World’s oldest marathoner Fauja Singh cremated with full state honours in Jalandhar’s Beas

Jalandhar, Jul 20 : World’s oldest marathoner Fauja Singh, known by the nickname ‘Turbaned Tornado’, was cremated on Sunday with full state honours here in Beas, his native village.

Advertisement

Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, and Minister Mohinder Bhagat attended the funeral.

Fauja Singh’s son Harvinder Singh lit the funeral pyre.

Fauja Singh was 114 when he was hit by a SUV being driven by Canada-based Amritpal Singh Dhillon on July 14.

He was crossing the Jalandhar-Pathankot highway when the incident occurred.

Governor Kataria recalled how Fauja Singh walked with him during a Nasha Mukt yatra — an anti-drug campaign – last year. He said that after walking for 1 km, he asked him to stop but to his surprise, Fauja Singh insisted that they walk.

Mourners started thronging Fauja Singh’s house in Beas early in the day.

His body was kept in a glass casket with his photograph beside it to allow the people to take a last look at the running legend.

Later, his body was carried in a decked-up hearse to the cremation ground.

A long procession trailed behind it, with Congress MLAs Pargat Singh, Rana Gurjeet Singh, and Shiromani Akali Dal leader Daljit Singh Cheema walking in it.

Fauja Singh’s career as a marathon runner began when he was 89. He would go on to become a global icon, gaining the nickname ‘Turbaned Tornado’ for his endurance and athleticism.

Fauja Singh became the first centenarian to complete a marathon, earning multiple records while participating in international events.

He ran in marathons in London, New York and Hong Kong.

advertisement

Among the most memorable of his runs was in 2011 when he turned 100. The invitational meet in Toronto was named in his honour, and he broke several world records for his age group.

A largely nonchalant Fauja Singh had spent a better part of his running career in Britain and returned to his roots just about three years ago after retiring. (PTI)

Hot this week

Pay hike of Assam ministers, MLAs likely as 3-member panel submits report

Full report likely by Oct 30 Guwahati Sept 25: There...

Meghalaya Biological Park Inaugurated After 25 Years: A New Chapter in Conservation and Education

Shillong, Nov 28: Though it took nearly 25 years...

ANSAM rejects Kuki’s separate administration demand, says bifurcation not acceptable

Guwahati, Sept 8: Rejecting the separate administration demand of...

Meghalaya man missing in Bangkok

Shillong, Jan 10: A 57-year-old Meghalaya resident, Mr. Treactchell...

Meghalaya’s historic fiber paves the way for eco-friendly products and sustainable livelihoods

By Roopak Goswami Shillong, Oct 25: From making earbuds to...

Better On the web Black-jack Sites United states Play Black-jack On the web

PostsSearched Video gameIs on the net Blackjack Beatable?Practice Blackjack...

24 killed in explosion at TTP compound in northwest Pakistan: Police

Peshawar, Sept 22: At least 24 people, including women...

Abhishek Sharma will blow the cricketing world apart: Ashwin

New Delhi, Sept 22: Abhishek Sharma's scintillating knock against...

2 Naxalites killed in encounter in Chhattisgarh’s Narayanpur; weapons, explosive items seized

Narayanpur (Chhattisgarh), Sept 22: Two Naxalites were killed in...

PM Modi unveils infra projects worth over Rs 5,100 crore in Arunachal

Itanagar, Sept 22: Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled infrastructure...

USD 100,000 fee to apply for new H-1B petitions after Sep 21: USCIS

New York/Washington, Sept 22: All new H-1B visa petitions...

Political witch hunts and blacklists: Donald Trump and the new era of McCarthyism

Queensland (Aus), Sept 22: A modern-day political inquisition is...
spot_img

Related Articles

Popular Categories