Indian student drowns in Auckland

Rajdeep Singh, a 25-year-old from Punjab who had come to New Zealand in pursuit of a bright future and better job prospects, died in a drowning incident in Auckland last week, his family said.

"Rajdeep, had gone to the University of Technology in Auckland (AUT) to do a two-year diploma course in February. He was an intelligent student and always wanted to do big in life," Sohan Inder Singh, maternal uncle of the deceased, told reporters.        

"He went for a picnic at a sea beach there and drowned while playing with friends last Saturday. The family members are still very shocked." 

Rajdeep was the only son of his family that resides here in Sector-71, Mohali, around 10km from Chandigarh. His father Sukhbir Singh is a retired bank manager while his mother Harpreet Kaur is a teacher.    

"The body of my nephew has reached New Delhi and I would go there on tomorrow (Friday) to bring it back to Mohali. His cremation will be done here Saturday," said Singh.

- IANS, Mohali, Punjab