INDIA - Calcutta: the legacy of Mother Teresa

Summary

Kolkata, India's third largest city, is home to millions living in poverty. Despite this, the legacy of Mother Teresa lives on through the Missionaries of Charity, which continue her work of providing care for the sick, elderly, orphans, and the destitute. Even though the city faces economic challenges and slow growth, the selfless efforts of the Sisters remain vital for the city's poorest. Mother Teresa's admirers still visit her tomb, but her mission is far from complete, as Kolkata's poor continue to seek help in a city marked by deprivation and urban decay.

Takeaways

• 😀 Kolkata is India's third-largest city, with a population of 15 million, many of whom live in slums or temporary housing.
• 😀 Mother Teresa founded her first clinic in Kolkata in 1952, known as the 'Kague Got Home for the Sick and Dying.'
• 😀 Despite Mother Teresa's passing, Kolkata's poorest still come to the clinic for care, food, and shelter.
• 😀 Sister Glenda believes that the work Mother Teresa started remains as relevant today as it was when she began.
• 😀 The white and blue sarees of the Missionaries of Charity have become iconic in Kolkata’s landscape.
• 😀 The Missionaries of Charity run 12 centers in Kolkata, addressing various needs such as orphan care, healthcare for the sick, and elderly support.
• 😀 Anita, a woman with a broken leg, found free treatment at the Missionaries of Charity after being abandoned by her children.
• 😀 Despite efforts by humanitarian organizations, Kolkata’s widespread poverty remains a persistent issue, with few opportunities for the poor.
• 😀 The textile industry, once a major source of employment, has moved to Bangladesh, contributing to Kolkata's economic stagnation.
• 😀 The former editor of the Statesman newspaper describes Kolkata as a symbol of urban decay, deprivation, and destitution.
• 😀 While Mother Teresa’s admirers still visit her tomb, her work remains incomplete, and the city's poor continue to rely on her followers to carry on her mission.

Q & A

What is Kolkata's population and what is the living situation for many people?

Kolkata is India's third-largest city with a population of 15 million people. One-third of the population lives in slums, temporary housing, or on the streets.

What was the significance of Mother Teresa's clinic in Kolkata?

Mother Teresa established her first clinic in Kolkata in 1952, a place for the sick and dying, offering care and shelter. Her mission continues to help Kolkata's poor today.

What is the role of Sister Glenda in the Missionaries of Charity?

Sister Glenda is part of the Missionaries of Charity, which continues the work of Mother Teresa. She believes their mission remains just as important today, emphasizing the need for compassion and service.

How do the Missionaries of Charity serve the people of Kolkata?

The Missionaries of Charity run 12 centers in Kolkata, caring for orphans, the sick, and the elderly, regardless of religion or caste, providing food, shelter, and medical care.

What are some of the challenges faced by people like Anita in Kolkata?

Anita, who has a broken leg, was abandoned by her children and had nowhere else to go. She found care at a Missionaries of Charity center, which offered treatment free of charge. Many others in Kolkata face similar challenges due to poverty.

What are some of the economic challenges facing Kolkata?

Kolkata struggles with economic stagnation. The textile industry, which once employed many, has moved to Bangladesh, and the local communist administration's inability to attract investment has slowed economic growth compared to other Indian cities.

How has Kolkata's reputation evolved over time?

Kolkata has long been seen as a symbol of urban decay and deprivation. Its problems of poverty and lack of opportunity have persisted, despite efforts to improve the city.

What role did Mother Teresa play in addressing Kolkata's poverty?

Mother Teresa's work was an individual effort to provide immediate relief to the poor, offering them food, shelter, and care. However, some argue that it didn't address larger systemic issues like jobs, education, and long-term economic stability.

Why do people continue to visit Mother Teresa’s tomb in Kolkata?

Even after her death, people continue to visit Mother Teresa's tomb to pray and express gratitude for her work. Her contributions to Kolkata and its poor are still remembered and revered.

What is the current state of poverty in Kolkata?

Despite the efforts of the Missionaries of Charity and other organizations, Kolkata's poverty remains a significant issue. Thousands of people continue to arrive in the city seeking work, but opportunities are limited, and economic growth has not kept pace with other cities.