Jaipur, March 15: From fighting in the Second World War to stepping into his 101st year today, Lt Col (retd) Sumer Singh Shekhawat has come a long way. His wife has passed on, so have most of his friends, but he has always tried to look ahead and stay happy.
The former soldier, who retired from the army way back in 1966, was today honoured by the Rajasthan Ex-Servicemen's League at an event here for completing a "century".
Speaking to The Telegraph on the sidelines of the event, Shekhawat said the secret of his longevity was possibly his love of long walks and exercise. Till 2008, he would go on his walks but of late he has been requiring a wheelchair. He has also had a pacemaker installed.
"I have always loved walking and have exercised regularly till about a few years ago. In my heyday, I played football and volleyball," he said.
"I have always remained happy, no matter what. Being a Hanuman bhakt, I believe one must be true to oneself and help others as much as possible. The only time I was depressed was after my wife passed away in 1995. Sometimes I regret that most of my friends have left this world. But I always try to look ahead."
Shekhawat stays in Jaipur's Bani Park area with his three sons and daughters-in-law. Most of his grandchildren are settled elsewhere but they come often and look him up, he said. His pension money is largely spent on maintaining the family's ancestral mansion in Gangiasar in Jhunjhunu, about 140km from here.
His eldest son, (retd) Lt General Daulat Singh, said Shekhawat's age had not dulled his interest in current affairs. "With us, he debates the chances of Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton in the US presidential elections," Daulat said.
Shekhawat's family said the 100-year-old followed a simple diet, which had kept him robust all these years.
"My diet is simple: one omelette, a slice of bread and two biscuits for breakfast; one chapatti, two vegetable dishes, mutton and curd for lunch; one chapatti and a vegetable dish for dinner. I love mutton curry and one glass of beer before dinner," Shekhawat said.
With a twinkle in his eye, he said: "The beer adds to my good health."
Shekhawat began his career in 1939, joining Sawai Man Singh II's Man Guards as second lieutenant. Man Guards was initially raised as a body of guards for Man Singhthe first Rajputana king to offer his services to the British during World War II. The unit was subsequently attached to various British army units during World War II and fought in the North West Frontier Province, Eritrea and Abyssinia, Libya, Egypt and Italy.
