The late Mother Teresa of Calcutta (Kolkata) brought solace and comfort to the suffering people, impoverished children and the dying, but largely men and women of the world are yet to realise the need to spread love and peace that were enshrined in her life and works.
Those words were implied in the message contained in a highly intellectual speech delivered by former Governor of West Bengal Gopalkrishna Gandhi at the annual Interfaith Meeting held at the Catholic Church of Christ the King in Mt Roskill on Sunday, November 18, 2012.
He never mentioned who he really is – grandson of two of the greatest leaders that India who made the country great – Mahatma Gandhi and C Rajagopalachari, the first Governor General of Independent India. He was so self-effacing that we had to constantly remind ourselves of the presence of a man of eminence, erudition and of course international acclaim.
Self-impeachment
As if he was on a face-to-face conversation with Mother Teresa, who he had met several times in his various capacities in the central and state governments, Mr Gandhi expressed his gratitude to the great soul that moved people at high and low places with her care for people.
He said, “You found the moment of the truth that you were in darkness and that darkness was all you had; and that when the something you have is all that you have, you have to do something with it.”
Analysts and philosophers would say that his speech was one of self-impeachment, of the inadequacy in all of us and of the enormity of problems that humankind faces and the poverty of our own contributions in solving them.
Envy of light
Addressing Mother Teresa as ‘Ma,’ Mr Gandhi said, “You made darkness level with light, you made it as high, as low, as bright, as dim as light. You made darkness share the same space as light. You made darkness the envy of light.
“Ma, you made waters thirst for the thirsty, food hunger for the hungry, the rich go-abegging to for beggars. You made the rich feel criminal in their wealth, communists feel chastened in their little red books, socialists feel sentimental, priests feel hypocritical, models look not so lovely, and sportsmen feel their muscles go suddenly slack before your electricity.”
His speech in verbatim, appears in this Section.
Unity in diversity
Auckland Mayor Len Brown paid tributes to Mother Teresa, saying that her life was service to the poorer sections of the society and the needy.
Praising the Interfaith Committee, he said that it has been bringing together people of varied religions, faiths and vicissitudes with a unique sense of common purpose and common bond.
“These meetings strengthen the understanding of the differences between us, promote tolerance and friendship among people and work towards achieving the great challenges that Mother Teresa left for us,” he said.
Stating that Auckland accounted for more than 190 cultures and people of almost every faith and religion, he said, “We are becoming a city that meets the aspirations of people of all faiths and backgrounds. We need to be reminded of the messages of great persons like Mahatma Gandhi and Mother Teresa.”
Four factors
Catholic Bishop of Auckland Diocese Patrick Dunn said that Mother Teresa inspired people with four major factors. “She left the comfort of her home when she was just 18 years old to serve God and humanity; her determination to be a Saint and meet challenges; her service to bring people from darkness to light; and the sense of joy that she brought to people.
“She is a reminder that the world can be changed through love and peace.”
People’s Movement
Interfaith Committee Chairman Wenceslaus Anthony said that the annual meeting should become a ‘People’s Movement,’ working for the welfare of the people through love and peace.
“This is a Movement sans politics and religion. Although an advanced country, many New Zealanders suffer from poverty, deprivation and other social ills. We can work together to make New Zealand a better place,” he said.
Leaders from various religions read out verses from their respective Holy Books connecting their beliefs to aspect of Mother Teresa’s work and teachings.
Among them were Vinod Kumar, President, Hindu Council of New Zealand, Maulana Khalil, Imam of Masjid E Umar (Mt Roskill Islamic Centre), Rajinder Bedi, Secretary, Sri Dasmesh Darbar (Auckland Sikh Society), Venerable Carolyn Lawler of the Dorje Chang Institute (Tibetan Buddhist Centre) and a representative of the Jewish Community.
Dame Lyndsay Freer was the Master of Ceremonies at the Meeting, among the highlights of which was the presentation of a cheque for $7000 by Kerry Coleman, General Manager of the Catholic Diocese of Auckland on behalf of the Catholic Caring Foundation of Auckland to Sister Vency, Superior of the Missionaries of Charity (known as Mother Teresa Sisters).
The programme included a classical dance by Michelle Anthony, songs by the students of the Marcellin College and Sikh Children and a Bengali song rendered by the Prabasee Bengali Association. Ashok Sharma of Bikanervala Vegetarian Restaurants and Aims Global Education & Immigration Services Limited hosted refreshments and tea, while Dev Dhingra led a team of volunteers.
Read related stories in this Section and in our Awards
Photos:
1. Gopalkrishna Gandhi with volunteers and others at the Mother Teresa Interfaith Meeting held on November 18, 2012
2. Mr Gandhi with the Pandey family (from left) Dinesh, Prakash, Rakesh, Charles, Niklesh and Ramesh at a dinner held at Pullman Auckland on November 20.
3. Mr Gandhi speaking at the Mother Teresa Interfaith Meeting (Picture by Linda Fisher)
4. Kerry Coleman handing over a cheque for $7000 Sister Vency (Picture by Linda Fisher)
