Mother Teresa was moved by the sight of the sick and dying on the streets of

Kolkata. She founded a home for the dying destitute and named it Nirmal

Hriday', meanmg 'Pure Heart'. She and her fellow nuns brought the dying people

off the streets of Kolkata to this home. They were lovingly looked after and cared

for. Since then many men, women and children have been taken from the streets

and carried to Nirmol Ilriday. These 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. The

Missionaries of Charity try to find jobs for those who survive, 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, "May be 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 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 1907. 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. The picture of Mother Teresa, draped in a white and blue-bordered

sari, with a wrinkled face, ever soft eyes and a saintly smile, lives on in our

mind.