Here are some of the lesser-known facts about Milkha Singh that the late athlete’s fans and followers need to know.
All the troubles and the traumatic childhood experiences that Milkha Singh had gone through made him inclined towards crime but fate had other plans for him.
Milkha Singh first tried to get a job in the Indian Army in 1949 and then again in 1950 but failed both the times and ended up being disappointed until 1952, when he finally landed a job in the Indian Army.
The Flying Sikh was once sent to the Tihar Jail for travelling in a train without having a ticket and his sister had to sell her jewellery to get him out on bail.
Milkha Singh donated all of his medals, trophies and sporting awards and accolates that are now placed in the Sports Museum in Patiala.
When Milkha Singh was honoured with the Arjuna Award in 2001, the athlete said that the award had come “40 years too late”.