Born in March 1903, Batuli has been smoking since she was 17 and claims that contrary to statutory warnings that are issued in public interests, it is the smoking that helped her outlive most everyone in her village, including her own children.

“I have been smoking for over 95 years. There is nothing wrong with smoking. I don’t really care how old I am. But I am old nonetheless. I have seen a lot of things change during my lifetime.”

Despite her mostly incoherent speech, the cheery chain-smoker’s added advice is to avoid ‘commercially made’ cigarettes. Instead, she recommends locally made ‘beedis’.

Batuli was deserted by her husband about eight decades back when he migrated to India in search for work. Her eldest son (85) is the only one among her five children who is still alive. She now lives with him and her several grandchildren and great-grandchildren and continues, even at her frail age, to do all her chores on her own.

This strong woman reveals that her secret to living a long and life is simple: Happiness.

“People of this modern age have too much stress. And those who do not work or are idle in their old age won’t live long. So you have to be active and stress free,”… “You should always be happy, then you will live a long life.”

In no way, do we promote smoking as a way to live longer! But doing whatever makes you happy leading to a long and healthy life – yep, Batuli may really be onto something here.

Thanks, you tough ol’ bird. We wish you many more years of happiness and health!