Every Indian will take pride in Mother’s canonisation: Prez

New Delhi, Sep 3 (PTI) President Pranab Mukherjee todaycalled Mother Teresa a "messiah" of the poor and a pillar ofsupport for the weak as he said every Indian will take prideon her canonisation tomorrow. In his message on the eve of the canonisation ceremony tobe done by Pope Fracis at Vatican City, Mukherjee said MotherTeresa was an embodiment of compassion. "She dedicated her entire life to serving the poorest ofthe poor as well as the destitute and forsaken. Mother Teresasaw herself as ‘small pencil in the hands of the Lord’ andwent about her work quietly, offering smiles and warm humangestures. "Always dressed in a simple white, blue border sari,Mother Teresa undertook her work with great love andcommitment. Mother Teresa provided dignity and respect tothose who had been defeated by life. She was a messiah of thepoor and a pillar of support for the weak and suffering. Hersimple manners touched the hearts of millions of people of allfaiths," he said. The President said her message of love continues toinspire millions of people around the world. "Every citizen of India will take pride in therecognition being accorded to Mother Teresa for her service tohumanity and God through this Canonisation. Let the example ofMother Teresa inspire all of us to dedicate ourselves to thewelfare of mankind," he said. He said Mother Teresa established the Missionaries ofCharity in 1950 with the mission of caring for "the hungry,the naked, the homeless, the crippled, the blind, the lepers,all those people who feel unwanted, unloved, uncared forthroughout society, people that have become a burden to thesociety and are shunned by everyone." Praising the Missionaries of Charity, which has branchesin several countries,Mukherjee said the organisation continuesits service to humanity, reaching out to the needy regardlessof their religion or social status. "Mother Teresa believed that giving something of our selfis what confers real joy and the person who is allowed to giveis the one who receives the most precious gift. She glorifiedher life with the dignity of humble service. In recognition ofMother TeresaÂ’s selfless and dedicated services, a gratefulnation conferred on her India’s highest civilian award ‘BharatRatna’ in 1980," he said. Remembering her words, the President said Mother Teresaoften said: "What the poor need most is to feel needed, tofeel loved. There are remedies and treatments for all kinds ofillnesses but when some one is undesirable, if there are noserving hands and loving hearts, then there is no hope for atrue cure." PTI NES RCJ RGRCJ