Calcutta: Former Mr Universe Manohar Aich passed away on Sunday, following old age-related health complications. He breathed his last at his Baguiati home at around 2.30 pm. He was 104. 

Aich is survived by two sons and two daughters. “He was very ill for the last few days,” his son Manoj said.

He won the Mr Universe title in 1952, and was called ‘Pocket Hercules’ due to his short — four feet, 11 inches  — frame.
In 1950, at the age of 36, Aich won the Mr Hercules contest.

In 1951 he had finished second in the Mr Universe contest. 

But he stayed back in London to give it another shot in the Pro-Short division of the contest. He eventually won it a year later. 

Later, he also went on to win gold medals in Asian Body Building Championships.

Born in Comilla district, now in Bangladesh, he joined the Royal Indian Air Force in 1942.

He dabbled in politics contesting Lok Sabha elections on a BJP ticket in the 1990s.

Former Bengal cricket captain Laxmi Ratan Shukla, who is minister of state for sports, visited Aich’s residence to offer his condolence. 

On Sunday evening, Aich’s body was donated to RG Kar Hospital.