New Delhi: Tributes have been pouring in for legendary Indian athlete Milkha Singh who died on Friday after a month-long battle with Covid-19. Milkha, 91, popularly known as ‘Flying Sikh’, breathed his last at 11.30 PM on Friday, merely five days after his wife and former India volleyball captain Nirmal Kaur died due to Covid-19 in Chandigarh. Milkha, a four-time Asian Games gold-medallist and the 1958 Commonwealth Games champion was admitted in the ICU of Covid Hospital of PGIMER on June 3 and was treated for Covid there till June 13 when after putting up a battle with Covid Milkha Singh tested negative. “However, due to post-Covid complications, he was shifted out of Covid Hospital to medical ICU. But despite best of the efforts by the medical team, Milkha Singh could not be retrieved from his critical condition”, said Ashok Kumar, official spokesperson for the PGIMER.

“It is with extreme sadness that we would like to inform you that Milkha Singh Ji passed away at 11.30 pm. on the 18th of June 2021. He fought hard but God has his ways and it was perhaps true love and companionship that both our mother Nirmal ji and now Dad have passed away in a matter of 5 days. We are deeply indebted to the doctors at PGI for their valiant efforts and the love and prayers we received from across the world and from yourselves,” read a statement from the family.

Milkha Singh Last Rites Today| Updates

6:30 PM: Milkha Singh cremated with full State Honours in Chandigarh

5: 55 PM: Union Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju, Punjab Governor & UT Chandigarh Administrator VP Singh Badnore, and Haryana Sports Minister Sandeep Singh are among those present in the last rites of the former sprinter.

5: 32 PM: Last rites of Milkha Singh being performed at the cremation ground at Matka Chowk, in Chandigarh

5: 27 PM: Flying Sikh Milkha Leaves For Heavenly Abode

5:20 PM: “Visited Milkha Singh Ji’s house to pay my respects and condole with the family. People across India are mourning his demise. Punjab is observing State mourning as a mark of respect to the Flying Sikh,” tweeted Punjab CM Captain Amarinder Singh.

5:14 PM: Milkha Singh’s final lap will be taken from Matka Chowk to Sector 25 crematorium.

5:12 PM: Milkha Singh’s preparations for the last journey has been completed. His body has been kept in a cart decorated with flowers.

5:05 PM: The Indian cricket team on Saturday wore black armbands on the second day of the World Test Championship final against New Zealand as a mark of respect to ‘Flying Sikh’ Milkha Singh.

5:02 PM: Sports University, Patiala to have a chair after Milkha Singh’s name

A chair will be established after Milkha Singh’s name at the Sports University, Patiala, Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh announced here on Saturday.

The legendary track and field athlete Milkha Singh died of COVID-19 related complications on Friday night.

“We are going to have a Milkha Singh Chair in Sports University, Patiala, the Chief Minister told reporters outside Milkha’s Sector 8 residence.

Singh, accompanied by state Sports Minister Rana Gurmit Singh Sodhi, had gone to meet Milkha’s son Jeev and other family members to offer his condolences.

4:20 PM: “A legacy that inspired a whole nation to aim for excellence. To never give up and chase your dreams. Rest in Peace #MilkhaSingh ji Folded hands. You will never be forgotten,” tweeted India skipper Virat Kohli

3: 34 PM: Throwback VIDEO: When Milkha Singh, Flying Sikh, Finished 4th During 1960 Rome Olympics!

2:50 PM: “A champion is no more with us. RIP #MilkhaSingh sir. Truly a legend whose name will always be remembered in the history of sports. Condolences to the family,” tweeted Punam Raut.

2:25 PM: “We were 50 athletes travelling in a bus to Pakistan. Upon reaching Wagah border, Pakistani officials took me on an open top jeep. I’ll never forget how thousands of Pakistanis cheered me on. It showed that people on both sides of the border don’t hate each other,” Milkha Singh once said.

2:20 PM: Milkha Singh will remain an inspiration for generations to come: Deep Dasgupta

1:55 PM: One of the greatest athletes: Ravindra Jadeja

1:15 PM: Milkha Singh on what kept him fit.

12:38 PM: “A couple of our helpers tested positive and so all the family members did the tests. Only I returned positive on Wednesday and I am surprised,” Milkha Singh had told PTI after contracting the infection. “I am fine and there is no fever or cough. My doctor told me I will be alright in three-four days. I did jogging just yesterday. I am in high spirits,” he added.

12:21 PM: Former Indian sprinter Milkha Singh will be given State funeral by Punjab Government. Also, Punjab will observe one day of State mourning as a mark of respect, announced Punjab CM Captain Amarinder Singh.

11:30 AM: “I express heartfelt condolences on the demise of Flying Sikh Milkha Singh. He was an inspiration for all of us because of his determination to always succeed no matter how challenging were the odds” said CDS General Bipin Rawat

11:13 AM: Chandigarh Police has beefed up security at the residence of Milkha Singh, expecting a visit of famous personalities.

11:10 AM: Taking to Twitter, Master Blaster Sachin Tendulkar said Milkha Singh will continue to keep inspiring several generations to come. “Rest in Peace our very own ‘Flying Sikh’ Milkha Singh ji. Your demise has left a deep void in every Indian’s heart today, but you shall keep inspiring several generations to come”, tweeted Tendulkar.

11:03 AM: His story of sheer determination and hard work inspired millions 

11:00 AM: “Shri Milkha Singh ji was not just a sports star but a source of inspiration for millions of Indians for his dedication and resilience. My condolences to his family and friends. India remembers her FlyingSikh”, tweeted Congress leader Rahul Gandhi.

10:28 AM: You have made young Indians dream of becoming an athlete, tweets BCCI president and former Indian captain, Sourav Ganguly.

09:39 AM: Bollywood actor-director Farhan Akhtar, who had portrayed the life of Milkha Singh in Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra’s Bhaag Milkha Bhaag, penned an emotional tribute to Milkha Singh. Sharing a throwback picture with the Indian Sprinter, Farhan in a lengthy note said, “You represented an idea. You represented a dream. You represented (to use your own words) how hard work, honesty, and determination can lift a person off his knees and get him to touch the sky. You have touched all our lives. For those who knew you as a father and a friend, it was a blessing. For those who didn’t as a constant source of inspiration and a reminder of humility in success. I love you with all my heart.”

09:24 AM: News agency ANI has tweeted visuals from the residence of Milkha Singh in Chandigarh.

09:21 AM: As per the reports, the cremation of the iconic athlete will be held at 5 pm today in Chandigarh with full state honours. His mortal remains are currently kept at his residence in Chandigarh’s Sector 8.

09:03 AM: Superstar Shah Rukh Khan also took to the micro-blogging site to pay his last respect to the iconic athlete.  “The Flying Sikh may no longer be with us in person but his presence will always be felt and his legacy will remain unmatched,” he tweeted.

09:00 AM: Referring to him as the ‘pride of India’, Megastar Amitabh Amitabh Bachchan tweeted,”In grief .. Milkha Singh passes away .. the pride of India .. a great athlete .. a greater human .. Waheguru di Mehr .. prayers.”

‘India lost a colossal sportsperson’

PM Modi was among the first to offer condolences on the demise of the Indian Sprinter.  “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,” PM Modi tweeted.

‘Indelible mark on the world athletics’

Expressing grief, Home Minister Amit Shah said Singh has left an indelible mark on the world athletics. “India mourns the sad demise of legendary sprinter Shri Milkha Singh Ji, The Flying Sikh. He has left an indelible mark on world athletics. Nation will always remember him as one of the brightest stars of Indian sports. My deepest condolences to his family and countless followers”, tweeted Amit Shah.

Sports Fraternity Mourns Death of One of Its Most Inspiring Figures

Sports Authority of India (SAI) expressed “immense sadness at the demise of one of India’s greatest ever sportspersons ”The Flying Sikh” Milkha Singh. “A gold medalist at the CWG & Asian Games, he held the 400m National record for 38 years. Condolences to his family & the millions whom he inspired,” the SAI said in a tweet.

Born in Layalpur, in undivided India and now in Pakistan, he became popular after he clocked 45.6 seconds to finish fourth at the 1960 Rome Olympic Games. He is survived by a son, ace golfer Jeev Milkha Singh, and three daughters.