Mother Teresa's successor Sister Nirmala dies

Sister Nirmala Joshi, who succeeded Mother Teresa as head of the Missionaries of Charity founded by the Nobel laureate, died in Kolkata Tuesday morning. She was 81. 

A Missionaries of Charity official said Sister Nirmala was not keeping well for the past few days and her health was gradually deteriorating. Her body would be brought to Mother House Wednesday morning and the funeral will be held at 4 pm.  "Anyone who wants to pay their respects can come to Mother House tomorrow", the official said.

On March 13, 1997, six months before Mother Teresa's death, Sister Nirmala was selected the Superior General of the Missionaries of Charity. Sister Mary Prema was elected to succeed Sister Nirmala during a general chapter held in Calcutta in April 2009.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered his condolences on her demise. "Sister Nirmala's life was devoted to service, caring for the poor and  underprivileged. Saddened by her demise. May her soul rest in peace," Modi said in a statement. "My deepest condolences to the Missionaries of Charity family on the passing away of Sister Nirmala," he added.

A Missionaries of Charity official said her body would be brought to Mother House in Kolkata Wednesday morning and the funeral will be held at 4 pm.

Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee also expressed grief at the passing away of Sister Nirmala and said that Kolkata will miss her. "Saddened at the passing of Sister Nirmala who headed Missionaries of Charity after Mother Teresa. Kolkata and the world will miss her," she tweeted.

Image: Sister Nirmala with Mother Teresa at Mother House, Kolkata.