Sprint Legend Milkha Singh Cremated With Full State Honours In Chandigarh

The Punjab government, earlier in the day, announced a state holiday as a mark of respect to the Olympian.

Iconic sprinter Milkha Singh, who died late last night of of COVID-19 complications, was cremated in Chandigarh on Saturday evening with full state honours. Union Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju, Punjab Governor and Union Territory Chandigarh Administrator VP Singh Badnore and Haryana Sports Minister Sandeep Singh were among those present at the cremation ground at Matka Chowk, in Chandigarh to bid a tearful adieu to the legend. His son and ace golfer Jeev Milkha Singh lit the funeral pyre. The Punjab government, earlier in the day, announced a state holiday as a mark of respect to the Olympian. Chief Minister Amarinder Singh also announced a Milkha Singh Chair at Sports University in Patiala in memory of the great athlete. The Chief Minister, who had gone to the Padma Shri recipient's Chandigarh residence, recalled the declaration of a national holiday in 1960 when Milkha Singh defeated Pakistan champion Abdul Khaliq in Lahore. An emotional Amarinder Singh said that he wished "he could have also declared a national holiday today". "But Punjab would mourn the legend with a state holiday, with flags flying at half mast," he added.