Monotosh Roy

Monotosh Roy মনতোষ রায়
Born	(1916-10-21)21 October 1916 Gajaria,Dacca,Bengal Presidency,British India
Died	29 June 2004(2004-06-29)(aged 87) Kolkata,West Bengal,India
Nationality	Indian
Occupation	Body Builder
Children	Moloy Roy(son)
Parent	Rasik Lal Roy

Monotosh Roy(Bengali:মনতোষ রায়;21 October 1916– 29 June 2004) was an Indian bodybuilder, who held theMr. Universetitle in Group III Amateur Division in 1951.Roy was the first Indian and Asian to be awarded the Mr. Universe title.

Early life

Roy was born in Gajaria village in Dhaka district, on the banks ofMeghna river.In his childhood, Roy had to struggle against poverty. He attended anEnglish-mediummiddle school. He began exercising at the age of 12. He consideredBishnu Charan Ghoshto be his guru. He would always keep a photo of Bishnu Charan Ghosh in front of him. One day Bishnu Charan Ghosh saw him working out and accepted him as his pupil.

Career

In 1939, he competed in his first bodybuilding competition, but did not fare well. He resolved for success and engaged himself in further practice. In 1939, he won the East Indian Bodybuilding Championship.In 1947, he won the All India Bodybuilding Championship.

In 1951, Roy travelled to the United Kingdom and participated in the Mr. Universe competition. He won the Mr. Universe title in Group III Amateur Division category. The audience at the competition were mesmerised by his muscle display. They queued up for his autograph and even waited up to two and half hours for his autograph. Following his victory at the Mr. Universe competition, he was felicitated at the India House by the Indian High Commissioner.

After his return to India he acted as a trainer in many physical culture clubs. He used to train fitness and yoga to celebrities. He founded the Indian Bodybuilding Federation in 1958.He was also the founding member of Asian Bodybuilding Federation. He also taught at theCalcutta Universityand the Law College.He became a featured columnist in periodicals on health and fitness. He also wrote a few books on Yoga. He conducted bodybuilding programmes that were telecast in theDoordarshan.He set up several bodybuilding andyogacentres inKolkata.

Later life

In 1998, he set up a multigym near his home inKolkata.In his later years he became bed ridden.Roy died in 2004 following a cardiac arrest.

Legacy

After his death his multigym is run by his sonMoloy Roy,a recipient of theArjuna Awardand eight time Mr. India. After his death the Sports Minister and PWD Minister visited his residence and promised them to rename the Barrackpore Trunk Road after him.