Jalandhar, Jul 20 (PTI) Marathoner Fauja Singh who died earlier this month in an accident will be cremated in Beas, his native village, on Sunday with scores of mourners already gathered there and Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann slated to attend it.
Fauja Singh, who was 114, died after he was hit by an SUV being driven by Canada-based Amritpal Singh Dhillon on July 14 in Beas.
Fauja Singh was crossing the Jalandhar-Pathankot highway when the incident occurred.
Cabinet minister Mohinder Bhagat and Shiromani Akali Dal leader Daljit Singh Cheema are also scheduled to attend Fauja Singh’s funeral.
Fauja Singh’s body has been kept in a glass casket at his house with his photograph beside it.
A relative of his told reporters that they were shocked when they came to know about his death in the road accident.
Another relative, Paramjit Singh, said he had spoken to Fauja Singh around 20-25 days back and inquired about the health of his family.
He said the whole family was proud of his achievements.
Another family member said Fauja Singh was quite particular about his walk. When he would visit family members in Canada and if there was snow outside, he would walk in the house, he said.
He knew in how many steps he covered a mile during his walk, said the relative.
The family member also said Dhillon should have stopped and taken Fauja Singh to a hospital.
“Had he (Fauja Singh) survived, he would have said do not say anything to him (Dhillon). He was such a person,” said the person.
Dhillon, who police said had returned to his home in Punjab three weeks ago, was arrested Tuesday night. He was sent to judicial custody the next day.
He was nabbed from his house in Dasupur, which was not very far away from the Beas village.
According to villagers, Singh was tossed five to seven feet in the air after being hit.
The Punjab-registered Toyota Fortuner was identified through CCTV footage, fragments of its headlight and other parts recovered from the accident spot.
Leaders cutting across party lines offered their condolences for the marathoner’s death, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi saying he was extraordinary because of his unique persona and how he inspired the youth of India on fitness.
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.
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 CHS VSD VN VN
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