Srinagar, June 13 -- In the hills above Shopian, there was a man known only as "Mujah Baba." No one knew his real name or age. He kept bees. He drank a glass of raw milk every morning. His skin was leather, but his grip was strong enough to break open walnuts.

Some said he was 100. Others said older. He never said anything. Just smiled and went on collecting honey like time owed him nothing.

I think of him often these days, especially when I read about scientists promising to extend life with stem cells, gene editing, precision pills. They say we could soon live to 120, maybe more. But I wonder: what for?

In Kashmir, we've already seen people stretch the limits of age. They did it without doctors. Without diagnostics. They did it quiet...