India's first Mr Universe dies at 104

India's first Mr Universe and celebrated bodybuilder Manohar Aich, popularly known as "Pocket Hercules," has died at the age of 104.

Aich died of age-related health complications at his home in the eastern Indian state of West Bengal's capital Kolkata Sunday, his family told the media.

He was the first Indian to get Mr Universe title in 1952, nearly five years after the country got independence from Britain.

At the age of 36, Aich won the Mr Hercules contest in 1950 and was soon given the name "Pocket Hercules" due to his four feet, 11 inch frame.

Born in Comilla district, which now falls in Bangladesh, Aich started his career as a stunt man performing with a famous magician and joined the Royal Indian Air Force in 1942.

He soon took up bodybuilding, encouraged by British officer Reub Martin and kept his fitness regime till recently. "If you exercise daily you won't fall ill," were his golden words.

West Bengal's Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has said that Aich' s death had "ended a historic era." "He made us proud," she added.

(APD)