The Mind Creative OCT 2013
In May 1927 Otim Singh went for a trip back to India presumably
with some Sikh friends. He was 65 and was quite unwell. It might
have been the case that he wanted to recover from his illness in
India. However, being unable to return to normal health, he
returned to Adelaide where he was admitted for several weeks in a
private hospital. In December 1927, he was brought back to his
home in Kingscote where he breathed his last.
Otim Singh had crossed the oceans many times in his life and had
landed on many shores to make his fortune; ending his career as a
prosperous Indian in a white Australian society. Ironically, his links to
his birthplace resurfaced after he passed away. Instead of a funeral in
Kingscote, his body was shipped back to Adelaide for cremation. As
per his last wishes, his ashes were delivered to a Import-Export
business (G and R Wills) so that these could be delivered back to
India. He left everything to his widow with the wish that, after her
death, the entire wealth be transferred to his nephews in Ind ia (in
the Ferozepur district). It is now known from records that finally,
after his widow’s death, his estate was returned to his family in
India; thereby culminating the remarkable life of Otim Singh.
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