In a shocking case that has left even seasoned medical professionals astonished, a 75-year-old man claims he has not slept for a single moment in the past 50 years, yet continues to live what appears to be
a normal, healthy life.
Mohanlal Dwivedi, a resident of Chanakyapuri Colony in Rewa district of Madhya Pradesh, said his unusual condition began around 1973. Since then, he claims, sleep has completely eluded him. Medical science maintains that a healthy adult requires 6-8 hours of sleep daily, and prolonged sleep deprivation can severely damage both physical and mental health. Dwivedi’s assertion, however, appears to challenge this fundamental belief.
According to him, he neither feels sleepy nor experiences pain in the usual way when injured. Despite remaining awake through the night, he says he does not suffer from eye strain, fatigue or any decline in work capacity. Initially, he did not share the condition with anyone.
When he eventually informed his family, they first turned to traditional remedies. Later, he was taken to major hospitals in Delhi and Mumbai, where multiple medical tests were conducted. Doctors, however, were unable to determine the cause of his condition.
Dwivedi’s professional life shows no apparent disruption. He began his career as a lecturer in 1973, cleared the Madhya Pradesh Public Service Commission examination in 1974 to become a deputy tehsildar, and eventually retired as a joint collector in 2001. He says the absence of sleep has never affected his official responsibilities.
Now retired, Dwivedi spends much of his time reading books and is often seen walking on the terrace late at night. An interesting detail, he adds, is that his wife also sleeps for only three to four hours a day.
Dr Rahul Mishra, superintendent of Sanjay Gandhi Hospital in Rewa, described the case as “extremely surprising” from a medical perspective. Living without sleep is almost impossible according, he said, adding that ongoing research in sleep therapy and psychology may offer new insights. He has advised that Dwivedi consult specialists from the psychology department once again.
Disclaimer: This report is based on the individual’s claims. News18 does not independently verify or confirm the medical assertions.
