KOLKATA, India - A former Mr. Universe who has just turned 100 said Sunday that happiness and a life without tensions are the key to his longevity. <\/p>\n
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. <\/p>\n
His children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren gathered Sunday in the eastern city of Kolkata to celebrate his birthday the day before. <\/p>\n
Hindu priests chanted prayers while a feast was laid out to honour Aich, winner of the 1952 Mr. Universe body building title. <\/p>\n
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. <\/p>\n
That, and a simple diet of milk, fruits and vegetables along with rice, lentils and fish have kept him healthy. <\/p>\n
He does not smoke and has never touched alcohol, he said. <\/p>\n
\"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. <\/p>\n
Aich, who was born in the small town of Comilla in Bengal, 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. <\/p>\n
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. <\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Continued here: KOLKATA, India - A former Mr. Universe who has just turned 100 said Sunday that happiness and a life without tensions are the key to his longevity. 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 Continue reading
\nIndia's former Mr. Universe turns 100, says happiness, stress-free life key to his longevity<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"