“Race of my Life” is autobiography of Milkha Singh published in 2013.
Milkha Singh has led a life dominated by running, running, running… From a boy who narrowly escaped death during Partition (most of his family was not so lucky), to a juvenile delinquent who stole and outran the police, to a young Army recruit who ran his very first race to win special privileges for himself (a daily glass of milk). After that first race, Milkha Singh became an athlete by default. And what followed was the stuff legends are made of.
In this remarkably candid autobiography, Milkha Singh shares the amazing highs of winning India’s first ever gold in athletics at the Commonwealth Games, the unbridled joy of being hailed as the ‘Flying Sikh’ in Pakistan, as well as the shattering low of failure at the Olympics.
Simple, yet ambitious; famous, yet grounded; temptations all around him, yet remaining celibate so he could focus on racing; a rich and beautiful girl who was desperate for him, yet fighting the world to marry his lady love, Nimmi—even as the on-field drama found its way into his personal life, Milkha was a man who defined his own destiny. And yet, for a man whose life was dominated by sports, he continues to remain disillusioned with the way sports is run…
Powerful and gripping, The Race of My Life documents the journey of an impoverished refugee who rose to become one of the most towering figures in Indian sports.
‘Portraying [Milkha Singh] in Bhaag Milkha Bhaag…made me understand that no matter what hand life deals you, it is up to you to decide if you’re just going to take part in the game, or choose to win. Milkha Singh-ji chose to win. And in doing so…he defined his own destiny.’—Farhan Akhtar
The book starts with a statement:
“Mita de apni hasti ko agar koi martaba chahe,
ki dana khak may mil kar gul-e-gulzar hota hai”
Book includes a chapter on how Milkha found the love of his life Nimmi (Nirmala) and the family that grew subsequently.
‘For me [Milkha Singh] was…is…and always will be an inspiration’—Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra
The inspiring story of an extraordinary man who refused to be outpaced by life or circumstances.
The Race of My Life
Author: Milkha Singh with Sonia Sanwalka
Foreword by: Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra
Introduction by: Jeev Milkha Singh