Pune-based Peeyush Shah (14), a student of the city’s Vidya Bhavan School, has earned an entry in the Limca Book of Records 2011 for accumulating 12,000 erasers of all types, shapes and sizes. “I now want an entry into the Guinness World Records. But for that to happen, I have to break the record of a person who has 19,000 erasers,” says Peeyush, the youngest life member of the International Collectors Society of Rare Items (ICSRI).

 

Peeyush’s unique collection comprising classroom erasers of multiple sizes and shapes such as cartoons, alphabets, flags, guns, phones, footwear, etc, was deeply inspired by his numismatist father Kamlesh, a Pune-based entrepreneur. The elder Shah has been an avid collector of coins from countries around the world. “My father’s passionate pursuit of his hobby inspired me to do something similar. Right from my early years in school, I started buying different types of erasers. Gradually the collection began to grow and I became a member of the ICSRI which offered me a chance to display my then collection of 450 erasers when I was just seven years. The exhibition attracted more than 25,000 people, and that excited me so much, I decided to pursue this hobby in right earnest,” recalls Peeyush.

 

While most of the erasers have been bought from his pocket money, Peeyush’s collection has also grown rapidly through gifts from friends and well-wishers who have learned about his unconventional hobby. “Very often friends purchase erasers for Peeyush whenever they travel abroad,” says mother Arti, a home-maker. “I have always believed children should be encouraged to pursue such hobbies rather than become addicted to the internet or their cell phones,” she adds.

 

Academically gifted as well, Peeyush is an accomplished drummer and a regular performer at inter-school competitions. “We are lucky Peeyush has the right values. He is very religious and often interprets the teachings of the Jain dharma. Since he is mature, we have given him complete freedom to pursue his creative choices,” says his father.

 

On his part, Peeyush has his priorities right. “There’s enough time to give my career choice serious thought. Right now my focus is on getting into the Guinness World Records,” he says with youthful enthusiasm which ‘rubs’ off on you.