Legendary sprinter Milkha Singh passed away on Friday after a month-long battle with COVID-19.
His wife, Nirmal Kaur, who was the former national volleyball captain also passed away recently due to the deadly virus.
He was 91 and is survived by his golfer son Jeev Milkha Singh and three daughters.
Soon, netizens took to their social media to mourn the loss of India’s ‘Flying Sikh’.
Bollywood celebs like Raveena Tandon, Madhur Bhandarkar, Neha Dhupia, Angad Bedi, Mukesh Chhabra, Rohit Saraf, Farah Khan Ali and others expressed their grief through their respective social media accounts.
Angad Bedi wrote, “Oh waheguru ??#flyingsikh,” while Madhur tweeted, “Sad to hear demise of #MilkhaSingh ji ? Been a great inspiration will remain in our hearts forever.
#OmShanti ?”
Sharing an old picture from their meeting Raveena wrote, “Had the honour of meeting you Sir, you will always have a special place in all our hearts ! Whenever we need to be inspired, “bhaag milkhe bhaag,” will resound in our ears ! Om Shanti.
”
Had the honour of meeting you Sir, you will always have a special place in all our hearts ! Whenever we need to be… https://t.co/XakDGFxGx6— Raveena Tandon (@TandonRaveena) 1624044652000
Here’s what others’ posted:
What a sad day for India, what a sad day for sport.
In the long hours I spent with Milkha Sir I was always struck b… https://t.co/g45w6FYiQP— Rahul Bose (@RahulBose1) 1624045228000
Rest in peace #MilkhaSingh ji.
Another legend passes away sad news #RIP— Arjun Kanungo (@arjun_kanungo) 1624045276000
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also tweeted, “In the passing away of Shri Milkha Singh Ji, we have lost a colossal sportsperson, who captured the nation’s imagination and had a special place in the hearts of countless Indians.
His inspiring personality endeared himself to millions.
Anguished by his passing away.”
In the passing away of Shri Milkha Singh Ji, we have lost a colossal sportsperson, who captured the nation’s imagin… https://t.co/arbRidazxr— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) 1624042595000
He added, “I had spoken to Shri Milkha Singh Ji just a few days ago.
Little did I know that it would be our last conversation.
Several budding athletes will derive strength from his life journey.
My condolences to his family and many admirers all over the world.”
I had spoken to Shri Milkha Singh Ji just a few days ago.
Little did I know that it would be our last conversation.… https://t.co/CmzAT2oMMx— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) 1624042595000
Milkha was rushed to PGIMER on June 3 after his oxygen levels decreased at home following treatment at the Fortis hospital in Mohali for a week.
He is a four-time Asian Games gold medallist and the 1958 Commonwealth Games champion but his greatest performance remains the fourth-place finish in the 400m final of the 1960 Rome Olympics.
He also represented India in the 1956 and 1964 Olympics and was bestowed the Padma Shri in 1959.
