ThePunjab Chief Minister, Captain Amarinder Singh, today directed the StateGovernment to accord a State Funeral to the legendary S. Milkha Singh. The Chief Minister also ordered one day StateMourning on Saturday.
Notably,the Flying Sikh Milkha Singh passed away here at PGIMER late last night afterstruggling with post Covid complications.
MilkhaSingh was a son of the soil, who rose to international fame and brought severallaurels for the country in Asian and Commonwealth Games thereby making everycountrymen especially the Punjabis proud.
Besides,in his condolence message, the Chief Minister said, "I am saddened tolearn about the death of all time greatest athlete of the country who broughtseveral gold medals in both the Asian and Commonwealth Games thus making everyPunjabi proud."
Notably,India’s first Olympics Finalist and Commonwealth Games Gold medalist athleteMilkha Singh was also known as “The Flying Sikh”. He was sports icon of morethan 100 crore people of the country. He stood 4th in 400 Metre event at RomeOlympics,1960 and won Gold medal in 1958 Cardiff Commonwealth Games besidesdouble Gold medals in 1958 Tokyo Asian Games and 1962 Jakarta Asian Games. Herepresented India in three Olympic Games (1956 Melbourne, 1960 Rome and 1964Tokyo).
MilkhaSingh was awarded Padma Shri, India's fourth-highest civilian honour, inrecognition of his sporting achievements.
Sharinghis heartfelt condolences with the bereaved family, relatives and friends, theChief Minister prayed to the Almighty to give courage to bear the huge loss inthis hour of grief and grant eternal peace to the departed soul.