The Hindu : Front Page : “Voice of India” silenced in swimming pool

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Wednesday, Jul 30, 2008
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“Voice of India” silenced in swimming pool

Ishmeet Singh

COLOMBO/LUDHIANA: Celebrity singer Ishmeet Singh from Punjab was tragically drowned in a swimming pool at a resort in the Maldives on Tuesday under mysterious circumstances.

Gurprinder Singh Sodhi, father of 20-year-old Ishmeet who shot to fame by winning the Star India TV “Voice of India” contest last November, said at their home in Ludhiana that the event management company which took his son to the Maldives informed him at around 8 p.m. that the singer had died due to drowning in the swimming pool of the hotel where he was staying.

The B.Com. II Year student of MNC college in Mumbai went to the pool for frolicking but fell into its deep end leading to his drowning, reported AFP quoting a hotel official.

Mr. Sodhi told reporters that they were surprised their son had died due to drowning in the swimming pool. “He had never swam before us and we are not aware whether he could swim or not,” said the inconsolably sobbing father. He said Ishmeet had left Ludhiana on Monday for Chandigarh from where he went to Mumbai on way to the Maldives.

A pall of gloom descended on the singer’s house immediately after the news of his death was flashed by TV channels. His mother Amritpal Kaur was in a state of shock and so was his sister. All roads leading to the house were choked with vehicles and people.

Ishmeet’s death plunged the music world into mourning and leading playback singers Lata Mangeshkar, Abhijeet and Shaan expressed shock at the tragedy.

“I was very happy when he won the Voice of India contest. Such a fate to befall one at such a young age! I have no words to express my feelings,” said Lata.

She said Ishmeet had an original voice and did not imitate anybody.

Abhijeet, who was one of the jurors for the Voice of India contest, said he was like a mentor for Ishmeet. Shaan said he was shocked.

Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal said “the country has lost a gem and a void has been created in the music world”. - PTI

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