Village school to be named after Fauja Singh: Punjab CM

Legendary marathon runner Fauja Singh was cremated with state honours at Beas village in Jalandhar today.

Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria and many political leaders paid their tributes to the veteran athlete on the occasion.

Residents of many nearby villagers had also come in large numbers to bid farewell to the iconic runner from Beas village.

CM Mann, while talking to the media, said the name of the village school would be named after Fauja Singh and since Jalandhar was a sports hub, his statue could be installed at Government Sports College.

"It will be decided according to the family's wish," he said.

The Governor said he still remembered how the great runner had walked with him during the “Nasha mukt Yatra” last year. "He really wanted to see Punjab free from drugs," the Governor added.

The family also received a condolence letter from Prime Minister Narendra Modi today.

The letter stated, "Fauja Singh ji inspired one and all, especially India's youth, to make fitness an integral part of their lives. He took up long-distance running at a very advanced age, speaking volumes about not only his physical fitness, but more importantly, his mental strength and resilience."