LEANING casually on a size nine shoe and weighin’g less than
a stone, grinning Jyoti Amge is a living doll.
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.
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 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.
“It was always my dream to come to London, to see
Tower Bridge, the London Eye and Madame Tussauds.
With
an infectious giggle and mischievous smile as she talks, Jyoti makes for
engaging company.
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.
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.
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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