Abbas Pramanik at 123, still reads the Quran without glasses

Abbar Pramanik, a resident of Jogendranagar village at Gurudaspur upazila of Natore, is believed to be 123 years old, according to his voter ID card.

Born in 1903, Pramanik’s life has spanned more than a century of Bangladesh’s history-- from British colonial rule and the Pakistan period to the Language Movement and the birth of independent Bangladesh.

His family, however, believes his actual age could be even higher.

A former teacher, Pramanik spent much of his life teaching. He also taught Quran to children and young people in his community free of charge.

“According to his voter ID, my grandfather is 123 years old. Since my childhood, I have known him as a very honest, simple and religious man. Even now, he can read the Quran without glasses,” said his grandson Belal Hossain.

Age has now limited Pramanik’s ability to work and move around as he once did. But he continues to pray and recite the Quran regularly.

His family says he has always led a simple life. Even when transportation was available, he often preferred to walk rather than travel by vehicle father was a very simple person. Whenever he needed to go somewhere, he would walk. 

He did not like travelling by vehicle. Even now, despite.

“At this age, my grandfather needs nutritious food and regular care. We try to look after him according to our means, but it is not always possible to ensure everything he needs,” said another grandson, Rafiqul Islam.

His daughter, Alima Begum, recalled her father as a quiet and uncomplicated man.

“My father was a very simple person. Whenever he needed to go somewhere, he would walk. He did not like travelling by vehicle. Even now, despite his advanced age, he can read the Quran without glasses.''

Pramanik now lives in a dilapidated house. Among his favourite foods are batasha-- a traditional sugar candy-- cow’s milk and lentils. His advanced age has increased his generations come and go and seen enormous changes in society and everyday life. Yet one part of his routine has need for nutritious food, medical attention and regular care.

He is the father of eight children-- six sons and two daughters. His wife died many years ago, and he now relies largely on his children and grandchildren for support.

Over more than a century, Pramanik has witnessed generations come and go and seen enormous changes in society and everyday life. Yet one part of his routine has remained remarkably consistent: his connection with the Quran.

At 123, according to official voter records, the elderly man remains a living link to a vastly different era. His physical strength has faded and slowly with the support of a stick, while the simple routines of prayer and Quran recitation continue to provide comfort in his movements have become slower, but his family says he still reaches for the Quran whenever he can.

Today, he walks slowly with the support of a stick, while the simple routines of prayer and Quran recitation continue to provide comfort in the twilight of his life.