Current affairs

'The Flying Sikh' Milkha Singh dies at 91 due to COVID complications, five days after his wife's demise!

By alagu, 19 June, 2021
Milkha Singh, COVID-19, Narendra Modi

Legendary athlete Milkha Singh, who is popularly known as 'The Flying Sikh', has passed away at the age of 91 on Friday due to COVID-19 complications. His demise has come five days after the death of his wife Nirmal Kaur, who breathed her last on Sunday due to the pandemic. The deceased athlete holds a special place in Indian sports history through his accomplishments and the sprinter in him had brought him a nickname of The Flying Sikh. 

He was battling the pandemic for over a month and he was getting treated in the Intensive Care Unit of the PGIMER Hospital in Chandigarh. Though he tested negative for the pandemic, he had developed health complications and his condition had further deteriorated on Friday evening. Amid the efforts to save him, Milkha Singh had breathed his last at 11.30 pm on Friday.

In a statement, his family said, "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. He fought hard but God has his ways and it was perhaps true love and companionship that both our mother Nirmal Ji and now Dad have passed away in a matter of 5 days." 

"We are deeply indebted to the doctors at PGI for their valiant efforts and the love and prayers we received from across the world and from yourselves", the family had added. The hospital has expressed its condolences and in an official bulletin, the hospital said, "Despite best of the efforts by a medical team, Milkha Singh Ji could not be retrieved from his critical condition and after a brave fight, he left for his heavenly abode at 11.30 pm."  

PGIMER Director Jagat Ram said Milkha Singh will be remembered for his exceptional accomplishments on and off the field and his endearing and humane personality. According to reports, Milkha's 85-year-old wife Nirmal, who had also contracted the viral infection, had passed away at a private hospital in Mohali on Sunday. The couple was initially getting treated at Fortis Hospital. 

Milkha had then got discharged and he was then taken to PGIMER on June 3 after his oxygen levels dipped at home while his wife was still getting treatment at Fortis. He has tested positive for the COVID-19 pandemic on May 19 and his hospitalization had begun on May 23 and his health had kept deteriorating with complications. He never left the hospital and breathed his last on Friday, five days after the demise of his wife Nirmal Kaur. 

Milkha Singh will stand high as a sporting icon and he is a four-time Asian Games gold medallist and the 1958 Commonwealth Games Champion but his greatest performance remains the fourth-place finish in the 400m final of the 1960 Rome Olympics. His timing of 45.6 sec reaching the 400m stretch at Rome remained the national record for 38 years until it was broken by Paramjeet Singh in 1998. Milkha Singh had also represented India in the 1956 and 1964 Olympics. 

Condolences have been pouring in from across the nation for the legendary athlete. While Milkha Singh was at the hospital, Prime Minister Modi had spoken with him over the phone and his demise has left Modi in anguish. The Prime Minister condoled Singh's demise and taking to Twitter, he wrote, "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." 

"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 Prime Minister added. In his tribute note, President of India Ram Nath Kovid said, "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." 

Union Home Minister Amit Shah wrote, "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." Honoring his achievements, Milkha Singh was conferred with the Padma Shri Award in 1959, becoming one of the inaugural holders of the award. The deceased icon and Nirmal Kaur were surviving with their son golfer Jeev Milkha Singh and three daughters, one of them is a doctor in the United States. 

 

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