Bhaag, Milka, Bhaag!

Chandigarh Book Fair 2013

This was soon after the inauguration of the Book Fair by His Excellency, the Governor, Shri Shivraj Patil.

The especially erected main hall of the exhibition was packed to capacity. From a distance you could hear the din. The heaving crowd within the tent roared, almost as though it were baying for someone's blood. From time to time there were catcalls and hoots and whistles.

But if you mustered up enough courage and approached the tent you would see that the noise did not emanate from anger or any other negative emotion. The young and the old packed like sardines were full of enthusiasm. Their excitement was almost palpable. They were waiting for their celebrity, Milkha Singh, the Flying Sikh.

And they waited! Waited patiently for the legendary hero.

Milkha Singh came slightly late. But he dashed in and almost dashed out. It almost felt as though he were running a 400 metre race, teasing his captive audience, cocking a snook and challenging them with a "catch me if you can!"

In the very precious half hour that the Flying Sikh spent with the tumultuous crowd he told them about his achievements and the lessons he had learnt in life. He exhorted them to work hard, not to cut corners, and keep on persevering until they reach their goal.

Apart from his bio-pic, "Bhaag, Milkha, Bhaag," the sportsman of yesteryears has penned an autobiography with the help of his daughter. It is entitled "The Race of my Life". Published this year by Rupa, it is an inspirational account of the ups and downs of his life, the courage and fortitude with which he overcame obstacles, and the hard lessons he learnt.

The crowd sat spell-bound and listened. But when Milkha Singh wanted to leave they all rushed on to the stage and mobbed him. The Flying Sikh had to do a disappearing trick and was whisked away deftly by the very efficient security guards provided by the UT Administration.

All in all a great start to a long-awaited Book Fair.