Tributes flow in as the legendary Milkha Singh passes away

Legendary sprinter Milkha Singh is no more. He breathed his last on Friday due to post-Covid complications. Aged 91, he had tested positive for coronavirus towards the end of May. When he developed complications, the Flying Sikh was admitted to the ICU of a private hospital in Mohali first. He was later shifted to a hospital in Chandigarh.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his condolence tweet, said that Singh’s loss is colossal. He captured the nation’s imagination and had a special place in the hearts of countless Indians,” the PM added.

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Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said, “Shri Milkha Singh ji was not just a sports star but a source of inspiration for millions of Indians for his dedication and resilience. My condolences to his family and friends.”

Singh was brought up in Pakistan and spent his adult life in India. “Childhood taught me to fight poverty and youth taught me how to win. Wherever I ran, India and Pakistan both ran with me,” he once said.

Several Netizens are demanding that Singh be given the Bharat Ratna posthumously. His wife Nirmal had died earlier this month. Recounting his sporting exploits, many commentators are describing how Singh finished an Olympian race by a whisker. His unbeaten record was trumped by Paramjeet Singh 40 years later.

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