‘Arjuna Awards distributed like prasad in temple’

Margao: True to his wont, Milkha Singh wastes no time in making a point. The ‘Flying Sikh’ India’s legendary sprinter touched down in Goa and left his keen listeners in awe during an interaction with the media in Margao on Sunday.
Scheduled to share his wealth of experience with students of Chowgule College on its founder’s day on Monday, Milkha donning his customary black blazer and maroon turban, was his usual vibrant self as he spoke on subjects relating to sports – more often than not, a trifle critically.
The 79-year-old, most famously remembered for just missing out on a 100m bronze medal at the 1960 Rome Olympics but breaking the pre-race world record, vented ire at the manner in which sportspersons are selected for the Arjuna Awards.
“The awards nowadays are distributed like ‘prasad’ in a temple,” he said. “Why should one be honoured when he or she has not achieved the benchmark for the award? I rejected the Arjuna I was offered after I received the Padma Shree. It was like being offered an SSC certificate after securing a Masters degree.”
The three-time Olympian, on whom the film ‘Bhaag Milkha Bhaag’ is based, also came down heavily on today’s youth. Milkha said: “Our athletes don’t have the willpower and desire to do well. They lack hunger for success. Now after watching movie on me, kids are turning up to become like me. They quit after few days of tough training. I fought and sweated for 12 years. I raced 80 international races. Will anyone do the same now?”
The 79-year-old was full praise of MaryKom, on whom a bio-graphical movie, starring Priyanka Chopra, is slated for release on September 5. “It is a wonderful idea to put MaryKom’s story on screen. I won’t be able to say anything about it till I watch the movie. But we need more films on Indian sportspersons to inspire the next generation,” he reasoned.
Movies, the legend asserted, brings the athlete’s untold story to the forefront. “Nobody knew about the hardship I endured before becoming an athlete – about my survival through the horrors of partition way back in 1947,” he affirmed.
The movie business runs into millions today and Bhaag Milkha Bhaag has been a huge success. However Milkha said he offered his story on a “one rupee honorary charge” and that it was his son Jeev whose decision it was to depict his story in a movie as well as choosing Rakeysh Om Prakash Mehra as director influenced by his product ‘Rang de Basanti’.
Eventually, though, Milkha was promised 10 per cent of the film earnings but the icon is above monetary pursuits. “The money will be donated to my charitable trust and I am not worried about it,” Milkha revealed.
In terms of selfless devotion to sport and his country, you could say Milkha is right on the money!