Xtra Time Web Desk: Legendary Indian athlete Milkha Singh was on Saturday cremated with full state honours in Chandigarh. 91 years old Milkha succumbed on Friday night after being treated with COVID-19 complications. The funeral ceremony was attended by family members and several dignitaries, including sports minister Kiren Rijiju.
The Sports Minister tweeted, “Paid my humble & respectful tribute to the great #FlyingSikh. On behalf of Hon’ble Prime Minister @narendramodi Ji, I laid the wreath and handed over letter of condolence message to family of legendary and India’s pride #MilkhaSinghJi“
Milkha Singh’s son and ace golfer Jeev Milkha Singh lit the funeral pyre.
Punjab Governor and Chandigarh Administrator V P Singh Badnore, Punjab Finance Minister Manpreet Singh Badal, Haryana’s Sports Minister Sandeep Singh were among the other dignitaries who attended the last rites. A police contingent reversed arms and sounded the last post in the sprinter’s honour. Milkha was also given a gun salute. The Punjab government had declared a one-day state mourning and a holiday as a as a mark of respect to the legend.
His body was carried in a bedecked vehicle, from his Sector 8 residence to the Sector 25 cremation ground. Hundreds of people waited at the short route to pay their last respects to the legend.