New Delhi: Donald Sams, an Australian citizen had a deep love for his wife. His love for India was so much that the 91-year-old wanted to be buried after his death in an Indian Christian cemetery. Sams had visited on various occasions earlier.
Sams was in India for his 12 visits, along with some of his countrymen, He was on his way to Patna from Sultan Ganj by a cruise on the Ganga river. However, during his journey, Sams fell ill after which he was admitted at taken to a local hospital in Munger, where he was declared dead. Soon concerned officials were informed of his step. It was decided to bury Sams in Munger after obtaining permission from his wife Alice and the Australian embassy in India.
#बिहार :: #मुंगेर में आस्ट्रेलिया के पर्यटक डोनाल्ड सम्स की हार्ट अटैक से मृत्यु हो गयी। मुंगेर में अंतिम संस्कार किया गया। विदेशी सैलानियों के साथ हल्दिया से वाराणसी जा रहे क्रूज में सवार थे आस्ट्रेलियाई दंपती। सुल्तानगंज के पास बिगड़ी तबीयत।
रिपोर्ट @ प्रशांत कुमार। pic.twitter.com/yD7Sha5cNx— आकाशवाणी समाचार, पटना (@airnews_patna) February 23, 2025
Funeral was held in the Munger district of Bihar
Confirming the same, Munger District Magistrate Avnish Kumar Singh said that the funeral arrangements were made after direction from the Australian embassy. He added that the Sams’ funeral was held without a post-mortem as per the wishes of his wife, Alice. The cruise ship carrying his dead body anchored at Babua Ghat from Friday to Saturday, he added further.
Sams used to visit from Kolkata to Patna through the Ganga river
It is important to note here that Sam retired officer from the Australian high command. He used to be India, as a mark of respect for his father. This was his 12th visit to the country. This time, too, Sams continued with his tradition of traveling from Kolkata to Patna through the Ganga river. In his will, too Sams wrote that he wished to be buried in India. It was because of his wish that Sams was buried in India after obtaining the required permission from authorities.
