Legendary sprinter Milkha Singh was hospitalized and admitted to ICU due to low oxygen levels on Thursday, May 3. On that front, PM Modi spoke to him and wished him a speedy recovery. Milkha Singh, also known as ‘The Flying Sikh’ was tested positive for the deadly COVID-19 virus 2 weeks back and was discharged from a Chandigarh based hospital on May 30.
Details
A few days after he was discharged from a Mohali hospital, legendary sprinter & Commonwealth Games champion Milkha Singh was again rushed to the Nehru Hospital Extension at Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh on May 3. Mr. Singh is currently admitted to the ICU due to “dipping levels of oxygen”.
The 91-year-old Rome Olympian was admitted to a Mohali based hospital on May 25 after being diagnosed with COVID-19 pneumonia. Meanwhile, Mr. Singh’s wife Nirmal Kaur is still in the ICU at the same Mohali hospital as her oxygen requirements are still fluctuating.
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PM Modi Wishes Recovery, Hopes Singh can bless Indian Athletes before Olympics
Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to former Indian sprinter Milkha Singh & inquired about his health. PM wished him a speedy recovery and hoped he will be back soon to bless and inspire the athletes who are participating in the Tokyo Olympics. pic.twitter.com/2976HLvh5X
— ANI (@ANI) June 4, 2021
On that front, Prime Minister Narendra Modi called Mr. Singh and enquired him about his condition. Prime Minister Modi also wished him a speedy recovery. According to ANI, “Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to former Indian sprinter Milkha Singh & inquired about his health. PM wished him a speedy recovery and hoped he will be back soon to bless and inspire the athletes who are participating in the Tokyo Olympics.”
Very compassionate gesture by hon'ble PM @narendramodi Ji to call up the great Milkha Singh Ji and enquire about his health. PM Modi also expressed hope he will be well soon so that the Indian contingent at the Tokyo games can be motivated by his words of wisdom. pic.twitter.com/YBZBcOBnwF
— Kiren Rijiju (@KirenRijiju) June 4, 2021
Fortis Hospital issues discharge notice
Earlier last month, Mr. Singh was discharged from a private hospital where he was undergoing the treatment for COVID-19 and it was reported that he was on the oxygen support. The Fortis Hospital, Mohali, where Mr. Singh was taking treatment issued a notice saying-
“On the request of the family, Mr. Milkha Singh was discharged from the hospital today in a stable condition. He is on oxygen and nutritional support.”
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“Admitted him as precautionary measure” Golfer son Jeev Milkha Singh
According to son of Jeev Milkha Singh, his father was admitted to the hospital as a precautionary measure. The ace golfer was quoted by news agencies saying-
“He was not eating, so we had to hospitalize him. Though his parameters seemed alright, it was safer to have him under the supervision of senior doctors. He is a strong man. He will recover soon.”
Reportedly, the golfing pride of the country Jeev had come back to India from Dubai on May 22 after learning his father had contracted the COVID-19 virus. As for how Mr. Singh contracted the virus, Indian Express claimed that the veteran athlete contracted the virus from a house help.
Many thanks to Prime Minister @narendramodi for taking time out from his busy schedule and call dad to find out about his health.
Dad had to shifted back to the hospital yesterday. He is stable.
And once again, thank you also to everyone who has kept him in their thoughts.
— Jeev Milkha Singh (@JeevMilkhaSingh) June 4, 2021
82-year-old Nirmal Kaur still in ICU, Oxygen Requirements fluctuating
Meanwhile, the 91-year-old sprinter’s 82-year-old wife Nirmal was also rushed to the ICU (Intensive Care Unit, on May 29 as her oxygen requirement was not lowering. The Fortis Hospital issued a notice which said-
“Mrs. Milkha Singh had to be shifted to the ICU last night due to increasing oxygen requirements. She continues to be stable.”
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The life & times of Milkha Singh, the ‘Flying Sikh’
Fondly known as the Flying Sikh, Mr. Singh holds the record of being the only Indian sportsperson that has won the 400m gold at both the Asian & Commonwealth games. In his esteemed career full of monumental moments, he also represented the nation in multiple Olympics – 1956 Melbourne Olympics, 1960 Rome Olympics, 1964 Tokyo Olympics.
The 1960 Olympics at Rome saw Milkha Singh coming extremely close to getting a podium win. He finished 4th in the 400m final race at that Summer Olympics. Recognizing his extremely prestigious career and sporting achievements, the Indian government bestowed him with Padma Shri, the 4th highest civilian honour.