Bathinda/Ludhaina, Punjab (January 24, 2013): According to a news report by Hindustan Times (HT) Baba Fauja Singh, world’s oldest marathon runner at 102, has given the state a tip to maintain stamina in the long race against drug abuse.
Promote rural sport, get the young generation involved, says the London Olympics torchbearer. “Every t i me I visit the country, I find the drug situation worsened,” he said on January 23, 2013 in an interaction here with the media during his visit to Punjabi lyricist Amardeep Singh Gill.
The Sikh icon thanked Gill for filing a case in Bathinda against the anchor, director, and producer of an online televison show on Jai Hind channel who had mocked at the legend and hurt his religious sentiments. On the show, an animated character of Fauja Singh was shown wiping his face with his white, flowing beard as a towel. “I am thankful to the people who stood by me,” said Baba Fauja Singh.
He told the media about the diet that keeps him going. “I avoid ghee and heavy eatables. I am not in the age to build body but to remain cautious for the next day,” said the astonishing athlete.
“People very young are falling prey to diseases because they have a wrong choice of diet: fried and junk food.”
As per report, on being asked about Punjab’s alienation from its culture, Baba Fauja Singh said the grown-up people were responsible for that.
“The children will only follow the path shown to them,” he said. Reflection on his last marathon in Mumbai, he said people there were good and energetic. “Proper arrangements were made and people showed a lot of spirit.”
“My body doesn’t allow me to run anymore, and this is the best time to retire,” Baba Fauja Singh reportedly added.