Summary
Summary:
Mother Teresa was inspired to help the sick and dying in Kolkata, leading her to establish 'Nirmal Hriday' (meaning 'Pure Heart'), a home for the destitute. There, she and her fellow nuns cared for these individuals, providing a loving environment to ensure they felt valued in their final moments. The Missionaries of Charity also sought to help those who survived by finding them jobs or homes where they could live with care.
Mother Teresa emphasized the importance of love within families, encouraging individuals to support their loved ones. Her humanitarian efforts earned her numerous accolades, including the Nobel Peace Prize and the Bharat Ratna. She passed away on September 5, 1997, leaving a legacy of compassion and teaching that love knows no boundaries of creed or caste.
True or False Statements:
- 1. False - Mother Teresa was moved by the sight of the sick and dying.
- 2. False - She opened a home for the dying destitute.
- 3. True
- 4. True
- 5. False - Mother Teresa believed humanity passes through families.
- 6. False - She taught compassion for all, regardless of caste.
Questions:
- Mother Teresa received many awards due to her dedicated humanitarian work and compassion.
- 'Nirmal Hriday' stands for 'Pure Heart'.
- The home is named 'Nirmal Hriday' to reflect a place where dying individuals receive love and care.
- Mother Teresa wanted the dying to feel deserving of care and love as part of their inherent dignity as human beings.
- We have learned from Mother Teresa the importance of compassion, love for all, and helping those in need regardless of their background.
A. Read more about Mother Teresa.
Mother Teresa was moved by the sight of the sick and dying on the streets of Kolkata. She founded a home for the dying destitute and named it 'Nirmal Hriday', meanmg 'Pure Heart'. She and her fellow nuns brought the dying people off the streets of Kolkata to this home. They were lovingly looked after and cared for. Since then many men, women and children have been taken from the streets and carried to Nirmol Hriday. These unloved and uncared for people get an opportunity to die in an environment of kindness and love. In their last hours they get human and divine love, and can feel they are also children of God. The Missionaries of Charity try to find jobs for those who survive, or send them to homes where they can live happily for some more years in a caring environment.
Regarding commitment to family, Mother Teresa said, "May be in our own family, we have somebody, who is feeling lonely, who is feeling sick, who is feeling worried. Are we there? Are we willing to give until it hurts in order to be with our families, or do we put our interest first? We must remember that love begins at home and we must also remember that future of humanity passes through the family".
Mother Teresa's work has been recognised throughout the world and she received a number of awards. These include the Pope John XXIII Peace Prize (1971), the Nehru Prize for Promotion of International Peace & Understanding (1972), the Balzan Prize (1978), the Nobel Peace Prize (1979) and the Bharat Ratna (1980).
Mother Teresa died at the age of 87, on 5 September 1997.The world salutes her for her love and compassion for humanity. She has taught us how to extend our hand towards those who need our love and support irrespective of creed, caste and religion. The picture of Mother Teresa, draped in a white and blue-bordered sari, with a wrinkled face, ever soft eyes and a saintly smile, lives on in our mind.
B. Now say whether the following statements are True or False. If false, give the correct information.
1. Mother Teresa was moved to see the diseases that spread in the streets of Kolkata.
2. She opened a home for the orphans.
3. She and her group brought in the dying people from the streets of Kolkata.
4. 'Nirmal Hriday' was founded so that the poor people who are dying can get love and care before death.
5. Mother Teresa said that humanity passes through charitable organizations.
6. We have learnt from Mother Teresa how to come forward to help only those who belong to a special caste.
C. Read the text in B again and write the answer to the following questions in your exercise book.
1. Why do you think Mother Teresa won so many awards?
2. What does 'Nirmal Hriday' stand for?
3. Why do you think the home is named 'Nirmal Hriday"?
4. Why did Mother Teresa want the dying people to feel that they too deserve care and love?
5. What are the things that we have learnt from Mother Teresa?
Read more
