By Neena Bhandari, IANS
Sydney : Australian girl Anandalila “Lila” Salter, who died after being shot by her friend in the Indian town of Mathura earlier this month, was given a traditional farewell in her hometown in north New South Wales state.
The teenager’s mother, Susan Manning, asked well-wishers – family and friends – who had gathered at the New Govardhana temple in Murwillumbah Monday night to honour her daughter, not to cry but dance and enjoy a feast.
Her elder sister said: “I’ve never known her to do anything wrong. I’ve never heard her swear. She lived such a long life in such a short time.”
Lila, a devotee of Hindu god Krishna, was shot three times Feb 2 by Saurav Singh, the nephew of a former Uttar Pradesh minister. Saurav committed suicide after shooting and critically injuring Lila.
Lila had lived in India for several years with her family and had known Saurav for some years.
In India, after she died of heart failure after injuries, Lila was cremated traditionally and her ashes were immersed in river Yamuna.