India's grand old man turns 128 today

Jaipur: The man believed to be India's oldest living person says he will celebrate his birthday with something he loves most: 15 cups of steaming hot tea.

"I just can't do without it. I guess it's the secret of my longevity," Habib Mian, alias Rahim Khan, who turns 128 today, told Gulf News.

A former clarinet player in the Jaipur State Forces Band in India, Habib Mian retired in 1938 and has since been living on a pension which is home delivered to him by the bank.

Initially, the amount was Rs2 (about 16 fils) per month, but over the years it has gone up to Rs2,275 (Dh190). "He is a very dear customer. He's been drawing pension for more than 68 years now. As a humane gesture we now have it sent to his home," said Rajesh Nagpal, who manages Habib's account at the State Bank of India.

Rajasthan government records confirm Habib was born on May 20, 1878. He's got a mention in the Limca Book of Records. And now he's got a call from the Guinness Book of World Records.

"I may have seen many springs, but I still get excited about my birthdays. After all, who doesn't like getting gifts?" the grand old man says. Habib Miyan lost his eyesight about 53 years ago, but is in good health otherwise.

Old age has brought several upheavals in Habib Mian's life. Along with the deaths of all his five children, he's also witnessed the reign of two Jaipur kings, British rule and Jaipur state's merger with the Indian union after independence.