Two different news sources looked at the same story, and came to different conclusions on the story of a man who claims he has had neither food nor water for more than 60 years. Sify.com, giving a scientific view, says:
Living on air; medical tests on saint suspended
Ahmedabad: Medical tests to determine the veracity of a claim of a saint subsisting without food or water for the past 65 years were suspended as the hospital authorities found the heavy rush of devotees for “darshan” disrupting the procedure.
Speaking to UNI, the Director of Sterling Hospital Dr V N Shah said during the observation period of 11 days the saint did not pass urine or stool, nor did he take a single morsel of food or drink a drop of water.
“A normal human being can remain without urinating for a maximum of seven days, after which they are bound to suffer from renal failure,” opines Dr Sudhir V Shah, in-charge of the observation.
“He had shown evidence of formation of urine, which seemed to be re-absorbed from his bladder wall. However, the present committee does not have any scientific explanation for the same,” he added.
“The observations ere conducted to find the scientific truth behind Jani’s ability and to see if such abilities can be replicated in other humans,” Dr Shah said.
“The 11-day observation, however, do not justify his claims that he has been living without food or water for the past 65 years,” he added.
The Hindustan Times, omitting many of the important scientific quotes, says:
Test confirms ‘sadhu’ abstained food, water for 66 years
Prahllad Jani, the 76-year-old ‘sadhu’ from the pilgrim town of Ambaji in north Gujarat, has scientifically proved that he neither ate nor drank anything for the past 66 years.
The medical fraternity did not believe it prima facie, but after a close 10-day observation, including sonography twice a day, at the Neuro ICCU of Sterling Hospital, medicos had to admit that Jani has the ability to survive without food and water.
Hospital authorities confirmed that Jani not only refrained intake through mouth or any other route but he also did not excrete, while under observation.
“No doubt, his bladder produced 400 ml urine during the day, but the next day it was absorbed by the bladder itself”, Dinesh Desai, a doctor at the Sterling Hospital said.
How does 10 days observation prove 66 years of fasting?
