India’s ace sprinter Milkha Singh passed away on Friday at the age of 91 after a month-long battle with Covid-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,” read a family statement.
Milkha Singh died just 5 days after his wife, former India volleyball captain Nirmal Kaur passed away due to the same illness at the age of 85.
Milkha and Nirmal Singh are survived by three daughters Dr Mona Singh, Aleeza Grover, Sonia Sanwalka, and son Jeev Milkha, who is an ace golfer. Jeev had arrived in Chandigarh from Dubai last month while his daughter Mona flew down from the United States to look after her parents.
“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,” PM Modi wrote in a tweet before adding that he had spoken with Milkha Singh just a few days ago.
Milkha Singh was a four-time Asian Games gold medallist and 1958 Commonwealth Games champion but his greatest performance was the fourth-place finish in the 400m final at the 1960 Rome. He also represented India in the 1956 and 1964 Olympics and was bestowed the Padma Shri in 1959.
Social media was flooded with condolence messages for the Flying Sikh as soon as the news of his passing away broke. From Union Home Minister Amit Shah to tennis superstar Sania Mirza, famous personalities mourned the loss of one of India’s greatest-ever athletes.