Sister Nirmala laid to rest as admirers pay homage despite rain

Kolkata Braving heavy showers hundreds of people from India and abroad bade a tearful adieu to Mother Teresas successor Sister Nirmala here on Wednesday recalling the nuns dedication and courageSister Nirmalas body placed in a glass casket with candles and wreaths at her feet was kept at the Missionaries of Charitys global headquarters Mother House where the Holy mass was attended by political and religious leaders as also the poorest of the poorLater the body was taken in a procession to St Johns Church at Sealdah and laid to rest at the cemetery housed in the churchSister Nirmala File picAFPThe mourners including West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee city mayor Sovan Chatterjee and Trinamool Congress MP Derek OBrien besides a large number of MoC nuns as also ordinary people of all ages walked the three km distance from the Mother House to the cemetery close to the convent where sister Nirmala spent her last years in meditationSister Nirmala Mother Teresas successor as superior general of the Missionaries of Charity died on Tuesday following renal failure and heart complicationsThe mass was led by Archbishop of Kolkata Father Thomas DSouza who spoke in glowing terms about the nuns life and achievements her deep spirituality and her love for the poor and the needyBanerjee recounted her affable personality and service to the poorSister Nirmala always had a smile on her face Physically we may have lost her but she will be alive through her ideology and philosophy Banerjee said as the nuns sang songs including Rabindra SangeetSister Prema head of the MoC described her as the embodiment of courage and compassion that Mother Teresa stood forShe spread the message of love and compassion to all she met There were no manipulations no pretenses She gave each one time and space to unfold their concerns She welcomed all said Sister Prema who succeeded Sister Nirmala as superior general of the catholic congregation in 2009Cutting across class and religious barriers a steady stream of visitors trickled in since 10 am in south Kolkatas Mother House where the body was kept for public viewing alongside Mother Teresas marble tombAs rain pelted down on the narrow entrance to the building close to 250 citizens including the nuns gathered around in the airy room to celebrate her legacySeveral clicked photos and joined in singing hymns amid tight securityProminent among the visitors were the elderly who were helped by the nuns of the charitable organisation to approach the glass casket and offer flowersIn the backdrop of hymns of Maria Tujhe Pranam softly echoing across the room Mohammed Parwez hobbled in clutching a garlandThe physicallychallenged man kissed the glass casket and bowed before Mothers tombSister Nirmala is gone but I hope the sisters will carry on the good work they have been doing for poor people like me he told IANSDescribing her as holy and simple an MoC nun from Argentina who has been living in the city for nearly a decade said Sister Nirmala was active in managing the work of organisation even in failing healthArchimede Ruggiero a doctor from Italy who practises Ayurveda and helps train nurses in Kerala happened to be in the city to offer tribute to Mother Teresa but stayed back to learn about Sister Nirmalas workI met Mother Teresa and I have been inspired by her and I have been working with people in Kerala to do my part as a human being But I am also praying for Sister Nirmala here today Wednesday Ruggiero said in broken EnglishAs the numbers of visitors swelled one could spot army officers officegoers and Muslim clerics in queue Infants of the MoCS Sishu Bhavan were also brought in by volunteers and made to touch Sister Nirmalas glass casket and Mothers tombWellknown citizens like singer Usha Uthup silently offered their last respects before her funeral at StJohns Church in the eveningSister Nirmala became the second head of the order after its founder Mother Teresa stepped down from the post in March 1997During her 12year stewardship of the Kolkataheadquartered order founded in 1950 Sister Nirmala visited a large number of countries opening new houses and drawing more people to the Missionaries of Charity which now has under its fold over 4500 religious sisters and activities spread across 133 countriesShe was honoured with Indias second highest civilian order Padma Vibhushan in 2009 for her services to the nation