Milkha Singh lived a full life, literally. Easily the most emotional name which resonates even today with sporting fans in India and abroad, the lion-hearted Sardar, often referred to as the ‘Flying Sikh’ did not win an Olympic medal. Yet, the legacy he left behind in the 400 metres can never be erased.
There are many emotional stories on Milkha. What will always be remembered is how he had to struggle in life to become the icon he was. To have lived for 91 years, the first image of Milkha, even in his 80s was a man dressed so smartly. Unlike today’s superstars who dress in casuals, Milkha loved turning up in formals, his tie, blazer and turban an instant attraction.
For those who think Milkha began running on the track because of early life trauma, when he fled from Pakistan, that story is not true. Horror stories from Pakistan when people fled from across the border and came to India are well-known. If one man came to India to save his own life, he shone like a beacon till the end. That’s the lasting legacy of Milkha, who still remains relevant in Indian sporting history, despite not having won an Olympic medal.
This writer was fortunate to have interacted with Milkha several times, in the late 80s and 90s. Each time, Milkha had a new and inspiring story to tell. One story which will always remain evergreen is his training ways. There was no method in it. Run, run, run, many times bare feet, till he was exhausted to a point of death. He would throw up, still, Milkha never gave up. Why did he do such things, in the first place? Well, that’s Milkha, who ran even on the tarmac of Raj Path, now renamed Kartavya Path in New Delhi, where the famous Republic Day parade takes place every year on January 26.
A former colleague of mine, also a runner in his youth, Norris Pritam, has shared many nuggets on Milkha as to how youngsters liked to run with Milkha. No, they were not pace setters, but simply loved to be alongside the genial Milkha, who was such a massive inspiration.
In tennis we hear of GOAT (Greatest Of All Time) debates, so often. And if you have such a perverse debate in Indian athletics, there are 95 per cent chances Neeraj Chopra of Tokyo Olympics gold fame will be ranked No.1. First of all, when on views Indian athletics from the prism of performance and not medals, some names will rank high up there.
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Agreed, Milkha never won an Olympic medal, though his performances in the 1956, 1960 and 1964 Olympics, in Melbourne, Rome and Tokyo were fearsome. The 400 metres event is very different, in track events. Even today, it is considered to be a tactical race, and well nuanced. Like PT Usha missing bronze by a whisker in 1984 at the LA Olympics in 400m hurdles, Milkha finishing fourth in the 400m in the 1960 Olympics was his best. It was very clear, the first 200 metres, Milkha led the race, then dropped back.
Maybe, had India been able to provide Milkha with the best coach, he would have been an Olympic medal winner. There is no point feeling sad about it, really. When the Flying Sikh fled to India during partition, he did not even have money to buy a train ticket, goes the story. Then again, it was after much persuasion, Milkha was coaxed into running for India. How he got the title Flying Sikh is not important. Yes, he flew on the track, and in life, at large, he was always in race mode.
Much later, he slowed down, before falling a victim to the Covid pandemic in 2021. Till then, each day Milkha lived, he was an inspiration. For today’s generation, the movie, “Bhaag Milkha Bhaag” is a must watch. There are some factual ‘flaws’ in it, but if one wants to get a fair idea about Milkha the icon, the hero, Farhan Akhtar did a good job. That is why the movie did well in theatres and is still available on online platforms.
To be sure, Milkha inspired many. He lived in Chandigarh with wife Nirmal, and the couple doted each other. Like a true love story, Milkha passed away just a few days after Nirmal had departed. There are still many memories of Milkha the legend available, if one does a deep dive.
Then again, how does one forget how Milkha Singh nurtured and encourages his son Jeev Milkha Singh to become a top golfer. Milkha never minded it when some said, his son had become more famous. Where Milkha was adamant, at times, was that his 400m record could never be broken. It stood for decades, before quarter miler Paramjit Singh broke it. Milkha was not convinced his record had been broken, but to drag any controversy into this piece would be very unfair.
As Indian athletes head into the Paris Olympics with hope in heart, they must recall what and how Milkha did to run so superbly in three Olympics. Longevity, passion and “junoon” as they say in Hindi, that defined Milkha Singh. One pet line from each conversation with folks, the legend would start with “Main Milkha” in Hindi which translated to “I Milkha”. No, he was not obsessed with himself, it was a mannerism. Flying Sikh, after all.
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