Chennai: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa on Saturday said the canonisation of Mother Teresa is a matter of great pride to the nation and she always draws sustenance for public service from her life and works.
"It is a matter of great pride for India that Mother Teresa, Bharat Ratna, Nobel Peace Prize awardee and the founder of Missionaries of Charity, set up with a mission of serving the poorest of the poor, will be canonised and finally known to the world as Saint Teresa after the ceremony to be held in the Vatican on September 4", she said in a statement.
Referring to Mother Teresa's visit to her house in 1994 and sharing the dais with her at a state function to mark International Women's Day, Jayalalithaa said, "It remains a memorable event in my life. I continue to draw sustenance for my own public service from the life and work of Mother Teresa."
Asserting that her government has taken inspiration from Mother Teresa and striven to provide compassionate governance in the state, she said the Mother Teresa Women's University, established in 1994, continues to serve the cause of women's education.
"The canonisation of Mother Teresa will again highlight the work that she has done among the poor and the downtrodden. Her life and work has inspired many and as Saint Teresa, she will continue to inspire many more," the Chief Minister said.
"The spirit of compassion and selfless service to the most unfortunate, the sick, the dying and the destitute will be greatly bolstered through keeping alive the memory of this great soul", Jayalalithaa said.
Mother Teresa will be declared a Saint by Pope Francis in a canonisation ceremony in the Vatican City on sunday in presence of her followers from all over the world.
