Indian doctors are studying a remarkable 83-year-old holy man who claims to have spent the last seven decades without food and water.

Military medics hope the experiments on Prahlad Jani can help soldiers develop their survival strategies.

The long-haired and bearded yogi is under 24-hour observation by a team of 30 doctors during three weeks of tests at a hospital in the western city of Ahmedabad.

Two cameras have been set up in his room, while a mobile camera films him when he goes outside, guaranteeing round-the-clock observation.

His body will be scanned and his brain and heart activity measured with electrodes.

"The observation from this study may throw light on human survival without food and water," said Dr G. Ilavazahagan, who is directing the research.

"This may help in working out strategies for survival during natural calamities, extreme stressful conditions and extra-terrestrial explorations like future missions to the Moon and Mars by the human race."

Since the experiment began on April 22, Jani has neither eaten nor drunk and has not been to the toilet.

"The exercise of taking this yogi under the medical scanner is to understand what energy supports his existence," Dr Ilavazahagan added.

"Jani says he meditates to get energy. Our soldiers will not be able to meditate, but we would still like to find out more about the man and his body."

Jani, who dresses in red and wears a nose ring, grew up in Charod village in the Mehsana district in Gujarat.

He claims to have been blessed by a goddess when he was aged eight, which has enabled him to survive without sustenance.

http://uk.news.yahoo.com/5/20100429/twl-ma...ea-3fd0ae9.html

About as believable as Gordon Brown's apology

No no no he has been on TV and from what I think I remember he just needed a bit of sunlight each day to get his energy.

Very pleak.

If I am not fed and watered regularly I get in a very bad mood. Imagine what I would be like after 70 years!!

Grumpy old skinny feminazi.

About as believable as Gordon Brown's apology

555 It's all done with mirrors.

These kind of things pop up every now and then.

But they never have a resolution, the story always just fades away.

I wonder why they do it? not the bloke but the media etc. Is it just an attempt to gather support at the yogi's local Wat?

Like christian artifacts, 90% of them are proven fakes, yet these artifacts can still drawn huge crowds to it's home church.

And the fleecing begins.

Well, there's a wee chance that the man with the straw hat has thrown in this little offering and then sat back with a box of popcorn - BUT, after all, I'll admit to being a tad cynical about many things...

Two things:

1. One of lifes joys is sitting down to a great meal, if this claim were true, its not for everyone - I'd rather eat.

2. He'd save a fortune of Grocery shopping (even toilet paper is not required)

I abstained once for 70 days from....well....you know......

how was your right arm?

I abstained once for 70 days from....well....you know......

I thought about it........once

I thought about it........once

Wow a miracle! I can't stop thinking about it.

Longest I fasted was 15 days.

But no water? I cannot imagine.

This man is not the first though that I have heard of.

There was a Nun many years ago that did/claimed the same.

I reckon they should get a dentist to look at his teeth to see if there is any evidence of them having been used at all.

Also, there is a test on hair or teeth that can establish certain aspects a person's diet.

I reckon they should get a dentist to look at his teeth to see if there is any evidence of them having been used at all.

Also, there is a test on hair or teeth that can establish certain aspects a person's diet.

Cheaper to cement in the crapper and then watch what happens

For 70 minutes each day I stare at my lovely Thai wife as she models

her wide assortment of panties. Amazingly this takes away any desire

to eat food.

Pictures please!

Alex why would you want to see pictures of a wizzened 83 year old man, you poor sick fellow?

Please don't! Really....!

Alex why would you want to see pictures of a wizzened 83 year old man, you poor sick fellow?

He only claims no food and water.

Nothing about the eight pints of Guinness.

He only claims no food and water.

Nothing about the eight pints of Guinness.

Think they would definitely catch him on the bog then, if my memory serves me well

He only claims no food and water.

Nothing about the eight pints of Guinness.

Think they would definitely catch him on the bog then, if my memory serves me well

to say nothing of the flatulence.

anyway I just realised I forgot to add "per day" as eight pints over seventy years is a but thin pickings even for Yogi.

Guinness: A meal in every glass.

They used to give Stout to pregnant women.

No matter how hard I tried, could never get that free pint.

Couldn't find a pregnant woman Guinness ad but will she do?

I'd share my pint with her any day.

Couldn't find a pregnant woman Guinness ad but will she do?

I'd share my pint with her any day.

Think that should read '10CC'

This video 180 hours into experiment

The latest....after 15 days;

http://www.indianexpress.com/news/Study-of...nclusive/616285

Interesting to note that they studied the same guy 7 years ago.

Maybe it's just my sceptical view, but I note that 108 hours into the observation, the docs said "no stool and no urine" but after 15 days they now just say "no stool". Does this imply that he passed urine? They did note that he gargled and bathed daily.....a few sips of water each time, perhaps?

Nonetheless, he must have been fasting for days before the start of the observation if he had no stool or urine for the first 108 hours.....so it's more than 15 days...possibly on nothing, possibly on minute sips stolen during gargling.

The latest....after 15 days;

http://www.indianexpress.com/news/Study-of...nclusive/616285

Interesting to note that they studied the same guy 7 years ago.

Maybe it's just my sceptical view, but I note that 108 hours into the observation, the docs said "no stool and no urine" but after 15 days they now just say "no stool". Does this imply that he passed urine? They did note that he gargled and bathed daily.....a few sips of water each time, perhaps?

Nonetheless, he must have been fasting for days before the start of the observation if he had no stool or urine for the first 108 hours.....so it's more than 15 days...possibly on nothing, possibly on minute sips stolen during gargling.

one word Stoollusionist