Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday bestowed warm tributes to veteran marathoner Fauja Singh, who died in a car accident, terming him as exceptional because of his exceptional personality and how he inspired the youth of India on the topic of fitness.

Singh, 114, passed away on Monday after being struck by a car while he was walking in his native village in Jalandhar district of Punjab.

PM Modi took to X on Tuesday morning and praised Singh for his sportsmanship and extraordinary grit.

Fauja Singh Ji was extraordinary because of his unique persona and the manner in which he inspired the youth of India on a very important topic of fitness. He was an exceptional athlete with incredible determination. Pained by his passing away. My thoughts are with his family and…

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 15, 2025

“His peculiar personality and the way he inspired the young generation of India on fitness made Fauja Singh ji exceptional,” added the prime minister.

PM Modi also expressed his pain through his tweet. “…My thoughts are with his family and countless admirers across the world.”

Also read: Marathon legend Fauja Singh dies in Punjab road accident