Mann Ki Baat

Modi says he feels proud over Mother Teresa's canonisation

Modi-Mother-Teresa Praising the efforts of Indian athletes at the Rio Olympics, Modi said the India's "daughters" made the country proud | PTI
  • "Mother Teresa is going to be canonised on September 4. We are sending an official delegation led by External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj to represent 1.25 crore Indians at the ceremony," Modi said

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday paid tributes to Mother Teresa, saying every Indian must feel proud as she has officially been recognised as a saint.

Modi said despite being not an Indian, Mother Teresa dedicated her whole life serving the Indians.

"Mother Teresa devoted her whole life serving the poor and destitute people in India. When such a person is conferred with sainthood, it is natural for Indians to feel proud," Modi said in his Mann Ki Baat radio address.

He noted that Mother Teresa was an Albanian and English was not her mother tongue.

"Mother Teresa is going to be canonised on September 4. We are sending an official delegation led by External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj to represent 1.25 crore Indians at the ceremony," Modi said.

Mother Teresa, who arrived in Kolkata on January 6, 1929, won numerous honours, including the 1979 Nobel Peace Prize.

On October 19, 2003, she was beatified as Blessed Teresa of Calcutta.

A second miracle was credited to her intercession by Pope Francis in December last year, paving way for her to be recognised as a saint by the Roman Catholic Church.

Her canonisation is scheduled for September 4, a day before her 19th death anniversary.

'Daughters made us proud at Rio'

Praising the efforts of Indian athletes at the Rio Olympics, Modi said the India's "daughters" made the country proud.

"The two medals we got were bagged by the daughters of this nation. There were other girls who almost made it and performed well. Once again they proved that they are no lesser than anyone else in any manner," Modi said while referring to shuttler P.V. Sindhu, wrestler Sakshi Malik and gymnast Deepa Karmakar.

"They were from North India, South India, the Northeast and other different parts. It seems daughters of India had resolved to make this country proud," he said.

He also praised other athletes and said though they could not get any medal, their performances were commendable.

"For the first time, Deepa Karmakar made it to the gymnastics, 36 years later the women's hockey team qualified, 32 years after P.T. Usha, runner O.P Jaisha managed to qualify for marathon, Abhinav Bindra came fourth, boxer Vikas Yadav also performed well," Modi said.

Praising the Indian men's hockey team, he said the winning team Argentina lost only to the Indian team.

Saying that country had to do a lot and that the central government had already formed a committee to take necessary steps for improving performances in future, Modi also urged states to focus on at least two sports of their choices.

"The times to come are good but it would only be possible when we change our attitude and the way we had been working so far," he said.

He also asked the people to change their mentality and allow their children to pursue sports.

"We are preparing our children for jobs and most of us see sports as a waste of time. Its time to change the mentality," Modi said.

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