ROYAL HIT: SIKH CHARMS DUCHESS
ROYAL RECOGNITION FOR FITNESS ACTIVIST AT GRAND SLAM EVENT
A SIKH pensioner who was honoured by the Queen for motivating people to stay fit during the pandemic lockdown was invited to the royal box at centre court in Wimbledon last Friday (2).
Rajinder Singh or the ‘Skipping Sikh’, as he is popularly known, was recognised with an MBE for services to health and fitness in the Queen’s birthday honours list in June.
He told Eastern Eye, “I’m truly honoured and very humbled to have met the Duke of Kent and the HRH Kate Middleton (sic) who was sat in the row in front of me in the royal box at Wimbledon.
“She congratulated me on my efforts this last year in helping people to stay active in the lockdown. I said, ‘Thank you and it’s all your blessings. God bless you and your family, you’re like a daughter to me. I’m proud of your work.’”
He said he was a big fan of Britain’s Andy Murray, who lost to Denis Shapovalov from Canada in the third round last Friday.
Singh added: “It has been a very special day and I’ve felt so welcome, along with meeting other inspiring people like Mr Motivator and (fitness coach) Joe Wicks who was sat near me.
“I love tennis and [I am] a big fan of Andy Murray. I am grateful to God that I could do something for the country. I thoroughly enjoyed myself with my daughter Minreet Kaur, and I will never forget this amazing experience.”
Singh, 74, starred in exercise videos that went viral during lockdown, after he became concerned that some members of the Sikh community were feeling isolated as gurdwaras were closed in the initial lockdown.
His exercise videos proved a hit on social media and helped raise more than £14,000 for NHS charities. Singh said exercise could have a positive impact on those who might be struggling throughout lockdown.
“I hope that I can help people, give them good health and give them knowledge to keep fit and strong,” he had told Eastern Eye previously. He also hoped he could motivate other elderly people to get fit, practise skipping or any other workouts.
“(Besides Sikhs), I understand it’s difficult for all of us – people from all faiths and from all parts of the country,” he said. “I hope I can do something for them”.
Singh, from Hillingdon, west London, who has taken part in approximately 25 marathons, has always been active and interested in fitness. He learned from his father, a soldier, and was taught how to skip from an early age. Now, he tries to exercise four or five times a day. In light of the lockdown measures, he works out in his allotment, garden or home.
Wimbledon this year has invited individuals who have played a big part in combating Covid to watch the action at this year’s tournament from the royal box.
Spectators last Monday (28) paid tribute to Dame Sarah Gilbert, the Oxford University professor who co-designed the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine, with a standing ovation before play began in the annual Grand Slam.
Also in the royal box last Monday was Hannah Ingram-Moore, the daughter of late Captain Tom Moore. He struck a chord with locked-down Britain by walking around his garden with the help of a frame to raise millions of pounds for NHS workers.