pune at 105 balwant ghatpande among the worlds oldest physicians has a life lesson to share keep it simple he uses only basic drugs and mixtures for relieving many aches and painsan ageold turpentine liniment a liquid preparation for body aches a gooey pinkishred syrup linctus for easing cough and boric acid an antifungal cureall of sorts are the constants in his pharmacy a basic antibiotic like oxytetracycline is his choice of drug for treating bacterial infections i dispense these drugs to my patients from my pharmacy as per their need i avoid giving stronger antibiotics and i dont write prescriptions he saidwhen it comes to diagnoses ghatpande relies more on clinic assessment i use a stethoscope check the pulse rate and make use of my palms to sense the patients body type this triad forms the core of my clinical diagnosis he saidkashinath vitekar 75 a resident of kasba peth is among his many loyal patientshe never asks for lab reports a few doses of capsules tablets and a liquid mixture he gives always do the trick i have never ever visited another doctor in my life vitekar saidjayant salunkhe who lives in dhayari comes all the way to ghatpandes clinic in raviwar peth for treatment be it any seasonal ailment we get relief in just two days salunkhe saidhis consultation charges are rs 30 his fee has remained the same for many years for medicines he charges you additionally salunkhe said like his medical work his way of living is equally simple and uncomplicated i eat food that it is easy to cook and digest he saidhis advises a diet that is twice a day or small portions throughout the day i will suggest twice a day but i think more than that it is important to have a very clear understanding of ones digestion capacity i never overeat he saidhis daily regimen includes an hourlong session of physical exercises i never miss that i do situps practise some drills on the lezim wooden sticks with jingling cymbals attached to it he saidis there any other secret formula he follows to keep fit there is no secret formula you have to make your own formula and follow it religiously whatever i do my principle is keep it simple he said adding i work all the days of the week and never indulge in too much restghatpandes eldest daughter is seventyeight years old she is a psychiatrist and lives a retired life in us his aide mangesh darje sharedboth his sons are doctors swanand is 74 and sudhir the younger son died last year at the age of 69 following illness his wife died four years ago when she was 92darje oversees his food preparations at home he never eats any outside food whatever he eats has to be home cooked he likes spices in his food darje saidhe drinks buttermilk made from curd set at home with lunch another constant in his food is green chilly