<p>A former Mr Universe who has just turned 100 said on Sunday that happiness and a life without tensions are the key to his longevity.<br /><br /></p>.<p>Manohar Aich, who is 4 foot 11 inches (150 centimetres) tall, overcame many hurdles, including grinding poverty and a stint in prison, to achieve body building glory.<br /><br />His children, grandchildren and great grandchildren gathered on Sunday in the eastern city of Kolkata to celebrate his birthday, the day before.<br /><br />Hindu priests chanted prayers while a feast was laid out to honour Aich, winner of the 1952 Mr Universe body building title.<br /><br />Rippling his muscles and flashing a toothless grin, Aich says his ability to take his troubles lightly and remain happy during difficult times are the secrets to his long life.<br /><br />That, and a simple diet of milk, fruits and vegetables along with rice, lentils and fish have kept him healthy.<br /><br />“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, sitting in a room decorated with posters and pictures of his many bodybuilding triumphs.<br /><br />Aich, who was born in the small town of Comilla district, now in Bangladesh, 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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />Some years later, however, he was thrown into prison when he protested against colonial oppression.<br /><br />“It was in the jail that I began weight training seriously. This helped me prepare myself for the world championship,” said Aich.<br /><br />Over the years, he also earned the more popular title of “Pocket Hercules.”</p>
<p>A former Mr Universe who has just turned 100 said on Sunday that happiness and a life without tensions are the key to his longevity.<br /><br /></p>.<p>Manohar Aich, who is 4 foot 11 inches (150 centimetres) tall, overcame many hurdles, including grinding poverty and a stint in prison, to achieve body building glory.<br /><br />His children, grandchildren and great grandchildren gathered on Sunday in the eastern city of Kolkata to celebrate his birthday, the day before.<br /><br />Hindu priests chanted prayers while a feast was laid out to honour Aich, winner of the 1952 Mr Universe body building title.<br /><br />Rippling his muscles and flashing a toothless grin, Aich says his ability to take his troubles lightly and remain happy during difficult times are the secrets to his long life.<br /><br />That, and a simple diet of milk, fruits and vegetables along with rice, lentils and fish have kept him healthy.<br /><br />“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, sitting in a room decorated with posters and pictures of his many bodybuilding triumphs.<br /><br />Aich, who was born in the small town of Comilla district, now in Bangladesh, 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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />Some years later, however, he was thrown into prison when he protested against colonial oppression.<br /><br />“It was in the jail that I began weight training seriously. This helped me prepare myself for the world championship,” said Aich.<br /><br />Over the years, he also earned the more popular title of “Pocket Hercules.”</p>
