Mamata inaugurates 'Mother Express'
Calcutta, India - Aug 28, 2010 - (EWTN News/CNA) - Marking the 100th birthday of Mother Teresa, India’s railway minister has inaugurated the “Mother Express,” an exhibition train about the saintly woman’s life and works. Before an audience including children, priests, and religious sisters, the minister praised Mother Teresa as “a universal mother.”
Minister Mamata Banerjee dedicated the train Thursday at Calcutta’s Sealdah railway station
The train has three air-conditioned coaches full of information and photographs about the life, work and message of Mother Teresa. According to the Indian news site Sify.com, the rail cars will travel across the country for six months.
Banerjee characterized the train as “the railways’ tribute to Mother Teresa.”
“We also want to generate awareness among the masses about her life and philanthropic deeds,” she said. “She is a universal mother. We are proud that she belongs to Calcutta and our state.”
According to Sify.com, Banerjee continued: “Mother had fought for the downtrodden, worked for the downtrodden and also (was) a mother to the downtrodden.”
The minister further announced that the government of India will issue a coin “shortly” to commemorate the religious sister.
Mother Teresa’s first successor, Sr. Nirmala, attended the dedication of the “Mother Express” with many other sisters of the Missionaries of Charity.
Priests and children also attended. Some of the children performed a dance drama based on the life and works of the saintly sister.
Derek O’Brien, chairman of the Railway Passenger Amenities Committee, told of his own attachment to Mother Teresa. He reported that Sonia Ghandi sent him a message wishing success to the programs marking her birthday.
Indian Officials Dedicate Train to Showcase Life Of Mother Teresa, ‘A Universal Mother’