On June 18, 2021, iconic sprinter Milkha Singh, popularly known flying sikh, breathed his last at the age of 91 in the presence of his family members and several dignitaries. He was cremated with full state honours. His death marks the end of an era in which his pioneering accomplishments on the track galvanised a newly-independent India.Nirmal Kaur, the wife of Milkha, a former volleyball captain, had also died just five day ago. Milkha is survived by 14-time international winner and golfer son Jeev Milkha Singh, daughters Mona Singh, Sonia Singh, and Aleeza Grover—and a legacy that is part of India’s sporting lore.
As a Sports Person
Milkha Singh joined the Indian Army in 1951 where he began his career in athletics. He became the first Indian male to reach the final of an Olympic athletics event when he placed fourth in the 400-metre race at the 1960 Olympic Games in Rome. At the 1958 Asian Games, he won both the 200-metre and 400-metre races. Later, he captured the 400-metre gold at the Commonwealth Games, which was India’s first athletics gold in the history of the Games. He retained his 400-metre gold at the 1962 Asian Games and also took another gold as part of India’s 4 × 400-metre relay team. He made a final Olympic appearance at the 1964 Tokyo Games as part of the national 4 × 400 team that failed to advance past preliminary heats.
His Achievements
Singh was awarded the Padma Shri, the fourth highest civilian award in 1959. After his retirement, he served as the director of sports in Punjab. His autobiography, The Race of My Life (co-written with his daughter Sonia Sanwalka), was published in 2013.
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