Flying Sikh

'Bhag Milkha Bhag’ (Run Milkha Run) is an inspiring movie from Bollywood, besides entertaining. The story of Milkha, who broke world record in 400m race more than five decades ago and was conferred the title of ‘Flying Sikh’ by the then President of Pakistan, has remained largely unknown to Indian youth till now. Milkha achieved great success in life – not despite the challenges, but because of the challenges. He emerged stronger after each challenge. He bounced back higher after each fall. We have a lot to learn from his life story.

Firstly, great people are as vulnerable as we are. They too fail and fail worse than we can imagine. But, the big difference is that they don’t give-up. Indeed, they come-up with a stronger resolve. Then, they invest heavily in their mind-training. Milkha used to visualize winning the race just before starting. The reason he lost in the 1960 Olymics in Rome by a photo-finish only because he allowed his mind to interrupt this vision by looking backward just before hitting the rope. ‘Forgiving and forgetting the past is the best way forward’ is another lesson beautifully depicted in his story. He learnt that people actually are not bad, they are simply victims of circumstances. Success often gets to heads. Not in case of Milkha, who returned to show his sincere regards and appreciation to the first coach who had kicked his butts to push him beyond his limits. Success couldn’t even dilute his feelings towards a childhood buddy in humble state, whom he met in Pakistan after attaining world-wide recognition. He didn’t forget the pain endured by his big sis who sacrificed much for his success and rushed back to adorn her with his prized possession – ‘Indian Blazer’ and a pair of earrings that she had sold to get him out of jail in his struggling days. Milkha truly showed us how to become synonymous with our country’s name.

Essence of Fasting

I concur with the views of K. M. Zubair expressed in his article, “Blessings of Ramadan” (KT, July 9, 2013). Fasting is not merely abstaining from food and drink and cause a self-torture. Its essence lies in bringing one near to God.

When we forcibly deny ourselves the food and drink, the mind invariably runs towards the food and drink, thus causing physical and mental discomfort. In this condition, we anxiously wait for the time to break the fast and over-indulge in the eating soon thereafter, often resulting in stomach upset. Thus, we neither enjoy the time of fasting nor the time thereafter.

We are where our mind is. So, the key to a fruitful fasting is in the mind-training. When the mind is tuned in the thoughts of divinity, it is automatically disconnected from the physical needs and worldly pleasures. Watch a painter or a singer absorbed in his/her act. They forget to take a break even for rest, what to talk of food. Fasting simply happens to them. May the fasting open-up inner doors of divine joys in all of us! Ramadan Kareem.