Iamin's exclusive chat with Flying Sikh - Milkha Singh

Milkha Singh is an inspiration to all Indians - DNA

 

Monday, 23 February 2015: Farhan Akhtar playing Milkha Singh in a 2013 Bollywood biopic portrayed a man who defied all odds against him and became an inspiration for future generations of the country.

Milkha believes that running is not only for sport persons, but every Indian should run in order to stay fit and healthy.

Flying Sikh Milkha Singh is one of the most celebrated and successful athletes India has ever produced. Singh never surrendered and faced every challenge with zeal to overcome it. He made India proud at the time when India was a nobody in the world of sports and there was hardly any Indian performing well at the world arena.

Milkha came, saw and conquered all odds and made India proud on many occasions. He is an inspiration to all Indians, especially to those who want to become sports icon like he is.

Today every athlete, professional or unprofessional wants to emulate Milkha, but till now, none has succeeded as far as the sprint is concerned.

In an exclusive tete-a-tete with iamin, Milkha Singh spoke his heart out and told us what made him Milkha Singh from a skinny teen thrown out of his home in Pakistan during partition.

“If one wants to be a sports icon, one has to have a deep love for his country and national flag. Love for country adds fuel to the fire. India despite having large talent hasn’t produced many medals at Olympics. And associations and all others who are managing sports in India need to work on it,” said Milkha Singh.

Singh has contributed heavily to Indian sports and even now, he is doing his bit. “I have started a talent search in association with GAIL. Under this scheme, I would search for 100 Milkha Singhs from every nook and corner of the country. We will train them with a vision to make India a sports super power,” added the legend.

Milkha believes that running is not only for sport persons, but every Indian should run in order to stay fit and healthy. “If one runs daily, he won’t have to run to doctor often. Running is the key of healthy life, irrespective of any discipline,” said Singh.

Milkha Singh wasn’t an unknown face, but the Bollywood biopic ‘Bhag Milkha Bhag’ made him a household name and he became an inspiration to many.

“I really loved the movie and I am happy that it inspired many to take up sports as career. But I want to say one thing 'hard work is only key to success'. For those who want to become Milkha Singh will have to work hard beyond limits because that’s what made me what I am today,” said the legend.