Mother Teresa was moved by the presence of the sick and dying on the streets ofKolkata. She founded the home for the dying destitute and named it ‘Nirmal Hridoy’,
meaning ‘Pure Heart’. She and her fellow nuns gathered the dying people off the
streets of Kolkata and brought them to this home. They were lovingly looked after
and cared for. Since then men, women and children have been taken from the streets
and carried to Nirmol Hridoy. T hese unloved and uncared for people get an
opportunity to die in an environment of kindness and love. In their last hours they get
human and Divine love, and can feel they are also children of God. Those who
survive, the Missionaries of Charity try to find jobs for them or send them to homes
where they can live happily for some more years in a caring environment. Regarding
commitment to family, Mother Teresa said, “ Maybe in our own family, we have
somebody, who is feeling lonely, who is feeling sick, who is feeling worried. Are we
there? Are we willing to give until it hurts in order to be with our families, or do we
put our interest first? We must remember that love begins at home and we must also
remember that future of humanity passes through the family”.
Mother Teresa's work has been recognised throughout the world and she has received
a number of awards. These include the Pope John XXIII Peace Prize (1971), the
Nehru Prize for Promotion of International Peace & Understanding (1972), the
Balzan Prize (1978), the Nobel Peace Prize (1979) and the Bharat Ratna (1980).
Mother Teresa died at the age of 87, on 5 September 1997.The world salutes her for
her love and compassion for humanity. She has taught us how to extend our hand
towards those who need our love and support irrespective of creed, caste and
religion. Draped in a white and blue-bordered sari, wrinkled face, ever soft eyes and
a saintly smile, is the picture of Mother Teresa in our mind.
