Meet Manohar Aich, the 102-year-old Pocket Hercules from Kolkata
Manohar Aich is India's Hercules. India's first Mr Universe, he trains and mentors young bodybuilders. Fascinatingly, the 102-year-old still trains like a young man.
Manohar Aich was born on March 17, 1914. He became India's first Mr Universe when he won the 1952 NABBA (National Amateur Body-Builders' Association) Universe Championships.
At just 4 foot 11 inches, Aich, fondly known as "Pocket Hercules", is still the man who'll leave you awestruck because age hasn't stopped him from pushing his limits.
Born in Comilla District which is now in Bangladesh, Aich became interested in bodybuilding as a child. After leaving school, he joined the Royal Air Force in 1942 where he started to train even harder.
After a few years, he was jailed for protesting against a British officer and it was in jail that he started to train laboriously. He was released from prison in 1947 when India got its Independence.
What is the secret behind those muscles at this age? Hard work? Yes, but Aich believes never smoking or drinking played a big part too. Never taking life seriously and not allowing troubles and tensions to rough you up will also help you lead a healthy life, says the veteran who lives in Kolkata.
Manohar Aich, who now trains and mentors the new generation, still cannot stay away from a gym. Given his age, the Pocket Hercules cannot lift weights but he puts in time to train new kids at the gym.
In his free time he likes to watch Arnold Schwarzenegger movies. Arnold himself won five Mr Universe titles and seven Mr Olympia titles before retiring.
If you think waking up early to hit the gym is a problem, then you need to see Manohar Aich for inspiration.
