Born: October 20, 1935 – Govindpura, Punjab (now in Pakistan)
Known For: One of India’s greatest track athletes
Nickname: The Flying Sikh (given by Pakistani General Ayub Khan)
Story:
Milkha Singh’s early life was marked by tragedy and turmoil. He lost his parents during the Partition of India in 1947 and fled to India as a teenage refugee, barefoot, traumatized, and directionless. He even considered joining gangs for survival.
But fate had other plans.
He joined the Indian Army, where his talent for running was discovered. With sheer determination and grueling self-discipline, Milkha Singh transformed from a refugee into a national icon in athletics.
He trained relentlessly—sometimes running 10 km with weights on his ankles, sometimes racing against a train.
Achievements:
- Gold medals at 1958 Asian Games (200m & 400m)
- Gold medal at 1958 Commonwealth Games – first Indian male to win an individual gold in Commonwealth history
- Represented India in 1956, 1960, and 1964 Olympics
- Finished 4th in the 400m final at the 1960 Rome Olympics, missing bronze by just 0.1 seconds — still one of India’s greatest Olympic performances
Famous Quote:
“Hard work, willpower, and dedication — that’s all you need to succeed.”
Legacy:
Milkha Singh’s story is not just about speed—it’s about resilience, national pride, and turning pain into power. He remains an eternal source of inspiration for athletes and youth across the globe.
His life was immortalized in the film “Bhaag Milkha Bhaag” starring Farhan Akhtar.
