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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
World
Matthew Dresch

'World's oldest man' stuns airport staff by flashing passport with his date of birth

A man stunned airport staff when he showed them a passport saying he was born in 1896, which if true makes him the oldest person in the world at 123-years-old.

Swami Sivananda, from Behala, India, was raised by a spiritual guru and has attributed his long life to yoga, food with no spices and celibacy.

Mr Sivananda was travelling from Kolkata to London, with a stopover at Abu Dhabi Airport, where staff noticed his passport said he was born on August 8, 1896.

It is unknown whether the date is correct as he was given up by his relatives when his parents died - and the only record of his birth comes from temple archives.

Swami Sivananda was apparently born in 1896 (AFP/Getty)

If his passport is right, Mr Sivananda, who lives in Varanasi, is the oldest person to have ever lived, the Mail Online reports.

He previously said: "Discipline is the most important thing is life.

"One can conquer anything with discipline in food habits, exercise, and sexual desires.

Mr Sivananda practices yoga every day (AFP Photo/Dibyangshu Sarkar)
He was raised by a spiritual guru after his parents' death (AFP Photo/Dibyangshu Sarkar)

"Because I was born in poverty, I have never had great demands from life.

"Nowadays, people are unhappy, unhealthy and have become dishonest, which pains me a lot."

"I just want people to be happy, healthy and peaceful."

The Indian stays away from spicy food (AFP/Getty Images)
He also abstains from sex, something he thinks has helped him live longer (AFP Photo/Dibyangshu Sarkar)

Mr Sivananda is currently trying to prove he is the world's oldest man in order to enter the Guinness Book of World Records.

Whether Guinness qualifies him or not, his lifestyle has already made him a local celebrity.

He travels to give interviews and lectures on life and people from all over India flock to him in search of peace and the secret to his longevity.

Jeanne Calment holds the official title for the world's oldest person, reaching 122-years-old before her death in 1997.

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