Friday, 18th June, 2021. It was 11.30 PM when the first individual Indian gold medalist in British Empire & Commonwealth Games and ace sprinter Captain Milkha Singh passed away…
The news is floating around and storming the whole world in tears since last night. Milkha Singh, the brave soldier of Indian Army, fought against the COVID 19 with bravery but he left us all in tears when he took in last breath at PGIMER at the age of 91 years. His wife Nirmal Kaur, the former captain of Indian Volleyball team, died just before 5 days due to the same reason.
Milkha Singh was struggling with his health condition since one month and his condition was very critical. Decreasing Oxygen levels and fever made the situation even worse. Our beloved “flying Sikh” and Honorary Captain in Indian Army is survived by his son Jeev Milkha Singh and three daughters. Jeev Milkha Singh is a celebrated international golf player.
He bagged 4 Gold Medals in Asian games in 1958 and 1962 in Jakarta and Tokyo respectively in his kitty. He also stood in the podium as a Gold Medalist in 1958 British Empire & Commonwealth Games held in Cardiff where Milkha Singh set a record of 46.6 seconds, beating then world record holder Malcom Spence.
The title “Flying Singh” was awarded to him by General Ayub Khan, then president of Pakistan where General Ayub Khan witnessed his success in one on one challenge with then Pakistan’s best sprinter Abul Khaliq in Lahore. He missed the Olympic Bronze Medal just by 1 second.
For his achievements Milkha Singh was awarded “Padma Shri” award by the President of India in 1959. Also, he was promoted to Junior Commissioned Officer from Sepoy in Indian Army for recognizing his achievements during the Asian Games held in Jakarta in 1958. Later on Punjab Government employed him as the Director of Sports Education, under the Ministry of Education.
The demise of torch bearer of track and field sports in India has left sports lovers and devotees of Indian Army has saddened in the deep of their heard globally. Although he has left this mortal world but his legacy will always shine and encourage everyone. His livelihood and hunger for achieving the goals will guide the athletes and other sporting persons for many upcoming decades.
A Bollywood movie based on his track and field career and personal life was released, named – Bhag Milkha Bhag. The movie was a blockbuster hit with theatrical earning over 100 Crores.
Just after his demise, people in India and around the globe are paying the tribute to this legendary sports personality including PM, Home Minister, Sachin Tendulkar, Saurav Ganguly, and P. T. Usha etc. Punjab Government has declared one day mourn in the respect of Captain Milkha Singh as well as an Official State Funeral. Famous Bollywood personalities too have paid their condolences such as Amitabh Bachhan and Shahrukh Khan Etc.
His family migrated from Pakistan to India after the partition and he faced many hurdles in his early life. But he countered these hurdles and became a successful track and field champion. His life will surely inspire us.
