Pint-sized Indian former Mr Universe turns 100

Former Mr. Universe, Manohar Aich, who turned 100 on Sunday has said that happiness and a life without tensions are the keys to his longevity. Mr Aich, who is 4 foot 11 inches tall, overcame many hurdles, including grinding poverty and a stint in prison, to achieve body building glory. Rippling his muscles and flashing a toothless grin, Mr Aich says his ability to take his troubles lightly and remain happy during difficult times are the secrets to his long life. That, and a simple diet of milk, fruits and vegetables along with rice, lentils and fish have kept him healthy.



“I never allow any sort of tension to grip me. I had to struggle to earn money since my young days, but whatever the situation, I remained happy,” Mr Aich said. Mr Aich, who was born in the small town of Comilla in Bengal, was a puny youngster. But he was attracted to exercising and building his muscles when as a schoolboy he saw a group of wrestlers in action. After leaving school in 1942, he joined the Royal air force under India’s British colonial rulers and it was there that he began his relentless pursuit of body building. Encouraged by a British officer named Reub Martin, who introduced him to weight training, Mr Aich earned praise for his physique from his peers in the air force.

Some years later, however, he was thrown into prison when he protested against colonial oppression. “It was in the jail that I began weight training seriously. This helped me prepare myself for the world championship,” he said. “In jail I used to practice on my own, without any equipment, sometimes for 12 hours in a day,” he recalled. But the jail authorities were impressed with his perseverance and he was given a special diet to help build his stamina. India’s independence in 1947 led to Mr Aich’s release from jail. Dogged by poverty, Mr. Aich and his wife struggled to put their four children through school. There was little cash to indulge his passion for body building, but Mr. Aich took up odd jobs to earn a little on the side.


YouTube link.

In 1951, Mr Aich came second in the contest, and stayed on in London to prepare for another shot at the title. He returned to India after winning the title in 1952. What followed were a host of awards, including top positions in Asian Body building Championships. Over the years, he also earned the more popular title of “Pocket Hercules” due to his 4 foot 11 inch frame. Six decades later, Mr. Aich helps his sons run a gym and fitness centre and spends his days guiding juvenile hopefuls to reach the heights of body building that he did. A minor stroke last year has robbed him of the ability to lift weights, but he keeps a watchful eye on young body builders training in his gym.