- Passes away at 91 after long battle with COVID
- Padmashri Milka Singh has inseparable connection with Hyderabad
- Was an Indian sprinter who won Olympic medal
- His wife passed away 5 days ago
Hyderabad: Legendary athlete, sprinter Milkha Singh (91) has passed away in Chandigarh on Friday late night. Milka breathed his last while receiving treatment with post corona complications. Milkha Singh was diagnosed with corona on May 20. He was discharged from the hospital after recovering a few days later. His family members rushed him to a hospital in Mohali with a drop in oxygen levels and fever as he was staying at home isolation.
On May 24, he was admitted to the ICU of Fortis Hospital, Mohali, due to pneumonia. He was later shifted to PGIMR in Chandigarh on June 3. His wife Nirmal Kaur (85) died due to post-Covid problems. Milkha Singh died five days later. Milkha Singh was pronounced dead at 11.30 pm on June 18 by doctors.
Milkha Singh has a good reputation as an Indian athlete. He won a gold medal at the 1958 Commonwealth Games and in 1962 Asian games. He was the only athlete to win gold in 400m race at Asian games as well as Common Wealth games
Milka reached the final of the 400 meters at the 1960 Olympics in Rome, but was limited to fourth place. He became the first Indian male athlete to reach the final of the Olympics. Milka Singh represented India at the 1956, 1960 and 1964 Olympics.
The Punjabi veteran was awarded Padma Shri by Government of India in 1959. Known as the ‘Flying Sikh’, Milkha Singh made a name for himself on the track and field. He won 77 of 80 races during his lifetime. He established a trust for the medical expenses of retired players. The film “Bhaag Milkha Bhaag” is based on the life of Milkha Singh. Milka Singh joined the Indian Army in 1951. He finished sixth in the Army-run competition.
After that he became an athlete. Milkha Singh has an inseparable connection with Hyderabad. He was trained in Secunderabad for 9 years. Milkha has a son Jeev Milkha Singh and three daughters.
President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi have expressed shock over the death of Milkha Singh. Modi paid tribute through a tweet. Modi mourned the loss of a great player. Several union ministers mourned Milkha’s death. President Kovind said he was shocked by Milkha’s death and his life stands as an ideal for the youth.
