AGARTALA, Sep 13 (TIWN): Calling the newly canonized Mother Teresa “a much-needed model for our times that is so full of selfishness and insensitivity,” Manik Sarkar, the Marxist Chief Minister of Tripura said the best way to pay one’s respects to Mother is to “do what she did”.“There is no better way to honour Mother Teresa” the Chief Minister said, “than by imitating her actions and becoming more kind and compassionate to the poorest segments of our society.” He was speaking at the concluding function of Tripura’s two-day celebrations on the occasion of the Mother Teresa’s canonization. The solemn Civic function held at Rabindra Bhawan in Agartala on 11th September brought together a large number of dignitaries, young people, friends and well-wishers of Mother Teresa. In his speech, CM underscored the universal relevance and appeal of Mother Teresa. “I do not think any religion can hold Mother within its confines,” said the Marxist leader, “because she was a woman that showed the world, that it is not nationality, or religion or any such affiliations that ultimately matter but loving and being compassionate to fellow human beings just because he or she is a human being.”

“Today parents do all they can to make their children doctors, engineers, and scientists but how many of them take the trouble to see their children grow up as ‘human beings’? Mother Teresa teaches us that humanity is the greatest treasure we have,” said the Chief Minister.

The austere life style that he is said to lead has made Manik Sarkar widely known across the country as an exemplary communist that leads by example.

Lumen Monteiro, the Bishop of Agartala spoke about the connection that the State of Tripura has with Mother Teresa. Mother had visited the state twice in connection with setting up of her institutions. Tripura has two Mother Teresa institutions  - Sishu Bhavan at Agartala and Leprosy Care centre at Kumarghat. These institutions, he said, were set up as a result of the invitation extended to Mother by the former Communist Chief Minister, Nripen Chakarborty. Bishop Lumen was the only one from Tripura that witnessed the Canonization ceremony in the Vatican on 4^th Sept.

An inter-religious prayer was also held on the occasion. Religious leaders from various faiths  - Hindu, Islam, Buddhist, Bahai spoke of Mother Teresa as a holy Catholic Nun, but also as a person whose life enshrined the best that is found in every religion.

Gautam Lewis, a London-settled Pilot and a photographer by profession shared the story of his life which began at Sishu Bhawan in Kolkata where he was cared for by Mother Teresa as a child.

Dr. Ashoke Kumar Pradhan, one of the doctors who treated Mother Teresa in Kolkata was also a special guest at the function.

Various schools and institutions of the city presented the life and works of Mother Teresa through songs and dances.

Mother Teresa celebrations in Tripura also included a colourful Peace Rally on 10^th September. The Rally had thousands of students walk through the main streets of the town, carrying placards that spoke of Peace and of Mother Teresa.  A daylong Film Festival in which movies on Mother Teresa from seven countries were screened followed the Rally.

Sr. Celine D’Cunha, the Convener of the Agartala event called the canonization of Mother Teresa “a reminder to the world to pay greater attention to the neglected, marginalized and the poorest” and emphasized that “Agartala celebrations are focused on this mission of Mother Teresa and our obligation to follow her path of service.”

J. Pulinthanath (9436126649), Don Bosco Peace centre, Bankumari, Kunjaban, Agartala 799006

Spokesperson for the Diocese of Agartala