The late Professor Brij Lal’s wife, Padma, and children will arrive in Labasa on Friday with his ashes.
His nephew Arvind Kumar said the ashes would be scattered at the Tabia River on Saturday after a ceremony that will be attended by Government leaders.
He said the river was a favourite swimming spot for Prof Lal and his siblings.
“When they were younger, they used to swim in this river with my dad and siblings, and this weekend we will return his ashes there,” he said.
“We are very happy and grateful to the Government for allowing my aunty and cousins to bring back home the ashes of my uncle.
“My uncle died more than a year ago and we have always wanted to have him back home where all his siblings are laid to rest.”
Mr Kumar said the family had prepared for the arrival of the ashes and a prayer ceremony would held at the family house on Saturday evening.
“The ceremony with Government leaders will be held at Tabia College and we welcome everyone to come and join us.”
Prof Lal died in Australia on December 25, 2021 and the family always expressed a wish to have his final funeral rites in Fiji.
He was a strong critic of the FijiFirst government and was exiled from Fiji in 2009 One of Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka first decisions when he took office was to allow the Lal family to bring Dr Lal’s ashes home.
