'Turbaned Tornado' Fauja Singh, 114, laid to rest with state honours
PTC News Desk: Fauja Singh, fondly known as Turbaned Tornado' was cremated on Sunday with state honours in his native Beas village in Jalandhar district. Fauja Singh's son Harvinder Singh lit the funeral pyre.
Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, Governor Gulab Chand Kataria and Minister Mohinder Bhagat were in attendance to pay their last respects to the departed soul.
Fauja Singh passed away on July 14 after he was hit with a speeding vehicle while he was out for walk in his native village. His body was kept in a glass casket at his house with his photograph beside it.
Prime Minister Modi sent a condolence letter expressing grief over his demise and pride in the achievements of Fauja Singh. The letter states, "That he (Fauja Singh) took up long-distance running at a very advanced age speaks volumes of not only his physical fitness, but more importantly, his mental strength and resilience."
Fauja Singh, regarded as the oldest marathon runner, began running at the age of 89 after losing his wife and son in an accident. He turned to running as a way to cope with grief and loneliness. Starting with the London Marathon in 2000, he went on to participate in 18 marathons. He retired after completing his final three races in Toronto (2011), London (2012), and Hong Kong (2013).
- PTC NEWS
