When hockey legend Balbir Singh donated his Olympic medals to India-China war fund

Legendary hockey player Balbir Singh senior passed away last month on May 25, 2020 at the age of 95. He was one of the key players who helped the newly independent country win its ever gold medal at the 1948 London Olympics. In an illustrious career, Singh won two more Olympic gold medals. Even after retirement he coached the Indian team that won the World Cup in 1975.

He was a patriot to the truest of sense. And when the nation is facing a hostile situation with China at this moment, let us take a moment from the pages of history when Singh showed his patriotism during the Indo-China war in 1962. When the war broke out, it had created an emergency-like situation where money was being contributed for the war fund. Balbir Singh, without giving a second thought had donated three of his Olympic gold medals to the China War fund in October 1962.

Balbir Singh Sr (extreme right) handing over his Olympic gold medals for the war fund in the presence of the then Punjab chief minister Partap Singh Kairon (sitting). Col BN Bali (retd) standing second from right. (Courtesy Col BN Bali (retd)) (Source: Hindustan Times)

At that time, Partap Singh Kairon was the chief minister of Punjab. One day, Singh came to his office and offered three of his Olympic gold medals (1948, 52, 56) for the China War Fund. It had left everyone, including the CM surprised. Though Mr. Kairon refused to accept the medals, saying it was the country’s pride. Balbir Singh kept on insisting, and the CM had to accept them.

During the 2012 London Olympics, he was invited by the hosts where an exhibition was held for Olympics artifacts. During that time the three Olympic gold medals were insured for UK pound 300,000 (Rs 2.76 cr).