(5 Sep 1998) English/Nat
Special prayers are being held across India to mark the first anniversary of the death of Mother Teresa.
In Calcutta, a city that was home to the Roman Catholic nun for more than half a century, people are paying their tribute to her work in many different ways.
The occasion however has been marred by a controversy over the installation of a bronze statue of Mother Teresa by a voluntary group.
It was to be a tribute to Calcutta's most famous nun on her first death anniversary.
Mother Teresa died on September 5 last year at the age of 87.
This six feet tall bronze statue was to have been installed at a public place in Calcutta, where Mother Teresa lived for half a century.
Sculpted by artist Gautam Pal, the statue was commissioned by Mother Teresa memorial committee, a voluntary group formed by some prominent Calcutta residents.
The Missionaries of Charity, the order founded by Mother Teresa, however has objected to unauthorised people soliciting funds in Mother Teresa's name.
And the matter is presently in the court awaiting legal advice.
Even as the controversy continued, the Mother Teresa Memorial Committee organised a large rally of the poor to pay tribute to Mother Teresa's memory.
Hundreds of poor people whose life has been touched by charity homes run by the order came together on the streets of Calcutta.
Clutching banners with Mother Teresa's photograph, Calcutta's slum dwellers and the homeless marched to remember her comforting touch and service to the suffering.
But Sister Nirmala, who succeeded Mother Teresa as the head of the order last year is undeterred by the controversy.
She says the legacy of Mother's name rests only with the Missionaries of charity.
SOUNDBITE ( English)
"Mother belongs to everybody. But the name of Mother, Mother has vested that one in the Missionaries of Charity. We are her sisters. We have lived that life that she has lived. So this name has to be protected from misuse."
SUPER CAPTION: Sister Nirmala , Superior General , Missionaries of Charity
A simple ceremony of special prayers marked Mother Teresa's first death anniversary Saturday at Mother House in Calcutta.
The saint of the gutters, as she was popularly known, was buried within the walls of the convent she founded.
Her work for the poorest of the poor crossed all religious boundaries and won her the Noble Peace Prize in 1979.
The Missionaries of charity continue to expand their worldwide network.
The four thousand nun order has added 20 new centres since Mother Teresa's death.
By December this year, the mission will have 614 homes around the world.
For 50 years, these centres have comforted the destitutes, sheltered the abandoned infants and given succor to the disabled.
Charity and donations continue to pour in allaying concerns that the order would falter without its charismatic public face.
Painter Sunita Kumar was a close friend and associate of Mother Teresa.
To commemorate the anniversary, she has brought out a pictorial book on the life and achievements of the Roman Catholic nun.
She is also exhibiting 27 oil paintings depicting Mother Teresa's work for the poor.
Many of these were autographed by Mother Teresa herself.
SOUNDBITE ( English) :
"We all still miss her very much. But at the same time we feel that she is with us."
SUPER CAPTION : Sunita Kumar , Painter
Tributes to her memory come from many of her ardent admirers in Calcutta - her work for the sick and the dying has earned her immense respect throughout the country.
Find out more about AP Archive: [ Ссылка ]
Twitter: [ Ссылка ]
Facebook: [ Ссылка ]
Instagram: [ Ссылка ]
You can license this story through AP Archive: [ Ссылка ]
