Donald Sams, a 91 -year -old resident of Sydney, Australia, had a deep love for India, inspiring him to make a special request in his will. He wanted to be buried in an Indian Christian cemetery after his death, and his love for India was clear a lifetime.
On his 12th trip to India, Sams, with a 42 -member Australian team, was traveling from Sultan Ganj to Patna via a cruise on the Ganges river. During the journey, Sams fell ill and was taken to a private hospital in Munger, National Hospital, where doctors declared him dead. The district administration informed the Indian officials about his death. After approval from the Australian Embassy and his wife, Alice Sams, it was decided to bury her in Munger itself.
With the permission of the Australian Embassy and at the request of his wife, a priest was arranged to cremate the last rites according to Christian rites, and the body was not given the body examination. The last rites took place in the Christian cemetery in Churamba, where Donald Sams was placed to rest with full Christian customs.
Munger District Magistrate Avanish Kumar Singh confirmed that the funeral was arranged under the direction of the embassy.
The Munger District Magistrate said, “The last rites were held without a post -mortem according to the wishes of his wife, Alice. The cruise ship carrying the dead body anchored at Babua Ghat from Friday night to Saturday afternoon.”
Donald Sams was a retired officer of the Australian High Command. His wife Ellis shared that his father worked in Assam during British rule. As a tribute to his father, Donald Sams goes to Assam whenever he traveled to India. The visit marked its 12th visit to the country. During all his trips, Sams followed the tradition of traveling from Kolkata to Patna through the Ganges. His deep connection with India was so strong that in his wish, he requested that his funeral be performed in India. And, according to his wishes, his final rest is in India.
,
