The government estimated that more than one million people gathered to witness the arrival of ex-King Sihanouk's body from China on Wednesday 17 October, 2012.
Friday, 19 October 2012
By Princess Soma Norodom
Phnom Penh Post
Over
the past few days the mood at the Royal Palace has been somber and
chaotic, despite the Pchum Ben holiday. The announcement of the death of
His Majesty King Father Norodom Sihanouk last Monday has created
conversations, both positive and negative.
But for many of us, including myself, his death marks the passage of a remarkable survivor and the greatest king of Cambodia.
On
June 28, 1953, His Majesty King Norodom Sihanouk returned to Cambodia
and more than 400,000 people joined him in Battambang to be trained for
military duties.
The French government was forced to rethink its
position, and on July 3, 1953, France declared it was ready to grant
independence to Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam.
On November 9, 1953,
Cambodia was finally granted its independence from France. His Majesty
King Norodom Sihanouk’s greatest achievement was being able to restore
independence to his country without shedding a single drop of blood.
He will always be known in Cambodian history as the Father of Independence.
His
Majesty King Norodom Sihanouk was a complex political figure who dealt
with multiple political regime changes. His courage is unmatched as he
went against all the world powers of the fascists, the communists, and
the liberal imperialists.
His Majesty King Norodom Sihanouk was a
true Khmer patriot, and I am proud to be part of his family line. Now
you know where I get my feisty and outspoken personality from.
For
the Royal Family members and high ranking officials, the funeral
service will last more than three days. For the average Cambodian, a
funeral service can last between one to three days, depending on the
family’s financial situation, as the longer the body is kept, the more
expensive it is.
In the Buddhist tradition, you pay respect on the seventh and the 100th days after death as a remembrance ceremony.
No matter how rich or poor you are, no matter your age, race or religion, we all have a date with death.
We block from our minds the fact that our loved ones will die. But the best thing to do is to prepare for when that time comes.
Ask
a loved one what their wish is. The worst time to make funeral plans is
at the time of death, as the family is very emotional and grief
stricken.
My father’s wish is to pass away in his homeland of
Cambodia, be cremated and have his ashes spread where the Tonle Sap and
the Mekong rivers meet. This is the reason why I moved to Cambodia.
This
week Cambodia has been stricken with genuine grief due to the death of
His Majesty King Father Norodom Sihanouk. As I mourn with my family and
the nation, I hope this loss will unite our country together.
My
beloved great uncle, King Father Norodom Sihanouk, you are finally at
peace and I hope that your wish for our Khmer people to find peace and
stability will one day be fulfilled.
The Social Agenda with Soma Norodom
The views expressed above are solely the author’s and do not reflect any positions taken by The Phnom Penh Post.
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