Padma awardee popularly known a FLYING SIKH and fourth place finish in 400 metres in Rome Olympics in 1960 having also represented India in 1956 n 64 Olympics raising the flag of India high globally, nonagenarian legendary sprinter Milkha Singh has breathed his last early morning post Covid complications due to his oxygen level coming down extensively.
The 1958 first ever Gold medalist legendary sprinter Milkha Singh died in the PGIMER hospital in Chandigarh after being treated for several days in Fortis Hospital, Mohali where his 85 years old wife Nirmala Kaur too succumbed to Covid 19 treatment after being admitted for the last several days.
It may be recalled that legendary sprinter on whose life a Bollywood biopic “Bhag Milkha Bhag” was made, becoming a block buster and four time Asian Gold medalist winner as well, apart from being an international Olympian having stood 4 th in 1958 in 400 metres race in Rome, including representing Oympics twice thereafter in 1956 n 64 Milkha Singh was recovered from Covid 19 and brought out of Intensive Care Unit but after developing post Covid complications especially his oxygen level dropping badly he succumbed at the Chandigarh hospital sending shock waves across.
Born in Pakistan in 1947 iconic first Olympic gold medalist Milkha Singh’s Ife had been full of twists and turns with struggleful life.
The bloody tragedies of 1947 partition had always been disturbing the flying Sikh all his life as he had been witness to the worst bloody era of pre partition days having come to Delhi in a women bogey under a seat clandestinely, living in refugee camps in utter despair n washing utensils in road side Dhabaas, finally appointed in Indian Army as a racer, bringing laurels for the nation. Flying Sikh Milkha Singh participated in 80 international races n won 77 of them, but always repented of losing the Rome Olympic medal coming fourth in the four hundred Meter race. He till the last had the hearty wish of India racer wining Olympics gold while he is alive, but unfortunately his last wish couldn’t be fulfilled. His name will be registered in the annals of Indian history as a first sprinter Olympian n winner of four Asian Gold medals etc. The nation is proud of him.
Mr. Lalit Rawat of Doordarshan producer, DD sports with Milkha Singh
The president of India Ramnath Kovind, prime minister Narendra Modi and Punjab chief minister Captain Amrinder, including several important personalities mourned his death.
In a tweet, the president of India Ram Nath Kovind wrote : The passing away of the sporting icon Milkha Singh fills my heart with grief. The story of his struggles and strength of character will continue to inspire generations of Indians. My deepest condolences to his family members and countless admirers tweeted the president.
Prime minister Narendra Modi while expressing his deepest condolences on the death of the legendary sprinter icon in a tweet termed his passing away as a collossal loss saying that his inspiring personality endeared himself to millions.
In a tweet prime minister Narendra Modi wrote : In the passing away of Milkha Singhji, we have lost a collossal sportsperson,. Who captured the nation’s imagination and had a special place in the hearts of countless Indians. His inspiring personality endeared himself to millions. Anguished by his passing away tweeted prime minister Modi.
The Punjab chief minister Captain Arvinder Singh in his condolence message said that he is upset and saddened by Milkha Singhji’s sad demise. He termed his death as a mark of the end of an era and India n Punjab becoming poorer today. The legend of flying Sikh will reverberate for generations to come. My condolences to the bereaved family and his millions of fans tweeted Punjab CM.
There had been two deaths in an iconic family in a week’s time one of legendary flying Sikh and another of his wife just a few days ago , both due to post Covid complications after several days of treatment n battling for lives in Mohali and Chandigarh hospitals, though recovered of Covid n brought out of the ICU.
Fighter sportsmen ..RIP
Very sad. An era of flying sikh has come to an end. He brought name & fame for India and many laurels for himself.
I pay him my rich tributes to him and condolances to the family in grief. Om shanti, shanti, shanti.
We lost great sportsman….
Shocked our flying star is no more ..
had some of sweet unforgettable memories with our loving star … gem of a person, inspiration for all… a great loss for the Nation ..
Sincere condolences to the family..
Koti Koti Naman 🙏🏽🙏🏽
My heartfelt tributess
Sir , Demise of Milkha Singh is end of runner who inspired thousands of runners.Sudeep Sahu Ghaziabad
Legendary athlete flying singh’s demise is great loss.