In the quiet village of Payyoli, sixty years ago today, a legend was  born. Pilavullakandi Thekkeparambil Usha, lovingly known as P.T. Usha was born on 27 June, 1964. She emerged from humble beginnings to etch her name in the chronicles of Indian sports history.

Usha became the first Indian woman to reach the final of an Olympic event. Overall, she participated in three Olympic Games 1980, 1984 and 1988. One of India's greatest athletes, often called the country's "queen of track and field", she dominated Asian track-and-field events for most of the 1980s, winning 23 medals in all, 14 of which were gold. With strong support for her unwavering dedication and hardwork, her hometown people crowned her with the title of 'Payyoli express'.

P.T. Usha's legacy transcends medals and records. In 1999, she embarked on a new chapter, founding the Usha School of Athletics near Kozhikode. Here, she nurtured dreams, shaping young talents into future champions. Her dedication was not just to sport but to the soul of India's athletic promise.

Elected as the President of the National Olympic Committee two years ago, she continues to champion the cause of sportsmanship and fair play. On Wednesday, she pitched for the inclusion of yoga in the Asian Games programme as the country seeks to raise the popularity of the exercise form. In a letter to Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) President Raja Randhir Singh, she urged to include yoga in the Asian Games programme. She said it was important for India to lead the efforts to have yoga included in the biggest celebrations of sport.

Today, on her 60th birthday, P.T. Usha stands not only as an icon of athletics but also as the guiding light of India's Olympic aspirations. Honored with the prestigious Padma Shri in 1985, P.T. Usha's life is a tapestry woven with grit, grace, and the unyielding spirit of a true champion. As she celebrates six decades of courage and commitment, her journey reminds us all that greatness is not measured solely by victories but by the lives touched and inspired along the way.