and important.
Daily challenge ... Jyoti's height makes simple things difficult
Dan Jones / The Sun
“It was always my dream to come to London, to see Tower Bridge, the London Eye
and Madame Tussauds.
“So I’d like to thank The Sun for giving me the chance to come here and tell
my story to your readers.”
With an infectious giggle and mischievous smile as she talks, Jyoti makes for
engaging company.
It’s easy to forget just how small she is.
That is until passers-by stop and point, take pictures or simply stare at the
tiny teen.
It’s something Jyoti has got used to.
Enthusiastic ... Jyoti in a London cab on her first trip to the UK
Dan Jones / The Sun
She added: “In India, when I go around I hate the feeling of having a crowd
around me, just standing there staring at me.
“They just come to look. It makes me feel uncomfortable.
“So sometimes I cover up my face with a scarf so people don’t recognise me.
“I am proud of being small. I have the same thoughts and the same dreams as
you.
“I would like to be an actress in Hollywood and win an Oscar. The only
difference is my height.”
Dressed in a traditional Indian sari and sporting a bindi on her forehead,
bracelets and beautiful, tiny rings around each of her fingers, Jyoti looks
like a glamorous Bollywood star.
All her clothes and jewellery are custom-made.
Winning combination ... Jyoti reads your favourite paper
Dan Jones / The Sun
She said: “There’s a mall in India where I always go — the only place I can
find clothes in my size.
“I go to a special shop for my rings. They measure my fingers and order the
rings in specially.”
When she goes out, she is usually accompanied by her mother Ranjana, 54, or
other friends and family.
Jyoti said: “The worst part about being so small is that I always have to rely
on someone. I can’t go anywhere on my own, so I’m always dependent.
“I can’t run or walk too fast. If I was taller for a day, I’d just go off
on my own independently.”
At 12lb she is only nine pounds heavier than when she was born.
She remembers realising she was smaller than other people early in life.
She said: “I was very young – just three years old. My mum and dad took me to
the hospital to find out why I was not growing properly like the others.
“At the beginning I used to be very upset about the fact that I was not
growing. I didn’t like how people stared.”
When we stop for lunch at an Indian restaurant in central London, Jyoti is
glued to her mobile phone, like most people her age.
She said: “In my spare time I chat on Facebook and Skype, I play video games
and watch TV. I like to go around with my friends, although they are much
taller than me. They carry me and take care of me.”
She insists she isn’t interested in finding love — but did reveal a celebrity
crush.
Jyoti said: “I’m not looking for a boyfriend — but if I was, he’d have to be
prepared to carry me around everywhere.
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