The Punjab Chief Minister, Captain Amarinder Singh, today directed the State Government to accord a State Funeral to the legendary S. Milkha Singh. The Chief Minister also ordered one day State Mourning on Saturday.
Notably, the Flying Sikh Milkha Singh passed away here at PGIMER late last night after struggling with post Covid complications.
Milkha Singh was a son of the soil, who rose to international fame and brought several laurels for the country in Asian and Commonwealth Games thereby making every countrymen especially the Punjabis proud.
Besides, in his condolence message, the Chief Minister said, "I am saddened to learn about the death of all time greatest athlete of the country who brought several gold medals in both the Asian and Commonwealth Games thus making every Punjabi proud."
Notably, India’s first Olympics Finalist and Commonwealth Games Gold medalist athlete Milkha Singh was also known as “The Flying Sikh”. He was sports icon of more than 100 crore people of the country. He stood 4th in 400 Metre event at Rome Olympics,1960 and won Gold medal in 1958 Cardiff Commonwealth Games besides double Gold medals in 1958 Tokyo Asian Games and 1962 Jakarta Asian Games. He represented India in three Olympic Games (1956 Melbourne, 1960 Rome and 1964 Tokyo).
Also Read: Milkha Singh: The Man who rose from the ashes to become India’s greatest running legend
Milkha Singh was awarded Padma Shri, India's fourth-highest civilian honour, in recognition of his sporting achievements.
Sharing his heartfelt condolences with the bereaved family, relatives and friends, the Chief Minister prayed to the Almighty to give courage to bear the huge loss in this hour of grief and grant eternal peace to the departed soul.