India gave a final bid to its ‘Flying Sikh’, Milkha Singh

The country has to bid fair well to its four-times Asian gold medalist and fourth champion of 400m 1960 Rome Olympics on Friday. Milkha Singh, popularly known as ‘The Flying Sikh,’ said goodbye to the world after a long-term battle with COVID-19. Singh tested positive last month. However, he died of complications of the virus in a hospital in Chandigarh at the age of 91.

Nirmal Kaur, Singh’s wife, former volleyball captain, also died due to Covid at the age of 85 on Sunday. Singh’s records on the field and track had always been remarkable to the hearts of Indians.

He won gold five times in international athletic championships. He even marked the Helms World Trophy to his name in 1959 for winning 70 international races among 80. His achievement as a gold winner in India’s first Commonwealth in 1958 is one of the glorious moments for the country.

Milkha Singh spent his childhood in a small village in a country ruled by the Britishers. He resided in Multan province as a little boy. He also evidenced how brutally his seven siblings and parents got murdered.

The event tools place during the creation of Pakistan and the Partition of India in 1947. The little boy, after hearing his father’s last word, “Bhaag Milkha Bhaag,” ran first to save his life, then ran to win medals for his country.

Singh’s entire life is full of awards and achievements, beginning from races to going back to Pakistan and run for his and his country’s pride. Gen Ayub, Pakistan’s second president, said to Singh on his victory, “Milkha, you came to Pakistan and did not run. You flew in Pakistan. Pakistan bestows upon you the title of the Flying Sikh.”

On Friday, the ‘Flying Sikh’, the man inspiring so many athletes and sportsmen like him, got tribute from the PM of India, Narendra Modi, and K.C. Singh like personalities on his demise.

Credits: BBC