Beas (Jalandhar), 20 July: Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria is set to attend the cremation of world-renowned marathon runner Fauja Singh at his native Beas village in Jalandhar district on Sunday. The 114-year-old athlete, famously known as the “Turbaned Tornado” and “Sikh Superman,” died after being struck by a speeding vehicle while crossing the road near his village on July 14.
Singh suffered fatal head injuries in the accident and passed away later the same day, ending a life that had become an international symbol of endurance, discipline, and healthy aging.
Governor Kataria, who had publicly admired Singh and participated alongside him in anti-drug campaigns in Punjab as recently as December last year, will join hundreds expected to pay their final respects. “Fauja Singh was more than a marathoner—he was a movement. His life inspired millions to lead clean, purposeful lives,” the Governor said ahead of his visit.
Police have arrested the accused driver, 26-year-old Amritpal Singh, an NRI from nearby Dasupur village. He had returned from Canada just eight days before the incident and had recently purchased the Toyota Fortuner (registration PB 20-C-7100) involved in the accident from a Kapurthala resident.
Amritpal was arrested on July 15 and has been booked under Section 105 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder), Section 281 (rash driving), and Section 125-A (endangering life or personal safety of others) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
Singh’s death has left a deep void in the sports and fitness community. Known for running marathons well past the age of 100, Fauja Singh often spoke of his spiritual discipline and simple diet as keys to his longevity. His story had inspired documentaries, books, and countless admirers across continents.
His final journey today is expected to draw athletes, admirers, and public figures from across the country, all bidding farewell to a man whose footsteps left an indelible mark on history.
