When I was a trainee at Kannur Sports School at the age of 13

The words of P. T. Usha carry the fragrance of memory and the fire of inspiration: “When I was a trainee at Kannur Sports School at the age of 13, my coach Nambiar sir used to tell us a lot of things about Milkha Singh — his achievements, lack of nervousness on the track, and a lot of fun stories about him.” This is not merely a recollection of youth, but a window into how legends live on in the hearts of those who follow them. Through the telling of stories, greatness is passed from one generation to the next, planting seeds in the souls of the young that later grow into extraordinary lives.

The meaning of this quote lies in the power of role models. At thirteen, Usha was a child with promise, but it was the voice of her coach and the example of Milkha Singh — the “Flying Sikh” — that gave her vision. Singh’s fearlessness and victories, told and retold, became more than history: they became instruction, a map for what was possible. In listening to these tales, Usha was not merely learning of another’s achievements, but absorbing courage, resilience, and the spirit of a champion.

The origin of these words is rooted in the tradition of mentorship. Usha’s coach, O. M. Nambiar, understood that to train an athlete, one must not only sharpen the body but also elevate the spirit. By telling stories of Milkha Singh, he gave his students not abstract ideals, but a living example. This is the ancient way of teaching — through parables, through heroes, through flesh-and-blood examples who embody the virtues we are called to pursue.

History is filled with similar moments. The young Alexander the Great was said to have slept with a copy of Homer’s Iliad under his pillow, inspired by the stories of Achilles. Centuries later, children of oppressed peoples found courage in the stories of Martin Luther King Jr. or Nelson Mandela, even before they themselves could rise to act. Just as Milkha Singh inspired Usha through her coach’s words, so too does the telling of heroic stories kindle flames that burn beyond lifetimes.

There is a deeper wisdom in Singh’s example, as remembered by Usha: his lack of nervousness on the track. This is not the absence of fear, but the mastery of it. Singh faced his races with calm resolve, showing that greatness is not only in speed but in stillness, in the ability to hold one’s spirit steady when the world is watching. For a young Usha, these lessons would prove vital, as she herself went on to carry the weight of a nation’s hopes on the Olympic stage.

The lesson for us is clear: seek out the stories of the great, and let them guide your path. Just as Usha was formed by the words of her coach and the example of Singh, so too can each of us be shaped by the lives of those who came before us. If you wish to achieve, surround yourself with tales of courage. If you wish to endure, remember the resilience of those who refused to yield. In this way, history ceases to be past and becomes living fire.

So let us take Usha’s recollection to heart. Let us honor our mentors, who carry forward the legacies of heroes. Let us seek out stories of greatness, not for idle entertainment, but for transformation. And above all, let us, like Singh, learn to face the track of life without fear, knowing that by our example, we too may inspire those yet to come. For in the end, the greatest victory is not only to win, but to become the story that others will tell.