The Flying Sikh: Milkha Singh

Milkha Singh, the sprinter who hoisted the Indian flag in athletics, was not just called a flying Sikh. Although Milkha won many medals for India, people still remember his medal in Rome Olympics. Milkha Singh was born on 20 November 1929 in a Sikh Rathore family in Punjab, undivided India. He was one of the total 15 children of his parents, many of his siblings died in childhood. Milkha Singh lost his parents and siblings in the riots that followed the partition of India. Eventually, he came to Delhi from Pakistan by train as a refugee. In Delhi, he stayed at his married sister's house for a few days. After living in refugee camps for some time, Milkha Singh lost his parents in the chaos that followed the partition of India. He came to India from Pakistan by train as a refugee. After such a terrible childhood he decided to do something in his life. Having gained a reputation as a promising sprinter, he successfully ran the 200mand 400m, thus becoming India's most successful sprinter ever, for some time he was also the world record holder of 400 meters. In the race, Milkha Singh easily defeated his rivals and won easily.

Milkha Singh participated in an international athlete event held in Pakistan. He defeated Abdul Khaliq, here Milkha created history by defeating Abdul. After this victory, the then president of Pakistan Field Marshal Ayub Khan honored him with the title of 'Flying Singh'. More people mourned the loss at the Rome Olympics than the historic victory at the 1958 commonwealth games. Milkha Singh's name was unknown during this Olympics. But a simple boy from Punjab created history by defeating Malcolm Spence of South Africa without any special training. Milkha won independent India's first gold medal at the commonwealth games. Milkha had said, my father asked me for help and so I boarded a train from Kot Addu to Multan. The train was full of blood from the earlier journey and I hid in the ladies compartment and urged some ladies not to tell the rioters. Later went to Firozpur, India in a military truck with my brother's wife. There I used to polish the shoes of soldiers to earn money. Joining the army was the biggest decision of Milkha Singh. The decision changed his entire life, and a cross-country race laid the foundation for his impressive career. More than 400 soldiers were involved in this race and they got sixth place in it.

By: Srishti Rathod

Content: https://www.dawn.com/news/1630294