Chandigarh: Family members and the motorsports fraternity gathered at the Sector 8 gurdwara on Monday to honour the life and legacy of rally legend Hari Singh, days after an intensive eight-day search and rescue operation in the Maldives was officially called off on March 28.Singh, a towering figure in Indian motorsports and a five-time Indian National Rally Championship winner, went missing following a maritime accident. Despite exhaustive efforts spanning more than a week, hopes of locating him eventually faded.Fondly known as the “Gypsy King”, Singh’s towering influence was reflected in the sombre gathering, as members from across the racing community came together to pay their respects.Leading figures from Indian motorsports were present at the prayer meeting, including WRC driver Gaurav Gill, Autocar India editor Hormazd Sorabjee, and Jayesh Desai, president of Northern Motorsports. Representing the Fédération of Motor Sports Clubs of India (FMSCI) were Farokh Commissariat and Raj Kapoor.Rally stalwarts Nikhil Taneja, Nawaz Sandhu, Farad Bathena and Koka Rao were also among those who attended. Singh’s longtime navigator Bittoo Mann and fellow racer Amanpreet Ahluwalia paid their respects as well.Old Sanawarians turned up in large numbers to remember one of their own. His junior, Durgesh Tuknayat, said, “Such were his achievements that not only his batchmates, but seniors and juniors across generations were present — all still struggling to come to terms with the loss.”Those attending the prayer meeting echoed a shared sentiment — that a fierce competitor and fighter like Singh would want to be remembered with faith and resolve. Hari Singh didn’t just drive rallies; he drove the sport forward, they added.
