Milkha Singh, 91, died on Friday at PGIMER hospital in Chandigarh, less than a week after his wife Nirmal Kaur, a former national volleyball captain, died of the same illness.
Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh expressed his condolences on the death of ‘Flying Sikh’ Milkha Singh, saying that “India, Punjab is poorer today.”
Milkha Singh, a legendary Indian runner, died on Friday as a result of post-Covid problems. At the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, he was receiving treatment. The 91-year-old had received treatment for COVID-19 on May 19 but was placed in home isolation after indicating that he was asymptomatic at his Chandigarh house.
His demise happened just five days after his wife Nirmal passed away from medical complications to the Covid procedure. “It is with great regret that we must notify you that Milkha Singh Ji died away on June 18, 2021, at 11.30 p.m.,” his family said in a declaration.
He battled valiantly, but God has his own ways, and it is possible that real love and companionship were the reasons that both our mother Nirmal ji and now Dad died in a matter of 5 days,” the statement said.
“He was treated for Covid there till the 13th of June when Milkha Singh Ji tested negative after a courageous struggle with Covid,” the hospital stated in a statement.
“However, he was transferred out of Covid Hospital to a medical ICU owing to post-Covid problems. Notwithstanding the greatest efforts of the medical staff, Milkha Singh ji was unable to be rescued from his severe condition, and after a valiant struggle, he passed away at 11.30 p.m. on June 18, 2021, here at PGIMER “Added the statement. Narendra Modi, the Prime Minister of India, paid respect to the famous runner.
“We have lost a giant sportsperson in Shri Milkha Singh Ji, who captivated the nation’s imagination and held a particular place in the hearts of many Indians. His uplifting demeanor endeared him to a large number of people. Bereft of words as a result of his death, “PM Modi sent out a tweet.
“Just a few days ago, I chatted with Shri Milkha Singh Ji. I had no idea that would be our final chat. His life experience will provide inspiration to a number of aspiring athletes. My heartfelt sympathies to his family and many fans across the world “In a subsequent tweet, he elaborated.
Milkha Singh, often known as the ‘Flying Sikh,’ earned a name for himself in track and field, capturing four gold medals at the Asian Games. He also took home a gold medal in the Commonwealth Games in Cardiff in 1958. In the 1960 Rome Olympics, he finished fourth in the 400m final, almost missing out on an Olympic medal.
Milkha Singh crossed the finish line in 45.73 seconds. It maintained a national record for over 40 years before being surpassed in 1998 by Paramjeet Singh.
