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Oldest Man in India – Vedas and Vegetarian Diet the Secret to Long Life

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Aged 112, Pandit Sudhakar Chaturvedi of Bangalore is believed to be the oldest man in India. This after British veteran Henry Allingham, aged 113, was declared officially the oldest man in the world by the Guinness World Records. Pandit Sudhakar Chaturvedi of Bangalore says the secret of his long life is laughing, loving, strict vegetarian diet, vitamin tablets and a passion for the Vedas.

Times of India Reports

"Chaturveda is the master of all Vedas and my favourite," Pandit Sudhakar Chaturvedi said. "If one follows the Vedas and keep one's body, soul and speech pure, a healthy long life is in store for him," he added.

This sprightly centenarian gives lectures, writes articles, is a consultant and walks around comfortably with a walking stick. India's seniormost citizen's zest for life is infectious: "I have more to do in my life."

His grand-daughter (who'd rather remain unnamed) says, "Dada was born on Ram Navami day in 1897 in Bangalore.

Chaturvedi was close associate of Mahatma Gandhi, he was popularly known as the Postman to Gandhiji. He participated in the Jallianwallah Bagh protests and was arrested at least 31 times during the freedom struggle. Later, he became a follower of Dayanand Saraswati of the Arya Samaj.

Now, his sole interest is spiritualism and spreading the message of the Vedas. Every Saturday, he conducts classes on the Vedas and pens articles for magazines. "People approach me with problems and I help sort them out," said Chaturvedi, who loves meeting people.

This love for the Vedas helped him get his name. "He was named for his knowledge of the four Vedas," said Dr Pamela Devi, his friend.

He works for eight hours every day. He gets up at 3.30 am and starts reading the Upanishads and darshans. Two hours are kept aside for meditation.

He reads newspapers and magazines in English, Hindi and Kannada and discusses the reports with visitors. "I want to be happy and make others happy - that's my whole aim of living now," said Chaturvedi.