PATNA: The relatives have fulfilled the last wish of an Australian to cremate him in India after his death. Donald Sams (91) of Sydney, was cremated in Munger according to Christian rites. This was mentioned as his last wish in his will before his death. Accordingly, his relatives agreed to perform his last rites in India.

Sams was on his 12th visit to India. He arrived in Patna on a cruise ship with 42- member Australian team. Sams, who collapsed during the journey, was taken to the National Hospital in Munger, but his life could not be saved. The district administration also officially confirmed the death. Subsequently, it was decided to bury the body in Munger itself with the permission of the Australian Embassy and his wife Alice Sams.

The body was cremated without a post-mortem. The last rites were completed at the Christian cemetery at Churamba. Munger District Magistrate Avnish Kumar Singh said that the funeral was conducted as per the embassy's instructions. A post-mortem was not conducted as per the wishes of his wife. He also said that the ship carrying the Australian tourists anchored at Babua Ghat from Friday night to Saturday afternoon.

Donald Sams was a retired officer from the Australian High Command. Alice shared that his father had worked in Assam during the British rule. As a mark of respect to his father, Sams used to visit Assam whenever he travelled to India.