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India’s first Mr. Universe, Manohar Aich, turns 100
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Yesterday marked the 100th birthday of Manohar Aich, India's first Mr. Universe. Aich's children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren gathered in the city of Kolkata to celebrate his long life. Hindu priests chanted prayers for him. A feast was laid out in his honour.
Just 150 centimetres (4-feet-11-inches) tall, Aich won the bodybuilding championship in 1952 and became one of the shortest Mr. Universe title-holders in history. And now Aich, affectionately nicknamed "Pocket Hercules," is sharing some simple secrets to a long life, the Associated Press reports.
"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," Aich said.
Along with a positive attitude, Aich credits his healthy longevity to a simple diet of milk, fruits, vegetables, rice, lentils and fish. He also says he's never smoked, nor does he drink alcohol.
Aich was first introduced to bodybuilding by a British officer during a stint in the Royal Air Force. A few years later, Aich was thrown into prison for protesting colonial oppression. Behind bards, Aich started training vigorously, impressing the guards with his regime enough to get a special meal plan to help with his fitness goals.
"It was in the jail that I began weight training seriously. This helped me prepare myself for the world championship," said Aich.
"In jail I used to practice on my own, without any equipment, sometimes for 12 hours in a day."
Aich was released from jail in 1947. In 1950, he won a Mr. Hercules contest. By 1952, he was Mr. Universe.
"I didn't become rich. There is not much money in bodybuilding," he told the Indian Express newspaper. "But there is respect. And for that, I wouldn't mind being a bodybuilder in my next life as well."
Six decades after his Mr. Universe win, Aich is still at the gym: he helps his sons run a fitness centre training young bodybuilders.
"These youngsters want the easy way out these days," Aich said. "They don't have the time and energy to go through the drills in an old-style gymnasium. They don't worship their body."
His only listed regret? Not meeting Arnold Schwarzenegger.
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