Padma Shri awardee Nirmal Singh tests positive for COVID-19

Tribune News Service
Amritsar, April 1

Padma Shri and former ‘Hazoori Raagi’ at the Golden Temple, Nirmal Singh, has tested positive for coronavirus, a health official said on Wednesday.

He was awarded the Padma Shri in 2009. The report of the samples of the 62-year-old ‘Gurbani’ exponent came positive, Civil Surgeon Prabhdeep Kaur Johal said.

Singh, who recently returned from abroad, was admitted to Guru Nanak Dev Hospital after he complained of breathlessness and dizziness on March 30, she said.

Meanwhile, police have sealed the area around Singh’s residence to check the spread of the infection.

With his base in the densely populated Sultanwind area, the development would add to the trouble of the administration.

He had come back from abroad in February and later attended many religious events, including accompanying Zakir Hussain, the tabla player, to Golden Temple on February 29.

This is a day after Zakir Hussain performed at a jam packed Patiala auditorium as part of the Patiala Heritage Festival on February 27, a day after which he visited Amritsar.

Details regarding his travel history and events are being ascertained by the authorities.

According to the officials, Singh held a large ‘sammelan’ (religious gathering) in Delhi and some other places after he returned from abroad.

His family members and others who came into his contact would be quarantined, said the health department officials.

Singh has the knowledge of all the 31 ‘Raags’ in the Gurbani of the Guru Granth Sahib (Sikh holy book).