Mysuru: The purpose of this whole visit was to fulfil the wishes of her mother Jean Maureen whose heart was always in India and the only way she could do was to immerse the natural elements in the sacred water of River Cauvery.

Alyia had brought her mother’s cremated remains in a sealed container which was certified by the Funeral Directors at Surrey to carry it to India. The Certificate read (a copy of which is with Star of Mysore), “Cremation took place at The North East Surrey Crematorium, Lower Morden Lane, Morden on 16th February 2018. I further declare that the Cremated Remains are in a completely sanitary condition and are free from infection.”

When she stood on the banks of River Cauvery at Sangama on Aug.3, Alyia became very emotional, as she took the ashes out of the sealed box, took it on the palm of her hands and let it flow into the river. 

Then she shared with Star of Mysore how much she had to struggle to reach Mysuru as she was diagnosed with pneumonia and sepsis just three weeks before she was to leave England.

“My daughter Alexa, a paramedic, realised how sick I was. It was then that I was rushed to the hospital and diagnosed with pneumonia and sepsis on July 3. I was unconscious for five days. The first thing I did when I regained consciousness was to tell the doctors, “I am going to India on July 26 and you have to get me well. Once the doctors realised that it was not for a holiday but to immerse my mother’s ashes, they filled me with antibiotics and finally gave me a clearance to fly on July 23. It was cutting really fine as I had booked my ticket for July 26,” she said.

“Now, I feel I am healed here standing on the banks of River Cauvery after immersing my mother’s ashes. I always knew she wanted to come home. The remaining ashes I will immerse in Lalbagh and thus complete the wishes of my mother,” she said.

“I feel strangely liberated like I have done it. From the time she died on Jan.18, 2018 to the time I immersed her ashes, I think at last, it is the final closure,” said Alyia with tears welling up in her eyes.