Major Dhyan Chand was not only the perfect hockey player but he was a true patriot also. August 29 marks the birth anniversary of Dhyan Chand who put India on the map back when the world continued to be plagued by wars and political bloodshed. 

He would have been 112 years old. Greatness was something Dhyan Chand was destined for. Once he refused the offer of Adolf Hitler. 

He had shown his guts and politely refused the job offer of Germany’s dictator. In 1936, Indian hockey team won the gold in Berlin Olympics by beating Germany 8-1 in the final. Indian captain Major Dhyan Chand scored 3 goals for his team. 

The match was watched by a crowd of over 40,000 including Adolf Hitler who came to watch the magical game of Dhyan Chand. Hitler was supposed to present gold medals to the winning team but he left the stadium halfway through the game as he couldn’t witness Germany losing. 

Hitler later expressed his desire to meet Dhyan Chand after the match as he was impressed by Dhyanchand's game. Next morning when Dhyan Chand went to meet Hitler, he was welcomed by the German dictator in his private box and showed him his view of the stadium. 

Hitler asked Dhyan Chand about his profession apart from playing hockey. Dhyan Chand replied that he is a soldier in the Indian army. On listening this, Hitler offered him a high post in the German army and requested him to come and live in Germany. Dhyan Chand politely refused, saying that his family is settled in India. Hitler said he understood his position and ended the meeting.