High-Profile Claims of Extreme Longevity
Recent years have seen several stories of Indian women reportedly reaching the age of 120 and beyond. These accounts, while inspiring, are generally based on local reports, family lore, and unofficial documents, rather than the stringent verification required by international organizations like Guinness World Records or the Gerontology Research Group (GRG).
The Story of Kunjeerumma of Malappuram
In September 2023, media outlets reported on Kunjeerumma, a woman from Pookattiri, Kerala, who was believed to be 120 years old. Born during the time of the Malabar Rebellion, her life has spanned over a century of profound change. Family members reported her good health, with intact hearing and eyesight, and no history of common lifestyle diseases like high blood pressure or diabetes. Her family mentioned her simple diet, often consisting of rice porridge and minimal spices. She reportedly witnessed five generations of her descendants, a testament to her long life and the strong family ties common in many Indian communities.
The Electoral Record of Asha Devi of Bhagalpur
Another prominent claim came to light in August 2025 regarding Asha Devi of Bhagalpur, Bihar. Her age, allegedly 120 years old, was noted during a revision of electoral rolls by the Election Commission of India. While this official record suggests a date of birth of January 1, 1905, it also underscores the challenges of age verification. For individuals born over a century ago in India, official government records are often absent or inaccurate, with many relying on informal village or temple records. The appearance of an age in a modern government database, therefore, may not necessarily signify a scientifically validated age.
Past Claims and the Challenge of Verification
The phenomenon of extreme, unverified age claims is not new in India. For example, Rahim “Habib Miyan” Khan, who died in 2008, claimed to be 130 years old based on his pension book. However, without a birth certificate, his claim could not be officially recognized by Guinness or the GRG. These cases highlight the necessity of reliable documentation for confirming supercentenarian status, which is often a missing piece of the puzzle in developing nations.
Understanding the Factors Behind Longevity
Even if these claims are not officially validated, the stories of these individuals offer valuable insights into the potential factors contributing to a long and healthy life. Researchers often look to communities with high concentrations of centenarians, known as Blue Zones, to study these factors. While India does not have an official Blue Zone, certain regions and lifestyles exhibit traits associated with longevity.
Lifestyle factors commonly reported:
- Simple, Natural Diets: Many individuals living to extreme ages consume diets centered on plant-based foods, including rice, lentils, and locally sourced vegetables. A frugal diet focused on nutrition rather than indulgence is a recurring theme.
- Strong Social Bonds: Close-knit family and community ties provide crucial social and emotional support throughout life, reducing stress and providing a sense of purpose. Many elderly in India live surrounded by family, with multiple generations under one roof.
- Physical Activity: A life of non-sedentary labor, such as daily walking, household chores, or gardening, contributes to lifelong physical health. Many rural centenarians maintain a degree of activity well into old age.
- Positive Outlook: A positive and grateful mindset is often cited by these elders as a key to their happiness and longevity.
Comparison: Unverified Claims vs. Officially Documented Records
There is a significant difference between media reports of extreme longevity and the scientifically documented records used by official bodies. The Gerontology Wiki, which tracks verified supercentenarians, provides a clear example of this contrast.
| Feature | Unverified Claims (e.g., Kunjeerumma, Asha Devi) | Officially Documented Records (e.g., Lourdina Lobo) |
|---|---|---|
| Age Source | Local reports, family accounts, informal records like electoral rolls. | Documented birth certificate, baptismal records, census data, etc., verified by experts. |
| Verification Body | Not vetted by international longevity research bodies. | Verified by Gerontology Research Group (GRG) or other established bodies. |
| Public Perception | Often receives wide media attention and public interest due to the astonishing age. | Validated and recognized within scientific and record-keeping communities. |
| Credibility | Faces significant challenges and skepticism from demographers due to lack of verifiable proof. | Considered reliable for scientific study and demographic research. |
The Verification Process for Supercentenarians
Verifying an individual's age to confirm they are a supercentenarian (110+) is a meticulous and demanding process. It requires multiple corroborating documents from different stages of life, proving the individual's identity and continuous existence. The steps typically include:
- Obtaining a Birth Document: The most important piece of evidence is a birth certificate or baptismal record created very close to the time of birth.
- Supporting Records: Independent records, such as marriage certificates, census records, old voter registrations, or school diplomas, are used to corroborate the birth date and prove identity over time.
- Expert Review: Demographers and gerontologists scrutinize all submitted documents for consistency and authenticity, often cross-referencing against historical data to rule out errors.
- Family Interviews: While not primary evidence, interviews with family members and neighbors provide context and help build a narrative of the person's life.
- Official Confirmation: Once all criteria are met and independently verified, the age is officially recognized by bodies like the GRG or Guinness World Records.
For more information on supercentenarians and the verification process, consult the authoritative Gerontology Wiki: https://gerontology.fandom.com/wiki/List_of_Indian_supercentenarians.
Conclusion: The Search for India's Oldest
The quest to identify the 120 year old woman in India leads to several poignant and fascinating stories, but not to a single, officially verified individual. While Kunjeerumma and Asha Devi are notable examples, their claims, like many others from a generation with limited official documentation, remain unproven by international standards. These individuals and their tales nonetheless serve as powerful symbols of longevity and resilience. The challenges in verification highlight the need for robust record-keeping for aging populations, especially as India faces a demographic shift towards an older society. Studying these unverified cases, alongside the documented trends in Indian longevity research, provides a richer, more nuanced understanding of healthy aging in the subcontinent.
