India’s best athlete Milkha Singh, popularly known as ‘Flying Sikh’, died late last night. Milkha Singh, 91, was admitted to the hospital after falling ill with Corona. Although his report came negative on Thursday, but due to his critical condition, he left his life. After Milkha Singh, no athlete in India’s sports history has been more successful than him. From the country’s first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru to the then President of Pakistan, Field Marshal Ayub Khan, everyone was a big fan of Milkha’s talent.
Milkha Singh was born on 20 November 1929 in Govindpura (now part of Pakistan) in a Sikh family. His childhood went through a very difficult period. Milkha Singh lost his parents and several siblings in the riots that followed the partition of India. He had a passion for running since childhood. He used to run 10 kilometers from his home to school and school to home.
Abdul Khaliq’s name was very famous in athletics in Pakistan at that time. He was considered the fastest runner there. Here Milkha Singh was competing with him. In this race with Abdul Khaliq, the situation was against Milkha and the whole stadium was raising the spirit of his hero but Khalik could not stand in front of Milkha’s speed. After the race, the then President of Pakistan Field Marshal Ayub Khan named Milkha Singh as ‘Flying Sikh’ and said ‘Aaj Tum Rade Nahi Ude Ho’. That’s why we give you the title of Flying Sikh. Since then, he has become famous all over the world by this name. For his incomparable contribution to sports, the Government of India has honored him with the Padma Shri, India’s fourth highest honor.
