Lesson : Love for Humanity

A. Reading

A Pure Heart

Mother Teresa was moved by the sight of the sick and dying on the streets of Kolkata. She founded a home for the dying destitute and named it ‘Nirmal Hriday’, meaning ‘Pure Heart’. She and her fellow nuns brought the dying people off the streets of Kolkata to this home. They were lovingly looked after and cared for. Since then, many men, women, and children have been taken from the streets and carried to Nirmal Hriday. These unloved and uncared-for people get an opportunity to die in an environment of kindness and love. In their last hours, they receive human and divine love and can feel that they too are children of God. The Missionaries of Charity try to find jobs for those who survive or send them to homes where they can live happily for a few more years in a caring environment.

Regarding commitment to family, Mother Teresa said, “Maybe in our own family, we have someone who is feeling lonely, who is feeling sick, who is feeling worried. Are we there? Are we willing to give until it hurts to be with our families, or do we put our interests first? We must remember that love begins at home, and we must also remember that the future of humanity passes through the family.”

Mother Teresa’s work has been recognized throughout the world, and she has received numerous awards. These include the Pope John XXIII Peace Prize (1971), the Nehru Prize for Promotion of International Peace & Understanding (1972), the Balzan Prize (1978), the Nobel Peace Prize (1979), and the Bharat Ratna (1980).

Mother Teresa died at the age of 87 on September 5, 1997. The world salutes her for her love and compassion for humanity. She has taught us how to extend our hand toward those who need our love and support, irrespective of creed, caste, and religion. The picture of Mother Teresa, draped in a white and blue-bordered sari, with a wrinkled face, ever-soft eyes, and a saintly smile, lives on in our minds.

B. True/False

Indicate whether the following statements are true or false. If false, provide the correct information.

1. Mother Teresa was moved to see the diseases that spread on the streets of Kolkata.
2. She opened a home for orphans.
3. She and her group brought in dying people from the streets of Kolkata.
4. ‘Nirmal Hriday’ was founded so that dying poor people could receive love and care before death.
5. Mother Teresa said that humanity passes through charitable organizations.
6. We have learned from Mother Teresa how to come forward to help only those who belong to a specific caste.

C. Comprehension

Read the text in Section A again and write the answers to the following questions in your exercise book.

1. Why do you think Mother Teresa won so many awards?
2. What does ‘Nirmal Hriday’ stand for?
3. Why do you think the home is named ‘Nirmal Hriday’?
4. Why did Mother Teresa want the dying to feel they deserved care and love?
5. What are some things we have learned from Mother Teresa?