KOLKATA 17-Mar-2013 991
It was a special day for famous bodybuilder Manohar Aich who completed 100 years today, inspiring generations while mastering the sport of bodybuilding. Fondly called `Pocket Hercules’ for his 4feet 11 inch frame, Aich has been witness to many tumultuous events in the 100 years of his life.
He actively participated in the Quit India Movement and remembered Bengal`s longest-serving Chief Minister Jyoti Basu being elected to the Assembly for the first time in 1952 -- incidentally the same year he won the Mr Universe (Group III) Championship. So what`s the secret of his long innings? "Simple. It`s all about staying happy," Aich said with a smile, and was quick to add his old mantra: "Panta bhater jal, dui jawaner bol (the water of fermented rice can make one strong like that of two macho men)."
However, with advanced age Aich had to abandon his favourite fermented rice in favour of a two-meal diet these days with rice and pulses in lunch and rice and milk at dinner. "Today being special, he also had fish -- the fresh water ones he likes the most," son Manoj said.
People flocked to his Baguiati residence since morning, but he did not disappoint anyone as he obliged everybody and even cut a customary cake for the special day. Bodybuilding happened to Aich by sheer coincidence. He slapped a British officer for an offensive remark during the Quit India Movement, he recalled and said, "It was in the jail that I got fascinated by weights and bodybuilding became his first love since then."
In 1950, at the age of 37, Aich won the Mr Hercules contest and the next year he finished runner-up at the coveted Mr Universe contest. "I was determined to win the next year, so I stayed back in England and trained hard to win the event as a 40-year old. The Rail paid for my ticket back home," he said.
Aich no longer lifts weights but he does light training for about 15 minutes a day to stay healthy. "It (bodybuilding) has kept me healthy for 100 years, how can I stop that? Given a choice, I would want to become a bodybuilder in my next life as well," he signed off.
