Page 28 - Genius Kidz Integrity Journeys-7

she studied well the geography and people of Kolkata very well. Then she received

the permission to start her congregation, the missionaries of charity from the
Archbishop of Kolkata. She founded the missionaries of charity on October

11,1950.

Once, looking for the poor and destitutes, Mother Teresa found a woman’s body

lying on a dump of rubbish. Although the woman was alive, her body was in a very

decayed state. She picked her up and brought to a nearby hospital. The hospital
authorities refused to admit that woman. Shortly after, the woman died in her

arms. This event gave Mother Teresa a way to complete her mission. She, now,

started working for the dying people at first. For this, she needed a place- a building
where she could keep such people and get them treated. Thus she pleaded with the

Department of Health.

Her efforts bore the fruits when the Department of Health granted her the old

Pilgrim’s Hostel, a place having two large rooms and a hallway. This place was

soon filled completely with the dying men, women and children. She started
taking care of these dying persons of Kolkata and soon she became popular.

Although she had to face resentment of orthodox Hindus who blamed her of
converting many Hindus to Christianity, yet she was not to take her step back once

taken ahead. She went on with the service of dying people.

From that small structure emerged the ‘Nirmal Hriday’ - a long, low structure,

which has no door, being open to all. It is known today as the home of the dying

destitutes all around the world.

During her struggle for the dying destitutes, Mother Teresa became the friend of

Amrita Roy, niece of Dr. B.C. Roy, the first Chief Minister of Bengal. Amrita did a
lot for Mother Teresa’s pious aims and objectives.

Dying destitutes were taken by Mother Teresa to begin her work in India. A new
area of human service was also taken up by her when the children’s home the

‘Shishu Bhawan’ was opened on February 1953. It was given to take care of

abandoned children and today, it houses a large number of such people.

The journey was on and soon Mother Teresa took up the cause of lepers of

Titagarh. She opened many dispensaries and a large number of lapers started

28