-Jeev Milkha Singh
Jeev Milkha Singh with his father Milkha Singh
He was my best friend and father too. On one hand, he was a disciplinarian, firm and insisted on hard work as a father and on the other hand, he was my best friend. When I turned 16 or 17, he told me that he was going to be my friend now and that I could ask him anything. He was my superhero. He asked for so little but gave so very much.
As for my career, he never forced me to be a sportsperson. In that way, he was a great dad. I was a good runner. I would run in school, and on sports’ day, I would usually win most medals. After that, my love was golf, and I just got into it. Actually, it was my father who introduced me to golf when I was nine. And it all began with golf clubs and equipment coming home.
Once I started playing, cycling down after school and tuition for an hour or hour-and-a-half of practice, he would come in and check on me. Those were some of the good memories, which will last forever.
He was never judgemental of any athlete. He loved and followed every sport religiously. But as a disciplined sportsperson himself, he would be angry if he saw someone not put in their 100 per cent. His discipline was consistent even in older age – he always had a good quality of food and would eat just as much as he could digest.
For the last 20 years, he has never eaten dinner. He used to have fruit and protein. Till his last moments, he was speaking. We never told him of mom’s passing away. Only at the final stage, we told him “mom’s waiting for you.” This was the first time he was this sick, in the past if anything ever happened, it was for two or three days. That’s it.
Ironically, he went just before the Olympics. He arose from a background of have-nots and he always had a hunger to prove his worth. Now that he isn’t with me anymore and I miss him so much, I am also overwhelmed with the support of this nation after his sad demise.
I know he will watch over me, and I hope to make you proud. I will never stop saying your name or sharing your memories. I will also make sure you are always remembered!
(As Told To Indranil Basu)
