Milkha Singh

 Milkha Singh, also known as "The Flying Sikh," was a legendary Indian sprinter who rose to fame during the 1950s and 1960s. Born on October 20, 1929, in Punjab, India, Singh was one of 15 siblings and grew up in poverty. He lost his parents during the Partition of India in 1947, and the traumatic experience left him with a burning desire to succeed in life.

Singh's passion for running began during his childhood, where he would often run long distances to get to school. He began participating in local races and soon caught the attention of a coach who recognized his potential. Singh began training with the coach and quickly improved his speed and endurance.

In 1956, Singh represented India at the Melbourne Olympics, where he narrowly missed out on a medal, finishing fourth in the 400 meters. Despite the disappointment, Singh continued to train hard and set his sights on the 1960 Olympics in Rome.

At the 1960 Olympics, Singh made history by becoming the first Indian to win an individual athletics gold medal. He won the 400 meters race with a time of 45.6 seconds, a new national record that stood for almost 40 years. Singh's victory was a moment of great pride for India, and he was hailed as a national hero.

Singh's success at the Olympics propelled him to international stardom, and he went on to win numerous other medals and accolades throughout his career. He was awarded the Padma Shri, one of India's highest civilian honors, in 1959 and was later given the Padma Bhushan in 1971.

Despite retiring from athletics in 1964, Singh remained a popular figure in India and continued to inspire generations of athletes. He also worked tirelessly to promote sports in India and set up the Milkha Singh Charitable Trust to support young athletes from disadvantaged backgrounds.

In 2013, Singh's life story was turned into a Bollywood movie titled "Bhaag Milkha Bhaag," which was a commercial and critical success. The movie brought Singh's inspiring story to a new generation of Indians and cemented his legacy as one of the greatest athletes in Indian history.

Sadly, Milkha Singh passed away on June 18, 2021, due to COVID-19 complications. However, his impact on Indian athletics and society will always be remembered and celebrated.