Former Mr Universe, Manohar Aich passed away at his home in Kolkata at the young age of 104. Survived by four children, his family said the centenarian died of age-related "complications". Aich was the first Indian to become Mr Universe, in 1952. He began his career as a stunt man performing with a famous magician and was known to entertain the audience by bending steel with his teeth or resting his body on swords. He earned the name 'Pocket Hercules' after clinching the title in the group 3 (short) category. The bodybuilding champion has three gold medals to his name, won at the Asian Games.
"The word 'fitness' will always be associated with him," said Bishnu Aich, his son, who runs a gymnasium. "My father would always emphasise on mental fitness and then physical fitness. He never liked the modern trend where people rush to gyms just to pump up their muscles. His was a very simple philosophy – keep your mind strong. If there was someone who epitomised motivation, it was him."
Aich's tryst with bodybuilding began in 1942, when he joined the Royal Air Force as a physical instructor. An outspoken simpleton, Manohar Aich lived a life of no regrets.
