MEET HIGHTOWER'S MISSUS & SPROG

Like mother like son. India's tallest woman, who stands 7ft 2in, claims her baby has grown to 3ft 2in in only 10 months. Svetlana Singh says she hopes her child Karan, who already weighs three-and-a-half stone, will be the tallest man in the world.
Speaking in the family's home in Meerut, outside Delhi, Mrs Singh told how the hungry boy needs feeding an astonishing 20 times a day. "He just doesn't stop eating and never stops growing," she said. "He is only ten-months-old and wears clothes designed for five-year-olds. "Karan has never fitted into baby clothes, even when he was first born he was 2ft 2in tall and was the same size as a normal two-year-old." Husband Sanjay, who at 6ft 6in has to look up to his wife, hopes his son's height will help him become a basketball player so he can study in America. "Both sides of our family are very tall - my father is 6ft 5in and Svetlana's father is 6ft 7in - so Karan could not really have been born any other way," he said. Despite being proud of their size the family admit it can cause problems. Travelling in buses and cars is almost impossible because both husband and wife have to stoop to fit in. And shopping becomes an ordeal in itself as hordes of curious onlookers gather to stare at the couple and their giant baby. Despite his size everyone treats Karan normally because he is such a happy baby," said Sanjay. "People who don't know us stare initially but Karan always wins them around with his smile and personality. "He has a very jolly nature. He laughs and giggles a lot and has already started walking. The amount of food he demands must give him extra energy because he is very strong." The couple, who are both doctors of naturopathy, a holistic medicine, met at university where their size immediately attracted them to each other. "I was unsure if I would ever find a wife to match my height, but as soon as I met Svetlana I knew we would make a great couple," said Sanjay. "I dream Karan will become a doctor like his parents. Perhaps his size will help him - we would love to send him to study in the US and he would be naturally gifted at basketball. "We hope an American college might take him because he will be so tall. "We will try to look after Karan and give him the best life. It would be great if he took up but I would be happy if he played any sport he liked."