President, VP, PM mourn demise of 'Flying Sikh' Milkha Singh

New Delhi:India's legendary track athlete and post-partition hero Milkha Singh died at the age of 91 late Friday. He had first tested positive for the coronavirus on May 19. "It is with extreme sadness that we would like to inform you that Milkha Singh Ji passed away at 11.30 pm. on the 18th of June 2021," his family said in a statement. 

Singh was 91 and his death comes just five days after his wife Nirmal Kaur passed away due to COVID related complications.Singh is survived by three daughters Dr Mona Singh, Aleeza Grover, Sonia Sanwalka, and son Jeev Milkha who is an ace golfer.

Milkha Singh and his wife Nirmal Kaur had tested positive for COVID-19 last month.

Singh, a former Commonwealth Games gold medalist, was admitted to the ICU at the Covid-19 Hospital of Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) in Chandigarh due to dipping oxygen levels on June 3, just 4 days after being discharged from a Mohali hospital.

The Olympic sprinter gave post-partition India its first track hero after winning several gold medals at Asian Games and the Commonwealth Games.

Popularly known as the "Flying Sikh" for his speed on the track, Singh won a gold medal at the 1958 Commonwealth Games in Cardiff and four golds at various Asian Games. His Olympic medal dream, however, remained unfulfilled as he finished fourth at the 400-meter final of the 1960 Rome Games.

His time — at 45.73 seconds — remained a national record for four decades.

Rising from a bloody partition

Born in 1929 in Govindpura, present-day Pakistan, Singh saw the horrors of the partition up close, losing most of his family to violence when British-ruled India was divided into Pakistan and India in 1947. 

Days after the partition, Singh’s father sent him away to find help. He eventually made it across the border, into India, but his parents did not survive the deadly riots that ensued back in their village. 

Coping with the loss of his family, Singh gave the young nation of India its first sporting hero with his 1958 win.

Singh’s story set the stage for the 2013 film "Bhaag Milkha Bhaag". The title referred to the last words that his father said to him, asking him to flee or he too would be another life lost during the violence that swept the subcontinent post-partition.

Milkha, who had won four gold medals in Asian Games, died at Chandigarh's PGIMER hospital. A week before, he had lost his wife Nirmal Kaur, a former national volleyball player.

The fourth-place finish in the 400m final at the 1960 Rome Olympics was one of the headlines of his career. He represented the country in the three Olympics between 1956 and 1964.

He is survived by his golfer son Jeev Milkha Singh and three daughters.Milkha Singh had tested positive for COVID-19 in May this year.

Outpouring of grief

President Ram Nath Kovind, Vice-President M Venkaiah Naidu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday condoled the demise of legendary sprinter Milkha Singh due to post-COVID complications at the age of 91.

Expressing grief over the passing away of the sports icon on Friday night, President Ramnath Kovind said the story of the legendary sprinter's struggles and strength of character would continue to inspire generations of Indians.

"The passing of 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, the Rashtrapati Bhavan's official account tweeted.

Mr Naidu took to twitter to condole the sporting icon's death.

"Deeply saddened to hear that Shri Milkha Singh ji has passed away. Through his scintillating performances on the world stage, the legendary athlete has stirred and inspired every Indian - and not just in sports," Mr Naidu tweeted.

In another tweet, he said, "Shri Milkha Singh ji's heart-touching life journey will continue to motivate many more aspiring Indian athletes to dream big and push their boundaries. My condolences to his family and admirers in this hour of grief. Om Shanti."

Prime Minister Narendra Modi described the athlete as a 'colossal sportsperson'.

"In the passing away of Shri Milkha Singh Ji, we have lost a colossal 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," Mr Modi tweeted.

"I had spoken to Shri Milkha Singh Ji just a few days ago. Little did I know that it would be our last conversation. Several budding athletes will derive strength from his life journey. My condolences to his family and many admirers all over the world," the PM said in another tweet.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday mourned the demise of renowned sprinter Milkha Singh who died of post Covid 19 complications yesterday.

Taking to twitter, he said, “ India mourns the sad demise of legendary sprinter Shri Milkha Singh Ji, The Flying Sikh. He has left an indelible mark on world athletics. Nation will always remember him as one of the brightest stars of Indian sports. My deepest condolences to his family and countless followers’’.

Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Saturday directed the state government to accord a state funeral to the legendary Milkha Singh.

He also announced one-day state mourning today.In his condolence message, he said, "I am saddened to learn about the death of all time greatest athlete of the country who brought several gold medals in both the Asian and Commonwealth Games thus making every Punjabi proud."

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and the party general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Saturday condoled the demise of legendary athlete Milkha Singh, who died due to post-COVID complications at the age of 91.

Mr Gandhi, in his condolence message, said that the legendary sprinter was a source of inspiration for millions of Indians owing to his dedication and resilience.

"Shri Milkha Singh ji was not just a sports star but a source of inspiration for millions of Indians for his dedication and resilience.

My condolences to his family and friends.

India remembers her FlyingSikh," he tweeted.

Ms Vadra also mourned the sports icon's death.

"Whenever stories of flight of dreams and victories will be narrated in the country, then the name of such a person will definitely be taken who gave new heights to the dreams of the country and crores of Indian youth on the race track," she tweeted in Hindi.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath condoled the death of legendary sprinter Milkha Singh, who died in Chandigarh late Friday night.

In his message, the Chief Minister on Saturday said that the achievements of Milkha Singh, popularly known as 'Flying Sikh', will always make the countrymen proud. It is difficult to compensate for the loss caused to the sports world by his death.

Praying for peace to the departed soul, the Chief Minister expressed his condolences to the bereaved families.

Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Saturday condoled the demise of the great sprinter of India Milkha Singh.

Expressing his deepest condolences on the sad demise of 'Flying Sikh' Milkha Singh, in a condolence message issued here today, he said that India has lost a sporting icon who will always inspire every Indian to shine for the country.

'Flying Sikh' Milkha Singh will always live in the hearts of every Indian for his exceptional accomplishments on and off the field and his humane personality will always be remembered, said he.

Expressing his heartfelt sympathies to the bereaved family members, Manohar Lal prayed for peace to the departed soul and give strength to the family members to bear this immense loss.