Antim Ardas of legendary marathon runner Fauja Singh to be held today

The antim ardas of legendary marathon runner Fauja Singh will be held on July 23. Sports personalities and other prominent figures are expected to attend. Admirers from nearby villages who were present at the cremation, along with those who had met Fauja Singh just once in the UK, will also come to pay their respects during the ceremony.

The bhog will take place at a Gurdwara in Sarmastpur village. Fauja Singh was the heart and soul of his village; people often visited his home to speak with him and engage in heartfelt conversations.

Harvinder Singh, Fauja Singh’s son, shared that the family is now left with only memories and a few of his belongings. “Now we only have his memories and his shoes, which we respectfully kept with us. Oh hun saade naal rhenge,” he told The Tribune.

He added that the true impact of the loss would be felt more deeply once everyone leaves.

“It will become very quiet. (Ohna kaaran hi saare aande si, hun kinne aana?) It was because of Baapu Ji that everyone used to come here. Now, who will come?” he said.

A day before his passing, the 114-year-old had quietly shown his beloved Rado watch to his youngest son, Harvinder Singh, with a gentle smile.

The next day, after Fauja Singh’s sudden death, the same watch was placed in Harvinder’s hands by the doctor. Overcome with grief, he broke down. “I never imagined that the watch he showed me with such love would be the last time I’d see him like this,” he had earlier told The Tribune.