Milkha Singh tribute: The entire country is mourning the demise of legendary Indian sprinter Milkha Singh today. The Padma Shri awardee was 91 and is survived by his golfer son Jeev Milkha Singh and three daughters - Dr Mona Singh, Aleeza Grover and Sonia Sanwalka. Prime Minister Narendra Modi described him as a "colossal sportsperson who captured the nation's imagination". Singh succumbed to a month-long battle with COVID-19 after losing his former national volleyball captain wife Nirmal Kaur to the same ailment. She was 85.
India's sporting fraternity took to social media to mourn the loss. Another track and field great PT Usha shared a condolence message and posted photos of young athletes from her training school. She called Singh her "idol and inspiration". His story of sheer determination and hard work, Usha believes, inspired millions and will continue to do so.
"Had the honour of meeting you and you blessed me so many times," professional tennis player Sania Mirza wrote, condoling the death of Singh, a former Commonwealth Games gold medalist. She said he was the "kindest" and "warmest" person and the world will miss a legend like him.
Long-jumper Anju Bobby George, India’s only medallist at the World Athletics Championships, tweeted on Saturday that it is a huge loss for the sport of athletics today.
Hockey player, Rani Rampal is "deeply saddened" about the demise of flying Sikh, a man who according to her inspired many of the young athletes in the country.
Badminton star Saina Nehwal said also took to social media to pay tribute.
Doubles badminton player Jwala Gutta tweeted, "What an inspiration you were to the millions like us."
Athlete Hima Das was heartbroken to hear about Singh's demise. She added that the nation will always remeber him and seek inspiration from his life forever. Read how Bollywood paid tribute to Milkha Singh here.
Singh was a four-time Asian Games gold medallist and 1958 Commonwealth Games champion. His fourth-place finish in the 400m final at the 1960 Rome is still scripted in history as his timing at the Italian capital remained the national record for 38 years and he was honoured with the Padma Shri in 1959. He also represented India in the 1956 and 1964 Olympics and was bestowed the Padma Shri in 1959. He put Indian athletics on the world map with his brilliant track records.
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