Much before the formal canonization, the mother was already a saint to the people of India: Vice President

Vice President, M. Hamid Ansari addressing at the event to celebrate the Canonization of Mother Teresa, in Kolkata 

Kolkata

Vice President M. Hamid Ansari has said that much before the formal canonization, the mother was already a saint to the people of India. He was addressing the event to celebrate the canonization of Mother Teresa in Kolkata. 

The Governor of West Bengal, Shri Keshari Nath Tripathi, the Minister of Disaster Management, Government of West Bengal, Javed Khan, the Apostlic Nuncio to India, Most Rev. Salvatore Pennacchio and other dignitaries were present on the occasion.

Vice President said that Saint Teresa was an embodiment of compassion. He further said that she addressed the complex questions about the meaning of life by reducing it to the simple practice of alleviating the pain of others. Saint Teresa believed that giving something of our self is what confers real joy and the person who is allowed to give is the one who receives the most precious gift, he added.

Vice President said that the Missionaries of Charity continues with its mission of caring for the poor, the sick and the uncared, rendering its service to humanity, reaching out to the needy, regardless of their religion or social status. He pointed out that this is indeed, a most fitting tribute to Saint Teresa and her compassionate legacy. He further said that our grateful nation honored her with the Bharat Ratna, and world recognized her work with the Nobel Prize for peace. Yet she saw herself as one among the needy, one among the poor, dying and destitute, he added.

“In the midst of this world's poverty and pain, Mother Teresa of Calcutta has shone the warm light of God's love and compassion on us all. This is what the Church affirms in raising her to the rank of blessed that it was his light we beheld in her.” - Father Joseph Langford of Missionary of Charity 

The Vice President said that her mission and message have touched not only the poorest of the poor here, but those well beyond India. He further said that it inspires us, as that of Mahatma Gandhi, another great Indian whose birth anniversary we celebrate today. May her blessed life inspire all of us to dedicate ourselves to the service of humanity,