Bhaag Milkha Bhaag : The Run Behind Dreams

“This can be your last race of life.”

“I’ll run like that…”

Words truly came from the deep of Milkha’s heart.

How can you earn a blazer? It was not a simple blazer – It was The most precious wearing of an Indian Sportsman – the Indian team Blazer. He saw himself in the Blazer once in the mirror. Was it true Milkha? No of course not. It was only a mere reflection of his dream. But that was one of the most important step towards a dream – Live the dream. The slap from his trainer made him come back to present.

“He is far better than you – he is a champion. Can you beat him? CAN YOU BEAT HIM?”

“Aho!”

His eyes does the rest of the talking. In a moment his life turned towards a single goal. His life just got a purpose – a bigger aim far bigger than anyone around him dared to dream about.

He started his run behind his dream – yes he ran hard. Too hard to be ignored by anyone around him. When his competitor beat him in the legs to make him not to participate in the coming race, was just an acceptance of his caliber. Milkha was for bigger purpose and these small barriers wouldn’t stop him. He learned to cross the barrier. The same guy who could not cross a finishing line for a stone in his foot made a national record with 4-5 spikes holes in both of his legs. It was the first acceptance of his attitude. But who cares for acceptance? He was a hero of his own. He was a hero for his dear Didi and Biro. He can fight the world for them.

Milkha earned his Blazer for India. Though that was just a start, but of course a dream come true. A dream people around him dared to think about. His Didi was the happiest person in the world. Her every tear showed her proud – her joy. When she found the earrings from the Blazer pocket, the shiny smile mixed with her tears made her the most content person in the world. Blazer was truly earned – for Milkha, for his Didi.

After all this Milkha was a man. He was not freed from all the bonding God has created. He just floated on his feelings with Stella in Melbourne Olympics. But soon after he realized his life was for different purpose. This gives him more strength than ever. This freedom completes when he left the swimming pool refusing the “mermaid”. That moment was a battle within where the brigadier Milkha won. And that was the start of his winning.

He trained as hard as possible – beyond possible. This was the training of a saint – a true champion. Did he achieve his ultimate goal? Heh does it matter? A medal – an Olympic medal would surely be the brightest feather on his hat but weren’t all the feathers on his hat are far brighter than the longed one? Wasn’t the tears of joy of his Didi means hundreds of Olympic gold? Wasn’t his coach Gurudev Singh’s every hug equals to those medals? Yes truly they are.

Milkha’s life got a completion when he visited Pakistan again and fought his childhood fear. The ultimate solution to relief from fear is not to run away but it’s in crossing the line and winning the fear. He crossed the line when he visited his home in Pakistan only to find his bloody memory rejuvenated. But that was much needed and his soul gains true freedom.

Every human life goes around all these stages from dream to run behind the dream to realizing the dream. Every person gets chance in one or another form. It all depends on in which stage he leaves the track. Milkha shows how to stay on the track with all odds in the opposite side. Sheer dedication, willpower gave him the strength to do the inhumanly deed….

Bhaag Milkha Bhaag