Sports Minister Jitendra Singh has handed over a cheque of Rs two lakh from National Welfare Fund for Sportspersons to Sulinder Kaur, widow of Makhan Singh, gold medallist in 4x400 metres relay in 1962 Asian Games.
The Minister has approved the ex-gratia lump-sum assistance to Kaur after coming to know that the family of Makhan Singh was living in indigent circumstances.
While handing over the cheque at his office yesterday, the minister said sportspersons like Makhan Singh are national heroes and it shall remain his personal endeavour and that of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports to do everything "within our power to support our heroes from yesteryears".
The Sports Ministry had earlier given financial assistance of Rs three lakh in August 2009 to Kaur. After sanctioning assistance of Rs two lakh now, the ministry has given a total financial assistance of Rs five lakh to the family of Makhan Singh.
In addition, the minister also mentioned to Kaur that he has requested the Punjab chief minister to provide financial help and a state government job to the family of Makhan.
