Ishmeet reportedly drowned on July 29 while swimming at a beach resort at Male, Maldives.

CM Badal announced the setting up of a music institute of international standard, renaming Pakhowal Road to Gill Road as Ishmeet Singh Marg, as well as a grant of Rs 11 lakh for the grieving family. Addressing the large gathering, Badal said, “I have already met the famed singers Singh Bandhu and have asked them to come up with a plan for the institute. I have also asked the Culture Minister to hold a state-level musical programme, as a tribute to Ishmeet Singh on September 2, his birthday.”

SGPC President Avtar Singh Makkar also announced a grant of Rs 11 lakh for the family and an award of Rs 1.51 lakh. The Delhi Gurdawara Prabhandhak Committee President Paramjeet Singh Sarna also declared a grant of Rs 5 lakh for the family and an award of Rs 1 lakh in memory of the late singer.

Badal said, “I came to Ludhiana despite heavy rainfall as I wanted to be with the family. I had seen Ishmeet perform on television and had even met him.” Badal also presented two paintings of Ishmeet by painters Rajinder Venus and Ashok of Ramgarhia Girls’ College, to Ishmeet’s father.

Badal also assured the family that he would write to the Prime Minister and the Home Minister to put forth a request to the Maldives government to hold a high-level inquiry to verify the exact cause of Ishmeet’s death.

Other speakers too heaped praises on the departed soul. Badal added, “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, not only to his family, but to the entire Sikh community, the state and the country.” The CM also offered suitable employment to any member of the family.Avtar Singh, President, SGPC, while paying his tributes, said that with the demise of Ishmeet, an irreparable loss has been caused to Punjab, particularly to the Sikh community.