New Delhi/Patna/Mumbai, Jul 12: Describing acclaimed wrestler Dara Singh as a “son of the soil” Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today expressed grief at his demise saying he rose to the heights of the entertainment world, sports arena and public life with humility and grace.
“I am deeply saddened to learn of the passing away of Dara Singh, who has been an inspiration and icon to many generations in our country... his contribution to the Hindi and Punjabi cinema, wrestling and the Upper House of the Parliament will be remembered by millions,” he said in his condolence message.
The Prime Minister said Singh was “a self educated son of the soil” who rose to the heights of the entertainment world, sports arena and public life with humility and grace. “I wish to send my deepest condolences to the family of Dara Singh and to his countless admirers in India and abroad,” he said.
The wrestler-turned-actor died in Mumbai early this morning losing his five-day fight for life. In Patna, Bihar chief minister Nitish kumar expressed grief at the passing away of Dara singh. “Dara singh will always be remembered for his wrestling style”, Kumar said in a condolence message.
He wished for mental strength and patience for his followers, sympathisers and relatives in this hour of grief.
BJP leaders condole Dara's death
Senior BJP leaders today condoled the death of former MP Dara Singh, saying his demise has left a void which cannot be filled.
In his message, BJP Parliamentary Party chief L K Advani said his party is deeply saddened by the demise of Dara Singh.
“The country has lost one of its gems. The void caused by the death of Dara Singh, who was a kind-hearted soul, cannot be filled,” he said.
Advani praised Singh for his dedication to work and said he has left an indelible mark in the field of acting and wrestling.
Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj said it is very painful to know about the sad demise of Dara Singh.
“He distinguished himself not only as a sportsperson but also as an actor and an MP. He was a legend in his life time.
Yet he was very simple and humble. May his soul rest in peace,” Swaraj said.
BJP President Nitin Gadkari expressed “profound grief and deep sorrow” over Singh's death.
“The 84-year-old wrestling giant and a versatile film actor was a staunch BJP supporter and had campaigned for the party in several elections. His death was a great loss to the nation,” Gadkari said.
BJP Vice-President Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi described Singh as a fighter, a fable and one who was equally renowned in the field of art, culture and sports.
“His was a glorious journey from wrestling to films. He was a great hero of wrestling who was committed to nationalistic ideals and social causes,” Naqvi said.
In Mumbai, Maharashtra Governor K Sankaranarayanan expressed grief saying the veteran wrestler and actor made ‘Hanuman' such a lovable character.
“Dara Singh was India's most loved wrestler and there was a time when he had become a household name among the lovers of wrestling,” the Governor said in a condolence message.
Dara Singh's transition from the real life to reel world was very smooth and within no time he caught the imagination of film goers with his portrayal of character roles, he said.
His depiction of Lord Hanuman in the popular television serial ‘Ramayan' endeared him to the entire country, the Governor said.
“Dara Singh made ‘Hanuman' such a lovable character that he will continue to live in the hearts of the people for many more years,” he added.
“In his death, we have lost a great human being. On behalf of the people of Maharashtra, and on my own behalf, I convey my condolences to the members of his family,” he said.
“I am deeply saddened to learn of the passing away of Dara Singh, who has been an inspiration and icon to many generations in our country... his contribution to the Hindi and Punjabi cinema, wrestling and the Upper House of the Parliament will be remembered by millions,” he said in his condolence message.
The Prime Minister said Singh was “a self educated son of the soil” who rose to the heights of the entertainment world, sports arena and public life with humility and grace. “I wish to send my deepest condolences to the family of Dara Singh and to his countless admirers in India and abroad,” he said.
The wrestler-turned-actor died in Mumbai early this morning losing his five-day fight for life. In Patna, Bihar chief minister Nitish kumar expressed grief at the passing away of Dara singh. “Dara singh will always be remembered for his wrestling style”, Kumar said in a condolence message.
He wished for mental strength and patience for his followers, sympathisers and relatives in this hour of grief.
BJP leaders condole Dara's death
Senior BJP leaders today condoled the death of former MP Dara Singh, saying his demise has left a void which cannot be filled.
In his message, BJP Parliamentary Party chief L K Advani said his party is deeply saddened by the demise of Dara Singh.
“The country has lost one of its gems. The void caused by the death of Dara Singh, who was a kind-hearted soul, cannot be filled,” he said.
Advani praised Singh for his dedication to work and said he has left an indelible mark in the field of acting and wrestling.
Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj said it is very painful to know about the sad demise of Dara Singh.
“He distinguished himself not only as a sportsperson but also as an actor and an MP. He was a legend in his life time.
Yet he was very simple and humble. May his soul rest in peace,” Swaraj said.
BJP President Nitin Gadkari expressed “profound grief and deep sorrow” over Singh's death.
“The 84-year-old wrestling giant and a versatile film actor was a staunch BJP supporter and had campaigned for the party in several elections. His death was a great loss to the nation,” Gadkari said.
BJP Vice-President Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi described Singh as a fighter, a fable and one who was equally renowned in the field of art, culture and sports.
“His was a glorious journey from wrestling to films. He was a great hero of wrestling who was committed to nationalistic ideals and social causes,” Naqvi said.
In Mumbai, Maharashtra Governor K Sankaranarayanan expressed grief saying the veteran wrestler and actor made ‘Hanuman' such a lovable character.
“Dara Singh was India's most loved wrestler and there was a time when he had become a household name among the lovers of wrestling,” the Governor said in a condolence message.
Dara Singh's transition from the real life to reel world was very smooth and within no time he caught the imagination of film goers with his portrayal of character roles, he said.
His depiction of Lord Hanuman in the popular television serial ‘Ramayan' endeared him to the entire country, the Governor said.
“Dara Singh made ‘Hanuman' such a lovable character that he will continue to live in the hearts of the people for many more years,” he added.
“In his death, we have lost a great human being. On behalf of the people of Maharashtra, and on my own behalf, I convey my condolences to the members of his family,” he said.
