It's painful to see that after Independence, India hasn't won a single Olympic medal in athletics.

Milkha Singh’s quote expresses his deep disappointment over India’s performance in athletics after gaining independence. As a legendary athlete himself, Singh feels a sense of pain and frustration that, despite the nation’s freedom from British rule, India has not achieved significant success in Olympic athletics. His statement underscores a perceived gap between the expectations of a free and independent nation and its actual achievements in the global sporting arena, particularly in athletics.

The origin of this sentiment comes from Singh’s own experiences as a world-class sprinter who represented India on the international stage. After India's independence in 1947, there were high hopes that the country would excel in various fields, including sports. However, Singh highlights the fact that, despite the country’s potential, it has not been able to secure an Olympic medal in athletics, a key area where India has traditionally struggled.

Singh’s quote is also a reflection of his patriotism and desire for India to achieve greater recognition and success on the global stage. As one of the most celebrated athletes in Indian history, his disappointment is rooted in a sense of national pride and the hope that his country could achieve excellence in sports, especially in athletics, which requires dedication, hard work, and significant resources to nurture top talent. The absence of Olympic medals in this field highlights the gap between India’s potential and its achievements.

In essence, Milkha Singh’s quote is a call for reflection on India’s sports development post-independence and the need to invest more in nurturing athletic talent. It speaks to a deep desire for India to excel in the global sports community and reflects the ongoing struggle for the country to establish itself as a dominant force in athletics on the world stage.