The Governors, Chief Ministers, Cabinet Ministers and other prominent personalities of Punjab, Haryana and Himachal on Saturday condoled the death of 91-year-old Milkha Singh, one of independent India's biggest sporting icons.
In their condolence message, Punjab Governor VP Singh Badnore and Himachal Governor Bandaru Dattatrya described Milkha Singh as a great sportsman who has left an indelible mark on the hearts of crores of countrymen. He will always be an inspiration to young talent and sportspersons, they said.
Describing the death of legendary athlete Milkha Singh with post-Covid complications, Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh said it was the end of an era and India and Punjab "are poorer".
“Milkha Singh was a son of the soil who rose to international fame and brought several laurels for the country in the Asian and Commonwealth Games, thereby making his countrymen, especially the Punjabis, proud,” Captain Amarinder said while talking to the mediapersons at the late sportsman's residence in Chandigarh.
“India has lost a sporting icon who will always inspire every Indian to shine for the country. We're going to have Milkha Singh chair at the Sports University, Patiala," he said. The CM also held up an old photograph showing the iconic runner with India's first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru.
Expressing his deepest condolences on the demise of 'Flying Sikh'. Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar 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, he said. Remembering Milkha Singh, Himachal Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur said that Singh won many Asian gold medals and finished fourth in the 400m final at the 1960 Rome Olympics. His passion for athletics and fitness would remain a source of inspiration for not only the young generation but also for the people of all age groups, Thakur added.
Expressing their heartfelt sympathies to the bereaved family members, the three Chief Ministers also prayed to the almighty to give peace to the departed soul and give strength to the family members to bear this immense loss.
The Cabinet Ministers of Punjab and Haryana also condoled the death of the sporting icon.
Milkha Singh was admitted in the ICU of Covid Hospital of PGIMER on June 3 and was treated for Covid there till June 13 when after putting up a battle with Covid Milkha Singh tested negative.
However, due to post-Covid complications, he was shifted out of Covid Hospital to a medical ICU. But despite best efforts by the medical team, Milkha Singh could not be retrieved from his critical condition, stated a statement issued by the PGIMER.
The Padma Shri awardee athlete, was a four-time Asian Games gold medallist and the 1958 Commonwealth Games champion but his greatest performance remained the fourth-place finish in the 400m final of the 1960 Rome Olympics.