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Ansoli (Himachal Pradesh), Feb 4 (IANS) A jobless diploma engineer in this Himachal Pradesh village has pledged his handwritten British and US constitutions to a businessman to raise money to educate his children. "I have mortgaged my handwritten Britain and US constitutions to a local businessman for raising money to fund the education of my two children," A.B. Raajbansh, 52, told IANS. He said besides the two constitutions, a handwritten replica of the Bhagavad Gita was also pledged to raise Rs.71,000 in all. These miniatures have been listed in the Limca Book of Records in its 2005 edition for being the smallest booklets. Britain's Queen Elizabeth has appreciated his artistic feat. "For many years I kept the memorabilia close to my heart. Finally, I have decided to part with them. But it is really painful for me," said an emotional Raajbansh, whose village is located on the outskirts of Kangra town, some 250 km from Shimla. According to the Limca Book of Records, the 111-page booklet, which is 2 cm long and 1.5 cm wide, is the replica of the British constitution. It is 0.6 cm thick and weighs 1.78 gm. It was penned over 44 days -- starting from Oct 21, 2004. The 2 cm long and 1.5 cm wide 124-page replica of the US constitution is 0.9 cm thick. Its weight is 2.17 gm and written in 70 days from Feb 12, 2004. The Bhagavad Gita, which was written over 100 days in 2003, has 169 pages of 2.2 cm length and 1.7 cm width. It has a thickness of 1.3 cm. Raajbansh, a part time employee and the family's sole breadwinner, said that before writing the British constitution he secured permission from British authorities. After writing it, he sent a copy to Queen Elizabeth. A communication from Buckingham Palace to Raajbansh Feb 14, 2005 says: "Her Majesty was pleased to learn that you have completed your project and has asked me to thank you." Raajbansh, whose eldest daughter is a student of law in Himachal Pradesh University, is pinning hopes on his children. "When they start earning, I will be in a position to repay the loan and get back my prized creations," he said. After failing to get a government job, his temperament helped him pick this talent. "My failures finally turned out to be a blessing in disguise for me. I got time to develop my unusual innate ability," he said. "I modified my fountain pen for writing minutely with comfort," he said. "My diploma in mechanical engineering helps me to devise the unique pen."
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