Today, my heart is heavy. I lost my first coach, my guide, and someone who believed in me long before the world knew my name.
Col. J. S. Dhillon was the person who gave me my earliest lessons, not just in shooting, but in life. He taught me perseverance when things felt difficult, discipline when I wanted to take shortcuts, and the value of hard work when results did not come immediately.
He never promised success. He promised that if I stayed honest to the process and gave my best every single day, the results would follow. That belief stayed with me through every challenge, every setback, and every defining moment of my career.
A part of who I am today exists because of what he taught me in those early years. For that, I will always remain deeply grateful.
My heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones. I hope they find some comfort in knowing how many lives he shaped and how deeply he will be missed.
Rest in peace, Sir. Thank you for giving me the foundation that carried me through a lifetime. 🙏
Remembering India's hockey legend, triple-Olympic gold medalist Balbir Singh Senior on his birth centenary.
He was a pivotal part of the men's hockey team that secured independent India's first Olympic gold during the 1948 London Games.
He proudly carried the flag for India in the 1952 Helsinki and 1956 Melbourne Olympics.
As a teenager, I recall when triple-Olympic gold medalist Balbir Singh Senior, donated his Olympic medals to the national defence fund during the 1965 China War. He handed these medals to Punjab's then Chief Minister, Partap Singh Kairon, who later returned them, acknowledging their invaluable significance as national symbols.
I had the good opportunity to meet the legendary figure, a true nationalist on a few occasions.
In his centenary year, the government will do well to posthumously confer ‘Bharat Ratna’ on him. @BalbirSenior
Remembering the legendary Balbir Singh Ji Sr. on what would have been his 100th anniversary. (31/12/1923 - 31/2/2023)
Easily one of the greatest Indian sportspersons ever, he won three Olympic Gold Medals.
Sharing a rare video of him playing in the 1948 Olympic finals where he scored 2 goals in the 4-0 win over hosts and our colonial masters, England, till just a year earlier. It was independent India’s 1st major sporting achievement.
A patriot to the core, he always dreamt of India as a sports superpower.
I was fortunate to be a recipient of his very special affection. The warmth he exuded could only be experienced. Sharing once picture with him too.
Legends live for ever! @BalbirSenior@TheHockeyIndia@Olympics@FIH_Hockey
My fav @BishanBedi moment. @BalbirSenior wanted to have a bite at our book launch in 2015. Sir used a cane to walk but insisted on getting a plate for Balbir sab. These two legends have reunited in a better world.
@boseamit1980
Cricket's greatest romantic has passed, leaving us with memories to cherish and celebrate his life..
I am blessed I watched him bowl and then developed a deep bond with Bishan Singh Bedi Paaji, one who learnt and shared his wisdom unconditionally.
In 2️⃣0️⃣1️⃣2️⃣, two 1948 #Olympians reunited at The Hockey Museum the day before the 2012 Olympic Games 🏑 tournament began. John Peake 🇬🇧 & Balbir Singh Snr 🇮🇳, both then aged 88, hadn’t seen each other since the final.
@sportinghistory@FIH_Hockey@EnglandHockey@SAHM_UK
#OnThisDay 75 years ago we won our 1st Olympic Gold Medal under the Tiranga 🇮🇳. Our 4th consecutive, and the 1st of 3 for the legendary @BalbirSenior
📸: @Olympics
"For the first time in 1948, the Tricolour was hosted at the top of the world. At the victory ceremony. As the flag was going up, I felt as if I was going up too. Then I realized, no, I am on the ground. And I still remember how it felt, as if I was going up as well. I felt as if I was flying." 🇮🇳
From our archive: the legendary @BalbirSenior, who passed away in 2020, on India's triumph https://t.co/xDGbJ6IHr7
(Photo from the 1956 Games, where Balbir led India)
75th anniversary of THE GREATEST DAY OF INDIAN SPORTS
The 1st as an INDEPENDENT Nation, under our TIRANGA 🇮🇳needs to be commemorated..
‘The hardest people to wake up are the ones pretending to be asleep’
@narendramodi@IndiaSports@ianuragthakur@TheHockeyIndia@Naveen_Odisha
A legendary start! 🌟🏑
Exactly 7️⃣5️⃣ years ago today, Indian hockey seized its 4️⃣th consecutive Olympic gold, an illustrious victory celebrated under the Indian 🇮🇳🥇
#OnThisDay | @TheHockeyIndia | @FIH_Hockey | @WeAreTeamIndia
#TheMemoryTreeHasDeepRoots Remembering you Dad -
with Heavy heart & teary eyes ....
ON YOUR THIRD DEATH ANNIVERSARY!
31st Dec.1923—-25th May,2020 Miss U a lot -Dad 😥
Sushbir Bhomia ,
D/o Balbir Singh Sr.
🇮🇳🏑🏅🏅🏅
Holder of World Record in Olympics
( unbroken / unmatched )
All 7 billion human beings have a common experience—we all appreciate love. We all have a seed of love and affection within us and the potential to cultivate greater love and compassion. If we want to create peace in the world it has to start with the heart, with inner peace.