'Voice of India' Ishmeet consigned to flames

Ludhiana, Jul 31 (UNI) A police contingent fired a vollwy of shots in the air before reversing arms and buglers sounded the last post as mortal remains of Ishmeet Singh were consigned to flames with full state honours here today in the presence of a galaxy of prominent personalities and thousands of fans.

After conducting a postmortem at the Civil Hospital here, his body was kept at his residence in Shastri Nagar, where a large number of people had a tearful glimpse of their beloved Voice of India, who met a tragic death at a young age by drowning in a Male resort on Tuesday evening.

As a massive funeral procession started from his house at 1530 hrs for the cremation ground at Model Town Extension, people, many carrying fistful of flowers as their last offerings to the eminent son of the city, stood on both sides of the road.

Before the pyre was lit by Ismeets's father Gurpinder pal Singh, Mr H S Bains Media Advisor to Chief Minister Punjab laid the wreath on the body on behalf of Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal.

Mr Gajinder, the producer of Voice of India and renowned singers Abhijit, Hans Raj Hans and Mikka were also present.

Prominent among others who laid wreaths included President SGPC, Avtar Singh Makkar, Deputy Speaker Lok Sabha Charanjit Singh Atwal, Jails Minister Hira Singh Gabria, Mr Paramjit Singh Sidhwan on behalf of SAD chief Suhkbir Singh Badal, DC Sumer Singh Gurjar Deputy Commissioner on behalf of Minister for Information and Public Relations Bikram Singh Majithia and Mayor Hakam Singh Gyaspura.

Later, interacting with the media, Mr Bains informed that the Punjab government will fully honour the wishes of Ishmeet's to initiate enquiry to establish the sequence leading to his untimely death.

He said preliminary postmortem report has indicated that the visible cause of the death was drowning, but the picture will be fully clear after the chemical examination report of the viscera which has been sent to state labs in Ropar and Patiala.

Keeping in view the stature of Ishmeet in the singing world, Mr Bains said an Institute of Excellence in Performing Art of International level will be set up in the state in his memory.

Mr Bains added that Information and Public Relations Minister Bikram Singh Majathia has also announced to set up a National level Award for Singing in his memory.

UNI XC JN AKJ KP2019