One of India's most successful track athletes, Milkha Singh "Flying Sikh", has passed away aged 91 after a long battle with Covid-19.
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One of India’s most successful track athletes, Milkha Singh, has passed away aged 91 after a long battle with Covid-19. Tributes to the athlete known as the “Flying Sikh” poured in after the news broke late Friday. Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the tributes to the athlete. Milkha Singh is independent India’s first sporting superstar. Modi said he was “anguished” by the news.
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. pic.twitter.com/h99RNbXI28
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 18, 2021
Milkha Singh had contracted Covid-19 virus last month and died of complications from the disease in a hospital in the city of Chandigarh late on Friday. His wife Nirmal Kaur, a former volleyball captain, also died with Covid earlier this week, aged 85.
The legendary athlete is a four-time Asian Games gold medallist and the 1958 Commonwealth Games 400m champion but his greatest performance remains the fourth-place finish in the 400m final of the 1960 Rome Olympics. He also represented India in the 1956 and 1964 Olympics and was honoured with the Padma Shri in 1959.
Indian celebrities, sportsmen and politicians took to Twitter expressing their condolences for the “Flying Sikh”.
Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan tweeted that Milkha Singh’s legacy will never be matched.
The Flying Sikh may no longer be with us in person but his presence will always be felt and his legacy will remain unmatched… An inspiration to me… an inspiration to millions. Rest in Peace Milkha Singh sir.
— Shah Rukh Khan (@iamsrk) June 18, 2021
Yuvraj Singh, the former Indian cricketer expressed his sadness. He wrote “Heartbreaking news of the passing away of Milkha Singh ji. His life and accomplishments will continue to inspire millions and in these memories, he will be eternal. My deepest condolences to Jeev and the family”.
Heartbreaking news of the passing away of Milkha Singh ji.
His life and accomplishments will continue to inspire millions and in these memories, he will be eternal.
My deepest condolences to Jeev and the family ?? @JeevMilkhaSingh pic.twitter.com/zF79Anfni9
— Yuvraj Singh (@YUVSTRONG12) June 19, 2021
Sunil Chhetri the Indian Football team Captain also said Milkha Singh was an inspiration.
We may not have seen you compete, but every time we ran fast as kids, we ran ‘like Milkha Singh’. And for me, that will always be the legend you leave behind. You didn’t just run, you inspired. Rest in peace, sir. #MilkhaSingh pic.twitter.com/SbwrqJJHx9
— Sunil Chhetri (@chetrisunil11) June 19, 2021
Kiren Rijiju, Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, tweeted out saying he promised the departed soul that he will fulfill his last wish.
मैं आपसे वादा करता हूँ मिल्खा सिंह जी कि हम आपकी अंतिम इच्छा को पूरा करेंगे।
India has lost it’s star. Milkha Singh Ji has left us but he will continue to inspire every Indian to shine for India. My deepest condolences to the family. I pray for his soul to rest in peace? pic.twitter.com/mQVRvfozkB— Kiren Rijiju (@KirenRijiju) June 18, 2021
Indian tennis star, Sania Mirza sadly wrote “Had the honour of meeting you and you blessed me so many times .. the kindest and warmest RIP Milkha Singh sir. The world will miss a legend like you”
Had the honour of meeting you and you blessed me so many times .. the kindest and warmest ?? RIP Milkha Singh sir .. the world will miss a legend like you .. #MilkhaSingh
— Sania Mirza (@MirzaSania) June 18, 2021
His rise to an elite athlete made Singh a national hero and inspired a Bollywood film in 2013 called “Bhaag Milkha Bhaag”, which was portrayed by Farhan Akhtar. The movie title refers to the last words spoken to Singh by his father. As he was dying, he told Singh to flee or he, too, would be killed in the post-partition riots sweeping the subcontinent. Singh ran for his life and boarded a train with other refugees.
The Actor expressed his disbelief and expressed his love for the late Milkha Singh.
❤️?? pic.twitter.com/Ti2I457epP
— Farhan Akhtar (@FarOutAkhtar) June 19, 2021
A rare video has emerged online, where you can see Milkha Singh talking about his parents and his early struggle for survival during the partition of India-Pakistan.
RIP Milkha Singh Ji ?
Rare speech by the ‘Flying Sikh’, Milkha Singh from 1962!
He was the 1st Indian athlete to win an individual athletics gold medal at the Commonwealth Games, a record which remained intact till 2010. He represented India in three Olympics from 1956-1964. pic.twitter.com/VEMST387zG
— Harjinder Singh Kukreja (@SinghLions) June 18, 2021
