India is celebrating its 79th Independence Day on August 15, 2025. Post-independent India helped the nation make rapid strides in the field of sports. Several sportspersons across different fields stepped up across decades to take the country to newer heights. In Athletics, the contributions of Milkha Singh can never go unnoticed. His aura, work, vision and the sheer passion in running, made him one of India’s greatest ever track and field athlete. Milkha not only united the nation with his contributions, but also broke barriers.
In July 2021, after a month-long battle with COVID-19, Milkha passed away. Famously known as the ‘Flying Sikh’, Milkha continued and is still continuing to inspire young athletes in the country with his story. Milkha, was a recipient of India’s fourth-highest civilian award, the Padma Shri.
Here we celebrate the legend’s career on India’s 79th Independence Day.
The start and foundation
Milkha was born on November 20, 1929 in Govindpura, which is now a part of Pakistan. The youngster was introduced to track and field games after he came to Delhi in 1947 with unrest in several areas following the partition. Joining the Indian army turned out to be a masterstroke. It’s here where he was introduced to the sport. Milkha was handpicked for further training as he ended up sixth in a cross-country race that comprised nearly 400 Indian soldiers.
His tryst with the Olympics
Milkha participated in three Olympic Games for India. He made his Olympics debut in 1956 at the Melbourne Games. However, he didn’t progress beyond the heat stages in both 200 m and 400 m races. His next participation came at the 1960 Rome Olympics. He led the 400 m race till the halfway before easing off, allowing others to pass him. He finished fourth. Milkha’s fourth-place time of 45.73 seconds was the Indian national record for almost 40 years. His third and final appearance came in 1964. He entered to compete the 400 m, the 4 × 100 m relay and the 4 × 400 m relay. However, he didn’t make the final cut in any of these races.
Domination, medals and accolades
In the 1958 Commonwealth Games, Milkha won the gold medal in the 400 m race. In fact, he set a new national record with his timing of 46.6 seconds. He became the first Indian to clinch a Commonwealth Games gold in track and field.
This was followed by gold medals in the 200 and 400 m races at the Asian Games in 1958, Tokyo. Milkha gave India its first track and field medal at the Asian Games. Thereafter, Milkha won two more gold medals at the Asian Games in 1962. He won the 400 m race and the 4*400 m relay race.
Milkha also won three medals at the National Games. The 1958 event in Cuttack saw him win the gold medal in 200 m and 400 m races. And the 1964 Calcutta Games helped him win a silver medal in 400 m.
How did Milkha get the name ‘The Flying Sikh’?
During the 1958 Tokyo Asian Games, Milkha won the gold medal in 200 m race, taking 21.6 seconds. He defeated Asia’s fastest runner back then, Abdul Khaliq, in the final. The rivalry between the two became intense thereafter. In 1960, Milkha went on to defeat Khaliq in Lahore, following which then-Pakistan President Ayub Khan gave him the name ‘The Flying Sikh’.
A famous Milkha Singh quote
“When I reflect upon my life, I can clearly see how my passion for running has dominated my life. The images that flash through my mind are those running….running…running…”
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