MILKHA SINGH-Athlete

Milkha Singh is one of the most outstanding athletes of India. He has earned the nickname 'Flying Sikh' because of his marvelous running speed on the tracks. He was born in 1935 in the Western Punjab of undivided India.

He joined the army in 1953. On joining the army, Milkha Singh paid special attention to athletics and started to train himself for 400 meter race. Soon, he succeeded in establishing a new record in 400 meter race and earned great fame and prestige.

In 1957, he established a new national record of 47.5 seconds in 400 meter race. In the Third Asiad held at Tokyo (Japan) in 1958, Milkha Singh set two new records in 400 meter and 200 meter races respectively. In the 4th Asiad held at Jakarta (Indonesia), Milkha Singh won a gold medal in the 400 meter race. In 1959, Government of India honoured Milkha Singh with 'Padma Shri' for his notable achievements in the field of sports. Milkha Singh at present is fully dedicated to the promotion of sports in India.