Brampton resident Nazir Dookhoo is hoping to achieve a Guinness World Record with a remarkable bitter melon grown in his backyard garden. The impressive vegetable reached a length of 23 inches, including a two-inch stem, before ripening earlier this week.
Dookhoo, 74, who immigrated to Canada from Guyana in 1973, has been cultivating vegetables for years, drawing on a passion for gardening inherited from his farming parents. Although he didn’t initially set out to break records, this particular bitter melon stood out among his 2024 crop, significantly surpassing the typical size range of 7.9 to 11.8 inches for this variety.
This isn’t Brampton’s first attempt at setting a bitter melon record. In 2014, a local resident named Gurdial Singh Kanwal grew an 18.5-inch bitter melon, though it’s unclear if his attempt was successful. Dookhoo’s melon, however, is a full 4.5 inches longer, making it a strong contender for the record.
Dookhoo attributes his gardening success to dedication, love, and continuous learning. His garden, which also produces tomatoes, garlic, and other vegetables, not only feeds his family but is shared with neighbors and friends during harvest season.
The Dookhoo family has submitted their application to Guinness World Records and is eagerly awaiting a response. Dookhoo’s daughter, Christina, expressed pride in her father’s achievement, noting that his hard work and perseverance have been an inspiration to their entire family.