Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh held up a photograph of Milkha Singh with Jawaharlal Nehru.
Chandigarh:
Milkha Singh was a son of the soil who rose to worldwide fame and introduced a number of laurels for the nation within the Asian and Commonwealth Games, thereby making his countrymen, particularly the Punjabis, proud, Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh stated at this time.
Condoling the demise of the legendary athlete, Captain Singh directed a state funeral for Mr Singh who died yesterday on the age of 91 on account of post-Covid issues in Chandigarh. He was being handled on the metropolis’s Post-Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research.
His demise got here 5 days after his spouse Nirmal additionally died on account of comparable causes.
“We’re giving him a state funeral in Punjab and have declared a one-day holiday. It’s a great loss for all of us. Younger generations will get inspired by him,” Captain Singh advised the media at this time on the late sportsman’s residence in Chandigarh.
“We’re also going to have Milkha Singh chair at the Sports University, Patiala,” he stated.
The Chief Minister held up an previous {photograph} displaying the enduring runner with India’s first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru.
Earlier, the Chief Minister had tweeted: “Upset and saddened to hear of Milkha Singh Ji’s demise. It marks the end of an era and India and Punjab are poorer today. My condolences to the bereaved family and millions of fans. The legend of the Flying Sikh will reverberate for generations to come. Rest in peace Sir!”
Have directed that Late Milkha Singh Ji can be given a State Funeral by our Government. Also Punjab will observe someday of State mourning as a mark of respect to the departed legend. pic.twitter.com/V5ewngTO0j
— Capt.Amarinder Singh (@capt_amarinder) June 19, 2021
Popularly known as the “Flying Sikh”, Milkha Singh made his identify within the observe and area, successful 4 gold medals on the Asian Games. He additionally gained a gold on the 1958 Commonwealth Games in Cardiff.
Due to Covid restrictions, solely 50 persons are allowed at funerals in Chandigarh.
