Babbir Sr's alma mater demands Bharat Ratna for him

Hockey legend Balbir Singh Senior's alma mater, Khalsa College has demanded that the country's highest civilian award, Bharat Ratna should be conferred upon the Olympian.
While according a reception to the 92-year-old, Khalsa College Governing Council's honorary secretary Rajinder Mohan Singh Chhina appealed the state's SAD-BJP government to recommend his name to the Centre for the top civilian award in recognition of his services to the game of hockey.
Balbir arrived here at the Khalsa College's annual sports prize distribution function today where he was honoured by the institute's management.
Balbir was part of India's famous gold winning teams from 1948 to 1956 Olympics.

An alumni of the Khalsa College, Balbir said that he wanted to be a teacher though his interest in sports was strong.
"I played at the school level at Moga and then my family shifted to Lahore and I took admission in National College, Lahore where I was spotted by legendry hockey coach of Khalsa College Amritsar Harbail Singh who brought me to Khalsa College in 1942," he recalled.

There was no looking back thereafter as he emerged as one of the most promising and distinguished hockey players of India.
Khalsa College Principal Dr Mehal Singh called Balbir "living legend".

Balbir visited the hostel rooms of the Nabha and Jind hostel where he stayed as a hosteller.
"The memories of hostel lawns and the green grounds of my alma mater are still fresh in my mind," he said as he addressed the students saying these grounds nurtured him as a player.