Milkha Singh

Milkha Singh, popularly known as ‘The Flying Sikh’ was an Indian Track and Field Sprinter. Born on 20th November,1929, in Govindpura, Punjab, British India (present-day Pakistan), he moved to Delhi after the partition in 1947. At one point in his life he considered becoming a dacoit but was convinced by one of his brothers to try joining the Indian Army. In 1951, he successfully entered the army after his fourth attempt. It was the army that introduced him to athletics. He was handpicked for training after he finished sixth among 400 soldiers in a cross-country race. He came into limelight during the 1956 National Games. In the 1958 National Games held at Cuttack, he broke the record in the 200m and 400m event.