Sep 02 2008
Ishmeet Singh’s Birth Day!
Today, 2 September, is the birthday of late Ishmeet Singh, the winner of music reality show Amul Star Voice of India in 2007. His family, friends and fans must be praying for his soul to rest in peace but he will have many birthday wishes if he had been alive for his 20th birthday on Tuesday.
Ishmeet, drowned on July 29 in a swimming pool in Maldives where he had gone to perform is remembered as a “wonderful”, “down-to-earth” and “sincere” person by the Indian music industry.
Bhangra pop king Daler Mehndi expressed confidence that had Ishmeet stayed on he would have definitely carved a niche for himself in the competitive Bollywood industry.
“It was very difficult to overcome the sadness of Ishmeet’s death. At such a young age, he earned so much name and fame. He became a singing sensation. Despite his Punjabi background, he used to sing any song easily without the Punjabi accent,” Mehndi said.
Expressing grief that he could not attend the cremation ceremony, Mehndi added: “He was a very down-to-earth and simple person. He died very young. I am sure that had he not passed away so early, he would have built a strong foothold in Bollywood as he had a different voice and a versatile style of singing.”
His co-participants today remembered him on his birthday and expressed their grief on his absence.
Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal presented a cheque of Rs 1.1 million, a citation and a shawl to Ishmeet’s parents as a mark of honor at a state-level function to mark the country’s 62nd Independence Day.
Badal has announced the opening of an international level music academy in Ludhiana in his memory. Ishmeet’s only attempt at playback singing of forthcoming Punjabi movie Sat Sri Akal was released in Chandigarh recently.
His untimely demise was a matter shock and sorrow for the whole nation along with his home state, Punjab and his family. He was a source of inspiration for a horde of young and aspiring singers. His loss was irreparable for the all music lovers.
Although he is not with us but he will be alive with his voice in everybody’s heart. May god give peace to his soul!

