A school in a slum in Motijheel, where Saint Mother Teresa first began her work in 1948, has been legally handed over to the Missionaries of Charity under the West Bengal Thika Tenancy (Acquisition and Regulation) Act.
A small programme was held at Nirmal Hriday (Immaculate Heart) School, Motijheel, on April 23 to celebrate the occasion.
Nuns from the Missionaries of Charity (MoC), residents of the area and students of the school took part in the programme. Rajya Sabha MP Derek O'Brien was also present on the occasion.
O'Brien said Mother Teresa had started work among the poor from the Motijheel slum 75 years ago, soon after leaving Loreto Convent, Entally, where she was a teacher.
The Missionaries of Charity continued to run the school and shelter after her.
The Missionaries of Charity thanked O'Brien for helping resolve matters and gaining legal possession of the plot of land where the school stands.
Announcing the news of the handover, Sister Mary Joseph, superior general of the Missionaries of Charity, said: "It is always very important to share the hardships of the poor. Without knowing what the poor go through, we cannot serve them. Mother Teresa also said you must always experience what the poor go through every day. They have no water, they have poor toilet facilities, and their living space is limited. Yet they radiate hope despite living in such conditions."
The school offers additional academic support to the children while the women are trained in tailoring
For Sister Joseph, who worked in the Motijheel area between 2016 and 2019, it was like a homecoming. "Many a time I felt Mother standing by my side as I came to the service of these suffering, bedridden people in the three years from 2016 to 19. There are countless memories. One of those is related to an ailing little boy living in a nearby house. He would wait for my visit,” she recalled.
About 5,000 people live in the slums of Motijheel. The school offers additional academic support to the children while the women are trained in tailoring. At present, four nuns from the Missionaries of Charity live on the premises and serve the people of the Motijheel.
“The nuns go from door to door, enquiring about people's health and wellbeing. They provide all kinds of support. They have managed to maintain harmony in this area for years since Saint Teresa,” said Ranu Monica Nasker, who was born and brought up in the slum area near Entally.
Sister Mohini and Sister Josipa hope to serve the underprivileged of Motijheel better
With the land legally being transferred to the MoC, Sister Josipa, Sister Mohini and two other nuns, who are in charge of the place, hope to serve the underprivileged and destitute of Motijheel better.