MOTHER TERESA
Mother Teresa was born on 26th August, 1910 in Yugoslavia. Her real name was Agnes Bojaxhiu. She became a nun at the age of 18. She came to India as a teacher to teach in convent schools. But later, she decided to serve the poor, the needy, the dying and the helpless. She became Indian citizen in 1948. In 1950, she established the famous Missionaries of Charity. Later, many homes, schools, hospitals for the poor and homeless were opened in India and foreign countries. Now the Missionaries of Charity has 160 centers in India alone. It has its branches in over 105 countries.
For her service, dedication and love for mankind, she was given many awards, prizes, honours and titles, including the Nobel Prize and Bharat Ratna. She was far above these, but accepted them in politeness. By rewarding her, actually we were rewarding ourselves. She reminded us of the Buddha because of her limitless compassion, service and faith in humanity. It is a matter of great honour and pride that she chose Calcutta and India as the place of her work and activities. She passed away on 5th September, 1997 in Calcutta. In the death of this angle of mercy and compassion, mankind has become poorer. It was a black Friday for millions of Indians and people of the world. The poor, the weak, the destitute and the unwanted became orphans with her death. We shall love her always.