Fauja Singh’s village mourns global icon’s death, to be cremated in Beas on Sunday; 114-year-old marathoner remembered for his simplicity and philanthropy

BEAS PIND (JALANDHAR): Fauja Singh, the world's oldest marathoner, will be cremated in his village, Beas, on Sunday noon. The 114-year-old was a global celebrity but after his death in a hit-and-run , the sense of loss is deepening in the village and among those who knew him personally.

Former panchayat member Manjit Singh told TOI on Thursday that Fauja Singh would occasionally tell his family and friends, "Mera mull mere jaan ton baad pata laggna (you will realise my worth after my death)."

Village remembers big heart, kind words

That has already come true. We were well aware of his celebrity status, even as he was of unassuming nature and would himself open a conversation with children in the village, but the way his death is getting attention and he took our village’s name to the world, the sense of loss is getting bigger.

He created history,” said Manjit.Fauja Singh's son, Harbinder Singh, a farmer, said: “In India or abroad, if he received any money from any event where he was invited, he would donate it there itself or would give it to charity. He never brought this money to the family, and we were also happy about it. We would rather spend from our pocket on the car fuel to go to an event in Punjab, but we were very happy about him attending the events and inspiring people.”

The family has a dhaba named after Fauja Singh’s deceased son, Kuldeep Singh, across the highway in the land of their fields, where the iconic marathoner was going when he was hit on Monday afternoon. “His family actively supported the farm movement, and they even gave Rs 50,000 when the farmers were sitting at the Delhi border. We knew of Fauja Singh’s philanthropy as he would not take money from any event to his home but would spend it on charity,” said Harsurinder Singh, president of the Doaba Kisan Welfare Committee.He said his family had formed a family trust in his late wife Gian Kaur’s name, and they would distribute books, notebooks, and uniforms to needy children in the govt primary school and govt secondary school in the village. “He would address the children and motivate them to participate in sports and focus on studies,” Manjit said.