Age is just a number and Nazar Singh has just proved that. He celebrated his 111th birthday on 8th June with a pint of beer and whiskey chaser. He believes the secret to his longevity is due to a healthy lifestyle, plenty of sleep and a dose of his favourite whiskey. He is thought to be Britain's oldest man.
Nazar Singh was born on 8th June 1904, in Punjab, India, and has had an eventful life. He has experienced living through the two World Wars, the Titanic disaster, the first moon landing and the invention of colour television. He has also witnessed the invention of the modern car, mobile phones, computers and the internet, as well as seen women get the right to vote, the fall of Nazi Germany, the beginning and the end of Apartheid and the dissolution of the Soviet Union.
Singh received a letter from HM Queen Elizabeth II on his 100th birthday, and has been receiving one every year since, along with an annual letter and phone call from the Department For Work and Pensions to see how he is.
Nazar Singh moved from Punjab to England in the mid 60s, where he worked in foundry, in Walsall, where he lived for almost 25 years. He then retired to Sunderland in 1989.
Singh has never had an operation and has perfect hearing. He also retains some of his original teeth. He likes to drink milk, almond oil and regularly eats fruit.
His family had nearly lost him when Singh recently suffered from an infection, but he managed to recover.
His son, Chain Singh Gill (62) said, “We thought we had lost him because he had an infection but, thankfully, he is recovering now. It’s the care he gets and the food he eats that are most important. He doesn’t eat junk food and that’s what has kept him alive. I’m in contact with him, sometimes twice, every single day on the phone and he’s in good spirits.”
Nazar Singh has nine children, 34 grandchildren and 64 great-grandchildren. He was married to his wife, Narajan Kaur, for 70 years before she passed away 12 years ago, at the age of 90.
Asian Voice wishes Nazar Singh a very happy birthday with plenty more to come.
