Latest news with #TheTurbanedTornado
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First Post
19 hours ago
- Sport
- First Post
The life and legacy of 'Turbaned Tornado' Fauja Singh, the world's oldest marathoner
Fauja Singh, the world's oldest marathon runner, died at the age of 114 after being hit by a car in Punjab's Jalandhar. The man, who began his marathon journey at 89, had shattered records and inspired many with his resilience. Here's a closer look at his story read more Widely believed to be the world's oldest marathon runner, Fauja Singh was a British-Indian icon who shattered records across age categories, most notably, continuing to run marathons well past the age of 100. Fauja Singh, fondly called the 'Turbaned Tornado', died at the age of 114 on July 14 after being struck by a car near his home in Beas Pind, Jalandhar. Widely believed to be the world's oldest marathon runner, Singh was an icon who shattered records across age categories, most notably, continuing to run marathons well past the age of 100. The frail man, who weathered many a personal storms with grit and perseverance, had spent a better part of his running career in the UK and returned to his roots just about three years ago after retiring. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'We would always tell him that someone his age running in India would always run the risk of being hit, given how reckless the driving here is. This is what ultimately happened, unfortunately,' said his biographer Khushwant Singh, who chronicled the legendary athlete's journey in The Turbaned Tornado. As the world mourns the tragic end of an extraordinary life, here's a look back at the man, his journey, and the legacy he left behind. 'In my youth, I didn't know 'marathons' existed' Fauja Singh was born on April 1, 1911, in Beas Pind, a small village in pre-Partition British India. The youngest of four siblings, Singh had a frail frame as a child. Locals in his village even nicknamed him 'Stick' because his legs were too weak to support him, and he couldn't walk properly until he was five. Instead of going to school, he spent most of his early years helping out on the family farm, feeding cattle and growing crops like corn and wheat. 'I was very weak as a child. I had faced trouble walking till the age of five years but then as I spent time at the farm and with the support of my family and Waheguru, I started walking,' he told The Indian Express in an interview. Fauja Singh. Image courtesy: X Before turning 40, Singh had already lived through both World Wars and the horrors of the Partition. Despite everything, he had never thought of running in his youth. 'In my youth, I didn't even know the word 'marathon' existed,' he once told the BBC. 'I never went to school, nor was I involved in any kind of sports. I was a farmer and spent most of my life in the fields.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Singh later married and had six children. Life took a turn in 1993 when he moved to England after the death of his wife, Gian Kaur. He settled in Ilford, London, to live with his eldest son, Sukhjinder. However, another tragedy soon followed. While visiting India, Singh witnessed the accidental death of his younger son, Kuldeep. The loss left him shattered. He returned to London and began to find solace in long walks and eventually running, often frequenting parks near his home. On one of his visits to the local gurdwara, he met a group of elderly men who ran together. It was here that he met Harmander Singh, who would become his coach and one of his closest companions. 'Had I not met Harmander Singh, I wouldn't have got into marathon running,' Singh had told The Indian Express. Becoming the 'Turbaned tornado' Fauja Singh ran his first marathon—the London Marathon—in 2000, at the age of 89. He completed it in six hours and 54 minutes, kicking off a remarkable journey that would make him a global icon. 'Running gave him a new focus in life, made it worth living,' his coach Harmander Singh told The New York Times in 2010. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD With each race, Singh grew stronger and faster. By his third London Marathon, he had shaved nine minutes off his previous time. In 2003, he amazed the world again at the Toronto Waterfront Marathon by clocking in at five hours and 40 minutes, improving his personal best by over an hour. He credited his health and longevity to a simple lifestyle and disciplined vegetarian diet. 'Eating less, running more, and staying happy - that is the secret behind my longevity. This is my message to everyone,' he had told BBC. 'Running gave him a new focus in life, made it worth living,' Fauja Singh's coach Harmander Singh said in 2010. PTI His dedication caught international attention. Adidas featured him in their Nothing Is Impossible campaign alongside Muhammad Ali in 2003. The Pakistani Prime Minister Pervez Musharraf invited him to the inaugural Lahore Marathon in 2005, and Queen Elizabeth II welcomed him to Buckingham Palace in 2006. Then came 2011—the year he turned 100. At a Toronto invitational meet named in his honour, Singh broke several world records in his age category. However, Guinness World Records did not recognise any of them, as he did not have a birth certificate from 1911 to prove his age. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Singh shows off his medal from the Edinburgh Marathon in 2005. 'He was not bothered by any of that. He just enjoyed the attention that he got. I once asked him 'Baba, maran ton darr lagda? (Baba, are you afraid of death?). He said 'haan, bilkul lagda. Haje te mele shuru hoye ne (Yes, of course. The fun has only started for me),' recalled his biographer Khuswant Singh. In 2012, Singh proudly served as a torchbearer at the London Olympics. His final competitive race came a year later in Hong Kong, a 10-kilometre event, after which he announced his retirement. Legacy beyond the finish line By 2016, Singh had hung up his marathon shoes, but that didn't mean slowing down. Even in his later years, he would walk up to 16 km a day around Ilford in East London, his coach Harmander Singh said. In 2015, he was honoured with the British Empire Medal for his services to sport and charity. His story reached new audiences in 2020 when writer Simran Jeet Singh published Fauja Singh Keeps Going—the first children's picture book by a major publisher centred on a Sikh protagonist. 'I'm now 108 years old, which means I'm probably more than 100 years older than you,' Singh wrote in the book's foreword to young readers. 'Can you believe that?' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Fauja Singh setting a world record for the fastest centenarian in an 800m race in 2011. File image/ AP. Following his death, tributes poured in from all corners of the world. PM Narendra Modi called him 'an exceptional athlete with incredible determination' and praised how he inspired India's youth to embrace fitness. Fauja Singh Ji was extraordinary because of his unique persona and the manner in which he inspired the youth of India on a very important topic of fitness. He was an exceptional athlete with incredible determination. Pained by his passing away. My thoughts are with his family and… — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 15, 2025 Back in Ilford, Harmander Singh has launched a campaign to raise funds for a memorial clubhouse in Singh's name, reports The Indian Express. 'We're collecting £114 from close to 9,000 people around the world,' he said, 'to build something that keeps the Fauja Singh legacy alive.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Even at 114, Singh was actively participating in causes he believed in. He joined the 'Nasha Mukt – Rangla Punjab' march to promote a drug-free Punjab. As the world bids farewell to Singh, his remarkable legacy will live in every marathon run, every story of resilience, and in the millions of lives he inspired. With input from agencies
NDTV
a day ago
- Sport
- NDTV
Of Tragedies And Tenacity: The Fauja Singh Story
It's never too late to start over, goes the old adage and if ever there was proof needed that it actually isn't, one could always marvel at the life of Fauja Singh. The widely-admired 114-year-old, whose career as a marathon runner began when he was 89 and propelled him to the status of a global icon, died on Monday night. It was a heartbreakingly abrupt end despite his age. He was hit by a yet-to-be-identified vehicle while out for a walk at Beas Pind, his native village in Jalandhar. The frail man, who weathered many a personal storms with his resilience and "nonchalance", had spent a better part of his running career in Britain and returned to his roots just about three years ago after retiring. "We would always tell him that someone his age running in India would always run the risk of being hit given how reckless the driving here is. This is what ultimately happened unfortunately," said his biographer Khushwant Singh, whose book 'The Turbaned Tornado' documents the celebrated runner's life. Fauja's story of strength began long after time slows down for most, especially those who have been mauled by the life's many tragedies. He too was battling demons of his own. Overwhelmed by the loss of his youngest son in the mid '90s, Fauja found solace in running with a local club in Essex after moving out of India following the death of his wife and daughter. "The villagers would tell one of his sons to take him to the UK because he would keep visiting the cremation ground and sit there for hours. So, eventually he moved to Ilford (a town in east London)," said Khushwant. Once there, Fauja endured another loss before he chanced upon a running club. And what started as a hobby to take his mind off the circumstances that threatened to consume him, became the driving force of his life. He went on to run marathons, including the famed ones in London, New York and and Hong Kong, and inspire awe for clocking some brilliant timings for a 90-plus man born with weak legs. In the process, he also became a torch-bearer at the 2012 London Olympics and was honoured by the late Queen Elizabeth II for his contribution to sport and charity. "Before that meeting with the Queen we had to repeatedly counsel him 'Baba, Queen naal sirf hath milana hai, japphi ni paani jinwein baccheyan nu tussi paande ho' (Baba, you have to only shake hands with the Queen, don't hug her like you hug kids when you meet them)," Khushwant, whose long association with the centenarian started in 2005, recalled. "But jokes apart, he was a very resilient man with a lot of earthy wisdom. He could not read in general but could identify numbers because for him they were designs that he had memorised. "He was also someone who had no greed. Every rupee he earned by running marathons went to charity. Once he became famous, people would walk up to him to give money even in Gurudwaras but he would straightaway put that money into the donation boxes there," he said. Like a true blue large-hearted romanticised Punjabi, Fauja loved his pinnis (sweet balls of ghee, flour, and jaggery dotted with dry fruits) and the occasional strawberry shake from McDonald's. But he was also a disciplined runner who would train vigorously before his races. 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. But none of them were taken into consideration by Guinness World Records as he did not have a birth certificate to prove his age. "He was not bothered by any of that. He just enjoyed the attention that he got. I once asked him 'Baba, maran ton darr lagda? (Baba, are you afraid of death?). He said 'haan, bilkul lagda. Haje te mele shuru hoye ne (Yes, of course. The fun has only started for me)," Khushwant said, remembering one of their conversations on mortality. "He was a simple man but understood with clarity, the importance of fitness and training. Even two years back, he was gracious enough to join a run against drug addiction," he added. In the end, Fauja lived up to the values that his name reflected. He fought the battle of life with the resolve of a soldier. "He travelled the world but never once bothered to ask about who would take care of his stay and other requirements. He just had confidence in the system and so many times, when I was with him, he would simply say 'Sangat saambh laigi' (the community will take care of me)." (Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
Time of India
a day ago
- Politics
- Time of India
School Assembly news headlines for today July 16, 2025: From sports to education, check 20+ national & international news
School Assembly news headlines for today July 16, 2025: Welcome to today's school assembly news headlines for July 16, 2025! Here, you will find the latest updates from around the world, covering sports, education, national, and international news. Today, we highlight important stories such as Prime Minister Modi paying tribute to freedom fighter K. Kamaraj on his birth anniversary, and expressing sorrow over the death of marathon legend Fauja Singh. In education, students and parents should know that the JNU admissions window is closing, and Delhi University is gearing up for its much-awaited seat allotment. Internationally, talks between India and China are in focus after important meetings, and Yemen has postponed the execution of Indian nurse Nimisha Priya. In sports, exciting events like the Mysore horse races are happening, and Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain are set to clash in the FIFA Club World Cup final. Monsoon rains have also caused severe weather in parts of Himachal Pradesh and Rajasthan, leading to landslides and flood. Today's national news headlines in English for school assembly, July 16, 2025 Veteran marathon runner Fauja Singh dies at 114 after an accident in Punjab; known worldwide as 'The Turbaned Tornado'. Supreme Court to hear pleas on NEET-PG transparency on August 3, focusing on exam evaluation and answer key release. Union Minister Nitin Gadkari inaugurates India's second-longest cable-stayed bridge in Karnataka, improving connectivity in the Sharavathi backwaters region. President Droupadi Murmu appoints new governors for Haryana, Goa, and Ladakh; Kavinder Gupta becomes Ladakh's Lieutenant Governor. Mumbai reports 126 measles cases among children in 2025; health officials intensify monitoring and treatment efforts. Today's international news headlines in English for school assembly, July 16, 2025 France celebrates Bastille Day with a grand military parade, drone show, and fireworks in Paris. Dutch medical flight SUZ1 crashes after takeoff from London Southend Airport; airport temporarily closed for safety checks. European Union announces prolongation of halt on countermeasures against the US to continue trade negotiations. New Zealand plans to double its international student market by 2034, easing work permit rules to attract global talent. Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar meets Chinese Vice President Han Zheng, emphasizing improved India-China relations. Today's sports news headlines in English for school assembly, July 16, 2025 Australia defeats West Indies in a close T20I series finale, securing the title with a thrilling run chase. Chelsea set to face Paris Saint-Germain in the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 final, stirring excitement among football fans. England takes a 2-1 lead in the Test series against India after a tense 22-run victory at Lord's. MI New York claims the Major League Cricket title, with Rushil Ugarkar successfully defending the final over under extreme pressure. England storms into Women's Euro quarterfinals, overpowering Wales 6-1 after another resounding win against the Netherlands. Today's education news headlines in English for school assembly, July 16, 2025 HPBOSE announces date sheet for Class 10th and 12th Supplementary Exams, beginning July 22 in a single morning session. Delhi University approves major curriculum changes amid faculty concerns, with new measures to address teacher shortages. Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar refers to coaching centres as "black holes," sparking calls for reforms in India's test-prep industry. A Kerala school introduces innovative classroom seating, ending traditional backbenching to enhance student engagement. World Youth Skills Day is celebrated, focusing on youth empowerment through artificial intelligence and digital skills. Today's state news headlines in English for school assembly, July 16, 2025 President Droupadi Murmu appoints new Governors for Haryana, Goa, and Ladakh, with Kavinder Gupta replacing BD Mishra as Ladakh's Lieutenant Governor. Mumbai reports an increased 126 measles cases among children this year, prompting intensified measures at BMC hospitals. Nitin Gadkari inaugurates Karnataka's second-longest cable-stayed Sigandur Bridge. The monsoon remains active in Himachal Pradesh, prompting Orange and Yellow weather alerts for multiple districts due to forecasted heavy rain. New orange alert issued for heavy downpours in Rajasthan, leading to local flood warnings and emergency response preparations. Top business and economic news headlines for July 16, 2025 Tesla launches Model Y electric cars in India, opens first Mumbai showroom Global trade grows $300 billion in first half of 2025 despite volume slowdown US proposes 100% tariffs on Russia's trade partners to push Ukraine peace deal Japan's 10-year government bond yields reach multi-decade highs ahead of elections UNCTAD urges stronger global competition laws amid Big Tech market dominance Daily word and thought of the day for school assembly, July 16, 2025 For the school assembly on July 16, 2025, here are the Daily Word and Thought of the Day: Daily Word: Integrity (noun) Meaning: The quality of being honest and having strong moral principles. Example: "A person with integrity always does the right thing, even when no one is watching." For more informative articles on historical and upcoming events from around the world, please visit Indiatimes Events.
Time of India
a day ago
- General
- Time of India
Of tragedies and tenacity: The Fauja Singh story
It's never too late to start over, goes the old adage and if ever there was proof needed that it actually isn't, one could always marvel at the life of Fauja Singh . The widely-admired 114-year-old, whose career as a marathon runner began when he was 89 and propelled him to the status of a global icon, died on Monday night. It was a heartbreakingly abrupt end despite his age. He was hit by a yet-to-be-identified vehicle while out for a walk at Beas Pind, his native village in Jalandhar. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like War Thunder - Register now for free and play against over 75 Million real Players War Thunder Play Now Undo The frail man, who weathered many a personal storms with his resilience and "nonchalance", had spent a better part of his running career in Britain and returned to his roots just about three years ago after retiring. "We would always tell him that someone his age running in India would always run the risk of being hit given how reckless the driving here is. This is what ultimately happened unfortunately," said his biographer Khushwant Singh, whose book 'The Turbaned Tornado' documents the celebrated runner's life. Live Events Fauja's story of strength began long after time slows down for most, especially those who have been mauled by the life's many tragedies. He too was battling demons of his own. Overwhelmed by the loss of his youngest son in the mid '90s, Fauja found solace in running with a local club in Essex after moving out of India following the death of his wife and daughter. "The villagers would tell one of his sons to take him to the UK because he would keep visiting the cremation ground and sit there for hours. So, eventually he moved to Ilford (a town in east London)," said Khushwant. Once there, Fauja endured another loss before he chanced upon a running club. And what started as a hobby to take his mind off the circumstances that threatened to consume him, became the driving force of his life. He went on to run marathons, including the famed ones in London, New York and and Hong Kong, and inspire awe for clocking some brilliant timings for a 90-plus man born with weak legs. In the process, he also became a torch-bearer at the 2012 London Olympics and was honoured by the late Queen Elizabeth II for his contribution to sport and charity. "Before that meeting with the Queen we had to repeatedly counsel him 'Baba, Queen naal sirf hath milana hai, japphi ni paani jinwein baccheyan nu tussi paande ho' (Baba, you have to only shake hands with the Queen, don't hug her like you hug kids when you meet them)," Khushwant, whose long association with the centenarian started in 2005, recalled. "But jokes apart, he was a very resilient man with a lot of earthy wisdom. He could not read in general but could identify numbers because for him they were designs that he had memorised. "He was also someone who had no greed. Every rupee he earned by running marathons went to charity. Once he became famous, people would walk up to him to give money even in Gurudwaras but he would straightaway put that money into the donation boxes there," he said. Like a true blue large-hearted romanticised Punjabi, Fauja loved his pinnis (sweet balls of ghee, flour, and jaggery dotted with dry fruits) and the occasional strawberry shake from McDonald's. But he was also a disciplined runner who would train vigorously before his races. 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. But none of them were taken into consideration by Guinness World Records as he did not have a birth certificate to prove his age. "He was not bothered by any of that. He just enjoyed the attention that he got. I once asked him 'Baba, maran ton darr lagda? (Baba, are you afraid of death?). He said 'haan, bilkul lagda. Haje te mele shuru hoye ne (Yes, of course. The fun has only started for me)," Khushwant said, remembering one of their conversations on mortality. "He was a simple man but understood with clarity, the importance of fitness and training. Even two years back, he was gracious enough to join a run against drug addiction," he added. In the end, Fauja lived up to the values that his name reflected. He fought the battle of life with the resolve of a soldier. "He travelled the world but never once bothered to ask about who would take care of his stay and other requirements. He just had confidence in the system and so many times, when I was with him, he would simply say 'Sangat saambh laigi' (the community will take care of me)."
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Business Standard
a day ago
- Sport
- Business Standard
Who was Fauja Singh, the 'Turbaned Tornado' who ran a full marathon at 100?
Veteran marathon runner Fauja Singh, who became the world's oldest person to complete a full marathon at the age of 100, passed away on Monday after being struck by a vehicle in Jalandhar, Punjab. He was 114. Singh was out for a walk in Beas village when he was hit by an unidentified vehicle, suffering severe head injuries. He later succumbed to his injuries, news agency PTI reported. His death was confirmed by author Khushwant Singh, who wrote 'The Turbaned Tornado', a biography of the celebrated athlete. A life of endurance and inspiration Born on April 1, 1911, into a farming family, Fauja Singh was the youngest of four siblings. According to his biography, he was unable to walk until the age of five, but later built resilience working on farms and credited his strength to family support and faith. Fauja Singh moved to London in 1993 after the death of his wife Gian Kaur, to live with one of his sons. It was during this time that he took up long walks and running in public parks—habits that would spark an extraordinary late-in-life athletic career. Record-breaking marathon journey In 2000, at the age of 89, Singh ran his first marathon—the London Marathon—after meeting coach Harmandar Singh. Between 2000 and 2011, he completed nine full marathons, including six London Marathons, two Toronto Marathons, and the New York Marathon. He became the first person aged 100 to finish a full marathon, completing the Toronto Waterfront Marathon in 2011 in 8 hours and 11 minutes. Singh also participated in 10-km races globally, including in Hong Kong and Lahore. His participation in the Lahore event drew praise from then-Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf. Honours and legacy Fauja Singh was honoured with the Ellis Island Medal of Honour by the National Ethnic Coalition in the US in 2013. In 2015, he received a British Empire Medal for his contributions to sports and charity. He was also chosen as a torchbearer for the 2012 London Olympics, a testament to his global recognition and inspirational journey. Singh retired from competitive running in 2013 but continued to be an icon of perseverance, often seen advocating fitness and mental strength for the elderly.
