Milkha Singh, nicknamed “The Flying Sikh,” was an Indian track and field sprinter who got his start in the sport while serving in the Indian Army. On November 20, 1929, he was born. He is the only athlete to win gold in both the Asian and Commonwealth Games in the 400-meter dash. In 1958 and 1962, he also won gold medals in the Asian Games. He competed for India in the 1956 Summer Olympics in Melbourne, the 1960 Summer Olympics in Rome, and the 1964 Summer Olympics in Tokyo. He was awarded the Padma Shri, India’s fourth-highest civilian honor, for his sporting achievements.
Milkha Singh is the only athlete to win gold in both the Asian and Commonwealth Games in the 400-meter dash in 1958. He had three girlfriends throughout his life, although none of them were married to him. Nirmal Kaur, a member of the sports world, had become his greatest love. Their love tale began in the National Stadium in Delhi, and they were together for over 59 years before death separated them. Although most of us are aware of the professional endeavors of Milkha, his and Nirmal Kaur’s love is what very few people know.
Milkha Singh love story
Milkha Singh and Nirmal Kaur met for the first time in 1955 in Colombo, Sri Lanka, when they were both competing in a competition. Milkha Singh was a member of the athletics squad, while Nirmal Kaur was the captain of the women’s volleyball team. Singh met Nirmal Kaur for the first time in Colombo when an Indian businessman summoned the volleyball and athletics teams for a meeting. It was love at first sight for Milkha.
Milkha Singh is reported to have scribbled his hotel number on Nirmal Kaur’s hand because there was no paper available at the time. Their love affair began in 1960 when the two met in Delhi’s National Stadium. They met again in 1958. Singh had earned a name for himself by that point, and he had begun spending his coffee breaks with Nirmal Kaur.
The rumors of Milkha Singh and Nirmal Kaur’s romance had begun to make the rounds, but the two had already agreed to spend the rest of their lives together. The Chief Minister of Punjabi, Mr. Pratap Singh, had to their aid when Milkha and Nirmal also had difficulty in convincing their parents to accept their connections. He spoke with each of their families. Milkha and Nirmal were married in 1962, and despite a 9-year age difference, the couple had spent 59 years together.
Milkha Singh and Nirmal Kaur moved to Chandigarh from Delhi in 1963 after their wedding and worked at the Punjab sports department till they retired in the 1980s. In a 2019 interview with The Indian Express, Nirmal said that Milkha had always opened the car door for her even after so many years of marriage.
Aleeza Grover, Sonia Sanwalkar, and Mona Milkha Singh are Milkha Singh’s three daughters, while Jeev Milkha Singh is their son. While Sonia Sanwalkar is a best-selling author, Mona Milkha Singh is a doctor in New York who has been treating Coronavirus emergency patients. Jeev Milkha Singh, on the other hand, is an Indian professional golfer who was the first Indian to play on the European Tour in 1988. He, like his parents, has received several awards and was given the Padma Shri in 2007.
Neeraj Chopra dedicates his medal to The Flying Jatt.
Singh’s famous dream of seeing India win an Olympic medal in track and field was never realized during his lifetime, but javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra, who won gold with a throw of 87.58m in the Tokyo Olympics barely two months after the Flying Sikh’s death on June 18, 2021, came close.
Olympic gold winner javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra praised Jeev Singh after dedicating his victory to legend Milkha Singh.
Milkha’s persistent desire throughout his life was that he wanted India to win Olympic gold in track and field sports before he died.
“Dad from the above is sobbing with joy,” said Milkha’s son Jeev. His wish has been granted. This is a proud time for India. I applaud him for his perseverance and hard work. He is blessed by God.”
In the 1960 Olympics, the Flying Sikh came within a whisker of winning an Olympic medal, finishing fourth in the men’s 400m final.
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