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Voice of India

Ishmeet had travelled to Maldives with an event management company where he was to perform at a Star Voice of Maldives event on August 1, 2008. Ishmeet had risen to fame because of his humility, hard work and singing prowess

Born on September 2, 1989 in a middle-class family of Ludhiana, Ishmeet Singh Sodhi captured the imagination of an entire country with his singing prowess, humility and hard work. Upon winning the Amul Star Voice of India competition last November, Singh was complimented by none other than the Nightingale of India Lata Mangeshkar, who gave away the winner's cheque of one crore rupees in the form of a recording contract.

Singh held centre-stage on the reality show hosted by Star TV last year and managed to stave off the final challenge from his close friend and rival Harshit Saxena, thanks largely to the massive votes he got from his home state of Punjab and northern India.

The ultimate performer
For a teenager who was known for his stage fright for most of his life, Ishmeet proved that he was the ultimate performer as he not only sang his heart out but also danced his way to glory under the tutelage of some Bollywood choreographers.

Singh had reportedly given up his studies midway to concentrate on the TV reality show, a decision that was opposed by his mother but found support from his dad Gurprinder Singh Sodhi. After winning the contest, he had told a packed audience at the Andheri Sports Complex in Mumbai and television viewers around the world that he would definitely fulfil his mother's wishes and earn his degree in architecture.

Ishmeet's friends recall that he was a shy person who required a lot of persuasion to sing in front of a group of people. In fact, the audition for the contest conducted in Delhi in February-March last year was the first time when Ishmeet overcame his stage fright and sang before a large audience, reports said.

In Maldives for Star Voice event
A favourite of Voice of India host Shaan and members of the jury including singers Abhijeet, Alka Yagnik and music directors Jatin-Lalit and Aadesh Srivastava, Ishmeet won laurels from the likes of A R Rahman, Sonu Nigam and the legendary Lata Mangeshkar among others.

He aspired to sing for every actor in Bollywood "for the next two to three decades" and was reportedly auditioning for a few music directors when tragedy struck. Having signed up as the model for the Yuva range of Sonata watches, Ishmeet had travelled to Maldives with an event management company where he was to perform at a Star Voice of Maldives event on August 1, 2008.

Last appearance on TV
His last television appearance was on the "Jo Jeeta Wohi Superstar" reality show. Ishmeet was eliminated from the contest on June 20, 2008, with Rahul Vaidya, the second runner-up of India's first singing realty show "Indian Idol" emerging as the eventual winner.

Ironically, Ishmeet's friend and runner-up in the Voice of India show Harshit Saxena was second runner up in the "Jo Jeeta" contest with Indian Idol and playback singer Abhijeet Sawant taking second spot. Saxena, who led Ishmeet most of the way in last year's contest, told television channels that he finds it hard to believe that the singer was no more. "He was a brother to me and I have no words to say," Harshit said. Ishmeet died in a swimming tragedy at a hotel in Maldives around 5 PM on the evening of July 29, 2008.

Comments

Balbir Singh Sooch, Advocate, Ludhiana Aug 05, 2008

Timely and nice to remember Ishmeet Singh but more is required to be done in case of Ishmeet Singh’ death - Where were Ishmeet’s friends at the funeral?’ Was the absence of friends and colleagues only to avoid the exposure of as to what extent the destructive jealousy factor obviously running against Ishmeet Singh for causing his death? Where were Ishmeet’s friends at the funeral?’ The destructive jealousy factor might be one of the reasons of the planned and created circumstances leading to the death of Ishmeet Singh can not be ruled out so lightly. We should not forget that an innocent child could be used in such planned and created circumstances, knowing very well that so and so would surely behave in the fashion under the circumstances which are always meant for his death and so on under the different similar cases of conspiracy. Moreover, the colleagues of Ishmeet in the interview on the day were looking suspicious and tutored judging by their body language, face culture and they only said in the interview whatever they might be tutored to say legally. Mika rightly said, “Only Abhijeet dada and Hans Raj Hans were present at the funeral. Where were Ishmeet’s friends and colleagues from various shows? Was the absence of friends and colleagues only to avoid the exposure of as to what extent the destructive jealousy factor obviously running against Ishmeet Singh for causing his death used for interview in the manner as a cover up or only their absence for the security reasons would be the pet reply suiting under the circumstances? Mika’s query is not without substance as he understands fully the dangerous aspect of destructive jealousy factor in music industry as well. The independent high level inquiry would be the only answer to set all speculations in right perspective at least in order to take preventive measures for the safety of the future blossoming stars of any field like him. By Balbir Singh Sooch, Advocate, Ludhiana on Aug 3, 2008 9:25 AM
First reaction: Ishmeet's untimely death is very shocking and sad news for all noble hearts. "I have some big projects lined up. And I am happy that God has put me on right path. Soon I will take a big leap and go high." Said Ishmeet Singh talking to TOI at Chandigarh never knew that what is big leap and high in store for him? Here we are helpless and have to surrender to HIS wishes as who can chant (God's) knowledge whose study is arduous. The demand of an inquiry into the drowning accident as to know what were the circumstances leading to his death took place so suddenly and carelessly is genuine at least in order to take preventive measures for the future blossoming stars of any field like him. Such an inquiry is a need of hour along with praying that God bless his soul. A few words expressed for the gem on his very sorrowful untimely death especially for the consolation of his parents and other family members by Balbir Singh Sooch, his family and friends. Jul 30, 2008 9:46 AM –Latest reaction-Could the destructive jealousy factor the only one of the reasons of the planned and created circumstances leading to the death of Ishmeet Singh or because “Ishmeet remained committed to his faith and he stuck to Sikh practices, even in the demanding world of the film industry, Ishmeet brought unmatched honour to the entire Sikh community, the state and the country?” As already said, “We should not forget that even an innocent child could be used in such planned and created circumstances, knowing very well that so and so would surely behave in the fashion under the circumstances which are always meant for his death and so on under the different similar cases of conspiracy”. Mika’s query is not without substance as he understands fully the dangerous aspect of destructive jealousy factor in music industry as well. The independent high level inquiry would be the only answer at least in order to take preventive measures for the safety of the future blossoming stars of any field like him. www.sikhvicharmanch.com

ajinder singh kapoor Jul 31, 2008

WE ARE ALL VERY SADDEND BY THIS BAD NEWS. WE ALL WANTED ISHMEET TO DO WELL IN HIS SINGING CAREER. WE FEEL FOR HIS PARENTS WHO SCARIFICED WHOLE OF THEIR LIFE FOR ISHMEET .