Review: The Race of My Life : An Autobiography by Milkha Singh & Sonia Sanwalka

Writing about your own-self and making it public is a thing which needs lots of trust and patience of the others. Not many are able to pen down the exact emotions of what they have been through in their real life.  Sir Milkha Singh in his autobiography "The Race of My Life"  has tired his best to give a sneek peek of what he went through and ultimately how he reached within touching distance of his dreams and ambitions and made it till the end. Let's find out what is in store for the readers. 

Milkha Singh has led a life dominated by running, running and running. From a boy who narrowly escaped death during Partition (most of his family was not so lucky), to a juvenile delinquent who stole and outran the police, to a young Army recruit who ran his very first race to win special privileges for himself (a daily glass of milk). After that first race, Milkha Singh became an athlete by default. And what followed was the stuff legends are made of. In this remarkably candid autobiography, Milkha Singh shares the amazing highs of winning Indias first ever gold in athletics at the Commonwealth Games, the unbridled joy of being hailed as the Flying Sikh in Pakistan, as well as the shattering low of failure at the Olympics. Simple, yet ambitious; famous, yet grounded; temptations all around him, yet remaining celibate so he could focus on racing; a rich and beautiful girl who was desperate for him, yet fighting the world to marry his lady love, Nimmi, even as the on-field drama found its way into his personal life, Milkha was a man who defined his own destiny. And yet, for a man whose life was dominated by sports, he continues to remain disillusioned with the way sports is run. Powerful and gripping, The Race of My Life documents the journey of an impoverished refugee who rose to become one of the most towering figures in Indian sports.

First look at the title and the cover and one gets inspired from the younger and fitter Milkha Singh. His stance itself is an inspiration for young and old both to be determined about their goals. There is not much to talk about the blurb because it's a sneak peak of a legend's life a small introduction to his success unmatched. 

The story is about Milkha Singh and his struggles throughout his life to find his footing on a firm ground. The circumstances of his childhood and the way his life was torn apart by the partition and from there on how he became a determined and a hardworking soldier first and then a sprinter is story in itself. His rise to prominence from the ashes is a tale of valor, dedication, genuineness, humbleness & his principles which he never left behind for his goals. It's a story to inspire many. 

It won't be right to judge a book of a living legend called as " The Flying Sikh" of the country. His accolades and hard work in his field and towards his country are unspeakable and unmatched. His determination is the talk of the entire nation. His name still buzzes in the arena when our current lot represents our country at the various levels of athletics throughout the world. He along with other legends is a name to be remembered for entire eternity as no one can ever replace him or eclipse his achievements throughout their life. 

The book is a source of inspiration and a treasure of knowledge for each and everyone who have that grit and determination to work hard towards their goals. If you think big then only you make it big. Read it not as a story but for an idol whose life is the milestone for many in the present and coming generations too. Salute to the "Flying Sikh". 

RATINGS: 

4 OUT OF 5