The Race of My Life

1. From Tragedy to Triumph: Surviving Partition

With my father’s warning ‘Bhaag Milkha, bhaag’ running through my head I fled for my life, sometimes running, sometimes walking all the way to Kot Addu.

Horrors of Partition. Born in a contented village in undivided India, Milkha Singh's childhood was shattered by the brutal Partition of 1947, witnessing the massacre of his family and fleeing for his life amidst widespread violence and communal hatred. This traumatic experience left him orphaned and displaced, forcing him into a life of hardship, homelessness, and even petty crime as a refugee in Delhi. The desperate command from his dying father, "Bhaag Milkha, bhaag" (Run Milkha, run), became a haunting echo that fueled his later life.

Refugee struggles. Arriving in Delhi as a penniless refugee, Milkha faced immense challenges, including hunger, humiliation, and a brief stint in jail for traveling without a ticket. He relied on the kindness of his surviving sister and her family, enduring taunts and mistreatment, which further fueled his desire for a better life. This period of adversity instilled in him a deep resilience and a fierce determination to escape his circumstances.

A turning point. The desperation for stability and a respectable life led him to repeatedly attempt to join the Indian Army, facing rejection multiple times due to his physical condition. His persistence, however, eventually paid off, securing him a place in the Electrical Mechanical Engineering (EME) core in Secunderabad in 1952, a pivotal moment that offered him a structured environment and the first glimpse of a path towards redemption and purpose.

2. The Army: A Crucible of Discipline and Discovery

army life may be tough, but it is better than the sufferings I had endured earlier.

Structured environment. Joining the army provided Milkha Singh with the discipline and routine he desperately needed after a chaotic childhood. The rigorous training, strict rules, and demanding physical tasks were challenging, but they offered a stark contrast to the uncertainty and hardship of his refugee life, reinforcing his resolve to persevere. He saw the army as a chance for a stable career and a way to escape his past.

Discovery of talent. A simple six-mile cross-country race with the incentive of exemption from fatigue duty and an extra glass of milk revealed Milkha's natural running ability. Finishing sixth among hundreds of recruits marked the beginning of his journey as an athlete, catching the eye of his instructor, Havaldar Gurdev Singh, who recognized his potential and began to push him. This initial success ignited a spark and a new ambition.

Early motivation. The prospect of an extra glass of milk and avoiding strenuous manual labor served as powerful early motivators for Milkha, highlighting his basic needs and simple desires at the time. This initial drive quickly evolved into a burning ambition to excel, especially after seeing athletes with "INDIA" emblazoned on their vests at a Brigade Meet, inspiring him to dream of representing his country on a larger stage.

3. Relentless Training: My God, My Religion, My Beloved

Running had thus become my God, my religion and my beloved.

Total dedication. Driven by the desire to become a world-class athlete after his disappointing performance at the 1956 Melbourne Olympics, Milkha Singh committed himself to an almost monastic life centered entirely around running. He renounced all distractions and pleasures, dedicating five hours every morning and evening, seven days a week, 365 days a year, to rigorous practice, viewing the track as a sacred space.

Extreme regimen. His training was incredibly intense, pushing his body to its absolute limits through:

• Running miles cross-country
• Hill and sand running for stamina
• Weightlifting for strength
• Sprinting rounds until exhaustion, sometimes vomiting blood or collapsing unconscious.
  He ignored warnings from doctors and coaches, driven solely by his singular focus on becoming the best.

Sacrifice and support. This self-imposed penance required immense sacrifice, but Milkha believed that hard work and sincerity would be rewarded. He received crucial support from the army, including exemption from regular duties, a special diet, and encouragement from coaches like Ranbir Singh and Dr. Howard, who helped refine his technique and build his confidence, laying the foundation for his future successes.

4. Breaking Barriers: Asian and Commonwealth Glory

My win was a historic event, particularly significant because this was the first time that an Indian athlete had won a gold medal at the Commonwealth Games.

Rise to prominence. Milkha Singh's relentless training paid off handsomely in 1957 and 1958, as he consistently broke national records in the 200m and 400m events, establishing himself as India's top sprinter. His success garnered national attention and set the stage for international competition, proving that his dedication was transforming him into a formidable athlete.

Asian Games triumph (Tokyo 1958). At the 1958 Asian Games in Tokyo, Milkha was a focal point of anticipation. He not only won the 400m race, setting a new Asian Games record, but also secured gold in the 200m event after a dramatic photo finish against Pakistan's Abdul Khaliq. These victories cemented his status as Asia's best athlete and brought immense pride to India.

Commonwealth Games history (Cardiff 1958). Facing world-class competition at the British Empire and Commonwealth Games in Cardiff, Milkha overcame self-doubt and fierce rivals like Malcolm Spence. Following his coach Dr. Howard's strategic advice, he ran a blistering race, winning the 440 yards (equivalent to 400m) and becoming the first Indian athlete to win a gold medal at the Commonwealth Games, a landmark achievement that put India on the global sports map.

5. The Rome Regret: So Near, Yet So Far

Even today, if I look back on my life, there are only two incidents that still haunt me—the massacre of my family during Partition and my defeat at Rome.

Peak performance. Leading up to the 1960 Rome Olympics, Milkha Singh was in peak form, having set a new European record of 45.8 seconds for the 400m just weeks before the Games. He was considered a strong contender for an Olympic medal, carrying the hopes of a nation buoyed by his recent successes at the Asian and Commonwealth Games.

A fatal error. In the highly anticipated 400m final, Milkha started strong and was in the lead at the 250m mark. However, a momentary error in judgment led him to slow down slightly, fearing he might collapse if he maintained that pace. This split-second decision allowed his competitors to catch up and overtake him in the final stretch.

Photo finish heartbreak. Despite a desperate final push, Milkha finished fourth in a race where the top four runners all broke the previous Olympic record. His time of 45.6 seconds was a new Indian national record, but it wasn't enough for a medal, decided by a photo finish. This near-miss, a consequence of his tactical error, became a lifelong regret, forever linked in his mind with the trauma of Partition.

6. The Flying Sikh: A Title Forged in Rivalry

Tum daude nahi, udhey ho—you do not run, but fly!

Indo-Pak rivalry. The Indo-Pak Sports Meet in Lahore in 1960 presented a highly charged atmosphere, pitting Milkha Singh against Pakistan's celebrated sprinter, Abdul Khaliq, whom he had previously defeated in Tokyo. The event was framed as a duel between the two athletes, with intense nationalistic fervor from the Pakistani crowd eager to see their hero avenge his earlier loss.

Overcoming pressure. Despite feeling unwell and being intimidated by the partisan crowd and pre-race rituals favoring Khaliq, Milkha pushed himself, knowing that a defeat in Pakistan would be deeply humiliating. He focused on the race, determined to prove his superiority on Khaliq's home ground.

The legendary title. In the 200m race, Milkha ran with exceptional speed, pulling ahead of Khaliq in the final meters to secure a decisive victory, equaling the world record at the time. Witnessing his incredible speed, Pakistan's President General Ayub Khan was so impressed that he declared, "Tum daude nahi, udhey ho—you do not run, but fly!" bestowing upon him the iconic title of "The Flying Sikh," which became synonymous with his name globally.

7. Beyond the Track: From Athlete to Administrator

My centre commander, Colonel Barve, was thunderstruck when he received that fateful telegram, and sadly broke the news to the other officers and jawans.

Transition offer. Following his international successes, Milkha Singh received an unprecedented offer from the Chief Minister of Punjab, Sardar Pratap Singh Kairon, to leave the army and take on a civilian post as Deputy Director of Sports for the state government. This offer came with a significantly higher salary and the promise of a prestigious role in developing sports in Punjab.

Dilemma and decision. Torn between the security and familiarity of his army life, which had nurtured his talent and was about to promote him to lieutenant, and the lucrative but uncertain civilian position, Milkha was hesitant. Despite the doubts of friends and his own reservations about a desk job, Kairon's persistence and intervention at the highest level, including with Prime Minister Nehru, ultimately secured his discharge from the army.

Building sports infrastructure. As Deputy Director and later Director of Sports, Milkha dedicated himself to promoting sports at the grassroots level in Punjab. He initiated projects like establishing sports wings in schools and colleges to identify and train young talent, providing them with free facilities, coaching, and education. His goal was to create a system that would produce future champions, drawing on his own experiences and philosophy of hard work and discipline.

8. Finding My Soulmate: Nimmi, My Brightest Trophy

though I had won many medals, awards and prizes in my career, all these paled before Nimmi, who has remained the brightest, most treasured trophy God has given me.

Meeting Nimmi. Milkha first met Nirmal Kaur (Nimmi), the captain of the Indian women's volleyball team, in Colombo in 1956. He was immediately struck by her energy and skill on the court. A chance encounter and a dinner party sparked an initial attraction, though his demanding athletic career and constant travel prevented the relationship from developing further at that time.

Rekindled romance. Years later, after his return from the Tokyo Asian Games, Milkha reconnected with Nimmi in Patiala and later in Delhi. Their bond deepened, evolving into a serious relationship. Nimmi, now a professional, understood his dedication to sports and provided the emotional support he needed, becoming the "melancholic tree" waiting for the "carefree bird" to settle.

Overcoming obstacles. Their decision to marry faced significant opposition due to social conventions against inter-caste marriages and the interference of an influential Delhi family who had previously sought Milkha as a son-in-law. It took the intervention of Chief Minister Kairon to persuade Nimmi's staunch Arya Samaji father to consent, clearing the path for their wedding in 1963. Milkha considered Nimmi his most valuable prize, surpassing all his athletic achievements.

9. Passing the Baton: Legacy and Giving Back

My role in the camps was to inspire and motivate each and every child and to convince them that the road to fame was not a bed of roses, that only hard work, dedication, will power and discipline would lead them to their destiny.

Family and future. Milkha and Nimmi built a loving family, raising four children, including their son Jeev Milkha Singh. While Milkha initially hoped his children would pursue more conventional careers, he recognized Jeev's natural aptitude and passion for golf, eventually supporting his journey to become a successful professional golfer, seeing it as a continuation of their sporting legacy.

Promoting sports. Through his work in the Punjab Sports Department, Milkha implemented programs focused on identifying and nurturing young talent from rural areas, providing them with the resources and training needed to excel. He personally mentored aspiring athletes, sharing his philosophy of discipline, hard work, and perseverance as the keys to success, aiming to create a pipeline of future champions for India.

Continuing service. Even after retiring from his administrative post, Milkha Singh remained dedicated to humanitarian causes and sports promotion. He and Nimmi established the Milkha Charitable Trust to support needy sportspersons and their families. Milkha continued to be a respected figure, recognized globally for his achievements and inspiring generations with his incredible life story of overcoming adversity through sheer will and dedication.

Last updated: May 23, 2025