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The Wire
2 hours ago
- The Wire
Fauja Singh: The ‘Turbaned Tornado' Who Stayed Committed to His Passion For Running Even at 114
Culture Fauja Singh's cremation will take place on Sunday, July 20, at his native village Beas in Jalandhar district, Punjab. Jalandhar: Fauja Singh, the 114-year-old turbaned Sikh, a global name that would remain etched in the history as the oldest marathon runner in the world, had a desire to breathe his last in his native village Beas Pind in Jalandhar district, a reason why he had started living there for the last five years post pandemic. ' Meri maut Punjab ch howe (I want to breathe my last in Punjab', he had been telling his family members who settled in the United Kingdom, Canada and the United States. Fauja Singh died in a hit and run case on the Jalandhar-Pathankot highway on Monday, July 14, after he was hit by a Toyota Fortuner driven by Canada-based NRI Amritpal Singh Dhillon. The cremation will take place on Sunday, July 20, at his native village. The plush house of Fauja Singh in the middle of fields at Beas Pind, Jalandhar. Photo: Kusum Arora While the Jalandhar Rural Police arrested the accused the very next day, Fauja Singh's family was heartbroken at the apathetic behavior of the accused. 'We are thankful to the police for acting swiftly in our case. The police tracked the accused within a day just because my father was a global figure. However, the fact is that had they been acting tough against the traffic violators, many accidents would haeve never taken place. The accused fled the spot without caring to save my father,' said Harbinder Singh, the son of Fauja Singh. Famously known as 'Turbaned Tornado' for completing nine full marathons and breaking his own records every time, Fauja Singh set benchmarks in life with commitment to values like humility, simple food, farming and the ability to overcome setbacks. Born in Beas village on April 1, 1911, Fauja Singh started running at the age of 89 in international marathon events. His first race was the London marathon in 2000. However, as a child he started walking at the age of five. From the year 2000 to 2012, he ran in London, Toronto and New York marathons. He was also the torch bearer of the 2012 London Olympics. Fauja Singh announced his retirement during the Hong Kong marathon in February 2013. He was awarded the British Empire Medal by Queen Elizabeth II in the year 2015 and Ellis Island Medal of Honour, by the National Ethnic Coalition, a US group in 2003. Family members of late marathoner Fauja Singh show a photograph of the latter meeting with late Queen Elizabeth II, at his native home, in Jalandhar, Punjab. Photo: PTI Coming from a family of farmers, Fauja Singh took to farming early in his life with his parents and picked life lessons. Behind his passion for running was the story of the loss of one of his sons, Kuldip Singh, who died after the dhaba roof they were constructing suddenly fell on him. Seeing him devastated after the sudden demise of his son and that of his wife Gian Kaur later, Fauja Singh's family decided to take him to the UK in 1993. It was in the UK that Fauja Singh started going for walks all alone, sometimes in a formal suit, an unusual sight, when a chance meeting with his coach Harmandar Singh brought a 180-degree shift in his life. After that, there was no looking back and Fauja Singh's name became synonymous with marathons. Talking to The Wire, Paramjit Singh, the US-returned nephew of Fauja Singh shared how post Covid-19, he had started staying in his village. He would say jokingly, 'I do not want to come back in a coffin (from abroad).' 'Fauja Singh went to Canada in March 2024 but came back within a fortnight telling everybody that he wants to go back to his village. At home, his routine included walking around the fields, running and meeting people in the village. Even at the ripe age of 114, he used to walk and run for eight to 10 hours every day, a feat which is next to impossible for any elderly person', he said. Paramjit Singh said that Fauja Singh was a brand ambassador of not just marathons but also simplicity. His life will serve as an inspiration for generations to come, he said. 'Despite being a UK citizen, he remained attached to his roots and ate simple vegetarian Punjabi food: in the morning he had alsi di pinni, which is flax seed ladoo made in desi ghee with dry fruits and jaggery and tea, then one chapati, dal, sabzi three times a day. He also had milch animals at his home, giving him the luxury of homemade curd, lassi and desi ghee', he added. Family and friends gather for condolence meeting at the courtyard of Fauja Singh's house in Beas Pind, Jalandhar. Photo: Kusum Arora With a sense of pride, Paramjit Singh mentioned that Fauja Singh was the first turban-wearing Sikh to win marathons in the world. 'There are many firsts attached to his name but he always remained grounded. He was also the oldest marathon runner to have ever appeared in an Adidas ad 'Impossible is nothing' in the year 2004 along with David Beckam and Mohamad Ali', he said, adding that he always attributed his success to rabb, the almighty. Highlighting his philanthropic side in an obituary in The Indian Express, former state information commissioner of Punjab, Khushwant Singh, who has also authored his biography titled Turbaned Tornado: The Oldest Marathon Runner Fauja Singh, shared how Fauja Singh donated the endorsement fee from Adidas-sponsored Marathon to a UK-based charity called Bliss. During the 2016 Mumbai Marathon, he sent the fee amount from the Nestle to Pingalwara Trust in Amritsar, a home for the orphans and the destitute, Khushwant Singh wrote. Not just the endorsement fees, he would also donate cash showered on him in various gurdwaras as a mark of honour in the cash box. Balbir Singh, a family friend of Fauja Singh, who was the first to rush him to the hospital after the accident, told The Wire that when People's Walk against Drugs was held in Jalandhar in December 2024, he ran and walked for 20 kilometres at the age of 113. 'We kept pleading him to stop and sit in the car but he was comfortable, astounding everybody with his stamina', he added. Harbinder Singh said that during the farmers' protest, as part of Doaba Kisan Sangharsh Committee, a farmer union, he stayed at Singhu border while Fauja Singh and other villagers donated a solar panel, when the government had snapped power supply to the farmers. 'Apart from ration and funds, we took a solar panel in a tractor to Singhu border ensuring power supply to the farmers', he shared. Fauja Singh's plush house in the middle of fields in Beas village was also a testimony to his love for farming and life in the lap of nature. His house adorned two Pilkan trees, under which he used to spend his summer days and a mango tree, where his mornings began by picking the best mangoes. Fauja Singh's shoes bearing his name, which he used to wear daily for walking and running in the village. Photo: Kusum Arora His granddaughter Japneet Kaur (16) shared how Fauja Singh was fond of mangoes, so much so that he used to hide them in the house for natural ripening but then forget quite often. 'We found a mango kept in his almirah in his clothes two days after his death. Every morning, he used to pick the best mangoes and hide them in the house for ripening,' she said. Japneet also shared that despite being illiterate, Fauja Singh could do his signature in Urdu language. 'He learned to sign in Urdu, a rare talent these days. For the past some time, I was teaching him English alphabets and he had learned it till 'H'. I also taught him how to pronounce the alphabets and he would keep repeating A, B, C, D whenever he saw me….,' she said with a smile on her lips and grief in her voice. Showing his marathon shoes bearing his name, which he used to wear daily, Japneet said, 'Quite often he would look at his shoes and point towards his name, Fauja Singh, with a smile. He loved walking and running and he left the world doing what he loved the most – a walk around the village.' The Wire is now on WhatsApp. Follow our channel for sharp analysis and opinions on the latest developments.
Hindustan Times
3 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Governor Kataria to attend Fauja Singh's cremation on July 20
Punjab governor Gulab Chand Kataria will attend the cremation of world-renowned marathoner Fauja Singh, who died at the age of 114 after being hit by a vehicle, at his native Beas village in Jalandhar district on Sunday. Fauja Singh, famously known as 'Turbaned Tornado' and 'Sikh Superman', was killed in a hit-and-run accident in Jalandhar district's Beas village on July 14. (HT) Kataria remained an admirer of Fauja Singh, attending anti-drug campaigns with him in Punjab in December last year. Fauja Singh, famously known as 'Turbaned Tornado' and 'Sikh Superman', suffered fatal head injuries on July 14 after a white Toyota Fortuner hit him while he was crossing a road in his village. He passed away later that day. Singh was the world's oldest marathon runner, and had become a global symbol of endurance and healthy aging. The accused driver, Amritpal Singh, 26, a Canada-based NRI from the nearby Dasupur village, was arrested by police on July 15. He is facing charges under Section 105 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder), 281 (rash driving) and 125-A (endangering life or personal safety of others) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Amritpal had come from Canada eight days before the accident and recently purchased the Toyota Fortuner (PB 20-C-7100) from a Kapurthala resident.
NDTV
a day ago
- Entertainment
- NDTV
A Week After Kap's Cafe Attack, Kapil Sharma Begins Kis Kisko Pyaar Karoon 2 Promotions in Dubai
New Delhi: Kapil Sharma's Canada-based restaurant, Kap's Cafe, was attacked by Khalistani terrorists on July 9, 2025. Now, after a week of his cafe being vandalised in Surrey, British Columbia, Kapil Sharma shared a new post on Instagram, informing his followers that he is gearing up for a dance shoot for his upcoming film Kis Kisko Pyaar Karoon 2. What's Happening Kapil Sharma took to Instagram to share a new post, all decked up in an embroidered black blazer, paired with matching shirt and pants. With the stunning backdrop of Abu Dhabi's Burj Khalifa, Kapil Sharma is seen flaunting his fit physique. He captioned the post, "Ready to dance. # kiskiskopyaarkaroon2." View this post on Instagram A post shared by Kapil Sharma (@kapilsharma) About The Attack At Kap's Cafe Nine shots were fired at a window of the newly opened Kap's cafe in Surrey, British Columbia. While no one was injured, Khalistani terrorist Harjit Singh Laddi took responsibility for the attack. The incident took place just days after the cafe was opened to customers. The attack was orchestrated by Laddi, who is one of India's most wanted terrorists and is also linked to Babbar Khalsa International (BKI). The shooting was reportedly ordered over certain remarks made at The Kapil Sharma Show, which he found offensive. Responding to the incident, the cafe authorities shared a long note on their Instagram Stories. The team admitted that they were still "processing this shock". The message read, "We opened Kap's Cafe with hopes of bringing warmth, community, and joy through delicious coffee and friendly conversation. To have violence intersect with that dream is heartbreaking. We are processing this shock, but we are not giving up." It added, "Thank you for your support. Your kind words, prayers, and memories shared via DM mean more than you know. This cafe exists because of your belief in what we're building together. Let's stand firm against violence and ensure Kap's Cafe remains a place of warmth and community." Kap's Cafe opened its doors on July 4. Khalistani terrorist Harjit Singh Laddi took responsibility for the shooting, in which no one was injured. In A Nutshell
Hans India
a day ago
- Hans India
Fauja to be cremated tomorrow; arrested driver's kin meets family
Chandigarh: The last rites of Fauja Singh, who was the world's oldest marathoner, will be held at 12 pm in his village, Beas, in Jalandhar on Sunday, his son, Harvinder Singh, told PTI over the phone on Friday. The kin of the Canada-based man, who allegedly hit the 114-year-old marathoner fatally while driving an SUV, also met Singh's family. 'Many of our relatives who live abroad have arrived, while some more will reach by Saturday,' Harvinder said. Amritpal Singh Dhillon (26) was arrested on Tuesday night and sent to judicial custody on Wednesday. The Police had said that Dhillon had returned to Punjab just three weeks ago. Dhillon's vehicle was also seized, Jalandhar Rural Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Harvinder Singh said on Wednesday. He further noted that Dhillon, hailing from Dasupur in Kartarpur, went to Canada on a tourist visa; however, he later received a work permit that is valid until 2027. Dhillon was apprehended at his home in Dasupur, which, according to Fauja Singh's son, is not far from their village in Beas. He added that Dhillon's relatives visited him to express their condolences on Thursday. 'It was his uncle, accompanied by some locals. They live nearby, and most of them know our family. We also mostly know those who live in the neighbourhood of our village. They expressed their condolences and grief over how the accident occurred,' he said. Harvinder reiterated that Dhillon could have stopped his SUV and immediately rushed his father to a hospital. 'I have read that he claimed he did not know whom he had hit. However, he was a local and should have known that someone elderly had been struck by his vehicle. Had he not fled the scene and taken my father to the hospital, maybe that could have saved his life,' he said. Harvinder emphasised that Dhillon should have spoken to his family after the incident, even though he was scared, and admitted that he was responsible. 'He was not our enemy; he could have approached us and admitted it was him. At least for humanity's sake, he should have come forward. Now, the police have taken action in the matter and the case is in their hands,' he added. Earlier, the SSP had said that during preliminary questioning, it came to the fore that Dhillon was driving the SUV at high speed as he was in a hurry for some work. 'At the time, he was not aware of the identity of the man he had hit and told us that he got scared, which is why he did not stop the vehicle', the SSP added. The officer had told reporters that Dhillon was headed to Jalandhar, but after the accident, returned home by driving through villages. However, the SSP asserted that it was Dhillon's responsibility to stop the vehicle, and that he should have taken Singh to a hospital. According to eyewitnesses, Singh was thrown five to seven feet into the air after being struck by the SUV as he was walking across the Jalandhar-Pathankot highway in his native village. The police identified the Punjab-registered Toyota Fortuner through CCTV footage and recovered fragments of its headlight and other pieces from the accident site
Indian Express
a day ago
- Indian Express
On radar in Sidhu Moosewala murder case, gangster Ravi Rajgarh, close aide of Lawrence Bishnoi, arrested
The Khanna Police has arrested Ravi Rajgarh, a Category-A gangster and a key member of jailed gangster Lawrence Bishnoi's gang, a senior officer confirmed on Friday. According to sources, Rajgarh was apprehended on the way to his village where he was supposed to meet his father Jagtar Singh Dhillon, who is a sarpanch. A weapon has also been seized from his possession, they added. Police, however, have not revealed further details about the arrest of Rajgarh. Rajgarh — who faces at least 12 FIRs, including 'murder' and 'attempt to murder', across different police stations — had allegedly supplied weapons for the murder of singer-politician Sidhu Moosewala and been on the National Investigation Agency (NIA) radar. He also allegedly got involved in clashes inside prisons, including Ludhiana and Ropar, where he allegedly attacked jail officials and rival gang members. Rajgarh had also allegedly helped several aides of Bishnoi, including his brother Anmol Bishnoi, in fleeing India by arranging fake passports for them. He had given Rs 25 lakh to Ludhiana-based transporter Baldev Chaudhary to send Anmol to Dubai on a fake passport; Chaudhary is already arrested for allegedly providing weapons to shooters involved in Moosewala's murder, police said. On January 27, 2023, Rajgarh was arrested by the state Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF) from Mohali and a China-made pistol was seized from his possession, Punjab Police DGP Gaurav Yadav had said in a statement. 'The accused (Ravi Rajgarh), who had been in touch with Lawrence Bishnoi and Canada-based terrorist Goldy Brar for the past 13-14 years, carried out criminal activities at their behest. He has a criminal history with cases pertaining to murder, attempt to murder, and Arms Act among others… Preliminary investigations revealed Ravi Rajgarh was providing hideouts, logistic support, arms, and vehicles to members of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, as well as facilitated their associates to procure passports on fake particulars to escape abroad.' Rajgarh was later released on bail. In September 2024, the NIA had raided Rajgarh's residence in connection with Moosewala's murder, and other gangster-terror nexus activities. In October 2024, Rajgarh — out on bail — 'campaigned' for his father, who had contested the panchayat elections from their native village Rajgarh, Khanna; Dhillon had won.
