MILKHA SINGH: THE FLYING SIKH
SONIA SANWALKA
Summary
Milkha Singh: The Flying
Sikh by Sonia Sanwalka is a biography that tells the
inspiring life story of Milkha Singh, one of India's greatest athletes. Known
as "The Flying Sikh," Milkha Singh's journey is filled with struggle,
hard work, and determination.
The book begins with Milkha Singh's difficult
childhood. He was born in a small village in present-day Pakistan. During the
Partition of India in 1947, his family faced terrible violence, and most of his
family members were killed. Milkha managed to escape and reached India as a
refugee. These painful experiences left deep scars on him, but they also made
him stronger and more determined.
In India, Milkha faced many hardships. He struggled
with poverty, hunger, and a lack of proper guidance. However, he found hope
when he joined the Indian Army. It was there that his talent for running was
noticed. With the help of his coaches, he began to train seriously. Milkha
showed great dedication, waking up early in the morning, practicing for hours,
and following a strict diet. His hard work paid off as he began winning
national and international races.
Milkha Singh's greatest achievement came when he
represented India in the 1960 Rome Olympics. Although he narrowly missed
winning a medal, his performance brought pride to the country. He earned the
title "The Flying Sikh" after winning a race against Pakistan's top
athlete in Lahore. This victory was a symbol of courage and sportsmanship.
The book shows that Milkha Singh's success was not
just due to his talent, but also because of his discipline, determination, and
never-give-up attitude. His story continues to inspire young athletes and
people around the world to overcome challenges and work hard to achieve their
dreams. Milkha Singh's life teaches us that no matter how difficult the
situation, with courage and hard work, we can achieve great success.
COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS
I. Answer the following questions in a sentence or
two:
1. Where did Milkha’s poor performance take place in
his early career?
Ans: Milkha Singh's poor performance took place during the 1956 Melbourne
Olympics, where he was inexperienced and lacked proper guidance.
2. What was Milkha Singh’s primary mission in the year
1956 and 1957?
Ans: Milkha Singh's primary mission in 1956 and 1957
was to improve his performance, train harder, and prepare himself to become a
successful athlete.
3. At what time did Milkha get up early in the
morning?
Ans: Milkha Singh would get up early in the morning at
4 a.m. for his intense training sessions.
4. Who was Milkha Singh’s coach in those days?
Ans: Milkha Singh's coach during that time was Ranbir
Singh, who helped him with training and guidance.
5. Who motivated Milkha Singh to win the gold medal at
Cardiff?
Ans: Dr Arthur Howard motivated Milkha Singh to
aim for a gold medal at the Cardiff Commonwealth Games.
6. What advice did Charles Jenkins give to Milkha
Singh?
Ans: Charles Jenkins advised Milkha Singh to work on
his endurance, speed, and focus on disciplined training to achieve success in
athletics.
II. ANSWER THE FOLLOWING
QUESTIONS
1. How can a sportsman
improve his technique and build his stamina?
Ans: A sportsman can improve his technique and build his
stamina through regular practice, discipline, and proper guidance. Becoming
better in sports requires hard work, dedication, and a willingness to learn and
improve.
To improve technique, a sportsman should first learn
the basics of the game or sport. Understanding the rules and correct methods is
important. Working with a coach or trainer can help identify mistakes and
correct them. A coach can teach the right techniques, posture, and skills
needed to succeed. Watching experienced players and studying their techniques
can also help in learning new strategies and moves.
Regular practice is key to mastering any technique.
Practicing daily helps a sportsman build muscle memory, making movements more
natural and accurate. Repetition of drills and exercises can strengthen
specific skills and increase confidence during competitions.
Building stamina requires physical training and a
healthy lifestyle. Running, jogging, swimming, and cycling are excellent ways
to increase endurance. High-intensity interval training (HIIT) can also improve
stamina by mixing short, intense exercises with short breaks. Strength training
with weights can make muscles stronger and improve overall performance.
Proper nutrition is essential for building stamina.
Eating a balanced diet with proteins, carbohydrates, healthy fats, vitamins,
and minerals gives the body the energy it needs. Drinking enough water before,
during, and after exercise prevents dehydration and keeps the body active.
Rest and recovery are equally important. Overworking
the body can lead to injuries and tiredness. A good night’s sleep helps the
body recover and gain strength for the next day.
Finally, a sportsman should stay motivated and set
clear goals. Small, achievable goals help track progress and build confidence.
Staying positive, focused, and determined can help a sportsman improve both
technique and stamina, leading to better performance and success in their
chosen sport.
2. Why did Milkha Singh’s
doctors and coaches warn him?
Ans:Milkha Singh's doctors and coaches warned him because
they were concerned about his health and well-being. Milkha Singh was known for
his intense training routines and strong dedication to athletics. He pushed
himself beyond his limits to become one of the fastest runners in the world.
While his hard work and determination were admirable, they also put a lot of
stress on his body.
Doctors were worried that his extreme training could
lead to serious health problems, like injuries, exhaustion, or even permanent
damage. Running long distances, doing intense workouts, and not giving the body
enough time to rest can cause harm. Overtraining can weaken the muscles, make
the body tired, and reduce overall performance. If an athlete ignores the
body's need for rest, it can lead to long-term issues that could end their
career.
Milkha Singh's coaches also understood the importance
of balance in training. They knew that rest and recovery are just as necessary
as hard work. They wanted him to avoid burnout and stay strong for
competitions. Coaches often warn athletes to follow a balanced training plan,
eat healthy food, stay hydrated, and take proper rest. Ignoring these things
can lead to mistakes, loss of focus, and injury.
Despite the warnings, Milkha Singh's strong desire to
succeed kept him focused on his goals. He understood the value of discipline
but also learned to listen to his body. The concern of his doctors and coaches
showed their care for him as an athlete and a person. They wanted him to
achieve greatness while staying healthy and safe. In the end, their guidance,
along with Milkha Singh’s dedication, helped him become a legendary athlete who
inspired many around the world.
3. What type of diet
Milkha use to have?
Ans:Milkha Singh followed a simple yet nutritious diet
that helped him stay strong and fit for his athletic career. Coming from a
humble background, Milkha Singh did not have access to fancy or expensive
foods. However, he understood the importance of eating healthy to maintain his
strength, stamina, and energy for his intense training routines.
His diet mainly included traditional Indian foods that
were rich in nutrients. Milkha Singh ate a lot of whole grains like chapatis
(Indian flatbreads) made from wheat, along with rice. These foods provided him
with the necessary carbohydrates, giving him energy for his workouts. He also
ate lentils and pulses like dal, which are good sources of protein and help in
muscle building.
To stay strong, Milkha Singh included dairy products
like milk, yogurt (curd), and buttermilk in his diet. These foods are high in
calcium and protein, which are essential for strong bones and muscles. Fresh
vegetables and seasonal fruits were also a part of his diet, giving him
vitamins and minerals needed for overall health.
As an athlete, he needed extra protein to repair and
build muscles. Therefore, he sometimes ate eggs and meat, which are rich in
protein. Nuts like almonds and peanuts provided him with healthy fats, adding
to his energy levels.
Milkha Singh also made sure to stay hydrated by
drinking plenty of water. Staying hydrated helped him stay active and avoid
dehydration during long training sessions. He avoided junk food, oily snacks,
and sugary drinks, as these could slow down his performance.
His diet was simple, natural, and full of nutrients,
which supported his training and helped him become a successful athlete. By
following a disciplined diet and training plan, Milkha Singh proved that
dedication and hard work can lead to greatness, even with limited resources.
ASSIGNMENT TOPICS
1.
Imagine you are Milkha Singh and write a series of diary entries capturing key
moments from his life- his childhood, the partition, his training days, and
major victories. Reflect on his emotions and thoughts during these events.
Ans:Diary Entry 1: Childhood Memories
Date: 20th March 2025
Dear Diary,
Today, I played with my friends in our village fields.
Life feels so simple and happy here. I love running freely, feeling the wind on
my face. I don't know much about the world outside, but I feel strong and fast.
My family means everything to me, and I am grateful for their love and support.
Sometimes I wonder what my future holds, but for now, I am happy just being a
boy who loves to run.
— Milkha
Diary
Entry 2: The Partition
Date: 21st March, 2025
Dear Diary,
Today is a day I can never forget. Our village is no
longer safe. There is violence everywhere — screams, fear, and chaos. We had to
run, leaving everything behind. I lost my parents and siblings in this tragedy.
I feel lost, angry, and broken. How can people be so cruel? I am alone now,
carrying memories of my loved ones. Life feels heavy, but I must keep going. I
must survive.
— Milkha
Diary
Entry 3: Training Days
Date: 22nd March, 2025
Dear Diary,
Training is tough, but I have found a purpose. Running
is my strength, my escape, my passion. My coach believes in me, and I want to
prove myself. Waking up at 4 a.m. for practice is hard, but I know it will help
me achieve something great. Sometimes, I feel tired and think of giving up, but
I remember my family's sacrifice. I must make them proud.
— Milkha
Diary
Entry 4: Victory at Cardiff
Date: 22nd March, 2025
Dear Diary,
I did it! I won the gold medal at the Commonwealth
Games. The Indian flag rose high, and my heart swelled with pride. I remembered
my family's struggles, my painful past, and the hard work that brought me here.
This victory is not just mine; it belongs to everyone who believed in me. I
hope my story inspires others to keep running, no matter how difficult the path
may be.
— Milkha
2. Write an open letter
to Milkha Singh expressing how his life story inspires you. Discuss the lessons
you’ve learned and how you can apply them to your own life.
Ans:
An Open Letter to Milkha
Singh
Arun Kumar
Arundathi Nagar
Mysore
25th March 2025
Milkha Singh
XYZ
Dear Milkha Singh Ji,
I hope this letter finds you in peace. Although I
never had the chance to meet you, your life story has inspired me in so many
ways. Reading about your journey, from the hardships of your childhood to
becoming the "Flying Sikh," has taught me valuable lessons that I
will carry with me forever.
Your strength and courage during the Partition of
India showed me the power of resilience. Losing your family and facing such
tragedy at a young age must have been unbearable. Yet, you chose to keep moving
forward, finding a purpose through running. It reminds me that no matter how
tough life gets, we can find the strength to stand up again.
Your dedication to training and your discipline
inspire me to work harder. Waking up at 4 a.m. for practice, pushing through
pain, and staying committed to your goals prove that success requires effort
and sacrifice. Whenever I feel lazy or unmotivated, I will think of your
determination and try to push myself to be better.
Your victories, especially winning the gold medal at
the Commonwealth Games, make me proud as an Indian. You showed the world that
with hard work and dedication, anyone can achieve greatness, no matter where
they come from.
I have learned from you that true success is not just
about winning medals, but about overcoming challenges and never giving up. Your
story will continue to inspire me to be brave, stay focused, and keep running
toward my dreams.
Thank you, Milkha Singh Ji, for showing us the meaning
of courage, dedication, and hope. Your legacy will always inspire generations
to come.
With
respect and admiration,
Sd/-
Arun
Kumar
Comprehension Questions
Answer the following questions.
1) Where did Milkha’s poor performance take
place in his early career?
Ans: Milkha’s poor
performance took place in Melbourne in his early career.
2) What was Milkha Singh’s primary mission in
the years 1956 and 1957?
Ans: Milkha Singh’s
primary mission was to excel in running in the years 1956 and 1957.
3) At what time did Milkha get up early in
the morning?
Ans: Milkha Singh
would rise up the crack of dawn in the morning.
4) Who was Milkha Singh’s coach in those
days?
Ans: Ranbir Singh
was Milkha Singh’s coach in those days.
5) Who motivated Milkha Singh to win the gold
medal at Cardiff?
Ans: Dr. Howard
motivated Milkha Singh to win the gold medal at Cardiff.
6) What advice did Charles Jenkins give to
Milkha Singh?
Ans: Charles Jenkins advised Milkha Singh that it
was only through regular and rigorous practice that a sportsman can improve his
technique and build his stamina.
7) What had filled Milkha Singh with false
sense of Pride?
Ans: His success in
India had filled Milkha Singh with false sense of Pride.
8) Who advised Milkha Singh to do regular and
rigorous practice to build stamina?
Ans: Charles
Jerkins advised Milkha Singh to do regular and rigorous practice to build
stamina.
9) What was like an open book to Milkha
Singh?
Ans: The running
track was like an open book to Milkha Singh.
10) Why did Milkha Singh renounce all
pleasures and distractions?
Ans: Milkha Singh
renounced all pleasures and distractions to keep himself fit and healthy.
11) What had become Milkha Singh’s God,
religion and beloved?
Ans: Running had become
Milkha Singh’s God, religion and beloved.
12) Which exercise did Milkha Singh do
develop his muscles?
Ans: Milkha Singh
did stretching exercise to develop his muscles.
13) How many hours did Milkha Singh practice every
day?
Ans: Milkha Singh
practiced five hours every day.
14) What moulded Milkha Singh into a world
famous athlete?
Ans: His
disciplined routine moulded Milkha Singh into a world famous athlete.
15) Which exercise Milkha Singh did to
strengthen his arms, legs and stomach?
Ans: Milkha Singh
would do weight lifting exercise to strengthen his arms, legs and stomach.
16) Who warned Milkha Singh against his hard
and rigorous practice?
Ans: His coaches
and doctors had warned Milkha Singh against his hard and rigorous practice.
17) What was the only focus of Milkha Singh?
Ans: Milkha Singh
only focus was to become the best athlete in the world.
18) What inspired Milkha Singh to embark upon
the difficult journey?
Ans: His desire to
succeed inspired Milkha Singh to embark upon the difficult journey.
19) What did Milkha Singh firmly believe?
Ans: If a person
works hard and sincerely, his efforts would be rewarded.
20) Which maxim did Milkha Singh follow in
his life?
Ans: Milkha Singh followed
in his life maxim was early to bed, early to rise.
II. Answer the following questions.
1) How can a sportsman improve his technique
and build his stamina?
Ans: An athlete can
improve his technique and build his stamina just through regular and rigorous
practice. It is fundamental to repudiate all joys and distractions or interruptions
to stay in shape, to keep fit, healthy and solid. An athlete ought to maintain
severe standards and guidelines and should abide by strict rules and
regulations and needs a self-imposed penance to build his stamina. A disciplined
routine assists with improving the technique of an athlete. Further, running
extended lengths on the sand, slope running by going all over mountain
inclines, lifting loads to reinforce arms, legs and stomach serves to build
stamina. Furthermore, playing games like hockey, football or handball can
assist an athlete with improving his technique and method.
2) Why did Milkha Sigh’s doctors and coaches
warn him?
Ans: Milkha has
shared his record of developmental stages in his profession. It draws out his
persistent effort, self-control, commitment and assurance to perform. He
followed a disciplined schedule that shaped him into the competitor he became.
His life in those days was administered by strict rules and regulations. He
would perform various types of activity to increase his stamina and furthermore
to fortify his muscles. Regardless of what the climate was, he would rehearse
for five hours each day and evening. Some of the time he used to rehearse so
hard thus arduously that he was regularly depleted of all energy and looked
horribly washed out when the training session was finished. Once in a while he
would speed up so much that after his rounds, he would vomit blood or drop down
oblivious through sheer effort. So his doctors and coaches cautioned him and
requested that he slow down to keep up his equilibrium and health.
3) What type of diet Milkha used to have?
Ans: He followed a disciplined
schedule that shaped him into the competitor he became. His life in those days
was administered by strict rules and regulations. He would perform various
types of activity to increase his stamina and furthermore to fortify his
muscles. Regardless of what the climate was, he would rehearse for five hours
each day and evening. Some of the time he used to rehearse so hard thus
arduously that he was regularly depleted of all energy and looked horribly
washed out when the training session was finished. Milkha's exhausting training
program should have been enhanced by a reasonable, high-protein diet to
compensate for the supplements lost during training. His was devoid of fatty
substances like butter and ghee, and instead, he used to drink glasses of milk
and eat plenty of green vegetable fruits, eggs, fish and lean meat. He used eat
different meal every day. The ingredients and combination in his diet used to
vary every day to help digestion.
4) Explain how Milkha Singh’s hard work and
dedication helped him to become a famous athlete.
Ans: Milkha returned
to India after his poor performance in Melbourne, he understood how
insignificant his abilities were when set in opposition to magnificently fit
and prepared competitors. It was then he understood that he should be set up to
test his determination against the best competitors in the world. He followed
Charles Jerkin's recommendation in a real sense and adhered to rules and regulations
and rehearsed a willful compensation. Every morning he would rise at the crack
of the dawn and then would run two or three miles cross country. After that he
would do stretching exercises to develop his muscles. He followed a similar
routine in the evenings- running a couple of miles and jogging between races.
He would practice for five hours every morning and evening, seven days a week,
three hundred and sixty five days a year. He put forward his objective to
pursue and resolved to change himself into a running machine. Running had
become his God, religion and furthermore his dearest. Somewhere in the range of
1956 and 1957, essential mission of his life was to dominate in running. The
track resembled an open book to him, in which he could read the purpose of his
life. He loved it like something blessed. It was this disciplined routine and
also dedicated efforts that moulded him into an athlete he became.
