We as a nation has produced very less number of world class athletes and none of them so far has been able to meet the achievements of Flying Sikh 'Milkha Singh'. 'The Race Of My Life' is an emotional and very inspirational autobiography of living legend Milkha Singh. A very popular film 'Bhaag Milkha Bhaag' has been also made on Milkha Singh. Farhan Akhtar has done a superb role in this movie in portraying Milkha Singh.
They say adversities breed legends and they are very right in the case of Milkha Singh. A boy of 15 years age who saw the brutal massacre of his entire family before him by marauding fanatics in Govindpura village (now in Pakistan) of partitioned India, escapes to India and after struggling for 5-6 years in wilderness he gets himself recruited in Indian Army. This triggers the beginning of a great career and Milkha Singh goes on winning 400 meters races in India and outside India both. He annihilates the false arrogance of Abdul Khaliq of Pakistan twice - in Tokyo Asiad in 1958 and in Athletic meet in Pakistan in 1960. The then President of Pakistan Ayub Khan gives him the title of Flying Sikh in 1960 after his victory over Abdul Khaliq in Lahore in 1960. He becomes the first Indian to win a gold medal in Commonwealth Games when he won the 400 meters race. The Prime Minister of Indian declared National Holiday in India to celebrate his Gold Medal. His fame and personality reach Himalayan heights before Rome Olympics of 1960.
Every good thing comes to an end; in the final of 400 meters in Rome Olympics all the top 4 finalists break the 400 meters Olympic record in final race; thus despite of breaking the Olympic record Milkha Singh does not get a medal. He comes 4th in a Photo Finish final. He still rues this chance of not winning the Gold Medal. He was dominating the race for first 250 meters but the mistake of slowing down in last few seconds takes away the medal from his hands. He was the champion athlete who made his career from scratch and extreme poverty. He is an inspiration to all of us who always crib about lack of proper facilities and infrastructure. He ends his autobiography with beautiful Urdu couplet.
"Mita de apni hasti ko, agar koi martaba chahe
ki dana khak main milkar, gul-e-gulzar hota hai"
(Destroy your existence if you want to reach the zenith as the seed has to unite with dust to sprout flowers)
Overall this book is a beautifully written book, full of inspiration and struggle. This is the first book i have read on an Indian sportsperson and what an amazing sportsperson he is.
Highly Recommended (9/10)
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