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India proud of recognition accorded to Mother Teresa: Mukherjee

New Delhi, Sep 3 

President Pranab Mukherjee on Saturday expressed happiness over the forthcoming canonisation of Mother Teresa and said every Indian will take pride in the recognition being accorded to her for service to humanity and God.

"Every citizen of India will take pride in the recognition being accorded to Mother Teresa through this canonisation. Let her example inspire all of us to dedicate ourselves to the welfare of mankind," Mukherjee said in his message.

The President said: "I am happy to learn that Mother Teresa will be canonised by Pope Francis at Vatican City."

Describing her as an embodiment of compassion, Mukherjee said that she dedicated her entire life to serving the poorest of the poor and destitute and forsaken people.

"Mother Teresa saw herself as a small pencil in the hands of the lord and went about her work quietly, offering smiles and warm human gestures. Always dressed in a simple white, blue border sari, Mother Teresa undertook her work with great love and commitment. 

"She provided dignity and respect to those who had been defeated by life. She was a messiah of the poor and a pillar of support for the weak and suffering people. Her simple manners touched the hearts of millions of people of all faiths," Mukherjee said.

Mother Teresa established the Missionaries of Charity in 1950 to care for hungry, naked, homeless, crippled, blind, lepers, all those people who feel unwanted, unloved, uncared for, people who felt that they had become a burden to the society and were shunned by everyone.

The branches of Missionaries of Charity in several countries continue their service to humanity, reaching out to the needy, regardless of their religion or social status.

According to the President, Mother Teresa believed that giving something of our self conferred real joy and the person allowed to give was the one who received the most precious gift.

"She glorified her life with the dignity of humble service. In recognition of Mother Teresa's selfless and dedicated services, a grateful nation conferred on her India's highest civilian award 'Bharat Ratna' in 1980," he said.

Mukherjee said that her message of love continued to inspire millions of people around the world.

"What the poor need most is to feel needed, to feel loved. There are remedies and treatments for all kinds of illnesses, but when some one is undesirable, if there are no serving hands and loving hearts, there is no hope for a true cure," Mukherjee said quoting Mother Teresa.