Batuli Lamichhane oldest person alive in world at 119

Batuli Lamichhane (119) from Thansingh of Kakani Rural Municipality-8 in Nuwakot district is likely to get her name registered in the Guinness World Records as the oldest person alive in the world.

Born on Chait 10 in 1959 BS to mother Devi Kumari Tiwari and father Jaya Narayan Tiwari at Giranchaur of Melamchi Municipality of Sindhupalchowk district, she was granted citizenship by the District Administration Office, Nuwakot on Baisakh 24 in 2070 BS.

Lamichhane enjoys robust health even at this old age, feeds on a semi-liquid diet. Her hearing and sight are still intact and still interacts with her family members through gestures and facial expressions.

Medical tests were conducted and the test results attested her age as the oldest living person in the world. Preparation was in the last phase to submit her name as the oldest living person in the Guinness World Records.

According to the Gunnies World Records, until recently the Japanese woman Kane Tanaka, aged 118 years, was the oldest  person in the world. However, she died recently. Due to the delay in archival, Batuli, who is elder than Tanaka, lagged behind in being recognised as the eldest person alive, as explained senior citizen activists.

Her son Netra Prasad Lamichhane, 81, shared that his mother was still active physically and would take a walk around the house with a stick. 

They have been keeping a close eye on their mother to facilitate her in her daily routine works and to prevent her from any injury and bruise. Although free from major health issues, she runs fever occasionally, according to her daughter-in-law Ishwori Lamichhane.

The centenarian woman from Nuwakot was recently feted in an event that lasted for nearly five hours. She was the sole cynosure in the event largely because of her age. She would flash a toothless smile to anyone who would greet her and ask her about her well-being.

Bagmati Province Assembly member Badri Mainali dubbed Batuli as the 'Living Goddess' and said that if the record relating to Batuli was maintained, it would add to the name and fame of the country. According to him, he was also facilitating the process to get Batuli's name enlisted in the Guinness World Records.

There are an estimated 4,000 people above 100 years in the country and senior citizen activist Mohan KC demanded that there should be institutions for gerontology studies and special hospitals for elderly people.