By IANS,
Kolkata : Feeling “humble”, Missionaries of Charity (MoC) superior general Sister Nirmala Monday said she was unable to understand why she was being given Padma Vibhushan, the second highest civilian honour.
“I don’t know much about this award and can’t understand what I have done to receive this honour!” Nirmala told reporters at Mother House, the global headquarters of MoC here.
She is among the 10 people chosen for the award on the occasion of the Republic Day.
Nirmala further said she is not the only one who deserves this award.
“I feel humble to receive this honour. However, this is not my achievement alone, but the efforts of all the nuns of MoC, who have devoted their lives to the service of God and people.”
“Nevertheless, we have always learnt to accept whatever good or bad God gives us. And I am grateful to Him and accept this honour as His blessing,” the 74-year-old nun said.
Nirmala, who took over as the Missionaries of Charity superior general in 1997 succeeding Mother Teresa, is known for her simplicity and humility.
Born Nirmala Joshi to a Brahmin family in Ranchi in 1934, she joined MoC at the age of 17 after converting to Christianity from Hinduism.