Introduction
Milkha Singh Biography: Milkha Singh was a famous Indian sprinter born on November 20, 1929, and he left us on June 18, 2021. He was introduced to running while serving in the Indian Army and went on to achieve incredible feats in the world of track and field.
Milkha Singh holds a unique place in sports history as the only athlete to win gold in the 400 meters at both the Asian Games and the Commonwealth Games. His remarkable career saw him representing India in the 1956 Summer Olympics in Melbourne, the 1960 Summer Olympics in Rome, and the 1964 Summer Olympics in Tokyo.
One of the most memorable moments of his career was his participation in the 1960 Olympic Games, where he narrowly missed a medal, finishing in fourth place. His incredible speed and determination in the 400-meter final made it a historic race, and his time of 45.73 seconds remained India’s national record for nearly 40 years.
Born into challenging circumstances during the Partition of India, Milkha Singh’s journey from adversity to becoming a national hero is a true inspiration. His outstanding contributions to Indian athletics earned him the prestigious Padma Shri, one of India’s highest civilian honors.
Early Life and Struggles
Milkha Singh, the famous athlete, had a tough start in life. He was born on November 20, 1929, in a village called Govindpura, which was in India back then. He had a big family with 15 siblings, but sadly, eight of them died before things got even harder.
When India went through a big change called the Partition, things got tough for Milkha. During this time, his parents, a brother, and two sisters were killed in some very bad fighting between people in his village and Muslims who wanted them to change their beliefs. Milkha saw all of this happen, and it was unfortunate and scary.
To get away from all the fighting, Milkha and his family moved to Delhi, India, in 1947. Life in Delhi was not easy either. He even got into trouble for not having a train ticket and ended up in jail for a little while. Luckily, his sister Ishvar sold some of her jewelry to get him out.
In Delhi, Milkha lived in a refugee camp and later in a place called Shahdara. Life was hard, and he even thought about becoming a bad person (called a dacoit). But his brother Malkhan convinced him to try something better.
In 1951, after trying a few times, Milkha finally got into the Indian Army. While he was in the army, he got a chance to do running. He was good at it because when he was a kid, he used to run 10 kilometers to and from school every day. The army noticed his talent and gave him special training in running.
So, Milkha Singh’s early life was full of tough times, but it was also when he discovered his love for running, which would eventually make him a famous athlete.
Quick Information
Real Name: Milkha Singh
Nickname: The Flying Sikh
Date of Birth: 20 November 1929
Birth Place: Govindpuri, Muzaffargarh, Punjab, British India (now in Pakistan)
Date of Death: 18 June 2021
Place of Death: Pgimer, Chandigarh
Age: 91 years at the time of death
Cause of Death: COVID-19
Height: 5 ft.10 inch / 178 cm.
Weight: 70 Kg. / 154 Lbs.
Nationality: Indian
Religion: Sikhism
Zodiac Sign: Scorpio
Marital Status: Married
Wife/Spouse: Nirmal Saini (M. 1963; Died 2021).
Parents:
- Father – N/A
- Mother – N/A
Children:
- Son- Jeev Milka Singh (Golfer)
- Daughters- Sonia Sanwalka
Home Town: 725, Sector 8 B, Chandigarh
School: A Village School in Pakistan
College/University: N/A
Academic Qualification: 5th Standard in Village School of Pakistan
Employer: Retired Indian Army and Government of Punjab, India
Profession: Athlete
International Debut: Melbourne Olympic (1956)
Coach/Mentor: Gurdev Singh, Charles Jenkins, Dr. Arthur W. Howard
Records/Awards/Honors:
- Gold Medal at the 1958 Asian Games – 200 m.
- Gold Medal at the 1958 Asian Games – 400 m.
- Gold Medal at the 1958 Common Wealth Games – 440 yards.
- Honored with Padma Shri in 1959.
- Gold Medal at the 1962 Asian Games – 400 m.
- Gold Medal at the 1962 Asian Games – 4 x 400 m. relay.
- Silver Medal at the 1964 Calcutta National Games – 400 m.
Hobbies: Playing Golf, Walking, Work Out
Net Worth (approx.): $2.5 million (as of 2012)
The Inspiring Journey to Becoming an Athlete
Milkha Singh’s journey to becoming a famous athlete is truly amazing. He started as a boy facing many difficulties, but he worked hard and never gave up, which led him to become one of India’s most loved sports stars.
When India went through some very tough times called the Partition in 1947, Milkha and his family moved to Delhi for safety. Life in Delhi was very hard, and he even got into trouble for not having a train ticket. At one point, he thought about doing bad things, but his brother Malkhan convinced him to try something better.
In 1951, Milkha finally got into the Indian Army after trying for a while. While he was in the army, he discovered that he was good at running. He used to run 10 kilometers to and from school when he was a child, and that helped him become a great runner without even knowing it.
The army saw his talent and gave him special training for running. This was a big turning point in his life. He once said, “I came from a small village, and I didn’t even know what running in the Olympics was.”
Milkha Singh’s journey from a young boy facing hard times to a rising athlete shows us that with hard work and determination, we can achieve great things, no matter where we start in life.
Olympic Journey and Heartbreaking Story at Rome
Milkha Singh’s Olympic adventure had both happy and sad moments. He got to go to the Olympics, which was like a dream for him. But there was also a very sad part that made him feel very bad.
First, in 1956 at the Melbourne Olympics, Milkha didn’t win a medal, but he did well and made India proud. It was a big deal for him.
Then, in 1960, at the Rome Olympics, something very sad happened. Milkha was in the 400-meter race, and for most of the race, it looked like he was going to win the gold medal. But just before the finish line, he slowed down, and other runners passed him. In the end, he came in fourth place.
This was very heartbreaking for Milkha and India. He was so close to winning, but it didn’t happen. His time of 45.73 seconds was a record for India for a very long time.
The Rome Olympics had both good and bad moments for Milkha. He didn’t get the gold, but he became famous and showed that he could compete with the best in the world. This made him a hero and showed that even when things don’t go the way you want, you can still be strong and keep going.
Milkha Singh’s Success at the Asian Games
Milkha Singh’s incredible talent and never-give-up attitude shone brightly at the Asian Games. He made history by being the first Indian athlete to win gold medals in the 400-meter race, a super-fast sprint.
In 1958, at the Asian Games in Tokyo, Milkha did something amazing. He not only won the gold medal in the 400 meters but also set new records. This showed how fast he could run, and it made India proud.
Four years later, at the 1962 Asian Games in Jakarta, Milkha did it again. He won the gold medal in the 400 meters once more. His hard work and determination inspired many athletes in India.
Milkha Singh’s wins at the Asian Games not only made him famous but also made India known in the world of sports. His gold medals are something India is very proud of, and they show how great he was at running.
Bollywood’s Tribute: “Bhaag Milkha Bhaag” Movie
Milkha Singh’s amazing life story inspired not only athletes but also Bollywood, India’s film industry. In 2013, they made a movie called “Bhaag Milkha Bhaag” to honor him.
The movie, directed by Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra, tells the story of Milkha Singh’s life from when he was a little boy facing difficulties to becoming a famous athlete. Actor Farhan Akhtar played the role of Milkha Singh, and he did a great job, earning praise from many people.
“Bhaag Milkha Bhaag” didn’t just show Milkha’s running achievements; it also talked about the hard times he faced, like when he lost his family during the Partition. The movie showed how he never gave up and kept working hard to become the best.
The movie’s title means “Run Milkha Run,” which was like a cheer for Milkha Singh’s running. It became very popular and was loved by people all over India and even outside India. The movie made sure that Milkha Singh’s story would never be forgotten and celebrated his incredible spirit.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is Milkha Singh’s most significant achievement?
Milkha Singh’s gold medal wins in the 200-meter and 400-meter races at the 1958 Asian Games are considered his most significant achievements.
Was a movie made about Milkha Singh’s life?
Yes, a Bollywood movie titled “Bhaag Milkha Bhaag” was made, depicting the inspiring story of Milkha Singh.
Did Milkha Singh ever win an Olympic medal?
Unfortunately, Milkha Singh came close but did not win an Olympic medal. He reached the finals at the 1960 Rome Olympics but finished fourth.
What impact did Milkha Singh have on Indian athletics?
Milkha Singh’s success inspired countless young athletes in India to pursue careers in sports and strive for excellence.
How can Milkha Singh’s life story motivate us in our daily lives?
Milkha Singh’s life teaches us that with determination, hard work, and resilience, we can overcome even the most challenging obstacles in our path.
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