A woman boasting a world record-breaking 31 fingers and toes has been branded a 'witch' by her superstitious neighbors.
Kumari Nayak, 63, is set to enter the Guinness World Records for having the most digits in the world - 19 toes and 12 fingers.
She beats previous record holder Devendra Suthar, who entered the record book in 2014 - with 14 toes and 14 fingers.
But Kumari, from the Ganjam district in Odisha, India, claims cruel neighbors have branded her a "witch" and avoid her in the street.
India Photo Agency / SWNS
She said:
"I was born with this defect and I couldn't be treated as we belonged to a poor family. It has now been 63 years that I have had this condition."
"The residents nearby, who are too much into blind faiths, believe that I am a witch and keep away from me. They sometimes come to see my condition - but never help."
"I am forced to stay indoors as I am being treated differently which is not a nice way of treatment from my neighbors."
India Photo Agency / SWNS
One of her neighbors, who is aware of Kumari's condition, said:
"This is a small village and people here are too much into blind faiths. Odisha is a state of blind faiths and hence treat her as a witch. I know that she has a medical problem and has nothing to do with what others believe her to be."
"I feel so sorry for her that she cannot even afford to get herself treated."
India Photo Agency / SWNS
Kumari said she has no money to fund her treatment and often feels forced to stay in her home.
Government officials in India, having heard of Kumari's plight, have offered her a home and a pension, as well as trying to spread awareness among her neighbors.
India Photo Agency / SWNS
An administrative department spokesman said:
"We are aware of her situation and have offered all possible help. We are also educating her neighbors to treat her with love and compassion and that she is not a witch."
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