A tribute to ‘The Flying Sikh’
Sports
Legendary sprinter Milkha Singh succumbed to death on Friday night after fighting a long battle with Covid-19.
Let’s take a look back at the life and accolades of this legendary icon, one of India’s greatest athletes — a story of guts and glory.
Early life
Milkha Singh was born into a Sikh Rathore family in Govindpura, Muzaffargarh, Punjab province of Pakistan, in the year 1932. He was orphaned during the Partition of India when his parents were killed by mobs in the violence that ensued. He witnessed these killings and became disillusioned with his life at a tender age.
The fuel that inspired Milkha
Singh attempted recruitment in the Army but was rejected thrice. He was finally able to join the army’s electrical mechanical engineering branch in 1952. His sheer determination and motivation to earn ‘an extravagant glass of milk and two eggs’ introduced him to the sport of ‘track and field’ which eventually gave him the purpose of his life. Singh’s perseverance led him to become one of India’s most celebrated athletes.
The race that created history
Milkha Singh raced into the hearts of Indians when he won India’s first individual gold medal at the Commonwealth Games back in 1958 in Wales, a record that stayed with him for over five decades. As a reward for his achievement, then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru declared a national holiday to congratulate him.
Stellar accolades
- It was the Indo-Pak race held in Pakistan where Milkha was christened the title “The Flying Sikh” as he defeated Abdul Khaliq — the winner of 100m gold at the 1958 Tokyo Asian Games
- Gold in 1958 Asian Games in 200 m
- Gold in 1958 Asian Games in 400 m
- Gold in 1958 Commonwealth Games in 440 yards
- Padma Shri Awardee in 1959
- Silver in 1964 Calcutta National Games in 400 m
Fame and humility
The Race of My Life is the stirring autobiography of Milkha Singh, an insight into the thought and efforts of simple beginnings and numerous victories. The Bollywood film Bhaag Milkha Bhaag is based on the book. The tragic experiences of Singh’s past stay with him, as is evident from his biopic. He was often reminded of his father’s last words “Bhaag Milkha, Bhaag”.
Singh sold his biographical movie’s rights for one rupee after ensuring that a portion of all the profits earned would go to the Milkha Singh Charitable Trust to assist needy sportspersons.
Singh’s dream: Madame Tussauds Wax statue
“Everybody has to die one day, but this gesture of Madame Tussauds has increased my life and now I will live for another couple of years” ~ Milkha Singh
The colossal athlete is among the fifty famous personalities from various walks of life whose wax figure is displayed in the 23rd museum of the world-famous Madame Tussauds in New Delhi. The statue, sculpted in a spectacular sprint pose, was chosen from his victorious win at the 1958 Commonwealth Games.
Last wish
With more than 77 international race wins to his name and a successful Bollywood film made of his life story, the Flying Sikh still had one outstanding ambition. Milkha Singh always regretted the fact that no Indian athlete had ever won a gold in Olympics in the 400m event and the one in which he missed the bronze by a whisker (in the Rome Olympics). His last wish was to see a youngster win gold in athletics in the Olympics!
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