Twitter users heaped effusive praise as legendary Indian athlete Milkha Singh turned 90 on Wednesday, with many posting throwback pictures depicting his sporting achievements and quotes.
Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh wrote on his Twitter handle @capt_amarinder: "Happy birthday to the pride of Punjab & India, #MilkhaSingh Ji, who turns 90 today. Wish you the best of happiness & health, sir. "Urge my young friends to take inspiration from the #FlyingSikh and indulge in sports & fitness activities for a healthier life."
Here's wishing a very Happy Birthday to The Flying Sikh Milkha Singh. It was a great privilege presenting him the Lifetime Achievement Honour at #ISH2019! 🙏🏻🙏🏻#bluerising #happybirthday #milkhasingh #legend pic.twitter.com/gNu4bPuYl4
— Indian Sports Honours (@sportshonours) November 20, 2019
Team India's Twitter handle @WeAreTeamIndia wrote: "Sending out warm wishes to the legendary sporting icon, a serial sprint winner of his times and the one who is most rightfully known as the #FlyingSikh."
Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi wrote: "Wishing a very happy 90th birthday to #FlyingSikh, inspiration of Millions PadmaShri #MilkhaSingh ji."
1958 :: Milkha Singh Defeating Abdul Khaliq of Pakistan In 200 Meter Race to Win Gold Medal In Tokyo Asian Games .
— indianhistorypics (@IndiaHistorypic) November 20, 2019
In 1958 Abdul Khaliq Was The Fastest Man In Asia
( Photo - The Hindu Newspaper / @the_hindu ) pic.twitter.com/6ZJ9zhGSVv
A user posted a 1958 picture of Milkha Singh defeating Pakistan athlete Abdul Khaliq in the 200 metre race to win gold in Tokyo Asian Games. He said: "In 1958 Abdul Khaliq was the fastest man in Asia. Happy Birthday Milkha Singh".
Another user listed out sporting achievements of the Padma Shri awardee.
"Independent India's first athletes to win gold medal at the Commonwealth Games. Wishing you a very happy birthday Milkha Singh", wrote another user.
Gold - 200m, 400m, 1958 Asian Games
— R P Singh रुद्र प्रताप सिंह (@rpsingh) November 20, 2019
Gold - 440 yards, 1958 CWG
Gold - 1960 International Athletic Meet
4th Place - 400m, 1960 Summer Olympics
Gold - 400m, 1962 Asian Games
Gold, 4x400m relay, 1962 Asian Games
Happy Birthday sir #MilkhaSingh His story inspires every generation. pic.twitter.com/SHZAXlFJi6
One user said: "Milkha Singh (age 90 yrs now) don't miss his important tip. No doctor no tablet".
One fan mentioned that the Flying Sikh was the "Godfather of Indian Athletics".
Farhan Akhtar, Rakeysh Mehra Wish Milkha Singh As Iconic Athlete Turns 90
Track and field legend Milkha Singh turned 90 on November 20, and among celebrities who wished the sporting hero on his special day were actor Farhan Akhtar and filmmaker Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra.
Farhan had played the role of Milkha singh in the latter's biopic, "Bhaag Milkha Bhaag", which released in 2013, while Mehra directed the film.
View this post on InstagramA post shared by Farhan Akhtar (@faroutakhtar) on Nov 20, 2019 at 12:12am PST
The actor posted his congratulatory message on Instagram along with a black-and-white picture of Milkha, who is popularly known as the 'Flying Sikh'.
"Happy birthday to the 'Flying Sikh' .. love you Milkha-ji. Wish you good health and happiness always. realjeevmilkhasingh," wrote Farhan.
Director Rakeysh Mehra wished Milkha on Instagram, and wrote: "Meri umar bhi aap ko lag jaaye.. Many happy returns of the day, sir."
He also posted a hand-drawn sketch of Milkha Singh with his Insta post.
View this post on Instagramमेरी उम्र भी आपको लग जाए... many happy returns of the day Milkha sir
A post shared by Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra (@rakeyshommehra) on Nov 20, 2019 at 6:29am PST
Milkha Singh won a gold medal at the 1958 Commonwealth Games and was the only gold medal-winning athlete of our country till 2010. He also won two gold medals at the Asian Games of 1958 and in 1962.
In "Bhaag Milkha Bhaag", Farhan portrayed the athlete's struggles in professional and personal life before he went on to attain glory.