Sports
How Milkha Singh Became The Flying Sikh
by ANUJA JAISWAL
While everyone knows who the 'Flying Sikh' is, many wouldn't be aware that the veteran Olympian, Milkha Singh, got this name in Pakistan in 1960 at a track event that he never wanted to contest.
"I didn't want to go to Pakistan to attend the games as my parents were killed there during the riots after Partition. However, I was persuaded by the then Prime Minister to go," said the veteran athlete, adding that it was there he got the title of "Flying Sikh' after he defeated the Pakistan champion Abdul Khaliq in the 200-metre race.
Addressing a gathering here today after receiving the Award of Excellence at a function organised by the Rotary District 3080, an emotional Milkha Singh said: "[The PM] told me to bury the past and go to Pakistan ... [He] felt that since Pakistan had extended an invitation for the event in a spirit of friendship, it was imperative that I represented the nation," said Milkha.
Recalling his journey, he said: "I went in a jeep decked up with flowers. Once we crossed the Wagah border and began our 20-km ride to Lahore, we saw people lined up on either side of the road to cheer us".
About the race, Milkha recounted that some Urdu paper had then given a headline, 'Khaliq ki takkar Milkha se - Pakistan vs. India'.
"On the day of the race, I was told that around 60,000 persons had assembled at the Lahore stadium, including almost 20,000 burqa-clad women. Before the race began, the mullahs (priests) came to conduct prayers and bless Khaliq", Milkha said. "I stopped one of them and sought blessings from him by saying that I too am a man of God (khuda ka banda)," he added.
He said when the race began Khaliq took an initial lead as he was a 100m sprinter. My strength was my stamina and I overtook him after 150 yards and won the race by around seven yards", he said, adding that his timing was 20.7 sec, a new world record.
He said after the race, General Ayub (the then Pakistan President) came up to him and said: "Milkha, you did not run, you flew."
"And that's how I got my name", he told the audience.
[Courtesy: Tribune]
December 19, 2010
Conversation about this article
1: G.D. Singh (India), December 19, 2010, 8:39 AM.
I came to know about Sardar Milkha Singh's struggles when I saw the TV-serial on his life. I appreciate such a person who then becomes a beacon of light for others.
2: Sangat Singh (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia), December 19, 2010, 11:37 AM.
Soon after Milkha Singh did us proud by becoming the first ever 'Flying Sikh', there was another minor race in the offing in distant Canada. Here were two close friends, a Pakistani by the name of Tariq and the Sikh boy, Fauja Singh, arguing as to who could run faster. "Well, we can settle this argument now in a few minutes," suggested a third friend. "Do you see that red light in the distance, go and touch it and return, we will time you both. Let's start with Tariq!" Who was gone like a shot when signaled and soon returned panting. It was now Fauja's turn to run and touch that 'red light'. He too was gone like a shot but did not return until next morning. "Fauja, for Allah's sake, what happened?" Still panting heavily: "Well, that damn red light kept moving and did not stop for 100 km until it reached Toronto, but I did manage to touch it ultimately!"
3: Harinder (Lucknow, India), December 19, 2010, 1:18 PM.
Today we need new crops of "Mikha Singh"s. Hope the Punjabi lads get out of the mess of drugs and female foeticide.
4: Bibek Singh (Jersey City, U.S.A.), December 19, 2010, 7:36 PM.
Milkha Singh ji recently visited our local gurdwara in Jersey City. In his inspiring speech, he mentioned that he is eagerly waiting for the next Milkha Singh. Please click this link for the snaps - "http://www.nnjgurudwara.com/PhotoGallery3.html".
5: Debu Dey (Ranaghat, West Bengal, India), June 30, 2013, 5:13 AM.
Mujhe kabhi Sardar Milkha Singh ji ke baare me malum nahi thaa par main abhi un ke baare me jaanke parrh ke bohot achha lagta hai aur khub prerna miltee hai. Milkha Singh ji, hum aap ki bohot samaan karte hai(n) aur aap ko marte dam tak nahi bhule(n) ge.
6: Kapil Dev (Delhi, India), July 18, 2013, 1:43 PM.
I will say thanks to Farhan Akhtar who brings the Flying Sikh into the limelight after a long time, otherwise people almost forgot him. I knew this flying machine when I was in the 9th standard/Grade (1993). But after watching 'Bhaag Milkha Bhaag" I must say, "Sardar Milkha Singh ji, mujhe aapse pyaar ho gaya". I will never miss opportunity to meet with the Flying Sikh before he dies.
7: Jasbir Singh Nanra (Mumbai, India ), July 20, 2013, 1:40 PM.
After watching "Bhaag Milkha Bhaag", I am speechless but motivated. It's a lesson from S. Milkha Singh ji's hard work, willpower, determination. A true hero, who will continue to inspire coming generations.
8: Jitender Kumar (Faridabad, India), July 20, 2013, 4:57 PM.
Mujhe nahi lagta ki Sardar Milkha Singh jaisa koi aur ho sakta hai. Uss time Milkha Singh ji ne hamara gaurav banaye rakha aur kitne medal jeetey. Unki mehnat ko hum kabhi bhula nahi payenge.
9: Kavita Selvaraj (Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India), July 25, 2013, 1:57 AM.
When I was a child I have studied about the Flying Sikh, but at that time it was very difficult for me to remember the names and dates as I was very poor in General Knowldge. But after watching this movie, I recognized that "The Flying Sikh" is none other than this awesome legend, Sardar Milkha Singh. Truly now he has become my role model and idol. Thank you for your incomparable contribution to this country, sir ... I am also very happy because I too am born on October 17. You are truly unique ... I salute you.
10: Jaspreet Singh (Ludhiana, Punjab), July 27, 2013, 3:08 AM.
I watched "Bhaag Milkha Bhaag". Saarian nu ehi sikhan nu milda hai ... zindagi vich kujh vi karna okha nahi hai ... siraf mehnat di lorh hai.
11: Sandeep Saini (Ajmer, India ), July 27, 2013, 2:06 PM.
I salute the "Flying Sikh" (Sardar Milkha Singh ji). Makes me very proud!
12: Mandeep Singh (India), August 09, 2013, 1:09 PM.
After a long struggle, Milkha Singh achieved such a great goal. I am a big fan of yours, Milkha ji. My father often tells stories about your race in Pakistan. But after watching the new film, I came to know how you feel the pain which you feel at such a small age. Hats off to you. Some day, my father and I will hopefully get to meet you and pay our homage personally.
13: Kumar Gaurav (Madhepura, India), August 11, 2013, 7:37 AM.
He is a real superstar idol.
14: Harmeet Singh (New Delhi, India), August 30, 2013, 1:31 PM.
I heard of Milkha Singh quite late in life. After watching "Bhaag Milkha Bhaag" and reading his biography, I realized that I too am a runner. I promise I'll be the next athlete who brings pride to Sikhs and Punjabis.
15: Raghu Chadalavada (Edison, New Jersey, USA), January 14, 2014, 10:25 AM.
Milkha Singh is one of the greatest sportsmen India has ever produced.
16: Shubham Kumar (Muzaffarnagar, Uttar Pardesh, India.), January 30, 2014, 11:47 AM.
Milkha Singh became The Flying Sikh by honest hard work. I am a real fan of Sardar Milkha Singh ji.
17: Bibin Varghese (Mavelikara, Kerala, India), March 24, 2014, 1:35 PM.
Milkha Singh ji, you are great hero. You are a true motivation for all of us.
18: Abdul Mannan Ansari (Mumbai, Maharashtra, India), April 10, 2014, 1:34 AM.
Truly a legend! We are all proud of The Flying Sikh - Sardar Milkha Singh ji.
19: Harsh Binnar (Punjab), May 18, 2014, 3:25 AM.
I am a fan of Milkha Singh. I want to become another Milkha Singh -- the Second Flying Sikh!
20: Girish Chander (Roopnagar, Punjab), May 19, 2014, 3:06 AM.
After watching 'Bhaag Milkha Bhaag' I am very much motivated by Sardar Milkha Singh ji ... Amazing how he struggled during those days. Really, hats off to you, Sardar Sahib.
21: Wasim Khan (Rai Bareli, Uttar Pradesh, India ), June 27, 2014, 5:37 AM.
I am very proud of Milkha Singh. You are at the very top of all Indians.
22: Chandan (Bihar, India), August 31, 2014, 4:09 AM.
Mai Milkha Singh ji ka bahut aadar karta hoon. Mai ise saabit kar doonga 100 200 400 meter ka world record banaake.
23: Learie (Chennai, India), October 24, 2014, 2:10 AM.
Milkha Singh ji: you are the greatest Indian athlete of all time. The Indian government should have come up with something special (award) for you and only you. Today our athletes have all the comforts of life right from training gear, nutrition and international exposure, not forgetting the big picture secured jobs and sponsorship deals. You had nothing back then. Today's athletes should feel ashamed with so much of everything and still nothing worth talking about.
24: Learie (Chennai, India), October 24, 2014, 2:15 AM.
If there is ever a chance to meet Milkha Singh I will never miss it for anything in the world. As a kid I grew up with my dad speaking of the Flying Sikh and only got to know the truth after watching the movie. Honestly, he is the only Indian celebrity I know today who I find worth meeting.
25: Raj Gehlot (Rajasthan, India), November 03, 2014, 1:32 PM.
Milkha Singh ji hamaare India ki aan aur shaan hain. Mein inse bahut inspared hoon. Har race mein jeet pakki karni unki fitrat hai. Hum logon ke liye 'Do or Die' waali thinking men bhi chahata hoon.
26: Prakash Vishwakarma (Bhopal, India), November 20, 2014, 11:23 AM.
I aspire to be like him!
27: Karampal Singh (Kalanaur, Punjab), February 04, 2015, 12:09 AM.
I am big fan of Milkha Singh and I want to become like him and win an Olympic gold medal. I'm 16 years old.
28: Piyush (India), August 10, 2015, 3:39 AM.
I read many things about S. Milkha Singh ji. We are proud of you, Sir.
29: Shubham Sanket (Bhawanipur Rajdham, Purnia, Bihar, India), October 14, 2015, 4:04 PM.
Yes ... Sardar Milkha Singh is one of the greatest persons in India. His life was full of struggle, but he faced each challenge and got success. You are a great person, sir, we are proud of you. I aspire to be like you.
30: Mallik Harjuna (Bangalore, India), December 01, 2015, 10:54 AM.
Yes sir, you are one of the greatest sportspersons that our country has ever produced. Pranaam!