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Time of India
5 days ago
- General
- Time of India
Bhagalpur woman, 120, stirs debate over world's oldest person claim
1 2 Bhagalpur: A frail woman from Bhagalpur is shaking up global age records. Asha Devi, born on Jan 1, 1905 — if her voter ID is to be believed — is listed as 120 years old in the draft electoral rolls published by the Election Commission of India. Her astonishing age came to light during the special intensive revision (SIR) of the voter list. Booth level officer Farzana Khatoon verified her details at booth number 292, Middle School Feku Tola (north part) and the electoral registration officer confirmed the entry. In official records, she is the wife of late Chalitar Mandal and a resident of Srimatpur Kali Prasad village under the Pirpainti (SC) assembly constituency. Before her name surfaced, 116-year-old Tomiko Itooka of Japan, born on May 23, 1908, was recognised as the world's oldest living woman and person, following the death of 117-year-old Maria Branyas Morera. Itooka's age is validated by the Gerontology Research Group and confirmed by Guinness World Records. Asha Devi's claim, however, remains unverified beyond voter list documentation and Bhagalpur DM Nawal Kishor Choudhary's statement. On Wednesday, the DM said he had verified Asha Devi's Aadhaar card, which records her date of birth as Jan 1, 1905. Her appearance in the electoral rolls ignited an online stir after a social media post alleged she had become a voter for the first time at 120 — a claim she rejects outright. "Sabhhay din vote delo chhiye (I have been voting for a long time)," she said in Angika language. Asha Devi attributed her longevity to a simple, stress-free life and frugal eating. Her daily routine includes 'sattu' — roasted gram flour mixed with water and a pinch of rock salt — and a diet dominated by goat's milk and 'roti'. "She took to goat milk in her early days," said panchayat member Md Kabil Hussain, citing her family's account. Widowed in 1995, when her husband died at the age of 90, she has led her family for three decades. She had five sons — three of whom have passed away — and two daughters, along with 13 grandsons, nine granddaughters and several great-grandchildren. Though her children live separately, they remain closely connected and care for her. Her mind remains alert and most of her teeth are original, something she credits to brushing with a neem twig. "That's the secret to her teeth and gum health," Hussain said. She draws a monthly pension of Rs 1,100 under the Mukhyamantri Vridhjan Pension Yojana. "Khoob jiyo… khoob jiyo dher din," she blessed CM Nitish Kumar and the state govt, thankful for the recent hike from Rs 400. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area. "Get the latest news updates on Times of India, including reviews of the movie Coolie and War 2 ."
Time of India
11-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Nitish Kumar disburses first instalment of hiked pension amount to over 1 crore beneficiaries
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Friday disbursed the first instalment of the hiked pension amount of Rs 1,100 per month to the bank accounts of 1.11 crore beneficiaries, including senior citizens, widows and people with disabilities. Over Rs 1,227 crore was credited under six different pension schemes during a function here, officials said. The Bihar government had on June 24 increased the pension amount from Rs 400 per month to Rs 1,100. "The elderly are an important part of society and ensuring a dignified life for them is top priority of our government. It will continue to make efforts in this direction. We will ensure that this amount is disbursed on the 10th of every month," Kumar said on the occasion. The Bihar government is also committed to the overall development of women in the state, he said. Live Events "Our government has been consistently working towards the empowerment and welfare of women. We have set an example in terms of women's empowerment by prioritising their education, security and employment. Before 2005, the earlier dispensation did nothing for women. It was only after we assumed office that the real change started," the CM asserted. Noting that he had "made mistakes" in the past by joining hands with the opposition in Bihar, Kumar added: "I strayed 'idhar udhar' (here and there) twice. But now, I am with the NDA and will remain with the alliance forever, and work for the development of the state." The state's Social Welfare Department operates six pension programmes, including the Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme, Mukhyamantri Vridhjan Pension Yojana and the Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme . Madhubani district has the highest number of 5,53,848 beneficiaries for these schemes, followed by 5,26,339 beneficiaries in Patna, the officials said. With 71,971 beneficiaries, Sheikhpura has the lowest count of them, where a total of Rs 7.95 crore was disbursed, they added.
