INTRODUCTION

MotherTeresaoncemademecry.Theyearwas1988IwasononeofmyfrequentholidaysorvisitstoCalcuttafromBritain,whereIhad
movedtoin1985.IwasstandingbythekerbsideinGariahatMorr,munchingonafamous'muttonroll'.IwaslookingatscenesIhad
grownupwithpavementsalmostobliteratedbyshops,peoplehavingtoweavetheirwaythroughhawkerspeddlingtheirfaresbusestilted
toonesidebythesheerweightofpassengersandbelchingoutblackdieselsmoke,tramswaitingforamanualchangeoftracksbeforethey
couldturn,thefamiliarneonsignofanastrologer.
InthemidstofallthisIrememberedthe'Calcutta'oftheWestCalcuttathemetaphor,notthecity.InmythreeyearsintheWestIhadcome
torealisethatthecityhadbecomesynonymouswiththeworstofhumansufferinganddegradationintheeyesoftheworld.Ireadandheard
againandagainthatCalcuttacontainedanendlessnumberof'sewersandgutters'whereanendlessnumberofdeadanddyingpeoplelay
butnotforlongas'rovingangels'intheshapeofthefollowersofacertainnunwouldcomealonglookingforthem.Thentheywould
whiskthemawayintheirsmartambulances.AsinmytwentysevenyearsinCalcuttaIhadneverseensuchascene,(andneitherhaveImet
aCalcuttanwhohas),ithurtmedeeplythatsuchawrongstereotypehadbecomepermanentlyingrainedinworldpsyche.Ifeltsuddenly
overwhelminglysadthatacity,indeedanentirecultureshouldbecontinuouslyinsultedinthisway.
IamCalcuttanbornandbred,andourfamilyhaslivedinthecityforaslongascanbetraced.IknowCalcuttawell,andmanypeoplewho
matterthere,andmanymorewhodonot.IdonothaveCalcutta'inmyblood',buttheplacehasdefinitelymademewhatIam,wartsandall.
MymothertongueisBengali,thelanguageofCalcutta,butIspeakHindipassably,whichisspokenbyalargenumberofthedestitutesof
Calcutta.
IhadnointerestwhatsoeverinMotherTeresabeforeIcametoEngland.DifficultitmayseemtoaWesternertocomprehend,butshewas
notasignificantentityinCalcuttainherlifetimeparadoxicallyposthumouslyherimagehasrisensignificantlythereprimarilybecauseof
theIndianneedtoemulatetheWestinmanyunimportantmatters.
IhadhadsomeinterestinthedestitutesofCalcuttaduringmycollegedays,whenIdabbledinleftistpoliticsforawhile.Ialsotookakeen
interestinhumanrightsissues.Neverinthecourseofmy(modest)interactionwiththeverypoorofCalcutta,didIcrosspathswithMother
Teresa'sorganisationindeed,Icannoteverrecallhernamebeinguttered.
AfterlivingforsometimeintheWest,I(slowly)realisedwhatMotherTeresaandCalcuttameanttotheworld.Itshockedandsaddenedme.
InIndiaitself,tosayyoucomefromCalcuttaisconsideredtrendy,asCalcuttansareconsidered,wrongly,'brainyanddangerous'.The
BombayiteGokhleisstillwidelyquoted,'WhatBengal[Calcutta'sstate]thinkstoday,thatIndiathinkstomorrow.'InIndia,Calcuttaisnot
entirelywronglystereotypedasaseatofeffetecultureandanarchicpolitics.ThereisanIndiansayingthatgoesthus:'Ifyouhaveone
Calcuttanyouhaveapoetwithtwoyouhaveapoliticalparty,andwiththreeyouhavetwopoliticalparties.'
TheCalcuttastereotypeintheWestdidnotirkmeasmuchasdidthefirmlyheldnotionthatMotherTeresahadchosentolivethereasits
saviour.Iwasastonishedthatshehadbecomeafigureofspeech,andthathernamewasinvokedtoqualifytheextremesuperlativeofa
positivekindyoucancriticiseGod,butyoucannotcriticiseMotherTeresaincommonparlance,doingtheunthinkableisqualifiedas'like
criticisingMotherTeresa'.ThenumberoftimesIhaveheardexpressionssuchas'SoandsowouldtrythepatienceofMotherTeresa',Ihave
lostcount.SuchexpressionswouldcauseamazementandcuriosityinCalcutta,evenamongstMotherTeresa'smostardentadmirers.
WhyIdecidedtodo'somethingaboutit'Icannoteasilytell.AsapersonIamflawedenoughtounderstandliesanddeceit.Whycertain
people,themselvesnopillarsofrectitude,decidetomakeastandagainstuntruthandinjusticeisaverycomplexissue.Also,mywife,
broughtup(aRomanCatholic)inIrelandonTeresamythology,feltangryandcheatedwhenshewenttoCalcuttaandsawhowthereality
comparedwiththefairytaleshehasencouragedmeinmyendeavours.
InFebruary1994,Irang,withoutanyintroduction,VanyaDelBorgoatthetelevisionproductioncompanyBandungProductionsin
London.Shelistenedtomyanguishedoutpouringsand,tocutalongstoryshort,eventuallyChannel4decidedtoundertakeHell'sAngel
(shownonBritain'sChannel4televisionon8November1994),theveryfirstattempttochallengetheTeresamythontelevision.MsDel
BorgochoseChristopherHitchensasthepresenter,knowinghimasshedidfromtheirdaystogetheratTheNationintheUnitedStates.I
amnothappywithhowHell'sAngelturnedout,especiallyitssensationalistapproach,suchasMrHitchens'scallingMotherTeresa'a
presumedvirgin'.Thefilmhowevercausedsomeripple,inBritainandalsointernationally.
MotherTeresa,onecouldargueinherfavour,isdeadandthereforewouldbeunabletodefendherselfagainstmycharges.Criticismsofher
howeverpeakedduringherlifetimeapartfromtheNovember1994documentary,therewasastringent(andquitedetailed)attackon
conditionsinherorphanagesinIndiathatwaspublishedinTheGuardianofLondon(14October1996)chargesofgrossneglectand
physicalandemotionalabuseweremade.Thearticleallegedherowncomplicityandknowledgeintheunacceptablepracticesthatwent(go)
oninherhomes.DuringJanuary1997,adocumentaryentitledMotherTeresa:TimeforChange?criticalofherworkingmethodsand
accusingherofneglect,wasshownonvariousEuropeantelevisionchannels.
ItwasuptoMotherTeresatohavedefendedherselfagainstsuchcriticismsduringherlifetime.Shedidnot.Hersupporters(andothers)
wouldofcoursesaythatshewaslikeJesusthatshewouldnotdemeanherselfbyprotestingagainstmuckrakingshewouldmerelyturn

theothercheek.Notwithstandingherimage,shewasarobustprotesterwhenevershehadacase.Shortlybeforeshediedshegotinvolvedin
legalwrangleswithaTennesseebakeryoverthemarketingofabunandmoreseriously,withheronetimeclosefriendandally,theauthor
DominiqueLapierre,overthescriptofafilmonherlife.
OnbothoccasionsherMiamibasedsolicitorgotproperlyinvolved.Andthen,thereisthatwellknownletterofprotestshewrotetoJudge
LanceItoprotestingattheprosecution(sheperceiveditaspersecution)ofherfriendCharlesKeating,thebiggestfraudsterinUShistory.
Afterherdeath,herordercontinueswiththelitigioustraditionlessthanayearafterherdeathitwasinvolvedinacourtcasewiththe
MotherTeresaMemorialCommittee,aCalcuttabasedorganisation.
TheGermanmagazineStern(10September1998)publishedadevastatingcritiqueofMotherTeresa'sworkonthefirstanniversaryofher
death.Thearticle,entitled'MotherTeresa,WhereAreYourMillions?',whichtookayear'sresearchinthreecontinents,concludedthather
organisationisessentiallyareligiousorderthatdoesnotdeservetobecalledacharitablefoundation.Noprotesthasbeenforthcomingfrom
herorder.
Tothechargesofneglectofresidents,indifferencetosuffering,massagingoffigures,manipulationofthemediaandknowinglyhandling
millionsofdollarsofstolencash,MotherTeresaneverprotested.Herresponseswere'Whydidtheydoit?','Itwasallforpublicity.'She
wasperturbedbythecriticismssomuchsothatafterthe1994documentaryshecancelledareligiousmissiontotheFarEast.
DuringherlifetimeIwrotetoMotherTeresanumeroustimesaskingforaformalinterviewwitheitherheroroneofherseniordeputies.I
hadagreedtomeetherinCalcutta,orattheVaticanmindfulherfrequenttripsthereorindeed,atanyotherplaceintheworld.Despiteher
imagecarefullynurturedbyherownselfofonewhoshunnedthemediaandpublicity,shehadalwaysbentoverbackwardstogive
interviewstosympatheticworldmedia(inotherwords,alltheworld'smedia).In1994shespentawholedaytalkingtoHello!magazinethe
samemagazineranalengthyinterviewwithhersuccessorin1998.Shehoweverneverevenacknowledgedanyofmymanyrequestsforan
interview.Ihadmetherbrieflyonoccasionsinthecompanyofaroomfulofworshipfuladmirers,butIdidnotfeelthatwasthetimeorthe
placetoaskuncomfortablequestions.
Aftertwoyearsoftrying,whenIfailedtoelicitanyresponsefromherorherorder,Icontactedherofficialbiographerstoaskwhetherthey
wouldanswersomeoftheseriousquestionmarkshangingoverheroperations.Allofthem,barone,replied,butonlytoturnmedown.All
ofthishappenedwhileMotherTeresawasalive.
ManypeopletellmethatMotherTeresashouldbeleftalonebecauseshedid'something'fortheunderprivileged.Idonotdenythatshedid.
Howeverherreputation,whichwastoagoodextentcarefullybuiltupbyherself,wasnotona'something'scale.Moreimportantly,that
'something',atleastinCalcutta,wasquitelittle,asmybookwillshow.Evenmoreimportantly,shehadturnedawaymanymanymorethan
shehadhelpedalthoughshehadclaimedthroughoutherlifethatshewasdoingeverythingforeverybody.Mybriefagainstherisnotthat
shedidnotaddresstherootorcausesofsufferingandIamnotforamomentsuggestingthatsheoughttohavedoneso,asIunderstandthe
particularreligioustraditionshecamefromIamsayingthattherewasastupendousdiscrepancybetweenherimageandherwork,between
herwordsandherdeedsthatshe,helpedbyothersofcourse,engagedinacultureofdeception.
Onasuperficiallevel,IneedtotellthetruthaboutTeresabecauseIfeelhumiliatedtobeassociatedwithaplacethatiswronglyimaginedto
existonWesterncharity.PerhapsthemainreasonwhyIwanttotellthisstoryisbecause,Ibelieve,eachofushasadutytostandupand
protestwhenhistoryisindangerofbeingdistorted.Inafewyears'timeMotherTeresawillbeupthere,glitteringinthesamegalaxyas
MozartandLeonardo.
Iwishtoconveymythankstothesomeoftheworld'smostpowerfulpublishingfirmswhoputupobstacleafterobstacleinthepathofthis
book.Indeed,theBritisharmofamultinationalpublishinghousesignedmeupandthencancelledthecontractninemonthslaterbysending
meahalfpagefax.Myresolvetogetthebookpublishedgrewallthemorestrongerbysuchobstacles.
IknowIcannotchange'history'aspreordainedbythepowerfulworldmedia,butIcanattempttoputafootnotetherein.
Iwoulddisapproveofmybookbeingcalled'controversial',asIseeitasabookofhardfacts,albeitdisturbingsometimes.
CalcuttahasrecentlybeenrenamedKolkatabyitsrulersandasectionofitscitizens.Thenewname,whichispoliticallycorrectandiscloser
tothevernacularpronunciation,hascaughtonfasterthanexpected.Inthisbook,Ihaveexclusivelyused'Calcutta',partlybecausetomeit
makesmorehistoricalsense,andalsobecausetotellthestoryofMotherTeresa,'Calcutta'tomeseemsmoreappropriate.
AroupChatterjee
LondonandCalcutta,19962002

PREFACE
byJoeWinter

CalcuttahasrecentlyrenameditselfKolkata,inlinewiththeBengalipronunciationandwitharenaminginthecase
oftwootherIndianmetropolises.Thetouchofcolonialism,stillfeltafteritsdeath,isshakenoffalittlebythe
gesture,manywouldsay,shruggedfreeofbutitisonlyagesture.ThebattleforinternalindependenceforIndiais
adeadlierbusiness,thetouchofthepaststilladeadweight,andanewnationalismbeginningtotakeaveryugly
form.Kolkata'sacquiescenceasapassiveplayerinthecharitycharade,thepartitcontinuestotakeintheMother
Teresaphenomenon,makesamockeryofthesymbolofselfdeterminationinthechangeofname.Itisonlytoo
cleartoaresidentthatthecityisthrilledbytheapproachingsainthood.Itsvictimhooditselfistobecanonised.Itis
aformofWesternrecognition,thatelusiveholygrailoftheIndianpsyche.Bycomparison,Asianrecognitionisa
nonstarter.ItisinthisperspectivethatDrChatterjee'silluminatinganalysisappears.Herearethehardfactsbehind
thephenomenon.WhatdidMotherTeresareallyachieve?
Alotlessthanshesaid,thatmuchisclear.Butdoesitdoanyharmforhermemorytobecherished,thisindomitable
oldladybentwithdevotion?BengalhasitssaintsRamakrishna,Vivekananda,Rabindranath.Whynotawoman
too,inthecapitalofmotherworship,thegreatspiritualhomeofthegoddessDurga?Whynotindeed?butinthe
marketplaceofvaluestobesetondisplayfortheeyesoflatergenerations,letnotanaffinityforpurity,thatso
chargesthepopularmind,blinditsgazetothemixinginofabasermetal.Therewassomethingwonderfulin
MotherTeresaandsomethingnotsowonderful.
PrincessDianadiedafewdaysbeforeher,toanextraordinaryifshortlivedglobalreaction.Theworlditseems
needsfairytales.ThecametheMother'sdeathandamythwassealed.Weneedourmythstooandnotonlyin
literaturebutwheretherearefactstobestatedalongsidethemtheymustsurelybestated.Thereisasyndromein
theWest'sthinkingaboutthelesseconomicallydevelopedworldonemightcallitthesinceritysyndrome.Itrelies
onnotlookingtoocloselyatwhatevermythsandlegendsarespunbythosewithavestedinterest.
Howmuch'consciencemoney'hasbeenpaidout,inthelasthundredyears,bytheaffluentintheirblindsincerity,to
whatusedtobeknownastheThirdWorld!Yetthereisanalternativetomistyeyedshellingout,anditisnotto
turnone'sback.Firstandforemostletusopenoureyes.ThereisastorybehindthepopularversionofMother
Teresa'slifethestoryoffactsfromwhichwecanalllearn.
(JoeWinterisanEnglishpoetwholivesinCalcutta)

CHAPTER1
'Sherushesintoplaceswherewewouldnevergo'
On11October1995,prostitutesinacertainquarterofCalcuttacameoutinforcetheycajoledandcoaxedpassersbyformoney,butnotin
returnfortheusualfavours.Forsomereason,theyhaddecidedtodonwhitecoats,thetypewornbydoctors,andtheymadeastrangeand
surrealimpactinthemidstofthehecticCalcuttastreet.Eachofthemhadalargecollectiontininherhand,whichwasrattledvigorouslyas
theladieswalkedalongthiscongestedstreetinnorthCalcutta.
Thesexworkerswerecollectingmoneyforfloodvictims.InSeptemberdevastatingfloodshadstrucklargeareasofWestBengal,thestate
inIndiaofwhichCalcuttaisthecapital.Whatmadethefloodsespeciallypoignantwasitstimingithadcomejustbeforethebiggestfestival
of70millionIndianBengalis,thespectacularDurgaPujo.AlthoughinIndianterms,thenumberofcasualtieswassmall,with200dead
(manyofthemfromsnakebites,asisoftenthecaseduringfloods,whensnakesandhumansclimbuptothesameelevation),morethan
threemillionpeopleweremadehomelessinthevillagessurroundingCalcutta.Inpurefinancialterms,thelosswasestimatedatRs1050
million.
Thestoriesoflossandsufferingmovedmillions,includingthesexworkers.Oneofthem,UmaMandal,saidtonewspapermen,'Howcan
wecallourselveshumanifwedon'tcometotheaidofsufferingpeopleintheirhourofneed?Thosewhohavelosteverythinginthefloods
couldeasilybethemembersofourownfamilies.'SankariPal,whocouldnotreadorwrite,buthadcometoknowofthedevastation
throughtelevision,said,'AlthoughIdon'tpersonallyknowanybodywhohasbeenaffectedbythefloods,webelieveweareverymuchpart
ofawidercommunity,andso,itwasalmostnaturalforustocomeouttohelp.'1
Thesexworkers'collectiondrivewasjointlyorganisedbytheInstituteofHealthandHygiene,theWomen'sCoordinationCommitteeanda
neighbourhoodclub,theWardno.48MilanSangha.Thiswasmerelyoneofthemanyhundredsofcollectiondrivesandreliefmeasures
organisedbythecitizensofCalcutta,operationsthatstartedinSeptemberandthatlastedalmostsixmonths.Schools,colleges,offices,
businesses,restaurantsandindividualsallchippedin.TheonlyorganisationthatdidnotfeaturewastheMissionariesofCharity,the
multinationalcharityheadedbyMotherTeresa,thepersonwhohasbecomesynonymouswithCalcuttaintheeyesoftheworld.Mother
Teresa'sabsenceinthereliefoperationswasnotconspicuousinCalcutta.StrangethoughitmayseemtoanonCalcuttan,herorderisnot
knowntothrowinitslotinthesecircumstances.InCalcutta,shewasknowntoundertakesmallnicheactivities,forwhichshewasgenerally
likedandherorderiswellregarded.
WhenthefloodswereraginginandaroundCalcutta,MotherTeresawas,likeshewouldbeduringanysummerandmonsoon,intheUnited
States.On15June1995shewastouringtheneonatalunitatStElizabeth'sMedicalCentreinBrighton,Massachusetts.Parentscouldnot
believetheirluckwhensheleftthebabies(manyofthempremature)herblessingsandherhallmark,anovalaluminium'miraculous'medal.
Shetoldthemedia,'Ihave200smallbabiesinmyhospitalinCalcutta.Thisisabeautifulplace.'2Shehoweverdoesnothaveanyhospitals
inCalcutta,norforthatmatteranywhereelseintheworld.DennisMcHugh,fatherofHayleyborn25weekspremature,gushed,'Mother
TeresagaveusherblessingandsaidshewouldhaveHayleyinherprayers.Itsentchillsdownmyback.'
FloodsreturnedinSeptemberandmade200,000morehomelessnearCalcutta.Motherwasstillabroad.ShereturnedtoCalcuttaforabrief
period,butdutycalledherbacktotheUSsoon.Duringtheaftermathofthefloods,inDecember,whenWestBengalwasstillreelingfrom
theeffects,MotherTeresamadeahighlysuccessfulvisittoPeoria,Illinois,andwhenshearrivedattheStMary'sCathedral,shedrovethe
crowdswildwithdevotionanddelight.Shesaidherusuallines,whichshehadsaidhundredsoftimesbefore:
Iwashungryandyougavemetoeat,
Iwasthirsty,andyougavemetodrink,
Iwasnaked,andyouclothedme,
Iwashomelessandyoutookmein,
Iwassickandinprisonandyouvisitedme.
ThisisexactlywhattheMissionariesofCharityaredoing24hours.
Mother'sstopoveratPeoriawastooverseetherenewingofvowsbysevennunsofherMissionariesofCharity.Shehadhadalong
associationwiththeDioceseofPeoria,andhadbeen'adopted'bythePeoriaDiocesanCouncilofCatholicWomenwaybackin1958,who
haddonatedatleast$300,000tohercausesovertheyears.Afterherspeech,shemadeanannouncementthatshewouldpresentoneofher
ovalmedalstoeachofthe750strongcongregationinthecathedral.Allwerereducedtotears,andmanyactuallyswoonedwhenreceiving
theirmedal.Oneofthemlatersaid:
Mypersonalimpression:veryold,verytiny,veryhumble.Thereissomethingaboutthiswomanthatbringsgrownmento
theirknees.Shehasgainedpopularitynotbymanipulatingthemediawithsoundbytesbutbyservingthepoorestofthe
poorinplaceswewouldnevergo.Sheistrulyalivingsaint!...AnairofHOLINESSfilledthecathedral.3

Shortlyafterthemedalceremony,MotherTeresaleftbyprivateaeroplane,asshehadarrived,presumablytovisit'placeswewouldnever
go'.
DisastrousfloodsstruckWestBengalonceagainayearlater,inAugust1996,thistimecripplingthenortherndistrictsparticularly.Manyof
thesuburbsofCalcuttawerealsosubmerged,bringingimmensedifficultiestothepoortherein.Yetagain,theMissionariesofCharitywere
utterlyinactive.Yetagain,reliefworkwasbroughttothevictimsbytheorganisations,primarilytheRamakrishnaMissionandtheBharat
SevashramSangha.Apublicappeal4wasissuedbyRamakrishnaMission'sSwamiNityanandaaskingforchildrenorphanedbythefloods
tobereferredtothecentre'sorphanageinBarrackpur(aCalcuttasuburb).
Althoughsheneverliftedafingerduringthe1995or1996floods,inafairlyrecentinterviewwithLucindaVardey,MotherTeresa
mentionedworkingflatoutduringfloodsinCalcutta.Characteristicallyhowever,shedidnotprovideanydetailsabouttimeandplace:'For
instance,whenalargeareanearCalcuttawasfloodedandwashedaway,1200familieswereleftstrandedwithnothing.SistersfromShishu
Bhavan,andalsobrothersworkedallnight,takingthemsuppliesandofferingshelter.'5Thismaywellhavebeentrueonasingleoccasion,
butthisisdefinitelynottheusualnatureoftheworkoftheMissionariesofCharity.Theworldhoweverwouldassume,readingher
interview,thatMotherjumpedinheadlonginnaturaldisastersinandaroundCalcutta.
DuringthefiftyoddyearsthatMotherTeresawasdoingcharityinCalcutta,therewereaboutadozenverymajorfloodsnearCalcutta,with
hundredstothousandsdyingoneachoccasion.Thecityitselfwasfloodedquiteafewtimes,paralysingurbanlife,andbadlyaffectingthe
poorofthecityonlyduringoneofthosefloods,didMotherTeresaoffersomekindofhelp.Idonotbelittlethatassistance,modestthough
itwas.ItishowevercharacteristicoftheTeresanmythologythatthatoneoccasionhasbecomesymbolicofherworkitisonlyfairthather
inactionduringtheotherfloodsshouldreceiveatleastsomeemphasis.
On13July1995,Shahida,a16yearoldmotherofaoneyearoldchild,gotbadlyburnt.ShahidausedtoliveintheDnaraparaslum,which
surroundsMotherTeresa'sPremDaancentreinCalcutta.Shehadgreatdifficultytryingtogetherselfadmittedintoastatehospitalthere
werenobedsasusual.IntheendshemanagedtogetintotheNRSHospital,astatehospital.Shewasthrownoutinlessthanthreeweeks,
beforeherwoundshadstartedtoheal.ShedidnothavethefinancialmeanstogetprivatemedicalcareinIndia,eventhemiddleclasses
cannotquiteaffordprivatemedicine.SoshepicketedCalcuttaCorporationinprotest.ShesetherselfupinatentinfrontoftheVictorianred
brickbuildingofCalcuttaCorporation.Shelaythereafewweeks,whileinfectionwasslowingseepingintoherburns.Whileherhusband
wasatfootballmatchesandherfatherwasbusysellingfruit,hermothersatwithher,cryingsilently,cuddlingthebaby.
ShahidafailedtomovetheheartsoftheCalcuttaCorporationofficials.Finally,aCorporationworker,SonnasiDas,tookpity,andcontacted
DrAmitabhaDas,fromthecharityHEAL.DrDashadthistosay,'thoughtheimmunityofpavementdwellersishigh,bacteraemiaand
otherinfectionscouldsetinanytimeandshewilldie.Sheneedsskingrafting,otherwiseshewilldevelopcontracture,thatis,hercalveswill
getstucktoherlowerthighs.'ThepainkillersDrDasprescribedShahida,stillonthepavement,didnotquitehelp:'Thepainissogreatand
evenwhenItrytositup,bloodtricklesdownmylegs.'
Duringhervariousrepresentationsforassistance,sheappealedtoMotherTeresaforfinancialhelp,soshecouldbuyprivatecare.(Contrary
tointernationalmythology,MotherTeresadoesnothaveahospitalinCalcutta).ShahidaappealedtotheMissionariesofCharitynotbecause
theyareanaturalportofcallforhelplessCalcuttans,butbecausetheywereoneofthemanysheapproached,andalsobecause,beingfrom
theslumbesidePremDaan,shewasaneighbouroftheirs.TheappealwentuptoMotherdirectlywhoveryconsideratelyaskedhernuns'to
lookintothematter.'
ShahidawasswiftlyturneddownbytheMissionariesofCharity,becauseshewas'notdestituteenough',i.e.,shewas'afamilycase',a
clauseregularlyappliedduringthevettingofindigentsbytheMissionariesofCharityinIndiatheorganisationiseverwatchfulthat'family
cases'donotslipin.FinallyShahida'sfortunesturned.On30August,shewasacceptedbytheIslamiaHospital,forfree.TheRotaryClub
ofCalcuttaalsomadeamodestfinancialcontributiontowardhertreatment.Shewasgivenadequatecareandtreatment,andwasnursedina
privateroom.Sheimproved,andwithindaysshewasthrowingtantrumslikeanyother16yearold.Bythistimeshehadbeguntomake
headlines,andtheentirecitybreathedasighofrelief.
On21October1995,Shahidadied,leavingbehindababy.HerdeathmadeheadlinenewsinCalcutta,wherepavementdwellersandslum
dwellersaredispensable.Everybodyblamedthegovernmentandthecorporation,fortheirheartlessnessandlackoffacilities.Nobody
pointedarecriminatoryfingeratMotherTeresa,assheisnotseeninCalcuttaasasaviour.Theworldhoweverseesherassuch,andMother
Teresahasdoneagreatdealoverthelastfewdecadestomaketheworldthinkthatway.
Shahida'sunfortunatetaledidnotendwithherdeath,assheleftbehindherbabydaughterMarjina.ByMaynextyear,itwasapparentthat
Marjina,whowasnow16monthsold,hadtuberculosis.ThecharityHEALagainchippedinwithmoderateassistance,butmedicineshadto
bebought.Thebaby'sgrandmotherJubeida,wasgettingmoreandmoredesperatebytheday.Thebaby'sfatherZiarul(thelateShahida's
husband)wasanoccasionalstreetvendor,andalthoughfondofthebaby,couldnotbetrusteduponbesideshewasofteninprison.
Jubeidawasgettingapprehensiveoverthebaby'slongtermfutureandwasreluctanttotaketheresponsibilityofanothergirlchild,whohad
tobemarriedoffinduecourse.Shedecidedadoptionwasthebestoption,andZiarulalsoreluctantlyagreed.IamnotawareifJubeidawent
backtotheMissionariesofCharity,butIknowthattheorganisationdidnotcomeforwardwithhelpofanykind.6

MotherTeresaherselfwasfartoobusyforsuchmundanehappeningsinCalcutta,fortheUnitedStateswaspreparingforpresidential
elections,andinMay1996,sheagainfoundherselfinWashingtonD.C.On1June1996,shemettheRepublicancandidateBobDole(the
USCatholics'consensuscandidate)toexhorthimtoruntheelectiononanextremeantiabortionplatform.Theintimatedetailsofthisprivate
(butnodoubtpolitical)meetinghavenotbeenmadepublic,butMrDolefoundthelivingsaint'inspirational'andinpossessionof'agood
senseofhumour,andof'notabadbusinesscard'.MotherTeresagaveMrDole,hiswifeElizabeth,andhisdaughterRobin'miraculous
medals',andalsoacardthatread:
ThefruitofsilenceisprayerThefruitofprayerisfaithThefruitoffaithisloveThefruitofloveisserviceThefruitof
serviceispeace
MotherTeresawasawomanofpassionwhereabortionisconcerned.Thisfrailwomanwouldoftentravelallovertheworldtoprevent
individualcasesofabortionIdonotknowiffaithcanmovemountains,butitobviouslydidmovethislivingsaint.Asfarasdisastersin
Indiaareconcernedhowever,thesainthadprovedsurprisinglyhardtomovewhenIlookatlocalandnationaldisastersinCalcuttaand
India,IcanfindveryfewindeedwhereMotherTeresahadgoneintohelp.
InDecember1984,threeandahalfthousandpeoplediedinBhopalfrominhalingtoxicgas,leakedbythemultinationalgiantUnion
Carbide,intheworstindustrialaccidenttheworldhaseverseen.Thenumberofpeopleactuallyaffectedcannotbeloggedastheeffectsare
longstandingandfuturegenerationswouldprobablycontinuetosuffer.
MotherTeresa,whosepostNobelreputationwithinIndiawasthenveryhighindeed,rushedintoBhopallikeaninternationaldignitary.Her
contributioninBhopalhasbecomealegend:shelookedatthecarnage,noddedgravelythreetimesandsaid,'Isay,forgive.'Therewasa
stunnedsilenceintheaudience.Shetookintheincredulity,noddedagain,andrepeated,'Isay,forgive.'Thenshequicklywaftedaway,like
visitingroyalty.HercommentswouldhavebeensomewhatjustifiedifshehadsentinherMissionariesofCharitytohelpinanyway.Butto
comeinunannounced,andmakeaninsensitivecommentlikethatsoearlyon,wasnothingshortofaninsulttothedeadandsuffering.Inthe
widerworldhowever,herimagebecameevenmoreenhanced,asshewasseenevenmorelikeJesusChrist,whowouldturntheother
cheek,althoughinthisinstancethecheekwasnothers.PeopleinBhopalwerenotamuseditissaidthattheonlyreasonMotherescaped
beingseriouslyheckledwasbydintofbeinganelderlywoman.
MotherTeresa'spropagandamachineryhandledherBhopaltripinthefollowingway:
AsshewaspresenttotheagonyofCalcutta,andthatofIndia'sothergreatcities,soMotherTeresawaspresenttothe
anguishofBhopal,acityfourhundredmilestothesouthofDelhi,whenacloudofsmokeenvelopedacrowdedslumonthe
nightofDecember3,1984.TheMissionariesofCharity,whohadlongbeenworkinginBhopal,escapedbeingamongthe
victimsbecausethedeathbringinggaswasblownbythewindinadifferentdirection...Evenwhilethedeadwerebeing
crematedorburied,MotherTeresarushedtoBhopalwithteamsofMissionariesofCharitytoworkwiththeSistersalready
onthescene.'Wehavecometoloveandcareforthosewhomostneeditinthisterribletragedy,'saidMotherTeresa,asshe
wentfromcentretocentre,fromhospitaltohospitalvisitingafflictedpeople.7
Thisisanextremelycleverplayofwords,as'MotherTeresawaspresenttotheanguishofBhopal'meansliterallythat'teamsof
MissionariesofCharity'meansthecoupleofnunswhoaccompaniedMothertoBhopalbuttheverb'work'isemployedinaverybroad
sense.'TheMissionariesofCharity(who)hadlongbeenworkinginBhopal'ishoweverentirelytrue,astheyhavehadasmallbutneat
homefordestitutes(calledNirmalHriday,liketheoneinCalcutta)formanyyears.
AnotherofMother'sbiographieshasaphotographinitwiththefollowingcaption:'HelpingASurvivoroftheChemicalLeakatBhopal,
December1984'8.
ThephotographconcernedshowsMotherdaintilyofferingamarigoldflowertoawomanmoribundlylyinginahospitalbed.'Helping'no
doubt,butnotinthesolesensethattheworldwouldexpectofMotherTeresa.
Theearthquakeon30September1993inthewesternIndianstateofMaharashtra,isoneofthebiggestnaturaldisastersinthehistoryof
India.Eightthousandpeoplediedandfivemillionlosttheirhomesandalltheirpossessions.OvertwohundredNGOsrushedintohelp,
andmanyareworkingtothisday,astherebuildingofalargedistrict,bothphysicallyandemotionally,cantakedecades.Manycharities
havecomeforwardtoactuallyrebuildentirevillagesfromtherubbletheyhadbeenreducedto.Thegovernmenthasalreadyputinaspecial
grantofRs8billion.
TheworldobviouslythinksMotherTeresahadputherheartandhandsintotheoperation,asitinstinctivelyassumesthatinanydisasterin
India,especiallyofthatmagnitude,shewouldhaveapresence,ifnotthebiggestone.TheMissionariesofCharitynevercametoLatur.
(NeitherhadtheygonetoUttarkashiinthefoothillsoftheHimalayas,whereanearthquakehadkilled1500peopleon20October1991.)
StocktakingoftheearthquakeinLaturtookafewmonths,andrebuildingbeganinfullearnestaroundJanuary1994andaroundFebruary
MotherTeresagotpreoccupiedwithmoreweightymatterswhentheprocessofrebuildingwasgoingoninfullswingshehadbeen
obligedyetagain,tocometotheUnitedStates,thistimetothecountry'ssupremecourtinordertofilea'friendofthecourt'briefforone

AlexanderLoce.MrLocehadbeenconvictedoftrespassingintoanabortionclinictostophisestrangedexfianceefromhavinganabortion
hisindictmenthadnotbeenheavy,buthedidappeal,butlittledidheknowwhenhedidso,thathewouldhaveasaintasacodefendant.9
WhileinWashingtonDC,MotheralsotooktheopportunitytoappearontelevisionbeforetheAmericannation(on3February1994)with
thePresidentandVicePresident.ShemesmerisedthenationinherNationalPrayerBreakfastspeechwhereshetalkedabouttheevilsof
contraceptionandabortion,andaboutcharityLaturwasmanythousandsofmilesaway.
AlexanderLoceandShahidaKhatuntwopeople,twoworlds.Oneliterate,welloff,livinginsuburbanNewJersey,theotheranilliterate,
teenagemotherlivinginaCalcuttaslum,daughterofaBihariMuslimimmigrantworker.IsthisnotthescenariothatMichaelJFarrell,
editorofAmerica'sNationalCatholicReporter,wasalludingtowhenhetalkedabouttwodifferentstrandsof'humanevolution'onearich
manintheUS,theothera'poormaninabackstreetinCalcutta,who,unabletohackitanymore,liesdownanddies?'10Perhaps,unlike
ShahidaKhatun,MrLocewasnota'familycase'.
ThegovernmentofIndiacameinforcriticismforbeingtardyinspendingthe$246millionloanthatithadreceivedfromtheWorldBankfor
therebuildingofLatur,butnobodycommentedontheinactiononthepartoftheMissionariesofCharity,whosefabuluousassetswerenot
broughttohelpinanyway.
Thesummerof1994foundMotherTeresaofCalcutta,inCalcuttaforafewmonthsinOctobersheleftonceagainforanotherpunishing
scheduleofinstructingtheworldaboutthevaluesofprayer,humilityandcharity,andmostimportantly,abouttheblightofabortionfund
raisingwasalsoonthe(undisclosed)agenda.ShemadetheVaticanherfirststop,asshewouldoftendoonherinternationalwhistlestops.
WhileshewaspassingthroughBombaytocatchherplaneforRome,authoritiestheregotholdofherandgothertopresentthedeedsof
somenewlybuilthousesinLaturtosomeofthevillagerswhohadlosttheirdwellingsintheearthquaketheauthoritiesatthetimewere
cominginformoreandmoreinternationalcriticismforbeingslowandclumsyinspendingtheWorldBankloan,andtheyhadnaively
presumedthathavingMotherTeresapresentthedeedswouldattracttheworld'sattentiontothegovernment'swork.Theworldhowever
presumedotherwiselookingatpicturesofMotherTeresabendingdownhumblytopresentthepapersofhousestovillagers,theyvery
naturallythoughtthatMotherherselfhadbeeninstrumentalinbuildingthosehouses.TheinternationalCatholicmediawasnotgoingtolet
thisopportunityofgettingfreepublicityattheexpenseofthegovernmentofIndiaandtheWorldBankslipfromtheirgrasp'AllInA
Day'sWorkforMotherTeresa'washowtheycaptionedMother'sphotowiththevillagers.
TheworldmediahavelittleappetiteforfactstheynevertoldthestoryofhowthereadersofanIndiannewspaper(MalayalamManorama)
collectedRs20.61millionfortheearthquakevictimsandgotarchitectLaurieBakertorebuildvillages.Theyneverreportedthat,although
LaturisathousandmilesfromCalcutta,theCalcuttabasedHinducharitytheRamakrishnaMissionandnumerousChristiancharitieshave
workedceaselesslyinLatur.Indeed,theCalcuttaStatesmandidanintensivedonationdriveandcollectedmorethanRs10millionfromits
readerswhichithandedovertotheRamakrishnaMissiontospendinLatur.IncaseoneisthinkingthattheMissionariesofCharitywould
havehelpediftheyhadbeengiventhefunds,thetruthistheydonotdorebuildingor'developmentwork'.Whenon18December1995,the
chiefeditorofMalayalamManoramahandedoverthekeysto163reconstructedhousestothevillagersofBanegaonataceremonyatKillari,
theepicentreoftheearthquake,itdidnotevenmakeheadlinenewsinIndia.
On20August1995,aweekbeforeMother's85thbirthday,200peoplediedintheFerozepurrailcrashnearDelhi.Mother'scontribution?
Specialprayersonherbirthday.Motherneverforgottoprayforvictims,butdidshedidslipuponceinOctober1979,afterherNobel
awardwasannounced,theCorporationofCalcuttagaveheracivicreception.On23October,theeveofthereception,threecarriagesofa
packedtrainplungedintotheHooghlyriveratJangipur,inWestBengalitself,hardly100milesfromCalcutta,killing350people.Mother
forgottomentionthevictimsinherspeechthefollowingevening,possiblyfromexcitementaboutherimpendingtriptoOslo.
On11September1995,22children(13girlsand9boys)diedinanexplosionhardly40milesfromCalcuttainWestBengal'sHowrah
district,wheretheMissionariesofCharity,especiallyMissionaryBrothersofCharity,havealargishcentre.Thechildrenweremaking
fireworksfortheforthcomingfestiveseasoninanillegalfactory.Eighteenmorechildrenwereseriouslyinjured.Theyoungestdeadwas9
yearoldSheikhMahidul.Thefactorysolelyemployedchildren(1500ofthem)whoworkedfrom6amto6pmforanaverageweeklywage
ofRs65perweek.Inthisparticularinstancethechildrenweremaking'chocolatebombs'(socalledbecausetheindividualcrackersare
wrappedinaluminiumfoillikepiecesofchocolate).
TheexplosiondestroyedathirdofthelargefactorybuildingandrockedthewholevillageofHaturia.Treeswereuprootedandconcrete
pillarsalongwithchildren'sbodiesweretossedupintheairandlandedinanearbypond.SaberaBibilostallherfourchildren.
TheincidentcausedsomestirinCalcutta,possiblyasaresultofguiltpervadingthemiddleclasses,forwhoseentertainmentthefireworks
wereobviouslydestined.Thereishardlyafamily(ofmiddleclassandabove)inIndiawhichhasnotemployedachildservantatsomepoint.
InIndiachildservantsandchildlabourers(thereare55millionofthem)remainnamelessbutaftertheHaturiaincidenttheCalcutta
newspaperstooktheunusualstepofpublishingthenamesandagesofallthedeadandinjuredchildren.
ThereareatleasttwodozenorganisationsinIndiaworkingtoeliminatetheancienttraditionofchildlabourandchildslavery.Theyhave
achievedmuchbutthereisalongwaytogo.TheSouthAsianCoalitionofChildreninServitude(SACCS)evenorganisedtwolong
marches,in1993and1994,onefromtheeasttothewestofthecountry,theotherfromnorthtosouthnomeanfeat,consideringthesizeof
thenationandtheclimaticconditions.NobodyexpectedMotherTeresatospeakoutagainstthepracticeofchildlabour,asitwouldbetoo

politicalforher.Furthermorethe'antislaverymovement'hasasubstantialleftistpresence.Shehadfrequentlysaid,'Wearenotconcerned
aboutthecauseofaproblem,welookaftertheeffects.'ThevillageofHaturiahappenstobehalfanhour'sdrivefromMotherTeresa's
Howrahcentre,wherelargenumberofherBrotherslearntobegoodChristians.Theircontributiontowardsthe'effects'ofthecarnage?
Yououghttohaveguessedbynow.
OntheeveofChristmaseve1995,inthenorthernIndiantownofMandiDabwali,notveryfarfromDelhi,1200childrenwerecelebrating
theirendofschooltermwithagiantpartyinamarqueeattheratherinappropriatelynamedRajivMarriagePalace.Presumablyasaresultof
ashortcircuit,themarqueecaughtfirearound2pm.Fromthefumesandfromtheresultingstampede,360childrendiedalongwith50
adults.Somefamiliesweretotallywipedout.Thelocalhospitalsdidnothavethemeanstocopewithacrisisonsuchascale,andfordays
severelyburntchildrenwereferriedbetweenlocalhospitalsandRohtakMedicalCollege.TheincidentputacloudofgriefoverNewYear
celebrationsintheentirenorthofIndia,andfordaysalargefieldnearthesceneofthedisasterwasconvertedintoagiantcremationsite,
withcharredremains,oftentwoorthreeunidentifiedbodiesstucktogetherburninginsilentgriefunderthewintrysky.ThestateofHaryana
declaredanofficialthreedaymourningperiod.Thecitizensoftheentirenationdidwhatevertheycouldtohelp,anddonationsfloodedin.
Doctorsandothervolunteerscameupindrovestooffertheirservices.MembersofManavSevaSamstha,alocalvoluntaryorganisationco
ordinatedamassiveblooddonationdrive.Onceagain,theMissionariesofCharitywerenotaround,onceagainnotconspicuousbytheir
absence.Twodayslater,duringChristmasmassat'MotherHouse'inCalcutta,specialprayersweresaidforthedead.
WhentheplaguestruckIndiain1994,MotherTeresaarrivedattheVaticanononeofherfrequentvisits.AsshearrivedatRomeairport,
shewasceremoniouslyquarantinedthere.Picturesofherbeingtakenawayforquarantinewerecirculatedallovertheworldthenatural
assumptionwasthatshehadbeenworkingkneedeepwithplaguesufferers.Shehadhadnoinvolvementwhatsoevereitherduringorafter
theplaguewithtreatmentorprevention.
IfoneisledtosupposethatMother'spaucityofactionwasarecentphenomenon,letusgobackto1979,theNobelyear.JyotirmoyDatta,a
conservativeCalcuttaintellectual,notknownforhisoppositiontoMotherTeresa,wroteastarkaccountoftheproblemsencounteredbythe
middleclassinhabitantsofaCalcuttaneighbourhoodwhenfacedwithanolddestitutewomanfounddyingonthestreets.This,accordingto
internationalperception,isaquintessential'MotherTeresascenario',forherimageisthatofarovingangelwhocameandwhiskedoffthe
sickandthesufferingfromthestreets.
Finding102(theCalcuttaCorporationambulanceline)perpetuallyengaged,DattadecidedtocalltheMissionariesofCharity.Twicehewas
toldhehadthewrongofficeoftheSistersandonthethirdoccasionhegotthroughtoMotherTeresaherself(althoughalreadywidely
knownasa'livingsaint',shehadnotquiteacquiredadetachedcelestiallifestyleshewouldpickuptheringingphoneherself)on247115.
Mothersaidtohimin'amellow,reassuringandbeautifulvoice','Pleaseperseverewith102iftheambulancedoesn'tcome,thenletme
know.'
PerseverehedidandeventuallyaCorporationambulancedidcomeandtaketheoldwomanaway.'Blessedisthiscity,'wroteDatta,'the
phonemayfailandambulancesmightbreakdown,butwhereelseintheworldcanyoudialanumberandhavealivingsaintanswerthe
call?'11
LessthantwomonthslaterMotherTeresawascollectingherNobelpeaceprizeinOsloand,beingfetedbythemediaasthe'saintofthe
gutters'whopickedupvagrantsfromthestreetsofCalcutta,unaidedinanywaybyanybodyelse.
InIndia,disasters,naturalandunnatural,areasnumerousastheHindudeities.Ihaveonlymentionedsomemajorones.Forthepoorin
India,everydayexistenceispunctuatedwithunfortunatehappeningswhicharesopredictablethattheycanhardlybecalleddisasters.These
'minor'incidents(onanIndianscale)usuallygounreportedintheIndianmedia.Forexample,on20April1996,500slumdwellersin
Calcuttabecamehomelesswithinanhourwhenafirerazedtheirshackstotheground.Theyalsolostalltheirmodestearthlypossessions.
Withouttheluxuryofasocialsecuritysystem,theIndianpoorareblessedwitharemarkableamountofresourcefulnesswithinhoursof
thefire,themenandwomenstartedrebuildingtheirshacks.Somevoluntaryorganisationslentahelpinghand,butnotamongstthem
Calcutta's(andtheworld's)mostfamousone.
Indeed,MotherTeresaspentsuchalargepartofeachyearoutsideofIndia,itwouldhavebeenimpracticalforhertohelpoutinthat
country'sproblemsandcalamities.From1978anduptoandincludingtheyearofherdeath1997,shespenteverysummerandmonsoon
barring1994inEuropeandtheUnitedStates.HerpatternwouldbetoleaveinJuneandreturnendSeptemberorearlyOctoberasthe
downpouringsofmonsoonwouldgivewaytothemellowautumnsunshine.(Mostofthesubcontinent'sproblemsandpestilencesoccurin
summerandmonsoon.)In1994too,shedidgotoEuropeandtheUnitedStates,toattendanumberofhighlypoliticisedantiabortion
meetings,butunusually,shespentthesummerofthatyearinCalcutta.In1996,shewassupposedtotraveltwicespringandsummerher
second(summer)tripwascancelledasshefellseriouslyill.IftherewasanemergencyinEuropeortheUSshewouldtravelearlierthanthe
usualJune.Emergencyforherdidnotmeanthepoorordesperateneedingherhelp.AnemergencysituationaroseinSpainin1983,
promptinghertoarriveinMadridinmidMay:theSpanishparliamentwasdebatingavitalabortionbillandwhowouldarrivetolobbyMPs
butthelivingsaint.
In1981and1982sheleftCalcuttainApril,goingeasttoJapan,asshegotworriedthattheJapaneseweregettingtooblaseaboutabortion.
AwealthyJapaneseCatholicantiabortionpressuregroupfundedthetrips.InApril1982shemetupwith230membersoftheJapanese

parliament(theDiet)andwasalmostsuccessfulinmakingabortionextremelydifficultforJapanesewomenapopularrevoltpreventedthe
changeoflawshewanted.
Togiveanideaofhowinfrequentlythe'saintofCalcutta'wasaroundinCalcutta,IquotetwopassagesfromherspiritualadvisorFather
EdwardLeJoly:
[MT] IamgoingtoNewYorkFather.
[ELJ]WhatMother,againtotheUS?Youwerethereonlyafewweeksago.
[MT] Yes,butImustgoagain.ThefirsttwopriestsoftheMissionariesofCharityfamilyaretakingtheirfirstvows.They
havefinishedtheirnovitiate.TheArchbishophasacceptedtolookafterthem.
[ELJ]SoyourfamilyisexpandingandonceagaintheUSshowstheway.12
InthesamebookinadifferentplaceLeJolywrites:

October'86
[ELJ] Sister,isMotherin?
[S]No,Father,sheisout.ShehasgonetoRome.
[ELJ] WhatagaintoRome,butshewasthereafewdaysago!
[S]Yes,sheiscontinuallyaway.13
ItisknownthatPrincessDianadesperatelywantedtomeetMotherTeresainCalcuttaninetimesherofficetriedtobringthetwotogether
inCalcuttabutninetimesitfailedbecausethenunwashardlythere.FinallywhenDianacametoCalcuttainFebruary1992,theycouldnot
meetasMothergotheldbackinRome.ThetwomettwiceinRomeandNewYork,thetwoplacesthatwereMother'srealhomesand
whereshewasmostcomfortable.
DuringherlongstaysinEuropeandtheUS,shelostnoopportunitytotellpeoplethatshehatedeverysecondofthetimeshespentaway
fromthe'streetsofCalcutta,'asshemightputit.PeterDalglish,theCanadiancharityworkerfoundheraddressing'VIPsandluminaries'in
NewYork:'Theyhopedshewouldendhersermonwithasmile,butshewasglumduringherentirestayinNewYorkandannouncedshe
longedtoreturntoCalcutta.'14Ineffect,shereturnedtoRome.
Icouldgoonandon,fillingpageafterpagewithdenseexamplesofdisastersandcriseswhereMotherTeresahadhadnoinvolvement
whatsoever.Forme,aCalcuttan,bornandbred,itdoesnotcomeassurprise,asIknowherorderhasnoinfrastructureindeedithadnever
beenherintentiontocreateaninfrastructureforsuchwork,asshehadfrequentlysaid,'I'mnotasocialworker.'ButwhatIfindsomewhat
disturbingisthatsheremainedinactivewhenchildrenwerehurtorkilled,orwereattheriskofbeingorphaned,asinthecaseofShahida,
whoappealedtoherpersonallythisdidnotsitcomfortablywithher'ChildFirst'philosophy.Butthen,forhertheunbornchildwasfar
moreimportantthantheactualchild.HavinggonethroughhundredsofherspeechesIhavewondered,whencomparedtotheunbornchildif
theactualchildmatteredtoheratall:
ManypeopleareveryveryconcernedwiththechildrenofIndia,withthechildrenofAfricawherequiteafewdieofhunger,
andsoon.ManypeoplearealsoconcernedaboutalltheviolenceinthisgreatcountryoftheUnitedStates.Theseconcerns
areverygood.Butoftenthesesamepeoplearenotconcernedwiththemillionswhoarekilledbythedeliberatedecisionof
theirownmothers.Andthisiswhatisthegreatestdestroyerofpeacetodayabortionwhichbringspeopletosuch
blindness.15
OnecouldconcludefromtheaccountsaboveofMother'sinactionduringcrisesinCalcuttaandIndiathatformanyyearsbeforeherdeath
Mothermighthaveretired,possiblyshemighthavewithdrawnfromdaytodaywork,orevenrisenabovesuch.Whetherornotthatwasthe
caseisopentodebate,butwhenitcametoimportantmatters,nosmalldetailescapedherattention.WhentheVicePresidentofIndiacameto
CalcuttaonatwodayvisitinJuly1996,MotherTeresadeliveredhimaletter.Itwastoprotestagainstthedemolitionofchurchwallin
Bandel(atownshipnearCalcutta)andtourgethegovernmenttorebuildthewall.

NOTESTOCHAPTER1
1.Kalantar,Calcutta,12October1995.
2.BostonGlobe,16June1995.
3.CommuniquoftheCatholicDioceseofPeoria(December1995),Peoria,USA
4.TheStatesman,Calcutta,15August1996
5.LucindaVardey,MotherTeresa,ASimplePath(Rider,1995),p.118
6.FortheShahidastory,seevariousCalcuttanewspapers,15Julyto30October1995
7.EileenEgan,SuchaVisionoftheStreet(Sidgwick&Jackson,1985),p.452
8.DavidPorter,MotherTeresaTheEarlyYears(SPCK,1986)
9.ChristianityToday,4April1994,v.38.no.4,p.75
.10.NationalCatholicReporter,USA,17March1994.
11.AmritaBazaarPatrika,Calcutta,'MissionofMercy',12October1979.
12.EdwardLeJoly,MotherTeresaTheGloriousYears(SaintPaulPublications,1992),p.127.
13.Ibid.,p.59.
14.PeterDalglish,TheCourageofChildren(HarperCollins,1998),p.298.
15.NationalPrayerBreakfast,WashingtonDC,3February1994.

CHAPTER2
ECUMENICALWITHTHETRUTH:SAINTLYTALLTALES
AsMotherTeresagrewolder,truthbecamemoreandmoreofastrangertoher.Sheinflatedheroperationsandactivitiesmanifoldinher
speechestojournalistsandsupporters.Oftenherstatementswouldhavenoconnectionwithrealitywhatsoever.Manytimesshehadbeen
capturedontelevisionwhiletellingverytalltalesaboutherwork.SheprevaricatedeveninherNobelprizeacceptancespeech.
Journalistsdidnotdarequestionanythingshesaid.Perhapssheherselfbelievedwhatshesaid.Ifyouweresurroundedbypeoplewhowere
constantlytellingyouifsaidtheearthwasflatthenithadtobeflat,thenyoursenseofperspectivewouldgetdistorted.Thathappenedto
Mother,plussheconsciouslytriedtooversellherselfinordertopropagateherchurchandhertwincausesofabolishingabortionand
artificialcontraceptionfromtheworld.
Shetoldmanywhatsomepeoplecall'whitelies'.Theseareharmlessliesbutnotbecomingofherstatureandpiety.TraceyLeonard,the
CatholicnursewhodidlongstintsasavolunteerinCalcutta,describesanincidentinherbookwhereMotherTeresamethermotherin
AustraliaevenbeforeshehadthechanceofmeetingthenuninCalcutta(nodoubtbecauseMotherwashardlyeverinhereponymouscity):
She[mymother]metMotherTeresaandtoldherIwasworkinginCalcutta.Mothernoddedandsaid,'Ohyes,Iknowher.'
Itcertainlymademymotherfeelbetterevenifitwasn'tthetruth.Evenlivingsaintstelltheoccasionalwhitelie!1
Thiscouldbeastatementfromadesperatepettypolitician,eagertomakeanimpression.MotherTeresawasalwayskeentomakean
impressiononjournalistsandbackers.Shewasnotsobotheredaboutthepoor,especiallyinIndia.
JohnUnger,onetimepresidentoftheWestVirginiaInternationalTradeDevelopmentCouncilworkedasavolunteerinCalcuttain1990.
OnedayUngeraccompaniedTeresatoaplacewhereawomanwithababyapproachedthenunandsaid,'Mother,inmyvillagethereis
dyinganddisease.Canyouhelp?'MotherTeresathrewupherarmsandsaidshecouldnothelpshewasonlyoneperson.Missionariesof
Charityconstantlysaidthattothepoorwhoapproachedthem.ButbecausethiswassaidinthepresenceofaninfluentialWesterner,Mother
musthavegotstressed.Obviouslyherbehaviourwasnotinkeepingwiththeimage,sherealised.SoshelatertoldUngerthatsheprayed
abouttheincidentallnight.Ungerwasthoroughlyimpressed.2
WhoknowsifshereallydidpraythroughthehumidCalcuttanight.Evenifshedid,perhapsshecouldhaveusedhertimebetterifshe
thoughtofhelpingthewomanandthevillagersinsomesmallwayifshereallycaredaboutthem.Butshewasreallymoreconcernedwith
keepingupappearances.
MothertoldmanyBiblicaltypetalesaboutherselfthroughoutherlife.Theseweretoldagainandagain,hundredsifnotthousandsoftimes.
Thesamestorywouldberetoldashappening'afewdays'or'afewweeks'backtoanewaudience.Particularlyvividwasthestoryaboutthe
womanwhowasfoundinthegutterswithwormseatingeverywhereintoherfleshexceptherfaceMotherandherSistershadto
individuallyextracttheworms.Thewomandiedwiththesewordsonherlips,'I'velivedlikeananimal,butI'mdyinglikeanangel.'Itis
possiblethestorywasmadeup,asangelsdonothaveadivineconnotationforHinduwomen.ThenthereistheparableofMother
desperatelyseekingfundsforahouseinLondonthensuddenlyopeningapurseandfindingtheexactamount!InherNobelspeechshetold
thetaleof'aboutfourteenprofessorsfromUnitedStatesfromdifferentuniversities'visitingherinCalcuttaandoneofthemaskingher,'Are
youmarried?'UnlikelyanAmericanprofessorwouldasktheworld'smostfamousnunsuchaquestion.Theobjectofthequotingthe
questiontrueornotwastogiveaspielaboutherownholiness,thenfinishoffwithacalltoNorwaytooutlawabortion.
OnlyoneparabolictalehasbeencontradictedbyMotherherself.WritesNavinChawla,oneofherauthorisedbiographers:
Once,rememberingherPatnadays,IrememberedastoryIhadreadaboutherveryfirstsurgicalcaseonaCalcuttastreet.
Accordingtothisaccount,shehadfoundamanwithagangrenousthumbthatneededimmediateamputation.Thereuponshe
saidaprayer,tookoutapairofscissorsandcutitoff.Thepatientpromptlyfainted,fallinginonedirection,whileMother
Teresafaintedintheother.WhenIdeliveredthepunchline,MotherTeresabentdoublewithlaughter.'Amadeupstory,'she
said,butthoroughlyenjoyedthejoke.3
Itislikelyshewouldnothavecontradictedthestoryhaditnotportrayedherinlessthanheroiclight.
Thesearehoweverrelativelyinnocent,harmlesslies,whethertoldbyorabouther.
Butsheherselfwasthesourceofseriousandcontinuousmisinformation.Nodoubtthemediaexaggeratedandofteninventedtalesabout
MotherTeresa,butmostoftenitoriginatedfromher.Letustakeforinstancehercommentthat'onthegroundfloorofShishuBhavan[her
orphanageinCalcutta]therearecookingfacilitiestofeedoverathousandpeopledaily.'4Thatthereare,butarethefacilitiesusedforthe
purposeofasoupkitchen?Theyarenotalthough,onewouldinferfromherstatementthatshewasservingathousandmealsdailyfrom
ShishuBhavantothepublic.

IhavespentdaysonendinfrontofShishuBhavanwithavideocameraandIknowwhatgoesonthere.ThesoupkitchenatShishuBhavan
feedsabout70peopleaday,andthattoo5daysaweek.Thedailyturnoutisabout50peopleforlunchand20fordinner,butcharitydoes
notcomeeasyforthepoortheyneedtopossessa'foodcard'inordertogettheirgruel.Ithastobeadmittedhoweverthatthenighttime
kitchenisnotthatfussyaboutthefoodcards,andIknowofinstanceswhenevenforlunch,theabsenceofthecardhasbeenoverlooked.
Mother'ssoupkitchenrunsonafarstricterregimeatPremDaan,herotherhomeinCalcutta.Theproductionoffoodcardsismandatory
here,possiblybecausePremDaansitsinthemiddleofDnaraparaslumandthereisthelikelihoodofgettingoverwhelmed.Herethenumber
ofbeneficiariesisaround50aday,5daysaweek,butonlyonemealisserveddaily.Ihavethecloseupofafoodcardcapturedonvideo,
withitsdaysandcorrespondingboxes,whicharetickedoffbythenuns.
Now,howdoesoneobtainafoodcard?Theprocessisshroudedinmystery,likemostofthefunctionsoftheMissionariesofCharity.
Newoneshavenotbeenissuedforsometime.TherewasavettingprocedureinvolvedatthetimeofissueandIamtoldthattheyweregiven
onlytothe'poorestofthepoor'thereisanelementoftruthinthat.However,thehandfulofCatholicfamiliesinDnarapara,whocannotbe
called'poorestofthepoor'byanystretchoftheimagination,haveallgotcards.Theyoftendonotusethem.
ItistoMotherTeresaofCalcutta'screditthathersoupkitchensfeedthreetimesasmanypeopleinNewYorkastheydoinCalcutta.
MotherTeresahadnotalwaysbeensosubtleandcircuitouswithherclaimsaboutthebeneficiariesathersoupkitchen.Duringthe1970s
andearly1980ssheusedtomakeforthrightclaimsaboutthenumberofpoorpeopleshefeddailyinCalcuttaIamafraidIhadnofirst
handknowledgeofthenumbershefedatthetime,andIthereforeendeavouredtotakeherwordforitbutIsoongotconfusedforshe
sometimeswouldbefeeding'9,000',nextminuteitwouldbe'4,000',thenagainitmaychangeto'7,000'.Chronologicallythesenumbersdo
notcorrelate,asthethreefiguresweregivenroundaboutthesametime.Itisalsonoteworthythathermostmodestclaim,i.e.,about'facilities
tocookforathousandpeopledaily',wasthemostrecentone,madeinthemid1990s,whenheractivitiescameunderincreasingscrutiny.
ShortlyafterherNobel,shetoldherfriendandbiographerKathrynSpink:'InCalcuttaalonewecookfor7,000peopleeverydayandifone
daywedonotcooktheydonoteat.'5ThiswasavoraciousclaimatthetimetheMissionaryofCharitykitchenscookedforatthemost500
peopleaday,andthatincludedtheirvastarmyofnuns,novicesandBrothers,mostofwhomdonothaveanycharitablefunction.The'7000
people'storywaspartofafairlylengthyparable,similartotheonewith'loavesandfishes'ofJesus.Motherretolditnumeroustimes,in
variouspartsoftheworld,butneverinCalcuttaitself.Itispossiblethatthetalewouldbeinvokedasa'miracle'duringherbeatification
process.Inherownwords,oneversionofthestoryranasfollows:
'WehavewitnessedGod'stendercareforusinathousanddifferentways.InCalcuttaalonewecookfor7,000peopledaily.
Ifonedaywedon'tcook,theydon'teat.OneFridaymorning,theSisterinchargeofthekitchencametomeandsaid,
'Mother,thereisnofoodforFridayandSaturday.Weshouldtellthepeoplethatwehavenothingtogivethemeithertoday
ortomorrow.'Iwasshocked.Ididn'tknowwhattotellher.Butabout9o'clockinthemorning,theIndiangovernmentfor
someunknownreasonclosedthepublicschools.Thenallthebreadfortheschoolchildrenweresenttous.Ourchildren,as
wellasourseventhousandneedyones,atebreadandevenmorebreadfortwodays.Theyhadnevereatensomuchbreadin
theirintheirlives.NooneinCalcuttacouldfindoutwhytheschoolshadbeenclosed.ButIknew.ItwasGod'stendercare.
Iknewitwashistenderlovingcare.'6
Duringthecourseofadecade,roughlybetween197585,manyatimedidMotherTeresarecountthestoryaboutthegovernment
miraculouslysendingherbreadonaccountoftheschoolsclosingthebodyofthestoryremainedthesame,buttheopeninglinewould
change'InCalcutawefeed7,000peopledaily'wouldsometimesbecome'4,000peopledaily',thenchangebackto'7,000'again.Hereis
how,ononeoccasion,shetoldtheparablewitha'4000'figure:'Wewerefeeding4000peopleeachdayandthesewerepeoplewhosimply
wouldnoteatunlesstheSistersfedthem.Butwehadnothing.Then,about9.00a.m.onFriday'...etc.therestaboutthegovernment
schoolsshuttingsuddenlyandthebreadmiraculouslycomingtotheMissionariesofCharitywouldnowfollow.7
InaprogrammeentitledMeetMotherTeresa,recordedin1982forScottishTelevisionthevideohasbeenwidelydistributedinCatholic
circlesshetoldIanGall,'Wecaterfor7,000peopleeverydaybutweneverhadtosayno...'
Ononeoccasionthe'numberofpeoplethatwouldnoteatunlesswefedthem'reached9000:'YoumustknowjustinCalcuttawefeed9000
peopledaily.8ThisclaimcausedawhiffofembarrassmentineventhedevotedJosLuisGonzlezBalado,whoquicklyadded,'Mother
Teresaisamongthosewholeastworryaboutstatistics.Shehasrepeatedlyexpressedthatwhatmattersisnothowmuchworkis
accomplishedbuthowmuchloveisputintothework.'9
ThiswashowevernottheendofthematterafewyearslaterthesameGonzlezBaladoeditedabookofMother'ssayings,whereinhe
recounts,inMother'swords,themiracleofthebreadandschools,thus:'InCalcuttaalonewefeedabouttenthousandpeopleeveryday.This
meansifonedaywedonotcooktenthousandpeoplewillnoteat.OnedaytheSisterinchargecametotellme...'etc.
AlthoughthepassageisquotedinMother'sname,andalthoughthebookitselfiscalledMotherTeresa,InMyOwnWordsIampreparedto
giveMotherthebenefitofthedoubtthe'tenthousand'wasverylikelyaninventionofGonzlezBalado,asMotherTeresahadnotretoldthe
parableforalongtime.ButtherecouldbelittledoubtMotherwouldhaveapprovedofsuchlibertieswithnumbers,asitwasallforthesake

ofJesus.ItisinterestingthatGonzlezBalado,whohadearlierbeenembarrassedaboutthe'9,000'claim,hadbecomeemboldenedwithtime
togoastepfurther.IcanseewhytheTeresaculthascometorealisethatwhateveroutlandishtheysayaboutMotherTeresainthepositive,
andwhateverbizarrenegativestheysayaboutCalcutta,bothwouldbeacceptedasgospeltruthbytheworld.Andtheirmainjustification(to
themselves)incarryingonthisgameofdeceitisthattheyarenotdoingitfortheirownpersonalgain,butforthepropagationoftheirfaith.
Theyalsobelievethatifyourepeataliethousandsoftimes,itcomestoberegardedasthetruthinachievingthisendtheyhavebeen
successful.
IcanseewhyMotherTeresaandherpublicitymachinerywerefondofthe'thousands'figurewhenitcametofeedingpeopleapartfromthe
obviousandusualbusinessofinflatingfigureswhichbecametheirstockintrade,afigureof200or300wouldnothavebeenBiblical
enough.Mother'sstoriesarealmostcarboncopiesofthoseintheBible.InJohn6:913,Jesusfeeds5,000menwithloavesandfishes.Luke
(9:1317)tellsusasimilartalewithJesusfeeding5,000menwithfiveloavesandtwofishes.Mark(8:9)tellsusasimilarbutdifferent
parable,andhegivesusafigureof4,000.
ThevariationinnumbersfedasappearintheBibleisduetothestorybeingtoldbydifferentapostlesthereforeadegreeofvariationistobe
expected.AlsothesameincidentisnotalwaysdescribedasfarasIamaware.
ItcouldbeassumedthatMotherTeresaconsciouslyposturedasJesusandthereforeinventedtheBiblicalnumbers.Verylikelytheywere
notcoincidentallyinvented.
IdonotthinkthatJesuswouldhavebeenimmodestenoughtotellselfaggrandisingstoriesabouthimself.Butthemostsignificant
differencebetweenMother'stalesandthoseoftheapostlesisthatherswerepurefantasy(ifoneassumes,forthesakeofthoseamongst
readerswhobelieveintheliteralmeaningoftheBible,thattheBiblicalhappeningswerereal).Duringthe1970sand80s,MotherTeresa's
soupkitchensinCalcuttafednotmorethan150peopledaily(sixdaysaweek)indeed,thetotalnumberofpeoplefeddailybythe
MissionariesofCharitykitchensinthatperiodwasnotmorethan500thisincludedhervastnumberofnuns,novices,andBrothers,most
ofwhomdonothaveanycharitablefunctions.
Thefigure'5,000'hasaparticularfascinationforMother,nodoubtbecauseofitsBiblicalconnotation.Sheoncesaid,'Todaythereisa
modernschoolinthatplace[inMotijheelslum]withover5000childreninit.'10Thisappearsinabookpublishedin1986.Earlier,in1969
70,shehadtoldMalcolmMuggeridge,'...ifwedidn'thaveourschoolsintheslumstheyarenothing,theyarejustlittleprimaryschools
whereweteachthechildrentolovetheschoolandbecleanandsoonifwedidn'thavetheselittleschools,thosechildren,thosethousands
ofchildren,wouldbeleftinthestreets.'11
In196970,MotherTeresa'sprimaryschoolscateredfornotmorethat200(agenerousoverestimate)inCalcuttathefigureisnotmuch
moretoday.Nonetheless,Iwaspreparedtooverlookher'thousandsofchildren'asafigureofspeechsaintsareallowedtogetcarried
away,liketherestofus.But'5000children'wasacalculatedlie,especiallyastheschoolinMotijheelhaslessthan100pupils.Idonotthink
thatthereisanyschoolintheworldwhichcatersto5,000childrenfromasinglesiteCalcuttaisofcourse,extraworldly.
ThelargestschoolinIndiaisCalcutta'sSouthPointmyownalmamaterwhich,with11,000(feepaying)students,wasatonetimethe
largestschoolintheworld,butisrunfromsixsites.ThelargestsiteatMandevilleGardensissevenstoreyshighandcatersfor3,000
studentsnumericallyspeaking,itisfarandawayCalcutta'slargestschoolpremises.
Biblicalconnotationornot,Idonotthinkitbecamealivingsainttoturn100into'over5,000'.
DuringthefortnightfollowingMother'sdeath,hordesoflocalandinternationaljournalistswerescouringMotijheelslumforstoriesand
reminiscences,forthiswasafterall,themostfamousslumintheworldtheonethatlaunchedMotherTeresaofCalcutta.Twojournalists
fromAnandaBazaarPatrikaspoketoPaltanRoy,alongtermresidentofMotijheel.RoywassaddenedatMother'sdeath,butsaid,'Backin
the1950sthereweretwoschoolshereforawhile,butoneofthemsooncloseddown.IhaveheardthatMotherhaddonesomuchforthe
wholeworld,butourschoolherehasremainedexactlythesamethesamesinglestoreystructure.CouldMothernothaveaddedanother
floortoit?'12
MotherTeresafrequentlysaidthathernuns'pick[ed]up'peoplefromthestreetsofCalcutta.Ifshesaiditonceshesaiditathousandtimes.
ShesaiditinheracceptancespeechfortheNobelPrize:'WehaveahomeforthedyinginCalcutta,wherewehavepickedupmorethan
36,000peopleonlyfromthestreetsofCalcutta,andoutofthatbignumbermorethan18,000havediedabeautifuldeath.Theyhavejust
gonehometoGod.'Mother's'bignumber'waswrong,butmoreimportantly,herbasicpremiseof'pickingup'peopleisentirelyfalse.Ifthe
situationdemanded,Motherputitmorepoignantly:'MaybeifIhadnotpickedupthatonepersondyingonthestreet,Iwouldnothave
pickedupthethousands.WemustthinkEk,(Bengalifor'One').IthinkEk,Ek.One,One...'13Onanotheroccasion,shesaid,'They
[Westernvolunteers]pickupallsortsofpeopleforus,buttheydoitwithagreatdealoflove.'14Perhapsthemajorsourceof
disappointmentforvolunteersastheyarrivetoworkwiththeMissionariesofCharityinCalcuttaevenbeforetheyhavehadthechanceto
startworkingistherealisationthattheywouldnotbepartofanangelicteamthatwouldscourthestreetsofCalcuttagentlyscoopingup
hordesofhumanityastheygoalong.Iknowofinstanceswhenveryyoungvolunteers,disregardingofficialadvice,havehiredtaxisand
cruisedalongstreetslookingforpeopletheycouldbefriendandbringalongtoMother'shomes.

Thesadtruthis,MotherTeresa'sorganisationdoesnotpickuppeoplefromthestreetsofCalcuttano,notbeggars,notlepers,not
destitutes,notthepoorestofthepoorwhoshelovedsomuchtheydonotevenpickupthebabiesandchildrenofthesepeople.Theydo
possesstheresourcestoremovedestitutesfromthestreets,buttheydonotutilisethem.
IunderstandthisstrikesattheheartoftheworldimageoftheMissionariesofCharity,fortheabidingimageoftheorganisationisthatof
demurenunswearingblueborderedsareesstoopingtopickupthehelplessfromthestreetsofCalcutta.
Itisnottruethattheydonotprovidea'pickup'serviceatallfordestitutestheydoinRome,wheremosteveningsacoupleofnunssetout
inavan,scouringthestreetsofRomefordestitutesandprostitutes.Theyatfirstbefriendthesepeopleandgaintheirtrust,beforeinviting
themforamealoraberthusuallyonalaterdate.VerynobleactindeedbutdoesnothappeninCalcutta.OncewhenIwaswaitingin
frontofMotherTeresa'slargehomeinRome'sPiazzaSanGregorioalCelio,anambulancearrivedbringinginamanfromahospitalhe
hadnowheretogoafterhismedicaltreatmentwasover,sohegetstostayinMotherTeresa'splacethiswouldnothappeninCalcutta,as,
unlikeinRome,noarrangementexistsbetweentheMissionariesofCharityandhospitalsinCalcutta.
ThoughtheRomans'adulationforMotherTeresaissomewhatoverthetop,IcannotblamethemwhentheysayifMotherwasdoingso
muchinRome,howmuchmoremustshehavebeendoinginCalcutta.
TheMissionariesofCharityinCalcuttapossessasmallfleetof'ambulances',manyofthemdonatedbybusinessesandindividuals.These
vehiclesarepaintedtoappearasambulancesandarefittedwithredbeaconstheyareexemptfromtrafficregulations.Buttheirmainorsole
functionistoprovideataxiserviceforthenuns.Inmytime,Ihaveneverseenan'ambulance'carryapatientoradestitute.Indeed,mostof
themdonothavetheprovisiontocarryastretcher,fortherailsonthefloorhavebeenremoved.Theseatsonthesideshavebeenreplaced
bypatternedsofasforthenunstositon.On21August1996,Isawanextraordinarysight,evenbythestandardsoftheMissionariesof
Charityherewasanambulance,donatedbyFederalExpress(India),filledwithchickenstheywerebeingbroughttoMotherHouseforthe
nuns'annualfeastthefollowingday!Ihaveaphotographofthisbizarrespectacle.Vegetariansamongstthereaderswillbehappytoknow
thatthechickenshadanunexpectedextensionoftheirlives,asthefeastwascancelledduetoMothertakingseriouslyill.
IamawarethatmanyreaderswillnotbefullyconvincedaboutMotherTeresa'snunsnotpickinguppeoplefromthestreetsofCalcuttato
saythattheydonotprovidethisvitalfunctionwhichiscentraltotheirimageistantamounttosayingthatthePope(orMotherTeresa)isnot
aCatholic.
IhavethereforetaperecordednumeroustelephoneconversationswiththeMissionariesofCharityattheirworldfamoushomeforthedying
atKalighatinCalcutta.Theseconversationswereallrecordedduring1995and96.Hereisonetypicalsuchconversation:
Me(pretendingtobeaconcernedcitizen):OtakiMotherTeresarhome?['IsthatMotherTeresa'shome?'inBengali]
Nun:SpeakinEnglishplease,...orHindi.
Me: Thereisaman[sometimesIchangedittoawoman]lyinginfrontofAshutoshCollegeheisseriouslyill...Heis
probablygoingtodie.[AshutoshCollegeisfairlyclosetothehomewalkingdistanceinfact]
Nun:Yes,wehavebeds.RingtheCorporationambulancethey'llbringhimtous.
Me: Yes,...but...thelineisbusy.I'vebeentryingforsometime.
Nun:Theyarealwaysbusy.Youjusthavetokeeptryingringing102.
Me: Canyounotsendanambulance?heisnotveryfarfromyou.
Nun:Wedon'tsendoutambulances.WeusetheCorporationambulances.
Me: Canyounothelphimoutthistime?
Nun:Look,Ihavetoldyou,WEDONOTHAVEAMBULANCES.(Thevoicebecomeslouderandthetemperslightly
frayed.Atthisjuncturethenunwouldusuallydisconnectthephone.)
TherewouldbethoseamongstreaderswhohavevisitedMotherTeresa'shomeforthedyinginCalcuttaandwillrememberthe'ambulance'
thatstandsatattentionatthefrontdoor.Itsappearanceislikethatofaproperemergencyvehiclerearingtogotoattendtothesickandthe
dying.Ithoweverliesdormantalldayuntil3.45p.m.,whenitbrieflycomestolifeitleavesthehomeforthedyingforMotherHousewith
abevyofnunsitreturnsafewhourslaterwithafreshbatchofnuns.Itsworkforthedayisthencomplete.OneofMotherTeresa'smore
highprofilefans,theformerCaliforniagovernorJerryBrown,wasaregulartravellerinMother'sambulancesduringhisstintasavolunteer
atthehomefordying:'At6p.m.daily[previouslytheambulanceusedtoleavelater]Iwouldgetintoanambulancewithhalfadozennuns
andsomevolunteersandridebacktothemotherhouseforahalfhourprayerandthesayingoftherosary.MotherTeresawasalwaysthere
[atMotherHouse].'15

InterestedreadersmayliketoprocureacopyofTheTelegraph,oneoftheEnglishdailiespublishedfromCalcutta,whichgivesalistofthe
ambulanceservicesinthecity,bothfreeandfeepayingtheMissionariesofCharitydonotappearinthelist.Themoreseniorofthenunsdo
notputupwiththeinconvenienceoftravellingwithothersintheambulanceminibustheygetataxi.Ihavenumerousphotographsofnuns
intaxis.AbrieftaxirideinCalcuttacostsatleastRs80enoughtobuy10kilosofcoarsegrainrice.
OnemaythinkthatIambeingpettyabouthowthenunstraveldoesitreallymatteriftheytravelintaxis?afteralltheyhavepreciousfew
luxuriesinlife.Thesightofnunsintaxiswouldnothaveirkedmeatall,hadInotreadoverandoveragainaboutthe'poorandhumble'
meansoftheirtravelsagainandagain,authorshaveproducedaBiblicalpicturelikethatofJesusandhisapostlestrudgingthroughtheholy
land.TheofficialpartylineontransportisprovidedbyChawlainMother'sauthorisedbiography:'TheSisterstravelasthepoordo.They
usuallywalk,orifthedistanceisfar,usepublictransport.'16
Themisuseofambulancesisnaturallyanissueinitself,fortheycouldbeusedtorelievethecity'screakingpublichealthservice.Insteadof
demandingthatCalcuttaCorporationprovideherwithambulances,MotherTeresacouldbringherresourcestotheaidofthecity'scash
strappedcivicbody.Also,Ifinditdisturbingthatvehiclesdonatedbyindividualsandbusinessesshouldbemisusedinthisway.Iwonderif
DrSinha,aCalcuttadoctorwhodonatedanambulancetoMotherTeresainthememoryofhisparents,isawarethatthevehiclehasnever
beenusedforitsintendedfunction.
Theimageofextremeausterityand'humility'ofthenunsthathavebeenportrayedbyMotherandherbiographersisnotquitetrue.Ithas
beensaidthatthenunsdonotknowwhattheinsideofashoplookslike,sounworldlyarethey.Mother'snunsarenotinfrequentlyseen
shoppinginCalcutta'sNewMarketa19thcenturyconglomerationofshopscovering2sq.kminthecitycentre.Ihavegotphotographsof
nunsbuyingbasiccosmeticsinNewMarket.On27December1997,IphotographedsomenunsbuyingexpensiveCashmereshawlsina
shop(no.G56)calledKashmiriCorner.InthelastfewyearsnunshavebeenseeninthepopularshoppingareasofGariahatinsouth
Calcutta,anareaofthecitytheyhadneverventuredintointhepast.
IhaverungMotherTeresa'shomeforthedyinginCalcuttaonnumerousoccasions,and,veryoftenIhavebeensternlytoldbythenunon
theothersidetospeakinEnglishonly,asIkeptbreakingintoBengaliandHindi.Inarecordedconversationon7October1996,Istarted
offinBengali,butverysoonrealisedthattherewascompleteblanknessontheotherside,sosaidasentenceinHindi,inreplytowhichI
wassternlytold,'SpeakinEnglish.'
ItisawellknownfactthatmajorityofMotherTeresa(ofCalcutta)'snunscannotspeakorevenunderstandrudimentsofBengali,the
languageofCalcuttasomeofthem,beingfromBihar,speakHindi,thelanguageofnorthIndia,andthatspokenbythemajorityofIndians.
Thisisbecausethevastmajorityofthenuns(around70%)arerecruitedfromsouthernIndia,whichhasalargeChristianpopulation,and
whospeakEnglishasaparallelvernaculartotheirnativelanguages,whichcouldoneofKannada,Tamil,TeluguorMalayalam.Ihavenever
meta'poorestofthepoor'inCalcuttawhoknowsevenawordoftwoofEnglish.InIndiaatlarge,IamsurethereafewChristianpeoplein
thatcategorywhospeakEnglishpossiblyinsouthernIndiaorGoabuttheymustbeveryrareindeedthisisbecausetherelatively
compactChristiancommunitiesinIndiahaveenoughresourcestobolstertheirweakestmembers.
ThisbegsthequestionhowdoMotherTeresa'snunscommunicatewiththepoorinCalcutta?Theydonot.Theydonotneedto,asthey
donotgooutintothestreetsortheslumstoaskabouttheneedsofthepoor.Buttheproblemremainswithinthehomeswheretheneedsof
theresidentshavetobemet.HerethejobisdonebyEnglish,Italian,German,Spanish,Finnishetc.ononeside,and,gesturesontheother.
TheworkonthegroundinMotherTeresa'shomesinCalcuttaisdoneentirelybyvolunteersfromallovertheworld.Andtheydoittothe
bestoftheirabilities,andsomedoitverywellindeed.Butmanyofthemhavetoldmeoftheirfrustrationatnotbeingabletospeaktothe
residentsthereareofcourse,some,whopickupafewwordsofHindiorBengaliandthenclaimtobefluentin'Indian'.
ItisnotarequirementofMissionariesofCharitynunstolearnthelocallanguage,astheirofficiallanguageisEnglishandaknowledgeof
Englishthatallowsaconcreteunderstandingofthescripturesisdeemedsufficienttheyalsomovearoundagreatdealfromonecornerof
theglobetotheother,andhence,learningthelocallingowouldnotbeworthitswhile.However,isitnotreasonabletoexpecttheCalcutta
nunstohaveabasicknowledgeofBengali?Isitnotreasonabletomakeitanorganisationalrequirementforthosewhoarestationedin
CalcuttatolearnsomedaytodayBengaliitwas,afterall,CalcuttawhichbroughtsuchglorytoMotherTeresaandherChurch.Wayback
inearly1969,Motherhadstipulatedthatwomenandmenwho'weredesirousofjoining[herorder]mustbeabletoacquireknowledge
especiallythelanguageofthepeopletheyserve.'ButthatwasatatimewhenMotherTeresawasasincereandunknownnundoingherbest
withlimitedresources,beforesheallowedherselftobesuckedupinthepublicityblitz.Overtheyears,therehasbeennoefforttoallowthe
nunsanyunderstandingofthelanguageofthepeopletheyaresupposedtoserve,atleastnotinAfricaorIndia.
MotherTeresaherselfwasnotfluentinBengali!Thismayseemsomekindofafeatafterher70yearsinCalcutta,buttomeitdoesnot
comeasasurpriseshewassurroundedbyEuropeans,AngloIndiansandChristiansouthernIndians.Sheretainedanexceptionally
prominentBalkanaccent,andherBengaliwasstiltedandbasicsheusedstockphasessuchas'Iwillprayforyou','Sufferingbringsyou
closetoJesusChrist'etc.Shecould,ifshewishedto,getbyadequatelywithherstructured,grammaticallycorrectBengali,butsherarely
madetheeffort
Whatthen,oftheclaimbyscoresofherbiographersthatshehadtaughttheBengalialphabettothechildrenofCalcutta'sMotijheelslumin
her1940swhenshewasstartingoutinlifeasasaviourofthepoor?thisparabolictalehasbeentoldthousandsoftimes.Igiveatypical

illustrationfromtheaccountofoneofMotherTeresa'sclosejournalistfriends,FrancaZambonini:
Herfirstprojectwasaschool,anditisnotbychancethatshehasbeenateacherforalmost20years.ShewenttoMotiJhil,
thepoorpeople'squarteradjacenttothewalloftheschoolandconventinEntally.Shegatheredsomechildrentogetherinan
emptyspacesurroundedbythethatchedhutsofthepoor.Therewerenodesks,noblackboard,nochalk.Withthehelpofa
manwhowasloungingnearby,sheclearedthegroundofgrassanddebris,andusingastick,shetracedthelettersofthe
Bengalialphabetontheground.Sheendedherlessonbyrecitingapoemandconcludedwithaprayer.Thenextday
someonebroughtheratableandastool...17
Thisparable,liketheaccountofMosesreceivingthecommandmentsetchedonstone,doesnotholdgroundformanyreasons,partly
becausetheinhabitantsoftheMotijheelslumaremainlyBihariMuslimsanddonotspeakBengalitheirlanguageisUrduorHindi.Today,
thereisagovernmentrunprimaryschoolinMotijheel,andthelanguageofinstructionisUrdu.Evenif,forthesakeofargumentweaccept
thatMotherTeresaofCalcuttadidindeedteachthechildreninBengali,itisallthemoresurprisingthatsheneverwroteanythinginBengali
inthefollowing45yearsofherlife.SheproducedaprofusenumberoflettersandmessagesinEnglish,mostlyhandwritteninherfamiliar
scrawl,manyofwhichhavebeenframedbyheradmirers(includingbythoseinCalcutta)andmanyothersbeenreproducedinthenumerous
bookswrittenonher.NotonesuchletterormessageisinBengali.
AfewyearsbackatanauctioninNottingham,afewwordswrittenbyMotherTeresafetched12018Iampreparedtopaysubstantially
moreforasimilareffortproducedinBengali.
Mother's'bignumber',whichisthenumberofpeoplethatshehadclaimedinherNobelPrizeacceptancespeechtohave'pickedup'fromthe
streetsofCalcutta,doesnotstanduptoscrutiny.Belowisalistoftimeandplaceofvariousclaims,andthenumberoneachoccasionshe
claimedtohave'pickedup':
TimeandPlace

NumberClaimedToHaveBeen"PickedUp"

December1979,Oslo(NobelPrizeAcceptanceSpeech)

36,000

September1978,FreiburgCathedral,Breisgau,Germany
(SpeechasSpecialGuestattheGermanCatholicBishops'
Conference)

36,00019

February1973,Sydney(Population&Ecology
Conference)

36,00020

February1973,Melbourne

27,00021

IfIamaskedwhatnumbershehadactuallypickedupfromthestreetsofCalcutta,IamafraidIwouldhavetocomeupwithonlyan
informedguess.Technicallyofcourse,thenumberisnegligible,asshehadhardly'pickedup'anybody.Leavingasidethatminordetail,ifI
amaskedtoputafigureonhowmanynewadmissionsherorderhastothehomeforthedyinginCalcuttaeachyear,Iwouldcomeupwith
somethingbetween500and700.
Apartfromthemythofregularly'pickingup'peoplefromthestreets,theotherseriousmisinformationshespreadinherNobelspeechwas
aboutthenumberofbabiesbornlessbecauseofherprogrammeofnaturalcontraception.Sheclaimedthat61,273fewerbabieswerebornin
Calcuttaintheprevioussixyearsbecauseshewaspromotingnaturalcontraceptionamongthepoorandtheslumdwellers.Thisfigurewas
pureinvention.Shealsosaidthatshewassupplyingfertilitythermometersandtemperaturechartstothepoor.Patentlyuntrue,butevenif
shewas,noneofthethousandsofjournalistspresenthadthecouragetoaskherhowmanyoftheslumdwellerscouldreadandplotgraphs
inEnglish.Shealsosaidthat'theotherday'oneofthepoorcametothankherforteachingchastityand'selfcontroloutofloveforeach
other.'unlikely!
Thefigureof61,273became134,00022inJune1981inWashingtonD.C.In1982,duringtheIanGallinterviewforScottishTelevision,
whenMrGallpinnedherdown(albeitwithgreatdeference)onherviewsonartificialcontraceptionandanabsoluteoppositiontoabortion,
sheblithelycameoutwiththemonstrouslie:'Inlast10yearswehad1millionbabieslessinCalcutta[duetomymethod].'ThelieshutMr
Gallup,muchtohersatisfaction.
MotherTeresadidnothavetheGandhiancourageofstickingtounpopularbeliefsandproclaimingthem.ShecouldhavesaidOK,you
maynotlikeorbelieveinnaturalcontraceptionbutletmekeepmyweirdbeliefs.Butshehadtolietomakeherselfpopularandaccepted.
MotherTeresahadfrequentlysaidthatneglectbythefamilyisthegreatestpoverty'thepovertyoflove'.InherNobelspeechshespoke
aboutitatlength:'Thatpovertycomesrightinourownhome,theneglecttolove.Maybeinourownfamilywehavesomebodywhois

feelinglonely,whoisfeelingsick,whoisfeelingworried,andthesearedifficultdaysforeverybody.Arewethere?Arewetheretoreceive
them?'
Itwouldthereforeseemstrangethatshetookalmostapunitivelineagainstthosepoorpeoplewhosoughtherhelpbutwhohadfamilyof
anykind,howeverdistantorhoweverpoor.IntheassessmentoftheMissionariesofCharity,thesepeople(whomaybeexceptionallypoor
andneedy)are'notdestituteenough'.
Ihaveheretheessenceofthreetelephoneconversationswiththehomeforthedying,whichwererecordedon16June1995,and3and8
October1996.
Me: IhaveawomanwithmenearPurnoCinema[thishappenstobequiteclosetothehome]whoisdying.Willyousend
anambulance?
Nun:Wedon'tsendambulances.ContacttheCorporation.Whereisthewoman?
Me: Sheisatmyhouse.
Nun:Whyissheatyourhouse?
Me: Well,err...,sheismykindofaunt...adistantrelativeinfact.
Nun:SORRY,WEDON'TTAKEFAMILYCASES.SHECAN'TCOMEHERE.(Thevoicebecomesloudandirritated)
Me: Butsheishomelessandpoor.ImyselfamprettyhandtomouthIdon'thavetheresourcestolookafterher.
Nun:Thatdoesnotmatter.Ourruleis,wedoNOTtakefamilycases.
Me: But,...willyounotconsider?
Nun:I'mtellingyou,wedoNOTtakefamilycaseswhethershe'spoorornot.
Me: WhatifImakeasmallpayment?
Nun:Wedon'thavethatsystem.Wecan'thelpyou.(Atthisjunctureshewouldusuallydisconnectthephone)
Thesystemofnothavinganythingtodowithanybodywhomaybedyingorsufferingbutwhomayhaveaputativefamilymemberofany
kindisoneofthefoundingprinciplesoftheMissionariesofCharity.TherulewasformulatedbyMotherherselfmanyyearsback.Will
MotherTeresa'sdevoteestellmehowthisreconcileswithherfrequentdeclaration.,'InyourhomesyouhaveastarvingChrist,anaked
Christ,ahomelessChrist.Areyoucapableofrecognisinghiminyourownhomes?Doyourealiseheisrightthereinyourmidst?'Evenif
anyofuslessermortalscouldmanagetorecognisethesufferingChristintheirownhomesandwouldendeavourtobringhimtothecareof
MotherTeresa,whoprofessestobehisultimatefriend,hissufferingwouldonlybecompoundedbyrejection.SinceMother'sdeath,the
'familycases'rulehasbeenrelaxedinCalcuttasomewhat.
ManyatimewhenIhadrungthehomeforthedyinginCalcutta,theveryfirstquestionIhadbeenaskedwaswhetherIwasringingabouta
relative.IfthenunontheothersidehadnotbeensatisfiedthatIwasnot,shewouldnotcontinuetheconversationanyfurther.InRome,on
theotherhand,itisnotaskedofthedestitutesiftheyarea'familycase'theywouldhavetobeunwanted,andthatalonewouldsuffice.
MotherTeresahadbeenhabituallyeconomicalwiththetruthoverthelasthalfacenturywhentalkingaboutheroperations.Journalistsand
authorswithorwithoutavestedinteresthaveoftentakencuesfromherwhencreatingfantastictalesofcharity.ButIthinkwhenitcameto
fairytales,itwasMotherwhotookthewafer.And,fictionsofgloryothersmanufacturedonherbehalfhadherblessings'Journalistscan
dotheworkofGod'wasoneofherfavouritesayings.
AudreyConstant'sbookonherlifewrittenforchildrenisoneofthemanuscriptshepersonallycorrectedandannotatedtheauthorherself
saidsoinapersonalcommunication:'SadlyIhavenotyetmether[MotherTeresa]...WhenIwrotethestory(whichIdidwiththehelpof
theSistersofCharity)MotherTeresaherselfamendedthemanuscriptandshewroteinacopyofthebookandsentittome.Iwillalways
treasureit.'23
ThisbookmakessomebizarreclaimsaboutthecharitablefunctionsoftheMissionariesofCharityincludingthattheyhave'122leprosy
clinics'.24InCalcuttatheyhaveasingleleprosyclinic,anopenairone,whichrunsweeklyonConventRoadaverageattendanceisabout
60.ThebookalsodescribesCalcuttaasacitysooverwhelmedbylepersthataspecialchurchhastoearmarkedforthem:'Theyhavetheir
ownchurch.'25Thereisnosuchchurch.
In1979,MotherTeresawroteafamouslettertoMorarjiDesai,whenMrDesaiwas(briefly)thePrimeMinisterofIndia.Inherletter,
MotherseverelyupbraidedMrDesaifornotoutlawingabortionandthenshewentontosay,'InCalcuttaalonewehave102centreswhere

familiesaretaughtselfcontroloutoflove.'26meaningofcourse,naturalfamilyplanningcentres.
Whatevercouldshemeanby'102centres'?Ihavethoughtverylongandveryhardbutcouldnotfathomthebasisoftheclaim,especially
asherorderdoesnothaveasinglesuchcentre.Couldshemeanshehadnaturalfamilyplanningadvisersinherhomes?Atonetimeshe
didhavesuchadvisers,...butcentres?
Theoutlandishnessofthisclaimismindbogglingafterall,shewaswritingtothePrimeMinister,although,admittedly,hewasfarlessof
acelebritythanshewas.
Itdoesnotcomeasasurprisetome,whenMotherTeresa'sfriend,theCalcuttabasedpriestEdwardLeJoly,13yearslater,givestheglobal
totalofherfamilyplanningcentresas'69'.27NoneismentionedinCalcutta.
ImayhavebeenbewilderedorevenamusedbyMotherTeresa'sfigureof'102centres'ofnaturalfamilyplanning,butIwasdisturbedby
whatshesaidtoanassemblyofher'coworkers'(alargeandpowerfulbodyofpeoplefromallovertheworld,whodoalotofthefund
raising)inLondonon13July,1977.Shesaid,'WespendRs20,000aweekjustonfoodforthe59centreswehaveinCalcutta.'28Thiswas
notjustaslipofthetongue,asthe'59centres'recurred,inthisway:'They[Sisters]goalloverthecity(inCalcuttaalonewehave59centres,
thehomeforthedyingisonlyoneofthem).TheSisterstraveleverywherewitharosaryintheirhands.'29
In1977MotherTeresahad4centresinCalcutta,andpresentlyherorderhas8notcountingher3largenunneriesinthecity.Sowhat
shouldwemakeofher'59centres'?Toasinnerlikeme,itseemstobealargemeasureofsaintlylicense.Alternatively,itcouldbedescribed
asasymptomofpsychosis,or,tousea19thcenturytermtodescribefantasticstorytelling,pseudologicafantastica.Somewouldofcourse,
sumitupasaplainwhopper.
Asthewholeworldknows,MotherTeresawastheultimatechampionofthepoor,especiallysoinCalcutta.Shemadeclaimsonbehalfof
thepoorofCalcutta,suchasthisone:'WedealwiththousandsandthousandsofverypoorpeopleinCalcutta.Asyoumayknow,thereare
over10millionpeopleinthatcity,butupnowIamnotawareofonewomanamongtheverypoorwhohashadanabortion.'30Shesaidthis
quitefrequentlyduringherlifetime.Inotherwords,Motherwasharkingbacktoheroldtheme,'Wehavealwaysspaceforanotherchild.
Bringmeallyourunwantedchildren.'
IambewilderedbyMotherTeresa'sclaimthatnotasinglewomanamongst'theverypoor'inCalcuttahadanabortion.InCalcutta,oneand
halfmillionpeoplelivebelowthepovertyline.Evenconsideringthatamongthepoor,alowfemale:maleratioobtainsbecauseofthe
migrantnatureofthepopulation,therewouldbeabouthalfamillion'verypoor'womeninCalcutta,andmostofthesewomenwouldbeof
childbearingage.DidMotherTeresawantustobelievethatshecateredforfourhundredthousandpregnantorpotentiallypregnantwomen
andtheirchildreninCalcutta,whenherorderdoesnothaveasinglematernityhomeormotherandbabyunit?Iamtoldthatmanyyears
backsheusedtohaveasmallmotherandbabyfacilitybutcertainlynoneexistscurrently.
AhandfulofpoorwomeninCalcuttawhoarecontemplatingabortion,arepersuadedbytheMissionariesofCharitynottohaveanabortion
andtocontinuewiththeirpregnancy.Thesewomenarelookedafter,sometimesasinpatients,bytheAssociationofMedicalWomenin
India(AMWI)Hospital,agovernmentrunmaternityhospital,whichhappenstobesituatedverynearMotherHouse.Historically,the
managementoftheAMWIHospitalandtheMissionariesofCharityhaveenjoyedacloserelationship.Thehospitalhasthirtybeds,and
manyofthemareoccupiedby'MotherTeresa'swomen'.Thesewomenaretakencareofuntildeliverybythehospital,andtheirnewborn
babiesaretakencareofbytheMissionariesofCharityallofthemareadopted.Needlesstosay,theMissionariesofCharitydonotforkout
apaisatowardstheupkeepof'MotherTeresa'swomen',althoughtheyhavebeenknowntosendinfoodfromtimetotime.
WhenMotherTeresasaidthatshewasnotawareof'onewomanamongtheverypoor'inCalcuttawhohashadanabortion,wasshe
deliberatelymisleadingorwasshegenuinelymisinformed?Whocantell,butshehadquotedthepopulationofCalcuttacorrectly,whichis
surprising,asshewasendearinglyfamousfornothavingaclueaboutthesematters.Icanthereforeassumethatshewouldhavesomeidea
about'verypoor'Indianwomen'sattitudetowardunwantedpregnancies.
ItispossiblethatsheknowinglymadethemisleadingstatementmaybeshewastooembarrassedtotellthetruththatwomeninCalcutta,
includingthecity's'verypoor'womenwhoaresupposedbytheworldatlargetobebeholdentoher,wereuniquelynonchalantabout
abortion.Havingmademanythousandsofwomenaroundtheworldgiveupabortion,maybesheconsidereditapersonalfailurethatshe
hadbeensingularlyunsuccessfulinCalcuttabutisthisthewaytodealwithperceivedfailures?
DuringmyyearasajuniorhouseofficerattheCalcuttaMedicalCollegeHospitals,Ihadpersonallyassistedinnumerousabortions,anda
numberofthesewereon'verypoorwomen'.IncaseIamseenbyasectionofreadersassomekindanunusualdemoninthecityofMother
Teresa,letmepointoutthateveryoneofusdiditincludingtheMuslimsexcepttheloneRomanCatholicgirl.
Havingsaidthat,'Bringmeallyourunwantedchildren'istheonlyoneamongstMother'sinnumerableclaimsaboutheroperationsin
Calcuttawhichhasagermoftruthinit.However,thechildrenhavegottobecompletelyandutterlyunwanted.Toillustrate,Ishallrelatemy
ownrecentexperienceatMother'sCalcuttaorphanage,ShishuBhavan.Theentireepisodehasbeencapturedonvideo.
On30August1996,ataround5p.m.,IfoundasmallcommotioninfrontofShishuBhavan'sentrancea'verypoor'woman,NoorJehan

(nameslightlychangedatherownrequest),waswailingatthetopofhervoice.Shehadwithher,hertwochildren,bothgirls,theyounger
oneabout10monthsandtheolderabout2yearsold.The10montholdwasobviouslysufferingwithdiarrhoeaandwasillthe2yearold
wasmiserableandfedupandwaslyingonthepavement,screaming.
IaskedNoorJehanwhatthematterwas.Shetoldmethatshehadbeenthrownoutofherhome(shelivedinaslumneartheCalcuttadocks)
byherviolenthusbandthenightbeforeandshehadarrivedatShishuBhavanat10p.m.hopingtogetsomehelpforherchildren.Shehad
beenletinbythenightporterandhadbeenallowedtosleepinthecourtyardtheyhadevengivenherasheetforherchildren.Promptlyat5
a.m.however,shehadbeenthrownoutontothepavementwithacupoftea.Fromthenon,shehadbeenalternatelypleadingand
demandingtobeletin,sothatthechildrencouldhavesomethingtoeatandsomewheretosleep.
NoorJehan'sentreatiesforhelpwerenotentertainedbythenunsthedoorremainedfirmlyshutinherface.Thebaby'shungrywailswere
ignored.Thelocalshopkeeperstookpityonthewomanandgavehersometeaandbreadsomebodybroughtsomemilkforthechildren.By
thetimethatIarrivedat5p.m.,asmallcrowdofaboutadozenpeoplehadgatheredandhadturnedquitehostiletowardsthenuns.Afteralot
ofloudbanging,anunappearedatthedoor.Iaskedherwhytheywouldnotgivethewomanandherchildrensomefood,andshelterfor
thatnightonly.Thenunexplainedthattheycoulddothat,butonlyafterthemotherhadhandedovertheabsoluterightsofherchildrentothe
MissionariesofCharity.Inotherwords,the'formofrenunciation'hadtobesigned,orinthiscase,hadtobeimprintedwiththeimpression
ofNoorJehan'sleftthumb.Thechildrenwouldthen,induecourse,beadoptedbyagoodCatholicfamilyintheWestthelastbitismy
ownpresumptionthenundidnotactuallysayit.
NoorJehanbecamehystericalatthementionof'signingover'herchildren,andtoldthenunwhatshethoughtofher,whichisuntranslatable
andunprintable.About7p.m.,NoorJehanleftShishuBhavan,disappearingintoanuncertainCalcuttanight,probablytogobacktoher
violenthusband.
SheleftwithoutmuchbitternessasapoorwomaninIndia,shewasusedtodoorsslammingshutonherface.Sheknewthattherichand
powerfulalwaysrejectedthepoor.Sheknewthatherchildren'sexistencewasborrowed.Shehoweverdidnotknowhowtheworldwowed
everytimeMotherTeresasaid,'Thereisalwaysroomforanotherchildinmyhome.'
WhenNoorJehanandtheshopkeeperswereshoutingtheirloudestatthenunsthroughthecloseddooroftheorphanage,aWesternwoman,
wholookedlikeavolunteer,walkedupthepavementandknockedonthedoortobeletin.IcorneredherandaskedherifgivenTeresa's
imageandfinancesthissortoftreatmentofapoorwomanwithchildrenwasacceptable,and,whyahelplesswomanshouldbeaskedto
relinquishtherightstoherchildrentobefedandhelped.Ialsoaskedhertoletthewomaninandfeedherchildren.Atthisthememsahibgot
irritated,andtoldmethatIwashasslingherwhenIoughttobegratefulthatshewasinmycountryhelpingmypoor.IsaidIwasgrateful,
butwasquestioningTeresa'sobviouscrueltyandmatchingitwithherpronouncements.Memsahibgotmoreirritatedandpromptlyleftus.I
imploredhernottocomebacktoIndiatohelp'mypeople'.TwoyearslaterIrealisedthewomaninquestionwastheCanadianCroatianAna
Ganza,whosubsequentlywroteasemiauthorisedbiographyofTeresacalledJourneyofHope.AfterherbookwaspublishedIwroteto
Ganza,remindingherofthe(videod)incidentoutsideShishuBhavanandinvitingherthoughtsandcommentsonit.Sheneverreplied.
StarkdistortionsoffactsinMotherTeresa'sstatementsorspeecheswereevidentduringthedecade197585.Afterthemid1980sshe
becamesubtleinhermethods,asbythistime,themediaweredoingmostofherworkforher.
Forinstance,whenshecametoLondoninApril1988,journalistsstucktoherlikelimpets.Fortwosuccessivenightsshetookthemon
walkaboutsalongLondon's'cardboardcity',especiallyunderWaterloobridge.Shesaid,makingthemediaconvulsewithdevotion:
There'smuchmoresufferingIbelievenow,muchmoreloneliness,painfullonelinessofpeoplerejectedbysocietywhohave
noonetocareforthem.Ithurtmesomuchtoseeourpeopleintheterriblecoldwithjustabitofcardboardaroundthem.I
didnotknowwhattosay,myeyeswerefulloftears.Therewerethismanlyingthereprotectinghimselffromthecoldwith
nohomeandnohope.Helookedupandsaid,'It'salongtimesinceIfeltthewarmthofahumanhand.'31
Herperformancewasimpeccable,andeverybodywasbowledover,eventhenormallyscepticalBritishpublic.ButMotherTeresanever
madeitcleartothemediawhatthespecificpurposeofherLondontripwasitwastoputpressureonPrimeMinisterThatcherandBritish
MPstosupportDavidAlton'sbilltoreducethetimelimitofabortionfrom24to18weeks(banningabortioncompletelywasnotonthe
agenda).Themediapossiblydidnotknowthathertriphadbeenfundedandsponsoredbytheantiabortionlobby.
HermeetingwithMargaretThatcher,andherdeparturefromWestminsterinacardrivenbyMrAlton(Britain'sonly'singleissue'anti
abortionMPatthetime)obviouslycouldnotbekeptasecret,butevensoshetoldjournaliststhatshehadtoldThatcher,'Givemeahouse,
orIwillbringthem[thehomeless]allinthebighall,'32,referringtotheGreatHallofWestminster.Thatwasallthatshetoldthemediaafter
sheemergedfromthemeeting,apartfromithavingbeen'wonderful',deviatingfromherusual'beautiful'.
MrAlton,ontheotherhand,quitecategoricallytalkedaboutthespecificantiabortionagendaofthemeeting,saying,'Weknowher
involvementataverypersonallevelatthiscrucialmomentwillbeadecisivefactor.'33(Itwasnot.)
Now,whydidMotherTeresagotothisextenttocamouflagetherealpurposeofhervisit?Becausesheknewthatabortionwasnotburning

issueinBritishsociety,and,moreimportantly,thatthemajorityofBritishpopulationhadalwaysfavouredabortion.Itwaspossiblethatshe
couldhavealienatedtheBritishpublichadshegoneonherusualvirulentantiabortionrant.Thethemeofhomelessnesswasasafe
emotionalstringtopullatthetime,especiallyas'cardboardcity'wasthenemergingasacontentioussocialissue.
MotherTeresawasobviouslynotalwayssocoyaboutherantiabortionstanceonlysixyearspreviously,inAugust1983,shehadgoneto
IrelandtojointhethenIrishPrimeMinisterCharlesHaughey,tocampaignagainstabortion.Thistimetherewasnomidnightwalkabouts
amongstDublin'shomeless,ofwhomtherewasnodearthsheknewthatshedidnotneedto,astheIrishpopulationatthetimewas
overwhelminglyopposedtoabortion.
IfeelthatawomanoffaithsuchasMotherTeresashouldhavehadgreaterstrengthofconviction.Itissadthatapersonsolovedashonest
andtruthfulbytheworldwouldresorttosuchgameplaying.
MotherTeresasaid,andhasbeenquotedfrequentlyashavingsaid,'Wedependsolelyonprovidence.Wedon'tacceptgovernmentgrants.
Wedon'tacceptchurchdonations...'34IntheScottishTelevisioninterview,shemadethesameclaim.
Thisisaveryincrediblestatementindeed.95%ormoreofthebuildingsoftheMissionariesofCharityhavebeendonatedbyeither
governmentsorbytheCatholicchurch.HowshegotherfirstandmostfamoushomefromtheCorporationofCalcuttahasbecomefolklore,
quotednumeroustimesinvariousbiographies:
AndthesamedayIwenttothemunicipalityandaskedforahouse.IsaidIonlywantedsomeplacewhereIcouldbring
thesepeople,andtherestIwilldomyself.TheofficialoftheCalcuttaCorporationtookmetothisplace,apartoftheKali
temple,andhesaid,'ThisistheonlyplaceIcangiveyou,'andIsaidthisisjusttheidealplace...
AsfarasIamaware,inthefirstfewyears,CalcuttaCorporationusedtogiveherasmallsumofmoneyalsoforeachresidenttreatedatthe
home.Thehomewasthereforecalled'CORPORATIONOFCALCUTTA:NIRMALHRIDAY',andasmallboardofthesamename
(writteninbothEnglishandBengali)hunginfrontofthehomeuntil,Ibelieve,theearly1970s.TheboardappearsintheMuggeridgefilm,
andalsoinphotographsofthehomethathavebeenreprintedinmanybooksonMotherTeresa,suchasinGoreeandBarbier'sbook,which
wasfirstpublishedin1971(andisstillinprint).
Indeed,theboardstillexistsitliesupsidedowninasmallalcovejustinsidethemaindooronthelefthandside.Itisnowacollector'sitem
nodoubt.
KathrynSpinkadmitsinherbook,'They[Corporation]grantedher,provisionally,amonthlysumofmoneyandtheuseofthepilgrims'
dormitoriesattachedtotheKalitemple.'35
MotherTeresa'shomeinDumDum,nearCalcuttaairportisalsobuiltonlanddonatedbytheWestBengalgovernmentthesitehadbeena
refugeecamp(theMissionariesofCharityranoneofthesmallestcampsatthetime)duringtheBangladeshwarin1971.Afterthewar
endedthegovernmentallowedMotherTeresatokeepthelandthebuildingwasdonatedbyaCatholicfoundation,whichannouncesitself
onamarbleplaqueinsidethehome.MotheralsochippedinwithsomeofthemoneyshegotfromtheJohnFKennedyPrizehencethe
name:'NirmalaKennedyCentre'.
OneofMother'snewesthomesinCalcutta,inTangra,ishowevernotongovernmentdonatedlandsherentsthelandfromthegovernment.
AccordingtoFrLeJoly:'...thegovernmenthadgivenheraverylargepropertyforthenominalrentofonerupee[halfcent]ayear.'Now
whydoessherent,ratherthanoutrightownit?Inherownwords,'"Itisgoodthattheownershipofthelandremainswiththem,"said
Mother,alwayspracticalminded,"becauseiftheroadsneedrepairstheywillhavetodothem,asitistheirproperty."'36Allverygood,but
thebiggestbuildingonthispropertyhasnocharitablefunctions,butistheresidentialquartersfortraineeBrothers.Thisisanotherexample
howthestateofWestBengalandthecityofCalcuttaare(unknowingly)subsidisingtheMissionariesofCharityanditsreligiousactivities.
TheordersnewesthomeinCalcuttainNimtalaGhatStreetishousedinabuildingdonatedbythelocalSanganeriafamily.Althoughthe
buildingwasdonatedin1988,thehomebecameoperationalin1998afterMothersdeath.
Whenliesarepeddled,slipupswilloccur,ashappenedinMuggeridge'sbookSomethingBeautifulforGodonpage32,Muggeridgesays,
'...shehasneveracceptedanygovernmentgrantsinconnectionwithhermedicalandsocialwork',onlytoquoteheronpage103,'Weare
tryingtobuildatownofpeaceonthelandthatthegovernmentgaveussomeyearsback,34acresofland.'
Indeed,Motherherselfmadeasimilarslipup.On14January1992,inavideotaped(andwidelydistributed)speechtostaffattheScripps
Clinic,Californiashesaid,'Wedon'tacceptgovernmentgrant,wedon'taskthechurchformaintenance,we'recompletelydependenton
divineprovidence.'Butinthecourseofthesamespeechabouttwentyminuteslatershesaid,'Withthehelpofgovernmentwearecreating
rehabilitationcentresforthem[lepers].Governmentgivesmeland,Ibuymaterialforbuilding...andIpaythemtobuildtheirownhomes...'I
donotthinkMotherTeresaevergaveanymoneytoanypoororneedyitwasagainstherprinciple.Butthestatementwentdownwellwith
heraudience.
AsrecentlyasJune1997,MotherTeresawasaskingNewYork'smayorGiulianitogiveherabuildingsoshecouldextendherAIDShome

(aworthyrequestnodoubt),and,sheaskedforfreeparkingpermitsforhernuns.Shegotthelatterimmediately.
IfIgavealistofalltheMissionariesofCharitybuildingsthathavebeendonatedbygovernmentsandthechurch,itwillrunintoasmall
treatise.Theirfirstbuilding,whereMotherHousenowis,wasboughtbyfundsprovidedbytheArchbishopofCalcuttaitwasboughtata
knockdownpricein1951astheMuslimownerwasfleeingIndiainahurryafterthepartitionofthesubcontinent:'Thelargestfigurehe
[Archbishop]couldproposewaslessthantheworthofthelandonwhichthehousewasbuiltbutmiraculouslytheofferwasaccepted.'37
TwoofherotherbuildingsinCalcutta,onebySealdahrailwaystation,andtheotheronexpensiveParkStreet,havebeendonatedbythe
Church.Neitherofthesebuildingshasacharitablefunction.InvariousotherpartsofIndia,suchasinAgra,Mother'shomesaresituated
withinthecompoundsofCatholicchurches.IntheUnitedStates,thechurchhasbentoverbackwardstogiveherproperty.Herhomefor
AIDSpatientsinNewYork'sexclusiveGreenwichvillage(657WashingtonRoad)isinaformerpresbytery.InItaly,almostallher
operationsarerunfromchurchpremises,andmanyofthesedonothavecharitableactivities.HernunneryinCagliariinSardiniaadjoinsa
churchandwhenIvisitedtheplaceinDecember1996,Ifoundthestructurebeingrenovatedbythegovernmentdepartmentthatlooksafter
historicalbuildings.
Andyet,peoplewillcontinuetobelieve'Wedon'tacceptgovernmentgrantswedon'tacceptchurchdonations...'asthishasbeenutteredby
theholiestpersonofourtime.Itwasamajorthemeinsomeofherobituaries.
ShesaidinCarmeliteChurchinDublinin1979,shesaid,'TheSistersgooutatnighttowork,topickuppeoplefromthestreets...'38They
donot.Suchstatementsaresountrueoneisatalosstoaddressthem.Sistersretireearlyabout8p.m.,andamajorearthquakewillnot
bringthemtothedoors,atleastnotinCalcutta.IhavenumerousrecordedtelephoneconversationswhereIwastryingtohavesomebody
admittedtothehomeforthedyinginCalcuttainthemiddleofthenight,andtheSisterskeptinsistingthatIbroughtthepersonat9a.m.the
followingmorning.(IamnotsayingifIturnedupatthedoorwiththeman,hewouldhavebeenturnedaway.)Indeed,untilafewyears
back,thehomeforthedyingdidnotevenhaveanunstayingthereovernightthebuildingwaslefttothemercyofsweepersandlocalanti
socials.Motheragreedtoprovidetwonunsforthenightafterintenseagitationbysomevolunteers.
IcannotsaythatMotherTeresawascontinuouslycallousandcalculatingaboutmisrepresentinghercharitableactivitiesfromtimetotime
shebecameextremelyagitated,especiallywithpeoplewhowereclosetoher,thatsheshouldberepresentedinsuchanextremecharitable
light.When,forinstance,EdwardLeJoly,firstwantedtowriteabookonher,sheerupted:
Doit,doit.Wearemisunderstood,wearemisrepresented,wearemisreported.Wearenotnurses,wearenotdoctors,we
arenotteachers,wearenotsocialworkers.Wearereligious,wearereligious,wearereligious.34
Thisisnottheonlytimeshehadmadeasimilarstatement.Whatshehadsaidwastheliteraltruthaboutherfunctionsandherworldview,
butunfortunatelysuchwasheraurathattheworlddecidedthatshesaiditbecauseshewashumbleandgracious.Predictably,inFather
Joly'sbook,hermessagedoesnotcomeacrossheeloquentlyspeaksabouthercharitablefunctions.
IhaveforgottenhowmanytimesIhavewrittentotheMissionariesofCharity(frequentlyunderregisteredpost)askingforaninterview
witheitherMotherherselforoneofherseniornunstoaddresssomeoftheglaringdistortionsoftruthemanatingeitherfromherorher
aides.Ineverreceivedanyreply.
On22April1996ImanagedtofindherauthorisedbiographerNavinChawlaatNehruCentre,Londonaddressingapublicmeeting(onher)
chairedbyNicholasWapshot,editorofthemagazinesectionofTheTimes.IaskedMrChawlaanumberofquestionsfromthefloortodo
withinflationoffactsandfiguresandtheblurrededgebetweenrealityandfiction.MrChawlasaidthatstatisticswerenotimportantetc.I
pointedoutthatwhynumbersandfigureswereregularlyquotedbyMotherwhenstatisticswerenotimportanttoher.Hemadeno
convincingreply.Themeetingwasratherhastilyterminated.
MotherTeresaherselfwasthemostresponsibleforthemisrepresentationofheractivities.Shedidgetperiodsofguiltandremorsethatshe
shouldbecastassuchafigureofcharity,butshewouldsoonlapseintoherusualmode:'Iftherearepooronthemoon,wewillgothere'etc.
Shewasafterall,human.Iregardherashistory'smostsuccessfulpolitician.ButherserviceforherpoliticalpartytheVatican,wasselfless.

NOTESTOCHAPTER2
1.TraceyLeonard,TheFullCatastrophe(HodderHeadline,1999),p.109
2.TheHeraldMailOnline,Maryland,13September1997(www.heraldmail.com)
3.RaghuRai&NavinChawla,FaithandCompassion(Element,1996),p.50
4.LucindaVardey,MotherTeresa,ASimplePath(London:Rider,1995),p.118

5.KathrynSpink,FortheBrotherhoodofManundertheFatherhoodofGod,MotherTeresaofCalcutta(ColourLibrary
International,1981),p.88
6.SpeechinDublin,2June1979,asquotedinJosLuisGonlezBalado(ed.),OneHeartFullofLove,MotherTeresa(Fount,1989),p.
44
7.AngeloDevananda,MotherTeresa,ContemplativeattheHeartoftheWorld(Fount,1985),p.60
8.JosLuisGonzlezBalado(ed.),LovingJesus,MotherTeresa(Fount,1991),p.28
9.Ibid.,p.156
10.DavidPorter,MotherTeresaTheEarlyYears(SPCK,1986),p.70
11.MalcolmMuggeridge,SomethingBeautifulforGod(Fount,1971)p.119
12.AnandaBazaarPatrika,Calcutta,11September1997
13.Eileen&KathleenEgan,PrayertimeswithMotherTeresa(ImageBooks,1985),p.63
14.TeresadeBertondano(ed.),DailyReadingswithMotherTeresa(Fount,1993),p.38
15.Life,April1988
16.NavinChawla,MotherTeresaTheAuthorisedBiography(PenguinIndia,1992),p.67
17.FrancaZambonini,TeresaofCalcuttaAPencilinGod'sHand(AlbaHouse,1993),p.43
18.TheSundayTimes,10February1991
19.OneHeartFullofLove,MotherTeresa,p.27
20.Ibid.,p.36
21.DailyReadingwithMotherTeresa,p.57
22.NewYorkTimes,4June1981
23.PersonalCommunication,dated26March1995
24.AudreyConstant,IntheStreetsofCalcutta,TheStoryofMotherTeresa(ReligiousandMoralEducationPress,1980),p.15
25.Ibid.,p.16
26.'AnOpenLetterfromMotherTeresaofCalcuttatoPrimeMinisterMorarjiDesai,RegardingtheFreedomofReligionBill1978'as
quotedinEileenEgan,SuchAVisionoftheStreet,MotherTeresaTheSpiritandtheWork(Sidgwick&Jackson,1985)
27.EdwardLeJoly,MotherTeresaAWomanInLove(AveMariaPress,1993),p.189
28.SpeechbyMotherTeresatoCoWorkerson13June1977attheBromptonOratory,asquotedinOneHeartFullofLove,p.61
29.LovingJesus,MotherTeresa,p.34
30.Ibid.,p.93
31.TheGuardian,14April1988
32.TheTimes14April1988
33.TheGuardian,14April1988
34.AngeloDevananda,DailyPrayerswithMotherTeresa(Fount,1987),p.91
35.FortheBrotherhoodofManundertheFatherhoodofGod,p.41
36.MotherTeresa,AWomanInLove,p.165

37.MotherTeresaTheEarlyYears,p.77
38.QuotedinFortheBrotherhoodofManUndertheFatherhoodofGod,p.14734.RadioTimes,7April1990

CHAPTER3
HOWTHEMYTHBEGANTHEMUGGERIDGECONNECTION
TherewouldbenoMotherTeresawithoutMalcolmMuggeridge.Duringhislonglife,Muggeridge(19031990)wasajournalist(and
author)whowasintheuniquepositionofhavingmajoraccesstoboththeprintedmediaandtelevision,inBritainaswellasintheUnited
States.ItwasMuggeridgewhodiscoveredTeresaanditwasowingtoMuggeridge'sincessanteffortsthatMotherTeresawasbuiltupin
thoseearlyyearsverysoonofcourse,otherstookuphisgoodwork.ItistruethatMotherTeresawillberememberedlongafterMalcolm
Muggeridgewillbeforgotten,butitwasMuggeridgewhobroughthisownclout(andinitially,thatoftheBBC)tocreatetheworldwide
phenomenonthatwehavetoday.FiveweeksafterMotherTeresadied, CatholicTimes 1madeanunstintedacknowledgementof
Muggeridge'sroleinmakingherknown:'[ButforMuggeridge]perhapsevennownoonewouldhaveheardofher.Maybeshewouldhave
beenlikethevastmajorityofgivingsoulswhoseworksareonlyknownto"clients"andtoGod.'
OnewouldnevercomprehendtheTeresaphenomenonwithoutsomeknowledgeofMalcolmMuggeridge.Itisessentialtogettoknow
Muggeridgetheman,bothprivateandpublic,inordertoappreciatewhyhewasdriventofindsomebodylikeTeresa,whyhewasdrivento
worshipher,andwhyandhowtheadmirationbecamemutual.
ItiswidelybelievedintheworldtodaythatMalcolmMuggeridgewasa'furiousatheistandsocialist'whosuddenlyandradicallychanged
oncomingincontactwithMotherTeresa.Thisobviouslymakesagoodtale,butwouldmakeMuggeridgeturninhisgrave.Malcolm
Muggeridgewasneveranatheist.Hehadbeenabeliever,eveninhisdefiantyouth.Whenhewasonly19,heenrolledattheOratoryofthe
GoodShepherdatCambridge,anassociationofunmarriedAnglicanpriestsandlaypeople.Hewasthenseriouslyconsideringenteringthe
priesthood,andevenwentonaretreatwithamonktoamonastery.AlthoughapractisingAnglicanatthetime,hewrotetohisfriend,'The
Catholicfaithis,Ibelieve,therightfaithinessentialsbutitmustgrowupinsideone,evolvethroughsufferingtohavevalue.'2
HechangedhismindaboutthepriesthoodwhentheopportunitytogotoIndiacamealongheacceptedtheoffertoteachEnglishatthe
UnionChristianCollegeinsouthernIndia.ThiswasMuggeridge'sfirstsojourninIndia(192427).He(rightly)foundthebusinessof
teachingShakespearesurroundedbypaddyfieldsludicrous,andreturneddisillusionedwiththeEmpire.
ThereisakerneloftruthinthegeneralbeliefthatMuggeridgewasafirebrandsocialistasocialisthewas(albeitonewithdoubts)untilhe
wenttotheSovietUnionin1929,which,incidentally,wastheyearthatMotherTeresaarrivedinCalcutta.Deeplyaffectedbytheterrorof
Stalin'sRussia,Muggeridgewroteanovelonhisreturn,WinterinMoscow(published1924),aboutprivationsandoppressionintheSoviet
Union.ThenovelisbristlingwithantiSemitism,althoughJewshappenedtobesomeoftheworstaffectedunderStalin'sregime.Even
beforehewrote WinterinMoscow ,MuggeridgehadmaintainedthattheSovietpropagandamachinerywasoiledbyJews,asevidencedin
thisletterhewrotehome:'Thewhole[SovietUnion]arrangedlikeashopwindowinthebestmannerofSemiticsalesmanship.'3In1983,a
yearafterhehadconvertedtoCatholicism,Muggeridgetriedtorepublish WinterinMoscow .Withhisuniquesenseofvalues,heaskeda
JewishRussianhistorian,ProfessorLeonardSchapiro,towriteanintroductiontothenewedition.ProfessorSchapiropolitelydeclined,
saying:
Buttheoverallimpressionisinevitably,ifunwittingly,createdbythebookthatCommunismwasimposedonRussiaby
Jewsthirstingforvengeanceforthewrongssufferedundertheoldregime...Thereisoneremarkonpage234whena
particularlyvilepronouncementofaJewesshastheeffectthat'Wraithby[Muggeridge'salteregointhenovel]understood
pogroms'which,forgiveme,isinparticularlybadtaste...4
1

CatholicTimes ,London,12October1997
MalcolmMuggeridge:ABiography (London:HodderandStoughton,1995),p.43.
3RichardIngrams, Muggeridge:TheBiography (London:HarperCollins,1995),p.65.
2GregoryWolfe,

ProfessorSchapiro,despitebeinginflictedtheindignitytobeaskedtowriteanintroductiontosuchabook,remaineddeferentialto
Muggeridge,becausethelatterhadbynowassumedasaintlyairhewasalsowidelyknowntobetheclosebuddyofthe'saintofCalcutta'.
TheworldhadalreadycometoacceptthatanybodywhowasaspecialfriendofMotherTeresa'smustbeaveryspecialperson.
Fromhisearlylife,MuggeridgewouldoftenrefertoJewishwomenas'thatJewess'or'avulgarJewess'.Threeyearsbeforehedied,he
gaveaninterviewto TheGuardian ,wherehetalkedaboutthedeclineinstandardsofthe PrivateEye magazine,'underitsnewJewish
editorIanHislop.'Hethenwrotealetterofapology,addressedto'LeonHislop'.Muggeridgeblamedmuchoftheworld'swoesonJews,
andbelievedthattheygotwhattheydeserved.Alittlemorethanfiveyearsaftertheendofthesecondworldwar,hewroteinhisdiary:
They[theJews]neverquitemaketermswithlifewhichalsoisliabletomakethemhighlydestructivetwogreatdestroyersofChristian
civilisationMarxandFreud,theonereplacingthegospeloflovebythegospelofhate,andtheotherunderminingtheessentialconceptof
humanresponsibility
alwaysandirretrievablystrangersinastrangelandtheterribleimageoftheWanderingJew,Ahaseurus,alwaysmovingon,never

assimilated,bringingwoewithhim.Inamannertherefore,Hitler'smaniawasjustifiedhejustifiedit5.
MuggeridgecametoCalcuttainSeptember1934,asthedeputyeditorof TheStatesman .Hewasbynowfairlywellknownasajournalist
inBritain,havingbeenaleaderwriterforthe ManchesterGuardian .HisdecisiontocometoCalcuttawaspromptedbyfinancialproblems,
whichhehopedtoresolvewiththesalaryof1500ayear.Backthen,Westerners,especiallytheBritish,cametoCalcuttaprimarilyforthe
pursuitofwealthquitethereverseofthepostTeresacultureofcomingheretosuccourGod'spoor.Calcutta,then,wasabitlikethe
MiddleEastwithstyle.MuggeridgewasappointedthedeputyeditorofTheStatesman,thecity's(andthecountry's)majorEnglishlanguage
newspaper,andthesubcontinent'smainapologistfortheRaj.Thenewspaperexiststothisday,andpursuesamoreorlessconservative
agenda.AlthoughcurrentlyentirelyIndianownedandmanaged,itremainsquaintlygenteel,oftenremindingitsreaders(anditself)ofhaving
seenbetterdaysduringtheRaj.FollowingMuggeridge'sdiscoveryofTeresain1969,ithasalwayschampionedhercause.Althoughduring
Muggeridge'sbrieftenureatthenewspaper,thetwonevermet,asSisterTeresawasthenanunknown25yearoldnunwithinthecloistersof
thecity'sLoretoconvent.Duringthe1970s,whenMotherTeresawaswellknownintheWest,buthardlyanentityinCalcuttaandIndia,
TheStatesmandiditsbesttoraiseherprofileinthecityandthecountry.ThemaininstrumentinthisendeavouratthetimewastheCalcutta
bornEurasianDesmondDoig,oneofMotherTeresa'sbiggestdevotees,whowasontheeditorialstaffof TheStatesman .ThelateMr
DoigwillbebestrememberedinIndiaastheeditorofthenowextinct JuniorStatesman ,thecoolandtrendyyoungpeople'smagazineof
the1960sand70s.TalesofMotherTeresaoccasionallyappearedinthepagesof JS ,enlighteningwesternisedIndianyouthaboutthe
selflessCatholicnun.
Muggeridge'seighteenmonthsinCalcuttawasprobablytheunhappiestperiodofhislife.HehadlefthiswifeKittybackinEnglandwitha
onemontholdbaby(andtwoolderchildren),butalmostimmediatelyuponhisarrivalinCalcutta,hebegananaffairwithanIndianwoman
namedKhurshed,thewifeofarichbusinessman.ThiswasinawayhistoryrepeatingitselfwhenKittywaspregnantwiththeirfirstson,
andrecoveringfromaboutoftyphus,MuggeridgehadfoundhimselfonhisowninRussia,andhadhadanaffairwithaRussianwoman
marriedtoanEnglishcolleagueofhis.AfewmonthsintohisstayinCalcutta,KittyarrivedfromEnglandalmostthefirstthinghedidon
herarrivalwastobringhertoseeKhurshedandtoldherwhatwasgoingon.Ironicallyhowever,itwasKittywholobbedthereal
bombshell,tellingherhusbandthatshewasexpectingthechildofoneMichalVyvyan(19071992),aForeignOfficediplomat.Atugof
warnowensuedbetweenKittyandMalcolmaboutabortion,andeventuallybothagreedthatthiswouldbethebestcourseofaction,
althoughMuggeridgewasamoderatelydevoutChristianatthetime,anddisapprovedofabortioninothers.WhileKittywasinCalcutta,he
tookhertothehouseofthepoetandmysticRabindranathTagore,wheretheyfound'aGermanJewdressedasaBuddhistmonk,aGerman
JewesswhohadbeenwithGandhi,spinningwhileshewaitedfortheoldfool[Tagore]tobegin.'MuggeridgeaskedTagoretocommenton
celibacy:itisnotknownwhatthepoetsaid.
4Ingrams,Muggeridge,p.231.5JohnBrightHolmes(ed.),LikeItWas:TheDiariesofMalcolmMuggeridge(London:Collins,1981),

p.426(entrydated18January1951).6Ingrams,Muggeridge,pp.8788.
KittyreturnedtoEnglandbutkeptherbaby,Charles,whowasraisedasoneofthefamily.CharlesMuggeridgetragicallydiedinaskiing
accidentattheageoftwenty.'Malcolm,however,whohadalwaysregardedCharlesasacuckoointhenest,wouldseemtohavebeen
almostunmoved[atthedeath].'Hedidnotattendthefuneral,astaunchlydevoutChristianthoughhehadbecomebythistimeinhislife.
Inthesummerof1935,MuggeridgerepairedfromCalcuttatothenorthernIndianhillstationofSimla.Soonthereafterhebegananother
affairwiththeprecociouslytalentedyoungpainterandsculptorAmritaSherGil,whoseparentswereaSikh,and,accordingtoMuggeridge,
an'extremelyvulgarHungarianJewess'8.AlthoughhefoundAmrita'delightful'inmorewaysthanone,hewasalsofounditdistastefulthat
'she'shadanabortionhalfababy,sheputit.Nomore.'9Heexpounded,'shehasacertaingenius...butnovalues,shebelongstothatdead
worldofmoraldistintegration,disorderlyhandsandtangledhair,swollen,seenoftenaspicturesqueness,inwhichbothmyfeetareplanted,
butthat,withmyheadoutside,Ihate.'10Butthisdidnotstophimfromcarryingonwiththeliaison,presumablybecausehecontinuedwith
his'headoutside'.AtthesametimethathecontinuedtofindAmrita'delightful'intheevenings,hewaswritinginhisdiariesduringtheday,
thathefoundher'expressingsecondrateideaswithfirstratebitterness,andsecondrateaspirationswithfifthratesentimentality',andalso
'entirelyegocentric,coarse,petulantlyspoilt,almosttothepointofphysicalnausea.'11ThiswasvintageMuggeridge.
Afewyearslater,onhearingofAmrita'sdeath,hehadthistosay,'Iheardthatshe'sdiedrathermysteriouslyin1941,whenshewasonly
27.LaterIheardhermotherhadtakenherownlife.Neitherdeathsurprisedme.'12Maybe,toMuggeridge'spiousmind,theunionbetween
himandAmritahadneverhappened,ashehad'explainedtoAmritahowshewasreallyavirgin,becauseshe'dneverexperiencedthe
spiritualequivalentofacopulation...'13
MuggeridgeleftCalcuttainSeptember1935,hisdaystherehavingbeen'theunhappiestIhaveeverlived...TheyaresounhappythatIcan't
quitebelieveinthem.'14Calcutta,toMuggeridge,alwayshadanunfavourableconnotation'I'msosickofCalcuttaandIndiaandpolitics
andjournalismandtalkandloveandhate.'15HeassociatedCalcuttawithhispersonalunhappiness,especiallywiththeshockoffindingout
thathiswifewascarryingsomebodyelse'schild.ButMuggeridgealsodislikedCalcuttaforitsliberalhumanism,itsanarchicattitude,the
violenceinitsindependencemovement.Hedespisedthecity'sindependentarrogantuppermiddleclasswomenbeingawhiteSahibhe
couldcriticisethemtotheirfaces'IderideMrsSinghfor19thcenturyfeminism.Herbreastspulsatewithfervourforbirthcontrolandco
education.'16Butaboveall,hehatedCalcuttaforitsMarxism,whichhadbecomepopularwiththecity'sintelligentsiabythistime.During

hispreviousstayinsouthernIndiatenyearsback,hehadpatronisedthestudentsofUnionChristianCollege,manyofwhomwere
themselvesChristians,butinCalcutta,hefoundhimselfbeingpatronisedbysophisticatedBengaliintellectuals.
7Ingrams,Muggeridge,p.186.
8LikeItWas:TheDiariesofMalcolmMuggeridge,p.130(entrydated6June1935).
9LikeItWas,p.130(entrydated1June1935).
10LikeItWas,p.133(entrydated10June1935).
11LikeItWas,p.131(entrydated6June1935).
12LikeItWas,p.135.
13LikeItWas,p.133(entrydated10June1935).
14ItWas,p.115(entrydated10March1935).

Inspiteofhimselfhowever,Muggeridgedevelopedmorethanasneakingrespectforthecity'sbourgeoisliterarytradition.Amongthethree
(male)friendshemadetherewasafineyoungpoetcalledSudhinDatta.HesummarisedamealanddiscussionheoncehadinDatta's
house,thus:'Ishall,however,neverforgetthespacioushouse,soquiet,dignified,somadeforCalcuttaandallthatitstandsfor.'17
Afterhemadehisfilm SomethingBeautifulforGod in1969,MuggeridgeturnedincreasinglyagainstCalcutta,asherealisedthathis
saintlyfriend(shewassevenyearsyoungerthanhim)waslessthanacelebrityinheradoptedcity,andthatthepeoplethere(eventheabject
poor)hadnointerestinChristianity.InthebiographyofMuggeridgethatwaspublishedin1980,Calcuttaofthe1930sisdescribedthus:
'Abovethecity,likeacloud,hungthestenchofdeathinalltheworlduniquelypungentinCalcutta,wherestreetsweepersdraggedthe
night'scorpsestothesideoftheroad,theretobestackeduplikepackingcratesandcartedoff.'18The(Canadian)biographerIanHunterhad
neverbeentoCalcutta,butwrotethebookwithMuggeridge'scooperation.ButifhehadreadMuggeridge'sowndiariesofhistimein
Calcuttaduring193435,hewouldhavefoundvirtuallynomentionofpovertyordeath.Apartfromdescribingtheauthor'storturedsoulas
heconductshisaffairswithwomen,thediariesalsoshowhimashavingajollytimeattheraces,atpartiesorsimplysaunteringaround
CalcuttainhisfriendGoswami'sRollsRoyce.
OnhisreturntoLondon,Muggeridgeworkedatthe EveningStandard untiltheoutbreakoftheSecondWorldWar.Duringmuchofthe
war,hewasanMI6agentinfarawayplacessuchasMozambiquewhere,needlesstosay,hecarriedonwomanising,whilesuffering,in
hisusualway,fromprofoundangst.Afterthewar,hejoined TheDailyTelegraph whereheeventuallyrosetobedeputyeditor.Heleft
TheDailyTelegraph toeditPunch,thereby,tohisregret,missingtheeditorshipof TheSundayTimes .
Duringthe1950sand60s,MuggeridgecarriedonthemostcelebratedofhisaffairswithLadyPamelaBerry,wifeofTheDaily
Telegraph'seditorinchief,anddaughterofLordBirkenhead,onetimeLordChancellorandSecretaryofStateforIndia.KittyMuggeridge
remainedawareofwhatwasgoingon.'Earlyintheiraffair,she[LadyBerry]becamepregnant(notsurprising,inviewofMalcolm'sdistaste
forallformsofbirthcontrol).'WearetoldthatPamelalostthebaby'throughmiscarriage.'19
Allthroughthisperiod,Muggeridge'sChristianpietywasincreasingatanexponentialrate.Alsoproportionallyexplodingwashisirrational
hatredforanythingoranybodythatwasnotsubstantiallytotherightofcentre,whetherpoliticallyorsociologically.Eveninthe1940s,he
wasoutrightvulgaraboutprofessedCommunists,sayingthathewould'liketoroasttheminaslowoven.'20Tolerance,understandingand
relativisminreligionbecameanathematohimmoreandmorewhenmerely47,hespouted,'Liberalismisthegreatestofalldestructive
forces,foritstotalmoralvacuityinevitablyleadstoterroristgovernment.'21Secularliberalvaluesandtheirproponentsheloathedwitha
passion.In1953,theyearheembarkedonhisaffairwithLadyBerry,hesaid,'thetruedestroyerofChristendomisn'tStalinorHitleror
eventheDeanofCanterbury[the"red"Dean]andhislike,butLiberalism.'22
15LikeItWas,p.135(entrydated6March1935).
16LikeItWas,p.109(entrydated30December1934).
17LikeItWas,p.103(entrydated10December1934).
18IanHunter,MalcolmMuggeridge:ALife(London:Collins,1980),p.100.
19Ingrams,Muggeridge,p.173.

Duringhislifetime,MuggeridgemaintainedanalmostchummyrelationshipwithSidneyandBeatriceWebbsubsequentlyLordandLady
Passfieldselflesssoulswhoworkedceaselesslyalltheirlivestocreateabettersocietyfortheirfellowhumanbeings.Theyalsofounded
theLondonSchoolofEconomics.'AuntieBo'wasKittyMuggeridge'sauntandusedtobequitefondofMalcolm,andhelpedhimin
variousways,includingfinancial.Butaftertheirdeaths,Muggeridgepubliclysprayedtheirmemorieswithexceptionalvenomhisdeeply
Christiansoulcouldnotbecalledupontoforgivethedeceasedgenerousrelativesforwhatheperceivedasmisdemeanours.Theircrime?
TheywerefoundermembersoftheFabiansociety,andhadespousedalargenumberofcausesfortheworkingclasstheywerealso
atheists.

Muggeridgespentthebetterpartof1956inorganisingadisruptioncampaignagainsttheprospectivevisittoBritainbythepairofSoviet
dignitaries,MarshallBulganinandGeneralSecretaryKrushchev.ApartfromhisusualparanoiaabouttheSoviets,hecalleditabattle
between'ChristianityandMaterialism'.HisoperationwasfundedlargelybyCIAmoneythroughthePolishCatholicorganisation,Congress
forCulturalFreedom.Asithappened,BulganinandKruschevhadvisitedCalcuttaearlierinthesameyear,andthecrowdtheyhaddrawn
thereinthecity'sBrigadeParadeGroundwasthelargestbyanyvisitingdignitaryinanycountry,surpassedonlyrecently(in1995)during
PopeJohnPaulII'svisittothePhilippines.MuggeridgehadnotbeenamusedbythereceptiongivenbyCalcutta(bynowdeeplyenamoured
withsocialism)totheSovietpair.
ThewayMotherTeresawasbroughttothenoticeofMuggeridge(andtherebytheworld)wasthus:oneday,inMarch1968,hewasrungat
homeinRobertsbridgeinSurreybyOliverHunkin,theheadofBBCtelevision'sreligiousaffairsprogramme.MrHunkinaskedhimifhe
wouldbepreparedtointerview,fortheBBC'sMeetingPointseries(areligiousslot),an'Indiannun'calledMotherTeresa,whowasthen
visitingLondon.ItisunknownhowHunkinhadheardofMotherTeresa,butofcourse,itwaspartofhisjobtokeepabreastofvarious
comingsandgoingsinthecity'sreligiouscommunity.Muggeridgewasdelightedwiththeoffer,as,accordingtohisbiographer,'fromthis
timethemidSixtiesreligionwastobeMalcolm'sthemetotheexclusionofalmosteverythingelse.'ThePamelaBerryaffairwasnow
over,although,onlyafewyearsback,hehadbrazenlytouredtheUnitedStateswithLadyBerryinaccompaniment,withhiswife's
knowledge.
WhenHunkinrangMuggeridgeinMarch1968,thelatterhadjustreturnedfromareligiouslectureandtelevisiontouroftheUnitedStates.
MuggeridgewasbynowadarlingofthereligiousrightoftheUnitedStates.Hisintoleranceandfanaticismwerealienatinghimmoreand
morefromtheBritishestablishment,althoughBritishtelevisionproducerslikedhimforhisabilitytoprovokeandinstigateandthereby
increaseratings.Onlyafewmonthsback(inDecember1967)hehadprovokedaninterestingdebateontelevisionbyattacking(froma
Christianpointofview),DrChristiaanBarnard,thehearttransplantpioneer.
IfMuggeridgehadlengthenedhisspring1968Americantouronlybyacoupleofweeks(ashesometimeshaddoneonotheroccasions),
MotherTeresacouldwellhaveremainedanunknownnunforever.Hehad,bynowbecomesofanaticalthatmanypeopleinBritain,who
hadpreviouslytoleratedhimasanendearingeccentric,werebecomingabittiredofhimpronouncingceaselesslyaboutChrist,andagainst
'lechery'(afavouriteMuggeridgeword).AnthonyPowellcalledhima'hotgospellingfanatic',andBernardLevinsaidhiswas'adeeply
disturbedpsyche'thatwas'beggingtheworldtostoptryingtoinflamehiswithereddesires,lesttheattemptprovesuccessful!'24
Thebeginningof1968wasalsoatimewhenMuggeridgewasnursinghiswoundsfromthehumiliationhehadsufferedatthehandofthe
studentsofEdinburghUniversity.ThepreviousyearhehadbeenelectedtheRectoroftheuniversity,andinhisopeningspeechhestarted
offwith,'Whenbirthcontrolpillsarehandedoutwithfreeorangejuice...'etc.Hetriedtobantheprescriptionoforalcontraceptivepillsby
theuniversity'shealthboard,andamajorroweruptedbetweenhimandthestudents'union.Herefusedtobackdown,declaring,inhisusual
vein,'It'sChristornothing.''Nothing',itseems,wonintheend,andhewasforcedtoresign.However,whenitcametopronouncingAnglo
Christiansupremacy,'birthcontrolappliances'andpromiscuitywereyardsticksof'civilisation',accordingtothesameMuggeridge:whenhe
wroteaboutMotherTeresa'sworkwithorphansinCalcuttaonlyfouryearsafterhehadresignedhisrectorship,hesaid:
MiddleclassIndiangirlsandyouths,emulatingthecivilisedWest,arebeginningtobepromiscuous,and,nothavingyet
advancedtothepointofcivilisationwhenbirthcontrolappliancesandabortionsareeasilyavailable,areliabletoproduce
unwantedchildren...26
Thiswasaratherstrangecomment,asMuggeridgeneverapprovedofpromiscuityandbirthcontrol,eveninthe'civilised'racesexcept,of
course,forhimselfbutitdoesbetrayhisentrenchedwhitesupremacistviewoflife.
Foragoodfewyearsbefore1968,Muggeridgetheperson,butmoreimportantly,Muggeridgethetelevisionpresenter,waslookingfora
ChristianpersonwhowouldbeidealforhistasteswhowouldbesteepedinthemostorthodoxbrandofChristianityacceptingthegospel
asnotonlytheliteralbuttheonlytruthwhowouldhaveanunqualifiedanduncompromisingviewonabortionandcontraceptionandalso,
moresignificantly,whowouldbe'simple',i.e.notintellectual,whowouldputfaithabovethoughtoreducation.InMotherTeresa,hefound
allthesequalities,plusothers,whichendearedhimevenmoretothenun.Theconceptofthe'simpletonsaint'appealstoaparticularbrandof
Christians,andMuggeridgewasdelightedthathefoundthatMotherTeresawas'notparticularlyclever',andhelucidlyexplainedhis
viewpointthus:
ImagineBernardShawandamentaldefectiveonaraftthatwillonlyholdoneofthem.Inworldlyterms,theobviouscourse
ofactionwouldbeforShawtopitchthementaldefectiveintothesea,andsavehimselftowritemoreplaysforthe
edificationofmankind.Christianlyspeaking,jumpingoffandleavingthementaldefectiveinpossessionoftheraftwould
giveanaddedglorytothehumanlifeitselfofgreaterworththanalltheplaysthaneverhavebeen,orwillbe,written.27
Muggeridge'scompassionforthemeekandweakdidnothowever,extendtothosethatheperceivedtobeliberalswhenitwasrevealedin
abiographythattheformerUSPresidentFranklinDRoosevelthadhadanaffairwithhissecretary,Muggeridgeremarked,'ThegoodLord
didgiveusaclue,hedid....inviewofRoosevelt'sparalyticcondition,hernameMissyLeHand,yes.ThegoodLordgaveusaclue.'28

OnlytheyearbeforeMuggeridgemetMotherTeresa,hissearchtofindsimpleandrobustChristianshadtakenhimtotheSantaMaria
AbbeyatNunrawinScotland,wherehehadspentthreeweekslivingwiththeCisternianmonksbeforehemadeBBCtelevision
programme.Intheendhedidnotfindthemonkssimple(i.e.,uneducatedandcoarse)enoughforhistastes:'hefoundthemonks'questions
sharpandtothepoint.'29Thepreviousyear,in1966,heinterviewedhisfriend,CardinalHeenan,againforBBCtelevision,whilethetwo
strolledintheVaticanGardens.
WhenOliverHunkinaskedMuggeridgetointerview'theIndiannunfromCalcutta'hewaswellawareofMuggeridge'sadditional
qualificationinthismatterthathehadlivedandworkedinCalcuttaforawholeyear,albeitmorethanthirtyyearsback!Hewastherefore,
toWesterneyes,aCalcuttaexpert,althoughaccordingtoMuggeridgehimself,'thoughIwasnominallylivinginCalcutta,Iwasnotreally
livingthereatall.Itwasextraordinaryhow,asaSahibinIndia,thiscouldbedone.'30
24GregoryWolfe,MalcolmMuggeridge,p.332.25Wolfe,MalcolmMuggeridge,p.353.

MuggeridgeandMotherTeresafirstmetattheHolyChildConventinLondon'sCavendishSquare,forwhatwastobeMotherTeresa'sfirst
appearancebeforeatelevisioncamera.ItwasinMarch1968.ItissaidthatMotherTeresawaslatefortheinterview,andMuggeridgegot
impatient,andwhenshefinallyarrived,hewhiskedheroffquicklysaying,'Comealong,MotherTeresa.'Theseasonedtelevisionpresenter
andmanoftheworldadoptedanavuncularattitudetowardsthisshyandwispynun,whowasalsomuchyounger.Teresawasnervousat
theinterview,duringthecourseofwhichMuggeridgediscoveredthatMotherTeresawasinfactAlbanian,notIndianthispleasedhimno
end,ashehadbeenachampionofCatholicismineasternEurope,andwasconnectedwithundergroundCatholicgroupsthatworkedbehind
theironcurtain,financedwithlargechunksofmoneylaunderedbytheCIAandtheVatican.ItalsofulfilledhisothercriterionofaEuropean
(albeitjust)doingcharityamidstthedarkraces.
TheinterviewleftMuggeridgewellshortofoverwhelmedhewasnotawareasyetofMotherTeresa'sspecialbrandofCatholicism.
MotherTeresadidnotspeakaboutherstanceonabortionandcontraception.(Itwastheonlyoccasioninwhichsheappearedontelevision
outsideIndia,butdidnotrantabouttheevilsofabortion).ThatfirstinterviewthatMotherTeresagaveIfindveryremarkableindeed.She
gaveafactualaccountofherwork,especiallywithabandonedorphansbeforeabortionhadbeenlegalisedinIndia,babieswereoftenleftat
thedoorstepsoforphanages,hospitalsandpolicestations.MotherTeresatalkedaboutit.
Duringtheinterview,themoreMotherTeresawantedtotalkaboutherwork,themoreMuggeridgetriedtoquizheraboutwhyshewasnot
doingmoretospreadChristianity.Itwasasifhewaschidingherforlettingthesidedown:
MotherTeresa,willyouexplainonethingforme?TheinspirationforyourworkcomesfromtheMass,fromyourCatholic
devotions,fromyourreligiouslife.Nowthen,whenyouhavepeoplehelping,don'tyoufeelthatyoumustputtheminthe
wayofhavingthissamehelp?
MotherTeresareplied,'Everyone,eventheHindusandtheMohamedans,hassomefaithintheirownreligion,andthatcanhelpthemdothe
worksoflove.'Muggeridgewasnotatallsatisfied.Heasked,asifinmilddisgust,'Isthatenough?'Whatwasnotableintheinterviewwas
Mother'sforthright,nononsenseapproach,theabsenceoftearjerkersandsoundbites,andthecompleteabsenceof'Ipickuppeoplefrom
thestreets',whichfictitiousclaimbecamecompulsoryinlaterinterviews.Therewasalsonomentionof'whenwetouchthepoor,wetouch
thebodyofJesus',whichsentimentwasrepeatedlyinvokedlater.
TheinterviewwasbroadcastbyBBCtelevisioninMay1968thepubliclikedit.Peoplesentinalotofmoney(9,000),withoutbeing
askedto.ItisnotsurprisingthatittouchedthemassesasMotherTeresaspokefromtheheart.Itwasimpossiblenottobeimpressedbythis
unknownnun,whowaspatentlyshyandnervous,andwhowasdoingherbestinafarawaylandwithminimumfunds.
Delightedwiththeresponse,theBBCrepeatedtheprogrammesoonafterwards.Peoplesentinmoremoney,andthetotalamountdonated
followingthetwoscreeningscametoabout20,000.OnereasonpeoplewereimpressedbyMotherTeresawasbecauseshedidnotmake
anyapologiesforherChristianfaith.Weshouldrememberthatthiswasduringthehighsixties,thedecadeofdopeandHareKrishna,when
ChristiansintheWestweresufferingfromadeepsenseofguiltandunfulfilmentpeoplewereflockingtoIndialookingforspiritual
salvationandherewasaChristianwomanwhoofferedIndiansnotspiritualbutmaterialhelpthepracticalmindedBritishlikedthis
scenario.Muggeridgeofcourse,wasdeeplycriticalthatMotherTeresawasnotdoingenoughtospreadthewordoftheLord.Shesoonsaw
hispointandchangedherstance.
ThetwoscreeningsoftheBBCMeetingPointinterviewcausedaripplewhichsoondieddown.Neitheramythnorastarwasborn.The
greatBritishpublicsoonforgotaboutthenuninthesariperhapsbecausetheBritishmediawerelargelyunimpressed,exceptforThe
Observer,whichhadabriefmentionoftheinterviewinitsreviewpages.TheIrishIndependentalsobrieflymentionedit,callingit'another
minorincidentdrawingMuggeridgealonghiscircuitousjourneytoCatholicism.'
MuggeridgesoonfoundoutmoreaboutMotherTeresaandherworldview,throughmutualacquaintancesandalsobydirect
correspondence.HewasnowinafrenzyatlonglasthehadfoundaChristianpersonwhofittedthebillexactlywhowasdyedinthe
woolorthodox,uncompromisinglyopposedtocontraceptionandabortion,butatthesametime'simple'enoughtoappealtothecommon
manandwoman.Furthermore,shewasalsoacharityworker.Inordertospreadhismessage,hedecidedtohighlightthecharityaspect,

whichwouldappealtothemaninthestreetthenaturalprogressionofthepublicitybrigadefromthereon,wouldbetoproclaimthebeliefs
andvaluesofthisremarkablewomanwhodidallthischarity.Iamsuremanyofusthinkofsuchingeniousplanstosellourhobbyhorses,
butfewareasluckyasMuggeridgewasinhavingaccesstosomeoftheworld'smostpowerfulmediasystemsintwocontinents.
Muggeridgedecidedthatthebestwaytobringhisnewfoundheroinetotheattentionoftheworldwouldbethroughatelevisionfilm,andhe
soonpersuadedtheBBCtoagreetoafilmonher,tobeshotonlocationinCalcutta.
MotherTeresaherselfwasinitially(genuinely)reluctantaboutthefilm,butMuggeridgeputpressureonherthroughamutualfriend,
CardinalHeenanofLondon.Sheagreed,butwasnotoverenthusiastic:'IfthisTVprogrammeisgoingtoletpeopleunderstandGodbetter,
thenwewillhaveit,..'31ToMuggeridgeshewrote,'LetusnowdosomethingbeautifulforGod.'
Therestishistory.FollowingMother'scue,Muggeridgedecidedtocallthefilm SomethingBeautifulforGod ,andayearlaterwrotea
bookofthesamename,whichbecameabestseller,andisstillinprint.HedonatedtheentireroyaltyfromthebooktotheMissionariesof
Charity.ThefilmlaunchedthecareerofMotherTeresa.EveninthoseearlydaysMuggeridgehadforeseenthesaleabilityofTeresaasa
potentialsaint,andhadappended'ofCalcutta'.Indeed,thefilmfirstappearedontelevisionscreenas MotherTeresaofCalcutta ,withthe
subtitle'SomethingBeautifulforGod'.The'ofCalcutta'suffix,inthoseveryearlydays,wasanimmenselycleverideaofMuggeridge'sit
capturedpublicimaginationandstuck.Incidentally,itwasusedforthefirsttimeeverinthefilmithadnotappearedinMuggeridge'sradio
interviewthepreviousyear,norhaditbeenusedinearlierarticlesonMotherTeresaintheAmericanCatholicpress.
Thefilm SomethingBeautifulforGod wasmadeinMarch1969,overaperiodoffivedays.Thedaythathadbeenscheduledformostof
thefilmingturnedouttobeadayofbandhinCalcutta.ThisisaHindiwordmeaning'shutdown',andthepracticeofbandhisapoliticaltool
usedbypoliticalpartiesasadisplayofstrength.TheCalcuttaof1969thatMuggeridgearrivedintoshoothisfilmwasquitedifferenttothe
onehehadleftin1935.Muchofthecitywasnowabattlegroundbetweenthehardleft,thesomewhatmoremoderateleftandtheright.
Therewouldbealmostdailyskirmishesbetweenthesefactionsresultingincasualtiestothenorthofthecitysmalltractswouldbedeclared
'capitalistfreezones'bythehardleftNaxalites(whothemselveshadaboutadozenfactionswithinthem)whichwouldthenberecapturedby
policeresultinginmoredeaths.TheNaxalitesdrewtheirranksmainlyfromthestudentsofCalcuttaUniversity.
Insuchasituation,aparticularpoliticalpartywouldcallabandhasashowofstrength.Onthedayofbandh,allactivitiesinthecitywould
cometoahalt,especiallybusinessactivities,schools,collegesandentertainments.Privatevehicles,ifseen,wouldbestonedbythebandh
organiserspublicvehicles,ifout,couldbeburnt!Theonlycarsallowedwouldbethoseoftheemergencyservices,andofthepress.Itcan
onlybeguessedhowmanybillionsCalcuttalostthroughthenumerousbandhsthecityenduredthroughthe1960stitfortatbandhsbythe
mainpoliticalpartiesbecamethenormatonetime.Theordinarycitizensgotincreasinglyfedupwiththesituation,althoughtheleftparties
enjoyedabroadbaseofsupportinthecitytheystilldo,althoughthehardlefthasallbutdisappeared.Bandhsarenolongerthatcommonor
thatviolentthecityhasexportedthepracticetotherestofIndia,havingrealiseditssuicidalimpact.
OnecanimaginethatMuggeridge,disgustedatCalcutta'sextremelurchtotheleft,decidingtoteachthecityalesson.Althoughfictitious
gruesomeslumswerenotbuiltforthepurposesofthefilmMuggeridgehadneitherthetimenorthepersonnelfortheexercisebutthecity
waspresentedinasharplynegativelight.Later,ofcourse,itbecamecommonforBritishorAmericanfilmandtelevisioncompaniestobuild
bespokeslumstoshowCalcuttainaparticularlyodiouslightitwasdonetochillingandlastingeffectsin1987fortheshootingofthe
HollywoodfilmThe CityofJoy .Indeed,theBBCbecameunstuckinItalyasrecentlyasJune1995whentryingtoadoptthesametactic
whenfilminga'documentary'aboutdrugsandurbandecay,theBBCcrewwereaccusedoftakingshotsofstudiouslystagemanagedscenes
suchasthoseofsyringes'pulledfromacameraman'spocketandtosseddowninfrontofthelens.'TheentiretownofReggiodiCalabria
protestedfilmingwasabandonedandthetelevisionteamwasrecalledtoLondontoanswercharges.Calcuttahasalsoprotestedwhen
Westernfilmunitshaveeitherexclusivelyhighlightedorinventedscenesaboutitssqualor,butsinceitdoesnothavethecloutofacityinthe
EuropeanCommunity,itsprotestshavefallenondeafears.Calcuttaisafreeforallfortheinternationaljournalisticcommunity,anditwas
Muggeridgewhostartedthistrend.InhisBBCfilm,inonesceneCalcuttaisdepictedasasmokingwastelandwithacorridorinthemiddle
illuminatedbyashaftoflight,alongwhichMotherTeresaisshowntopass.Thefilmalsohasascene(whichhasbeenreproducedinthe
WoodyAllenfilm Alice )whereMotherisshownwithablindIndiangirl,rubbingherfingersonthechild'seyesoverandoveragain
afterawhilethechild'sfacialexpressionchangesfromdistraughtnesstoanangelicsmiletheonlythingsmissingwerethemudandspit
Jesushademployedtobringvisionbacktoablindboy( John 9:17)itischillingtothinkthatinthisveryfirstfilmsuchtacticswere
beingadopted.ItisalsosignificantthatMotherTeresaeveninherfirstfulllengthdocumentaryhadnocompunctionintakingJesusoff.
Provesmypointthatwhenitcametopublicity,shewasabornnatural.
Muggeridgeadoptedauniquelinetoenhancethefilm'sappeal,andmakeitthesubjectofinternationaldiscussionhesaidthatan'actual
miracle'hadtakenplaceduringfilming.Thestory,accordingtohim,wentthusheaskedthecameramanKenMacmillan(ofKenneth
Clark's Civilisation fame)toshootinsidethehomeforthedying,whichwas'dimlylitbysmallwindowshighupinthewall',withfilm
meantforoutdoorfilming.MrMacmillandidthatandhealsoshotsomefootageoutside,oftheresidentssittinginthesun.Nowthe'actual
miracle',accordingtoMuggeridge,wasthis:'Intheprocessedfilm,theparttakeninsidewasbathedinaparticularlybeautifulsoftlight,
whereastheparttakenoutsidewasratherdimandconfused.'Andhegaveusthereasonforthispurportedanomaly:
Imyselfamabsolutelyconvincedthatthetechnicallyunaccountablelightis,infact,theKindlyLightNewmanreferstoin
hiswellknownexquisitehymn...Thisloveisluminous,likethehaloesartistshaveseenandmadevisibleroundthe

headsofsaints.Ifinditnotatallsurprisingthattheluminosityshouldregisteronaphotographicfilm...Iampersonally
persuadedthatKenrecordedthefirstauthenticphotographicmiracle.ItsodelightedmethatIfearthatItalkedandwrote
aboutittothepointoftedium,andsometimesirritation.32
WhenitcametononChristianissues,miraclesandmysterieswerenotreallyupMuggeridge'sstreet,andhewasratherproudofthefactthat
hewasascepticandacynic.StaunchlyinfavourofAmericanwaractivities,hewenttoHiroshimatobustsomethingheconsideredamyth
hetalkedto'anoldpriest'andcametotheconclusionthatallthosestoriesabouthumanhandsfossilisedonwallsorofbicyclesmelting
awayaftertheatomicbomb,werejustthat.33
Muggeridge'sphotographic'actualmiracle'failedtoimpresstheCatholicChurchinitially:
Once,outatHatchEnd,whereFatherAgnellusAndrewhashisestimablesetupforinstructingRomanCatholicpriestsand
prelatesinthetechniquesofradioandtelevision,PeterChaferandIshowedourMotherTeresafilmtoagatheringof
ecclesiasticalbrass.Afterwards,IspokeaboutthemiracleofthelightintheHomefortheDying.Ittroubledthem,Icould
see.Theydidnotwanttohearaboutit.Oneortwo,hazardedanopinionthatnodoubt,theresultwasduetosomeaccidental
adjustmentinthecameraorqualityinthestock.Theywerehappywhentheymovedontoothertopics...RomanCatholicsas
assiduouslycoveringup,oratanyrateignoring,amiraculousoccurrenceinMotherTeresa'sHomefortheDying.Irecord
thematterhereinthehopethat,inyearstocome,Christianbelieversmaybegladtoknowthatinadarktimethelightthat
shoneabouttheheadsofdyingderelictsbroughtinfromthestreetsofCalcuttabyMotherTeresa'sSistersofthe
MissionariesofCharitysomehowgotitselfrecordedonthefilm.34
Muggeridgediedahappyman,knowingthattheCatholicchurchhadeventuallywholeheartedlyacceptedhis'firstauthenticphotographic
miracle'assuchmoreover,astheworldhasmovedmoreandmoretowardsreligiousorthodoxyandirrationality,therearefewertodaythan
therewerein1969whowouldrejecthisargumentsascalculateddisingenuousness.
FollowinghisbrushwiththesupernaturalinCalcutta,Muggeridgehadanothermiraculousexperiencesoonafterwardsthiswasin1971in
Turkey,whenhewasfilmingStPaul'sjourneytoDamascus.Whiletheyfilmedonalonelyroad,MuggeridgeandhisfriendAlecVidler(a
priest)'werejoinedbyathird[figure],whoseemedtowalkalong'withthemintheshimmeringheatbeforequietlydisappearing.Allegedly,
thishadallbeencapturedonfilm,butalas,'thinkingthatitwouldcauseonlyconfusioninthemindsoftheviewersifitwasshown,Chafer
cutthesequencefromthefinishedversionofthefilmanditwasneverseen.'35Chaferneversaidallthiseverhappened.
NeitherKenMacmillan,norSomethingBeautiful'sproduceranddirectorPeterChaferclaimedthattherehadbeenany'photographicmiracle'
inCalcutta,althoughwhenputunderincreasingpressurebyjournalists,thechurchorthepublic,MrChaferwouldwriggleoutofadifficult
situationwiththequizzicalreply,'ThewholeofmytelevisionlifewithMuggeridgehasbeenaseriesofmiraclesandbizarre,inconceivable
happenings.'36Healsowrote,'Iamnoauthorityonmiracles,butsuspectthatinthiscasetheyrest,likebeauty,intheeyeofthebeholder.'37
Itwasnotuntil1994however,thatKenMacmillanthecameramanwentpublicaboutthe'miracle'.Hesaid:
WehadsomenewfilmfromKodakthatwehadn'ttriedbefore.Whenwesawthefinalprint,Iwasgoingtosaythreecheers
forKodak,butMuggeridgeturnedroundandstoppedme...Thenthesameday,Igetallthesecallsfromnewspapersin
Londonaskingmeaboutthe'miracle'inCalcutta.38
Apartfromthe'actualmiracle',Muggeridgealsocameacross'akindofmiracle'(timestwo)duringthefilminginCalcutta,oneofthembeing
theaccidentaldiscoveryofMotherTeresa'svehicle'withtheengineturningover'inaplacewhereitwasnotexpectedtobe!Inmydriving
experiencesinCalcutta,IhaveoftenwonderedifGodorsomealienpowertakesoverthewheels,foritisamysteryonemanagestoget
fromAtoBunscathed,oratall.
Thefilm SomethingBeautifulforGod ,intryingtomarketacertainbrandofCatholicfaith,behavednotunlikeaSovietpropagandafilm.
Muggeridgeknewthat,andhewasapprehensivethatthefilmmightfailtoclickwiththepublic.So,fromMarchuntilthefilmwasscreened
on5December1969(itgotaFridayeveningprimetimeslot),hewhippedupfrenzyinbothBritainandtheUnitedStates,amongstthe
publicandthemediabyconstantlylecturingabout'thefirstauthenticphotographicmiracle'.Insuchasituation,curiositydrovemanypeople
towatchthefilm.Theweekthefilmwasscheduledtobeshown, RadioTimes (aBBCpublication),Britain'sonlytelevisionmagazineat
thetime,carriedalargefeatureonMotherTeresabyCardinalHeenan(who,incidentally,hadneverbeentoCalcutta)thearticle,titled
'LovingSomeonetoSalvation',introducingMotherTeresatoviewers,saidthatshe'tookthem[thedyingdestitutes]toherownhome',and
alsothatowingtoherinfluence'refinedIndianwomenwhotenyearsagothoughtthatitcorruptedthemtotouchanuntouchablenowgather
themlovinglyintheirarms'bothpointsentirelymadeup.ItwashardlysurprisingthataRomanCatholicCardinalwouldtellsuchatale
aboutaRomanCatholicnunwhatwasnoteworthywasthatasecularpublicationshouldpublishit.Themythmakinghadbeguninearnest.
Thatparticularissueof RadioTimes alsocarriedaphotographofMotherTeresainterestingly,shewasnotshowninherusual'humble'
orcharitablepostures,i.e.,eitherbendingdownwithfoldedarms,orclutchinganorphanchildshewasshownsittingregallyinahigh
chairpossiblytheonlyphotographofitskindthehighchairwassoonabandoned,asthePRbrigaderealisedthatsaintsandhighchairs
didnotmixverywell.

ThefilmwaswellreceivedinBritain,butinAmericaitcreatednearhysteria.TheTeresamythwaswellandtrulyborn.Thedaysofwhite
Christianguiltwereover.
ThankstothefilmandtofurthercontinuosrejoindersbyMuggeridgeinvariousmedia,bytheearly1970sMotherTeresawasbeginningto
berecognisedbyordinarystreetfolkinBritain,althoughshewouldbeutterlyunrecognisedinCalcuttaatthetimeifshewalkeddownthe
streets.EdwardFinch,whowastheAnglicanCanonofChelmsfordDioceseinthe1970s,usedtotalkofaboutanincidentMotherTeresa
hadtoldhimaboutin1973:'ShesaidshewaswalkingdownaLondonstreetwhenachapsellingflowerssaid,"AreyouMotherTeresaof
MalcolmMuggeridge?"Itmadeherlaugh.'
Nowthatthemythwasborn,therewasnoshortageofvestedinterestsintakingonthetaskforitsreinforcement,andcarryingonwhere
MuggeridgehadleftoffinthistheAmericansledtheway,andtheyarestilltheleadingprotagonistsintheTeresapublicitybrigade.
Interestingly,manyyearsbeforeevenMuggeridgehadfoundher,MotherTeresatwiceappearedonthecoversofthestaunchlyorthodox
AmericanCatholicjournal Jubilee inFebruary1958(whenshewasutterlyunknown,evenintheCatholiccommunityinIndia)andagain
inDecember1960,duringthefirstofherinnumerablevisitstotheUS.
ManyAmericanpresidentshavebeenactivepublicistsforMotherTeresa,someenthusiastically,suchasRonaldReagan,othersnotso
wholeheartedly,suchasBillClinton.BobDole,theonetimepresidentialhopeful,whensavagedbyasectionofhisownpartyfornotbeing
rightwingenough,invokedtheTeresacardhesaidthatMotherTeresahadendorsedhimontheabortionissue.EvenBillClintonandhis
wife(whosupportabortion)haverepeatedlyplayedtheTeresacardinordertoappeasetheincreasinglypowerfulreligiousrightinthe
UnitedStates.MrandMrsClintonappearedwithMotherTeresaonAmericantelevisionfortheNationalPrayerBreakfastMeetingof1994,
wherethelatterrantedonabouttheevilsofcontraceptionandabortion.MrandMrsPresidentcoulddonothingbutsmileandshift
uncomfortablyintheirchairssopowerfulhadthemystiqueofMotherTeresabecomebyourtime.Incidentally,MotherTeresanever
appearedonstagewithIndiandignitariesduringanationaleventinIndia,oreveninCalcutta.Contrarytothepublicperceptionofawoman
oblivioustomediamachinations,shehadanuncannyunderstandingofwhatkindofpublicbehaviourwouldgodownwellwiththepeople
inwhichcountryinIndia,forinstance,sheneverpubliclyspokeagainstcontraception.Sheknewthattodosowouldbetocommitpublic
relationssuicide.IfsheeverappearedintheCalcuttamediaspeakingagainstcontraception(andabortion),shewouldnotonlyberidiculedin
thecityshewouldbeverballylynchedfromallsides.
AmongstUSpresidents,MotherTeresahadthegreatestadmirerinRonaldReagan,whowasalsoagreatfanofMuggeridge.Duringthe
1970s,ReaganwasattractedtoMuggeridgeforhisBiblethumpingonUStelevision,andtheMotherTeresaconnectionenhancedthe
attractionmanifold.Muggeridgewasnowfetedallovertheworld,butparticularlyintheUS,as'themanwhodiscoveredthelivingsaint'.In
1974,hewasinvitedbyBillyGrahamtospeakattheCongressofWorldEvangelisationinLusanne.Also,aroundthistimehewasrecruited
bytheultraorthodoxAmericanCatholictycoonWilliamFBuckley,Jr.(thatsameBuckleywhoonceurgedthathomosexualsbebrandedon
theirbottomstosinglethemoutfromtherestofthepopulation),theeditoroftheinfluentialmagazineNationalReviewandthepresenterof
thetelevisionshow,FiringLine.MuggeridgeappearedseventimesonFiringLine,wherehefrequentlytalkedaboutMotherTeresaandthe
'miracleoflights'.In1980,shortlyafterMotherTeresahadreceivedherNobelPrize,BuckleyflewMuggeridgeovertotheVaticantomeet
PopeJohnPaulII,whowasaherotobothmen.TheypresentedachatshowfromtheSistineChapel,withthepontiffintheratherstrange
companyofGraceKelly,CharltonHestonandDavidNiven.TheCatholicestablishmentandmorebroadlytheallianceoftheworld'sright
wingCatholicornotwerealwaysgratefultoMuggeridgefor'discovering'(orinventing)MotherTeresa.
PresidentReagan,forone,wasalwayskeentoshowhisgratitude.Onedayin1981,alimousinedroveallthewayfromtheUSEmbassyin
London'sGrosvenorSquaretotheMuggeridges'homeinSussexonlytohanddeliverasmallenvelopeapresentfromMrPresidenta
photographsignedbythegreatleaderhimself,showingMotherTeresaemergingfromTheWhiteHouse'sdiplomaticgatewithRonaldand
Nancyintow.Alsoenclosedwasaletter.Acoupleofyearslater,MrReagan,notgenerallyknownforhiscerebralactivities,wroteanessay
entitled'AbortionandtheConscienceoftheNation',whereinhequotedMuggeridgeliberally.
MotherTeresagaveRonaldReaganherultimatecertificate:'Ididnotknowyouloveyourpeoplesomuch.'Inthiscase'people'equalled
unbornpeople.FollowingMuggeridge'sfilmandthenthebookofthesamename,andtheirworldwidepublicity,Mother'sNobelPrizewas
almostafaitaccompli,theculminationofanunstoppableprocess.Nevertheless,Muggeridgehadsoldieredonceaselessly,writingto
establishedcontacts,diggingupnewcontacts,creatingmoremediapublicity,writingandtalkingendlesslyinarticles,booksandon
televisionabouthisheroine.Waybackin1971,whenhewascelebratingthelaunchingofthebookinLondon,hesaid,'Whenshewinsthe
NobelPrize,...'39(italicsmine).Atthetime,hiscommenthadsurprisedevenMother'sfriendandbiographerEileenEgan.Indeed,
accordingtoMuggeridge'soldpaperTheDailyTelegraph40hisgroundwork'wasanimportantelementinwinningMotherTeresathe
NobelPeacePrize.'AccordingtoMother'sbiographer,friendandonetimeleaderofhercoworkersinSpain,JoseLuisGonzalezBalado,
'Duringthe1970s,thepenandmicrophoneofMalcolmMuggeridge,aBritishjournalist,makeMotherTeresafamousintheWest,notonly
inCatholiccirclesbutinwidersociety.Asaconsequence,sheisawarded...theNobelPeacePrize.'41
IdonotthinkthatanybodywoulddenythatthereisaverystrongCatholiclobbyinthePeacePrizemachinations,andinitagainthe
Americansplayabigrole.Duringthecoldwar,ithelpedfortheNobelPeacenomineetobeorthodox,andgenerallyembracerightwing
ideology.MotherTeresawasofcoursenotoutwardlypolitical,butthereisnodoubtthatshebelongedtotherightofthepoliticalspectrum.
Manyofherbestfriendswereultrarightwing,includingPopeJohnPaulII,whomshewasexceptionallycloseto.Thatshecamefrom

Albania,theonlyStalinistregimeintheworldatthetime(whichalsoofficiallyembracedatheism)helpedheragreatdeal.GivingtheNobel
toadeeplyCatholicnunfromAlbaniawouldveryeffectivelycockasnookattheCommunistgovernmentinthatcountryandatsocialist
governmentsworldwideroughlyonthesameprinciplesSakharovhadbeengiventheNobelfouryearsbeforeher,inspiteofhis
involvementwiththesupremelydestructiveprojectofaSoviethydrogenbomb.ItislikelythatCalcutta'spassionwithMarxismwasalsoa
factor.Afterall,itwasnoneotherthanLeninwhohadsaidintheearly20thcenturythat'CommunismwillcometoLondonviaCalcutta.'
(ThiswaswhenCalcuttawasthecapitaloftheBritishEmpire)
Mother'sfriendsleftnoroomforcomplacencyinwagingtheircampaignbeforetheNobelcommittee.Theyrecruitedthreeinfluential
Americansenators,PeteDomenici,MarkO.Hatfield,andHubertHumphrey.Therewereofcourseothers,butthesethreewereatthe
forefront.MrDomeniciisapious'familyvalues'Catholicwitheightchildrenwhorecently(199697)votedagainstemployersproviding
'familyandwelfareleave',againstgovernmentregulationsfornursinghomesfortheelderly,againstgovernmentfundingofretirement,and
infavourofMedicarecuts.DevoutMrHatfield,aformerannualfundraiserforMotherTeresa,alsovotedinfavourofMedicarecuts.Both
arevehementlyantiabortionandDomenicisupportsthepossessionofguns.SenatorHatfield,whowentallthewaytoCalcuttatosee
MotherTeresaacoupleofyearsafterherNobel,isalsonotableforbeingthesubjectoftwoethicsprobesagainsthim,in1987and1992,for
'receivingimpropergifts'relatedtohispositionintheSenateAppropriationsCommittee.AndformerVicePresidentHubertHumphrey,the
celebratedCommiebasher,wasofcourse,notedforhistrenchantsupportforthecontinuationoftheVietnamwar.Thesepeoplewereclose
toMotherTeresaandwerepersonallyblessedbyher.
AmorepowerfulandwarhungrymanhadbeenoneofMotherTeresa'sstrongestalliesinherbidsfortheNobelPrizehewasRobert
StrangeMcNamara,whowasUSDefenceSecretaryduringmuchoftheVietnamwar.Incidentally,MrMcNamaracametoCalcuttashortly
afterhelefthisfederalpostandbecamepresidentoftheWorldBankin1968visitingMotherTeresawasnotontheagenda,asshewas
unknownatthetimeoutsidetheCatholicworld(McNamara,althoughanevangelicaltypeChristian,isnotaCatholic).McNamara'svisitis
stilltalkedaboutinCalcuttatheentirecityeruptedinflamesinprotestagainstthe'warcriminal',asthestudentscalledhim.Asolidmassof
peopleblockedhiswayfromtheairporttothecitycentre,andintheendhehadtobeairliftedfromtheairportanddepositedontheroofof
theAmericanconsulate.Studentsandworkersfoughtpitchedbattleswiththepoliceattheconsulate,andmostofMcNamara'sofficial
engagementshadtobecancelled.
CalcuttawasoneofthemajorcentresforVietnamwarprotestintheworldinthe1960s.Oneofthemostvividmemoriesfrommy
childhoodistheprotestsonginBengali:Amaarnaam,tomaarnaam,...Vietnaam,Vietnaam.(Myname,yourname,...Vietnam,Vietnam.)
McNamaraobviouslydidnotlikethepoliticalattitudeinCalcuttaandneverforgotthepersonalinsult.
RobertMcNamarawasoneofMotherTeresa'snominatorsfortheNobelPeacePrizehe,infact,nominatedherthreetimes
unsuccessfullyin1975and1977,latersuccessfullyin1979.GiventheNobelPeacecommittee'sratheruniqueandwarpedviewof'peace'I
amnotsurprisedthatitacceptednominationsfromoneofhistory'sgreatestwarmakers.
WhyultrarightwingintolerantpoliticiansandjournalistsfoundanaturalallyinMotherTeresawasquiteobvioustheyfurtheredeach
others'cause.ThesewerenotpeoplewhoadmiredMotherTeresafromafartheyactuallyknewherquitewell,andtheadmirationsoon
becamemutual.
ItisnottruethatithelpstobeanyCatholicwhoisalsoseentobedoingcharitytobeinwithachancefortheNobel.Youhavetobea
particularbrandofCatholic,suchasAlbertSchweitzerandMotherTeresa,foryourinfluentialfriendstorallyroundyou.Thecaseinpoint
isDorothyDay,theCatholicconvert,whodidimmenseworkamongstthepoorintheUnitedStatesallherlife.Shehowevermadethe
mistakeofbeingatradeunionist,asocialist,andapacifist,dirtywordsallthreeamongtheAmericanestablishment.Shewasalsoa
staunchandactiveopponentofAmerica'swarinVietnam,andwasimprisonednumeroustimesbytheUSgovernment.Sheisnowallbut
forgottennotonlybythepublicatlargebutalsobytheCatholicChurch.Farfrombeingaccordedcultstatusbyherchurch,sheisnow
demotedbythemassomekindofsecondordercelebrity,especiallyduringthereignofPopeJohnPaulII.Shehasneverbeennominatedfor
theNobel.Andsheisnotasainthopefultheofficialreasonforthisisbecauseshehadachildoutofwedlock.
DorothyDaymetMotherTeresaatleasttwice,thefirsttimeinCalcuttain1970,whenDayhadbecomesomethingofapopularlegendand
MotherwasarisingstarintheUS.Theydidnotquitehititoff.SurprisedatDay'slackofdisplayofCatholicness,MotherTeresastucka
bigcrucifixonherblouse.TheytwoalsometatPhiladelphiaattheInternationalEucharistCongressin1976.Thesituationwasnow
differentMotherTeresawasnowabigcelebrityintheUS(sheneededminderstostopherfrombeingmobbed)whereasDaywasalmost
personanongrataamongstconservativeCatholics.Bothwomenwerescheduledtospeakfromthesamedaison6August,whichhappened
tobeHiroshimaDay.Inherspeech,DayrebukedtheCongressorganisersfornotmentioningHiroshimaatallintheproceedings(thiswas
obviouslyaconsciousdecisionbytherightwingorganisers,whohadincludedamassforthemilitaryintheprogramme).MotherTeresa,
whenshespoke,predictably,didnotmentionHiroshimabutshementionedkillingofadifferentkindthatoftheunbornchildwhich
wentdownverywellwiththeorganisersandthecrowd.AnytalkofHiroshimawouldhaveupsetherbackersforthePeacePrize.
GiventhetypeofpersonMotherTeresawas,itwasnotsurprisingthattheworld'sconservativespulledoutalltheirstopstobuildherup,
andtogethertheNobel.Buteventhenshehadhadtwoabortiveattemptsin1975,whenSakharovbeathertoit,andalsoin1977,when
shewasbeatenbytheeminentlyworthyAmnestyInternational.Whyshefailedonthoseoccasionsisnotclear,buteventheCatholicchurch
admittedthattoomany'spontaneous'lettersthatkeptarrivingattheNobelcommittee'sdoorstepatOslomadetheircandidatelooktoowell

sponsoredforherowngoodanddetractedfromher'humble'image.AccordingtoMother'sbiographerEileenEgan,'someonejokingly
remarkedthathalfthenunsofSpainhadtakenpeninhand.'42
ItwasobviouslynotthecasethateverybodywhowastakeninbyMotherTeresa'scharmswasadeviousultrarightwingerwithapolitical
agenda.Millionsofordinarydecentmenandwomenintheworldadmiredandevenworshippedherhonest,genuinepeoplelikedand
promotedhermostofthemdidnotseeherinaction,andveryfewhavebeentoCalcutta.OneofthosepeoplewasLadyBarbaraWard,
whonominatedherforthe1977Nobelprize.SheactuallywarnedtheCatholicestablishmentagainsttheirletterwritingcampaign.43
Thesuccessful1979campaignwasrunprofessionally,likeasleekpartyelectioncampaignindeed,manyofthepeoplewhoranthat
campaignweretopgunsintheUSRepublicanParty.
ItisinterestingthatnoneofMotherTeresa'snominatorsorendorsersinanyofherthreeNobelattemptswerefromCalcutta,orindeedfrom
India.IdonotthinkshegotanylettersofsupportfromCalcuttathiswasnotbecauseshewasunpopularthere,butbecauseshewasnot
importantenough.ACalcuttanwouldhavebeenembarrassedtowritealetterinsupportofapersonwhowassuchasmallpresence,fora
prizeasgrandastheNobel.
The1979campaignwascoordinatedbyMuggeridge,andhewasnaturallyoverthemoonwhentheprizewasfinallyannounced.Itis
actuallytruethattheprizemeantlittletoMotherTeresapersonally(asshesaidmanyatime),butitwasimportanttoherinsofarasit
enhancedtremendouslytheprofileofherChurch,andtheentrenchedvaluesshestoodfor.AlsofollowingtheNobel,hervenerationreached
suchaheightthateverywordofherswasacceptedastheultimatetruthbymediaandpublic.Motherquicklyrealisedthisandmoreand
morewhendescribingherworkshefrequentlycrossedthebordersbetweenrealityandfantasy.
AroundthistimeMotherTeresaspentaconsiderableenergyinhavingMuggeridgeconverted.HewasstillnotofficiallyCatholic,and
nominallyremainedanAnglican,althoughhedirectedenormousvenomagainsttheliberalcultureintheAnglicanchurch.TheCatholic
establishmentingeneral,actuallywishedforhimtoremainnominallyoutsidetheirchurch,assupportalwayslookedbetterifcomingfrom
anoutsider.MotherTeresahowever,wantedherspecialfriendconverted.Sheneverforgotherdebttohim,andsheneverunderestimated
thevalueofthemedia,especiallytelevision,afterthesuccessofMuggeridge'sfilminherownwords:'IcanseethatChristisneededinthe
televisionstudios.'44
Waybackin1970,MotherhadwrittentoMuggeridgeherfamous'Nicodemusletter':
...youaretomelikeNicodemus...Christislongingtobeyourfood.Surroundedwithfullnessoflivingfoodyouallow
yourselftostarve.ThepersonalloveChristhasforyouisinfinitethesmalldifficultyyouhavereHischurchisfinite.
Overcomethefinitewiththeinfinite.
NicodemuswasthePhariseewhocametoChristinthemiddleofthenight,beingconvincedbyhismiraclesthathewasateacherfromGod.
Inevitably,Muggeridgeovercamethefinitewiththeinfinite,in1982afteragreatdealofintellectualposturing.Itwasaverypublic
conversion,surroundedbymuchmediahype.MotherTeresa,unfortunately,couldnotattend.ShesentMuggeridgeandhislongsuffering
wifethisletter:
DearMalcolmandKittyMyheartisfullofdeepgratitudetoGodandhisBlessedMotherforthistenderloveforyoufor
givingyouthejoyofhiscominginyourheartson27thNov[1982].IwishIwaswithyouthatdaybut...myprayerand
sacrificewillbewithyouthatyoumaygrowinholinessandbemoreandmorelikeJesus.Ialsowanttothankyouforall
youhavedoneforJesusthroughyourwritings.StillIgetlettersandmeetpeoplewhosaythattheyhavecomeclosertoGod
throughreadingSomethingBeautifulforGod...KeepthejoyoflovingJesusinyourheartandsayoftenduringthedayand
night'JesusinmyheartIbelieveinyourtenderloveforme.Iloveyou.'GodblessyouTeresa.
Muggeridgediedeightyearslater,duringwhichtimeIamnotsureifhedid'growinholiness'andbecome'moreandmorelikeJesus.'But
hewasnowrehabilitatedbytheBritishestablishmentandtheepithetStMuggthatheearnedtowardstheendofhislifewasmore
reverentialthantongueincheek.Onlyadecadebeforehehadbeenmarginalisedbysocietyandmediaalikeasaparanoidandmaniacal
fundamentalist,andhadtoseekrefugeinAmerica.TheTeresaconnectionmadethemanrespectableagain.Althoughasubstantialsectionof
theBritishestablishmentdoesrememberhimasahypocriticalsanctimoniousbully.
ItisafrighteningthoughtthatamanasprejudicedasMuggeridgewasallowedsuchpowerinanorganisationsuchastheBBC,andinother
equallypowerfulorgansofthemedia.HerewasamanwhowasknowntobedeeplyantiSemitic(theexamplesIhavegivenherearean
expurgatedversionasthemosttrenchantoneswere'bluepencilled'byhim.),whoseentirelifeandactionsweredeterminedbyprejudices,
andwhowasopenlycarryingonwithextramaritalsexualliaisonsdespitepronouncingpiousvalues.Healsotriedtousehispositiontostop
otherpeoplefromusingcontraception.HewasasupporterofthewarinVietnam,andofotherAmericanwarexercises.Hecastdoubton
thesufferinginHiroshimaheparticipatedinCIAfundedclandestineactivities.
Isitfairorjustifiedthatsuchapersonbeallowedafreehandinlargesectionsofthepressandtelevision,whicharepurportedlyneutral?In
histelevisioncareeralone,hechairedorconductedinfluentialprogrammessuchas TheCritics,TheBrainsTrust,AnyQuestion?,

Panorama,LetMeSpeak,TheQuestionWhy,AThirdTestament ,tonamebutafew.Overandabove,inthemostbigotedphaseinhislife,
hewasbeingaskedmoreandmoretoundertakereligiousprogrammes,suchastheoneinwhichhe'discovered'MotherTeresa.Hehad
absolutelynoroominhispsycheforrelativisminreligion,fortoleranceandunderstanding,andheferventlybelievedthatChristianity
shouldgooutwiththeswordaswellastheGospeltoconquerinferiorcultures.Hewouldhavenohesitationintwistingandbendingfacts
inordertopromoteChristianityinthishehadanallyinTeresa.
HehadreluctantlyadmittedaboutherworkinCalcutta:'CriticismisoftendirectedattheinsignificantscaleoftheworksheandherSisters
undertake...',and'Itisperfectlytrue,ofcourse,thatstatisticallyspeaking,whatsheachievesislittle,ornegligible'andalso,'theold
fashionedmethodsallegedlyused,arepointedtoasdetractingfromherusefulness.'Inaremarkablefitofcandourhealsoremarkedonher
'seemingtoachievemorethanshedoes,orcan.'45
Inthenextbreath,bothhe(andMotherTeresa)hadnohesitationinexaggeratingthatscaleofwork,becauseinhisview'Christianityisnot
statisticalviewoflife.'46MyownevaluationofMuggeridgeissimilartothatofStalin'sdaughter,Svetlana,whohaddefectedtotheWest
andbecomeaChristian,andwhomMuggeridgebefriended.Therelationshiplaterturnedsour,andshewrotetohim:
Youareoneofthoseobsesseddemoniacalcreatureswhooughttobeavoidedatallcoststheybringmisfortuneintothelives
ofotherstheyruinthelivesofothers.Therealgoodpeoplearehumbleandsilent(likeyourKittyis).Butbeware,Godsees
allvanityandprideandyoucannotfoolhim.47
Iamnotsurprisedthatsomebodyso'obsessed[and]demoniacal'wasattractedtoMotherTeresathereisamultitudeofotherexamplesof
similarpeoplelovingheralltheruthlessSouthandCentralAmericandictatorsadoredher,asdidmostcontemporaryjournalistsand
religiousfiguresfromallovertheworldwithdeeplyheldprejudices.Forinstance,themilitantantiabortionistBenedictinepriestPaulMarx,
whohasbeenvirtuallyostracisedbymainstreamCatholicchurchinhisowncountrytheUnitedStatesforhisutteringsagainstJewsand
Muslims(althoughPopeJohnPaulIItoldhim,'...youaredoingthemostimportantworkonearth')isadeepadmirerofMotherTeresa
indeed,hewrotetome:'IhavemetMotherTeresamanytimesandhaveworkedwithherinIndiaandelsewhere'.
IamnotsurehowmuchattractionexistedonMother'ssideforFatherMarx,butwhatreallyworriesmeisthattimeandtimeagaintherich,
thepowerful,thevicious,thebigoted,theexploiterhaveralliedroundher.Theyhaveproppedherandnourishedher.Thesepeoplearenot
stupidtheywouldnotexpendtimeandmoneywithoutgettingsomethingback.Itisnotthattheychangedramaticallyaftercomingin
contactwithher.Muggeridge'sbigotries,forinstance,becameevenmoreentrenchedaftertheTeresaexposurehenowalmostjustifiedthem
ashavingsaintlysanction.
IamnotsuggestingthatMotherTeresa,likeMuggeridge,wasdrivenbymaliceandparanoia.Butthereissomethingtobesaidforaperson
beingknownforthecompanyheorshekeeps.WhenIlookatMuggeridge'sdiscovery(orinvention)ofTeresatheperson,hisvenerationof
Teresatheworldviewandphilosophy,andIthinkofthemutualattractiontheyhadforeachother,Ibegintogetworried.

<EpiloguetoChapter3>

NOTESTOCHAPTER3
1.12October1997.
2.GregoryWolfe,MalcolmMuggeridgeABiography(Hodder&Stoughton,1995),p.43.
3.RichardIngrams,MuggeridgeTheBiography(HarperCollins,1995),p.65.
4.Ibid.,p.231
5.JohnBrightHolmes(ed.),LikeItWas:TheDiariesofMalcolmMuggeridge(Collins,1981),p.426(entrydated18January1951).
6.MuggeridgeTheBiography,p.8788.
7.Ibid.,p.186.
8.JohnBrightHolmes(ed.),LikeItWas:TheDiariesofMalcolmMuggeridge(Collins,1981),p.130(entrydated6June1935).
9.Ibid.,p.130(entrydated1June1935).
10.Ibid.,p.133(entrydated10June1935).

11.Ibid.,p.131(entrydated6June1935).
12.Ibid.,p.135.
13.Ibid.,p.133(entrydated10June1935).
14.Ibid.,p.115(entrydated10March1935).
15.Ibid.,p.135(entrydated6March1935).
16.Ibid.,p.109(entrydated30December1934).
17.Ibid.,p.103(entrydated10December1934).
18.IanHunter,MalcolmMuggeridgeALife(Collins,1980),p.100
19.MuggeridgeTheBiography,p.173
20.Diaries,p.260(entrydated19March1948).
21.Ibid.,p.422(entrydated18December1950).
22.Ibid.,p.452(entrydated1112January1953).
23.MuggeridgeTheBiography,p.200.
24.MalcolmMuggeridgeABiography,p.332.
25.Ibid.,p.353.
26.MalcolmMuggeridge,SomethingBeautifulforGod(Fount,1977),p.48
27.Ibid.,p.28
28.MalcolmMuggeridgeABiography,p.407
29.Ibid.,p.345
30.MalcolmMuggeridge,ChroniclesofWastedTime,vol.2:TheInfernalGrove(Purnell),p.
3031.MalcolmMuggeridgeABiography,p.356
32.SomethingBeautifulforGod,p.41
33.MalcolmMuggeridgeALife,p.162.
34.SomethingBeautifulforGod,p.45
35.MuggeridgeTheBiography,p.215
36.MalcolmMuggeridgeALife,p.234
37.RadioTimes,London,6May1971
38.InterviewinHell'sAngel,Channel4Documentary,telecast8November1994
39.EileenEgan,SuchAVisionoftheStreet(Sidgwick&Jackson,1985),p.217
40.15November1990
41.JoseLuisGonzalesBalado,LovingJesus(HarperCollins,1995),p.148.
42.SuchaVisionoftheStreet,p.386
43.Ibid.
44.MalcolmMuggeridgeABiography,p.371

45,46.SomethingBeautifulforGod,p.28
47.MuggeridgeTheBiography,p.233.

CHAPTER4
HOWJOURNALISTSANDAUTHORSARE
'DOINGTHEWORKOFGOD'
AlthoughveryoftenmisledbyMotherTeresaorherSisters,thestoriesjournaliststhemselveshavetoldoverthelastfiftyyearsaboutthe
operationsoftheMissionariesofCharityarequiteoutrageous. Why didtheydoit?Itwasnotoftenfortheirowngain,financialor
otherwise.OnecouldunderstandwhentheCatholicmediadiditorwhenpeoplelikeMalcolmMuggeridgeorDominiqueLapierredidit
butthebiggestandmostconsistentliesweretoldbyjournalistswithoutanyobviousselfinterest.ThereisanEastWestelementinallthis:
inthisageofracialequalityandpoliticalcorrectnessitiscomfortingforawhitepersontoknowthatthereisacorneroftheworldcalled
Calcuttawhichcanbeportrayedasthewhiteman'sultimateburdenwithimpunityandwithoutguilt.
Moreover,manyjournalistswereembarrassedorevenafraidtovoicetheminutestcriticismofTeresa:itwouldnotgodowntoowellwith
thefolksbackhomeandcauserecriminations.Maybethejournalist'swholecareermightbeputatrisk.Letustakethecaseofadoctoranda
scientist,whoalsohappenedtobetheeditorofaninfluentialmedicaljournal.DrRobinFox,editorofLancet,oneoftheworld'sforemost
medicaljournals,wenttoCalcuttaintheautumnof1994.HeandhiswifeworkedforafewdaysatthehomeforthedyingNirmalHridayas
volunteers.Itwasobvioustheywereshocked,forhefaxedanarticletohisofficesinLondonwhichappearedasaspecialfeature.1His
criticismofTeresawasrestrained(reluctantbut'hadtobedone'variety)andIfeelthestrongestphrasewasthatshepreferred'providenceto
planning'.Buthecouldnothelpcommentonthelackofproperpainkillersinasocalledhomeforthedying.
ButtheBritishEstablishmentwouldnothaveit.Theywouldnottoleratetheminutesthintofcriticismofthelivingsaint,especiallyby
anotherestablishmentfigure.Theycouldhaveignoredit,becauseafterall,itwasunlikelythatLancetwouldbereadbyordinaryJopublic
onthetopofaClaphamomnibus.Butincasethisbecameahabit,alessonneededtobetaughttowouldbeuppityjournalists.Theentire
BritishjournalisticcommunitydescendedonDrFoxlikeapackofhyenas.IamtalkingofsecularandoftenantiCatholicjournalistshere.
Twoweeksafterthearticleappeared,DrFoxtoldmeonthephone,'Itisimpossibletodoanywork,thephonejustdoesn'tstopringingI
regreteverwritinganythingcriticalofMotherTeresa.'HealsorefusedtopublishalettertotheeditorIhadwritten,andrefusedtogiveme
aninterview.SuchisthepowerofTeresa.
AlotofthingsweresaidagainstDrFoxandhiswaywardattitude.Moreseriousjournalistssaidagainandagainthathewassonaivethathe
wasapplyingWesternstandardstoIndia.Mostdefinitelyhedidnotdothat,buttheBritishpublicneededtobereassuredthatallwaswell
withtheEastWestparadigm.
WhatDrFoxsaidinTeresa'sdefencewashoweverquiteremarkable.HesaidwhateverMotherTeresa'sdeficiencieswere,itwasshewho
wasresponsibleformakingCalcuttansawarethatpeopleoughtnottodieonthestreets!Itwasonlyfollowingherinstructionsthatthe
citizensrealisedthattheyoughttoringtheCorporationforanambulanceiftheyfoundanybodymoribundonthestreets.Thistomesumsup
Westerners'attitudetowardsCalcuttapeoplethereareofsuchsubhumanmentalmakeupthatittookanAlbanian(European,albeitjust)
Catholicnuntomakethemawareofrudimentaryhumansentiments.Asithappens,Calcutta'sfirsthomeforthedying(inLiluah)was
foundedbeforeTeresawasborn.
DrFoxmusthaveseenwithhisowneyesthelevelofdeprivationaroundMotherTeresa'shomedidhehaveanyexplanationwhyMother
Teresa,whowassupposedtohaveinspiredtheentirecity'spopulation,wasunabletoeffectanychangesonherdoorstep?
InthelastfewyearsMotherTeresahasrecievedcriticisminsmallmeasuresinBritishmedia.Butwheneverthathappenedtherewasalways
abalancingactsomehowforpeopleofacertaingenerationevenmildbutunequivocalcriticismofthenunwasunthinkable.DrFox's
commentsaboutCalcuttanswasaresultofthesamemindset.
Afalteringcriticismthatmightappearsomewherewouldbeappendedbyvaguebutsubstantialpraisetheconfessionafterthesinifyou
wish.
TheimpeccablyleftliberalGuardian,toitscredit,wasthefirstnewspaperintheworldtopublishadetailed,thoroughandentirelyfactual
accountofneglect(andcruelty)inMotherTeresa'shomes.2Aweeklaterthenewspaper,throughitsBelLittlejohncolumn,profferedits
ritualapology,atthesametimeattackingMother'scriticsandtherebyclosedthetopic(italicsnotmine):
TherearenoCDsinherhomes,nowoks,noExtraVirginOil,noFrenchfilmsonvideo...Isupposetheladythinks,inher
Almightyway,thatthesebasiccommoditiesarejustthatbittoogoodforherlowlyclientele.MotherTeresaignoresall
westernmedicaladviceandinherhighhandedarrogantwaycan'tbloodywellbebotheredtoputfactor15sunlotiononher
face...weleadingcolumnistsofTheGuardianaredoingourlevelbesttomakethisailingworldgetwellsoon.Opinionsare
ourfirstaidkits,paragraphsourpills,wordsoursyringes,photobylineourbandages...UnlikeMotherTeresa,who,when
sheisnotforcingthesicktoliedowninherhomes,justswaggersaroundthechatshowcircuitlooking'holy'.3

Itwasdifficulttobelievethatthiswasfromthesamenewspaperwhichhadbeensofactuallycriticaljustafewdaysbeforetalkaboutself
flagellation!Strangelyenough,intryingtobedrollandsarcasticthecolumnisthitonthetruthinadvertentlymorethanonce.Firstaidkits,
pillsandbandageswereindeedmuchmoredifficulttocomebyinMotherTeresa'shomesthanopinionsandparagraphs(i.e..prayers).And
newsyringeswerenottobefoundthereatallatthetime.AndmostofMother'stimewasindeedtakenupbygoingaroundtheworldtalking
tojournalists,looking'holy'.
WhenIwasaskedbytheleftistBritishmagazineNewStatesmantoreviewAnneSebba'sslightlycriticalMotherTeresaBeyondtheImage
(Weidenfeld&Nicolson,1997),theyalsowantedmetoreviewanonbookcalledMotherTeresaHerLifeHerWorkHerMessage(Hodder
&Stoughton,1997)bytheSpanishjournalistJosLuisGonzlezBalado.GonzlezBaladoispartoftheTeresabookfactorythatchurns
outrepetitive(sometimesexactcopies)ofhermythicalbiographyunderslightlydifferentnames.Thisparticularvolumewasaclusterof
paragraphsliftedfromotherbooks,notevenmasqueradingasanewbiography.AndyetIhadtoreview4itinaseriousmagazineinorderto
'balance'Sebba'sbook.
HastheworldnothadenoughoftheTeresapropaganda?Incessant,constant,loud,whispered,shouted,murmured,overtlyobvious,
subliminalithasgoneonwithoutrecessfordecades.Dowenownotneedto'balance'bytellingwithoutapologyandguilt,thestoryfrom
theotherside?Butsadly,notmanyinmediaareinterestedintruth.
Toillustratehowjournalistsandwriters,evenontherareoccasionsthattheyactuallywenttoCalcuttatowriteaboutMotherTeresa,didso
withapresetagenda,IshallrefertoaninterviewthatappearedintheAmericanmagazine, LadiesHomeJournal inApril1996.The
Journal ,oneofAmerica'smostpopularmagazinesforgenteelwomen,sentoneoftheirjournalists,DaphneBarak,toCalcuttatohavea
'rareconversationwithoneoftheworld'smostadmiredwomen'.InherarticleMsBarakrevealedthatMotherTeresahadtuberculosisin
1946ahithertounknownfact,whicheventhepropagandamachineryhadneverclaimed.Theimplicationwasquiteobviousthissaintly
womanhadbeensodevotedtothepoorevenwhenshewaswithinthecloisters,thatshecaughttuberculosisfromlivinginthiswretched
city.
Predictablyenough,whenitcametoimagesaboutCalcutta,MsBarakdidnotletherreadersdownallthechillingstereotypeswerethere,
plusthisone:'Theairisheavywithsmokeanddustandincense.'Ionlywishthelastweretrueamongthemanysmellsorodoursof
Calcutta'sstreets,incenseissadlyabsent.NodoubttheimageoftheincensewasinvokedtoproducetheBiblicalatmosphereofaheathen
town.
MsBarakmadetwoslipupsinherarticleaminorone,whenshementionedthe'thinmattressesandthreadbaresheets'inthehomeforthe
dying.Themattressesareindeedthinsomuchsothatthespringsunderneathpokeintotheresidents'backs.Andnotonlyarethesheets
threadbare,the'blankets'arelikefishingnets.
MsBarak'smajorslipuphappenedthus:inreplytoherquestion'Doyouthinkaboutdeath?',MotherTeresareplied,'Whenmytimecomes,
IwilljusttakeabedinthehouseinKalighatandwaitfortheend.'ThisastonishedeventhegushingMsBaraksheblurtedout,asifby
reflex,'Inthat terrible place?Why?'(Italicsmine)
PossiblythroughaneditorialoversightBarak'sreplymadeittothefinalprint.Itwasobviousshewasstrugglingwithinherself.Ontheone
handshewasnotquiteimpressedwithwhatshesaw,ontheothershewasbroughtuptobelieveTeresawasthepuresthumanbeinginthe
historyofmankind.Mostimportantlyhereditorsandreaderswouldnotcountenanceanycriticismofthelivingsaint.
Ayoungjournalist'sjobbecameverydifficultinthecircumstance.ManyfooledthemselvesthattheydidnotseethebestofTeresa'swork,
thatthelivingsaintwastoomodesttodisplayherbestfares.Itwasindeeddifficulttoconvinceeventhemosthardenedcynicthatallthe
publicitycouldemanatefromsuchlevelofworkinCalcutta.'Theremustbemoretoitthanthis,Imustbemissingsomething,'manywould
say.
ShortlyafterherpreposterousclaiminLHJMotherdidindeedalmostdie.InAugustandtheninDecember1996shetookveryillbuton
bothoccasionscheckedintothecity'sWoodlandsClinicandBirlaHeartInstitutegoingtoNirmalHridayinKalighatwasbeyonda
nightmare.She'spent'inherfewweeksattheWoodlandstheequivalentofalowermiddleclassfamily'sentirelife'sincome.Sheneverpaid
apaisaashercostswerewaivedbytheclinics.
IwrotetoLadiesHomeJournalfollowingherastronomicallyexpensivetreatments,contrastingthemwithherfantasticclaims.Ialsopointed
outherprevioustreatmentsatGemelliHospital(apreserveoftheRomanrichandprincesoftheCatholicchurch),andatScrippsClinic,
California,whichIfeelDaphneBarakwasawareof,oratleastshouldhavebeen.Iaskedif,underthecircumstance,itwashonest
journalismtopublicisethatMotherTeresawassohumblethatshewantedtodielikethepoorinher'terrible'home.Igotacourteousreply
from'theeditors'sayingthatthey'cannotofferacomment.'5
Inalengthy2,500wordarticleinFlorida'sinfluential TampaTribune 6,thefreelancejournalistAnastasiaStanmeyer,meticulously
describedwhatshefoundtobeMotherTeresa'sdailyactivities:
MotherTeresaslipsintoanunadornedroomandleansagainstthebackwallas140nunsinwhitekneelbeforeher,silent,

lostinprayer.Milkylightfiltersthroughthewindows,cascadingsoftlyoverthesistersasifcandlesarebeinglit,slowly,
onebyone.The82yearoldholywoman,under5feettall,bendsoverabookclutchedinbothhandsandbeginsreading
aloudaprayerinalow,strongvoice.Shepausesaftereachline,andthenuns,mostofthemIndian,repeatthewordsin
unisonduringMassatMotherHouse.MotherTeresa'sdeeplywrinkledfacelookslikeanintricateroadmap.Asarilike
habit,whitewithbluetrim,cloaksherbody.Herlargebarefeetaretwistedandcontorted,asiftiedinknots.Herhandsare
gnarled,outofplaceforsomeonewhoappearssofragile.ShecallsthestreetsofCalcuttahome...'Therearemanypeopleall
overtheworldwhoareindeeppoverty,'shesays.'Eachpersonmusthelp.Wemustdoonethingatatime.'...Shehas
survivedtwoheartattacksandabonediseasethatknotsherspine,handsandfeet...Povertyforherisfreedom,nota
penance...
Asthesisterscontinuetheirdailytasks,MotherTeresaslowlymakesherwaydownahall,coughingandpressinga
handkerchieftohermouth.Shedisappearsintoaroom,thenemergesaboutahalfhourlatertotalktovisitors.Withprayer
bookinhand,shewalkstowardthehandfulofguests.Shespeaksquietlytoeachperson,hergrayblueeyestwinklinglikea
child's.Shefirmlygraspseachoutstretchedhandinbothofhers.Onemanaskshertosayaprayerforhisdyingmother.She
nods,thenblessesandgivesshinypendantsoftheVirginMarytohimandothervisitors.Shehandsoutslipsofpaperwith
aprayerandphotographofher.'Thisismybusinesscard,'shesaysjokingly,dolingoutsmallcardsthatread,'Thefruitof
silenceisprayerthefruitofprayer...'Hermissionistodoallshecanforthepovertystricken.Familyvalues,shetells
anothervisitor,arethebestwaytoovercomeproblemsintheworld...Sheturnstoleave,andvisitorspressmoneyintoher
hands.Sheacknowledgesitwithafaintsmileandwalkstothechapelagain,asolitaryfigurecrouchingagainstthewall.She
stoopsoveraprayerbook,mouthingthewordsinsilenceasherindexfingertoucheseveryline.
ThiswasquiteatypicaldayinthelifeofMotherTeresawhenshewasinCalcuttashealsoprayedbetween4and6hoursinthedayat
Mass,adorationandcontemplation.ItisobvioustherewasabsolutelynoactualcontactwiththepoorinMother'sschedule,thoughthere
wasalotoftalkaboutthem.
IwrotetoMsStanmeyeraskingherwhyaperceptivejournalistlikeherchosetopropagatethereceivedmythwhenitwasapparentthat
MotherTeresawasmorepreoccupiedwithreligionthancharity.IalsoaskedifMothercalledthestreetsofCalcutta'home'wasitnotodd
nevertohavefoundherathome?Iquotedfromherarticle'Shebelievesthemoreapersonhas,themoreoneisoccupiedandthelessone
gives'andaskedwhetherthiscouldbeappliedtoMotherTeresa.Ialsoaskedwhetherdistributingone'sownphotoswasahumbleandself
effacingactbefittingherperceivedimage.Tworemindersproducedabelatedreply:
Iseeherasawomanwhowastryingtohelpasmuchasasinglepersoncando,andI'mnotheretocriticizethat...Just
observeandwriteaboutit,andpersonally,Iappreciateallthatshehasdone...I'mnotCatholic,butamChristian,butthat
doesn'tmattertome...Asfarasdishingoutphotosofherself,thisisn'tsomethingshefelttoocomfortableabout,butknew
peoplewerecomingtospeakwithherandbeinherpresence...andshewasn'tpushingthatinanyway,andthephotosshe
gaveoutwerephotocopies,withwordsofwisdomwrittenbelow...7
IsympathisewithjournalistslikeStanmeyertheiraimistopublishsomethingonMotherTeresa:theagendawassetbeforetheyarrivedin
Calcutta.Newspapersandmagazineeditorswouldhavetoldthemwhattheywanted,whattoaskthelivingsaint,whatphotostotakeetc.
Oncetheyarrivedandlookedattheshambolicwork,itwouldneedimmensecourage,andaboveall,independencetosayanythingminutely
critical.Eveniftheydid,itwouldnotseeittoprintasreaderswouldbeupset,butmostimportantly,newspaperandmagazineproprietors
wouldbeoutraged.IntheUnitedStatesthereisanotherproblemoutragedCatholicandfundamentalistChristiangroups(whichare
immenselypowerful)wouldcutoffadvertisements.So,onecanwellunderstandwhyhardlyanyeditorwouldrisktheirlivelihoodto
publishanythingcriticalonMotherTeresaorherorder.
AfterMother'sdeath ForbesMagazine ,thatjournalofthesuperrich,publishedaneulogy8byRitaKoselka,whohadvolunteeredin
Calcutta,possiblyin1995.ShesaidthattopointoutthatMotherofferednomedicalcarewas'stupidcriticism'.Shealsoclaimedthatthe
gleamingwhitemansionoppositetheHindustanInternationalHotelbelongedtoMother'sorderinreality,itbelongstotheSistersof
Charity,atotallydifferentorder,andisahomeforsolelyChristianwidowsandwidowers.Onecanimaginehowmuchmoneyflowedinto
theMissionariesofCharitycoffersafterKoselka'sfeaturewaspublished.
TeresavenerationisparticularlyacuteintheUSwhereitspillsoutfromthemediaandpermeatesdeeplyintothecountry'spolitical
establishments.Americanpoliticians,whatevertheiraffiliation,becomebothmistyeyedandanimatedatthementionofhername.She
enjoyedaparticularlyclose(personal)rapportwithReagan,whowashercomradeinthecampaignagainstabortion.HillaryClinton,onher
first(official)triptoIndiain1995,wentalmoststraightfromtheairporttoherorphanageinDelhi.MollyMoore,coveringthetripfor
WashingtonPost 9summedupenormouscouragetoreport:'AtMotherTeresa'sorphanage,babieswhonormallywearnothingbutthin
cottondiapersthatdolittlebutpromoterashesandexacerbatethereekofurinehadbeenoutfittedforthemorninginAmericanPampersand
newlystitchedpinafores.'Moorefacedabarrageofangryreaders'lettersforhereversoslightlyuncomplimentarycomments.Apparently
thefirstladywasnotgreatlyimpressedbytheorphanagebutshekeptquiet.
MotherTeresawasgiventheUSCongressionalMedal(presentedtoherbytwoarchrivals,JesseHelmsandJesseJackson)andfinally,the

USmadeherahonorarycitizenararehonourindeedshortlybeforeshedied.Bycontrast,theBritishpoliticalestablishmenthasnever
quitebotheredwithher.MrsThatcherreluctantlyposedwithheracoupleoftimesdespitethe'caring'imagethatsuchaphotowouldportray.
Theironladywasnotajotimpressedbythelivingsaint'ssoundbitewhenshesaid,'Givemeahouse[forLondon'shomeless]otherwise
I'llbringthemallinthebighall[ofWestminster].'(Journalistswerereducedtotears.)Thatchersawthroughthesaintlyveneerandrealised
thatTeresawasbutaVaticanemissarytryingtoinfluenceBritishparliamentaryprocessshehadcometoputpressureonBritishMPs
duringtheApril1988Altonbilltoreducethetimelimitofabortion.(Hereffortsfailed.)InprivateTeresadidsometoughtalkingtoThatcher
aboutthepoliticsofabortionandtheneedtosupportthebill,butherpublicstatementstojournalistsweremostlyaboutthepoor,the
abandoned,howshetouchedthepeopleincardboardboxesinWaterlooandcried('Ididnotknowwhattosay,myeyeswerefulloftears.')
etc.ThecannyandhardheadedMargaretThatchersawthroughallthat.
Duringhis1997triptoCalcuttatoaddressthemeetingoftheConfederationofIndianIndustries,BritishPrimeMinisterJohnMajornever
visitedanailingTeresaindeedinhislongspeechtherewasnomentionofCalcutta'smostfamouscitizen.ContrastthatwithClinton's
actionshewenttoIndiain2000aspresidentbutdidnothavetheopportunitytocometoCalcutta.AsexpresidenthecametoCalcutta(on
7April2001)forsixhoursandliterallywentstraightfromtheairporttoMotherHouse.HeplacedabouquetofwhitegladiolionMother
Teresa'sgrave,prayedwiththenuns,thenhadaprivatemeetingwithtenseniormostnunsnodoubtasubstantial(undisclosed)donation
wasmade.Thenhewenttotheorphanagewherechildrensanginpraiseofthe'fairhairedsahib'atoilethadbeenrefurbishedhereto
prepareforhisarrival.HehadwantedtovisitCoffeeHouseinCollegeStreet(oncethefountainheadofIndia'sintellectualthoughtandof
violentantiAmericanactions)butthatwasvetoedbythesecurityservices.
Britain's Independent isafirmlyliberal,nonreligiousandthoroughlyrespectableorganwhichalsopridesitselfasiconoclasticamongst
Britishmainstreamorgansforitistheonlyantimonarchistdaily.ButwhenitcametoTeresaallsenseofproportionwasthrowntothe
winds.On28November1996thenewspaperledwiththisfrontpagemainheadline:MOTHERTERESA:IWANTTODIE.The
accompanyingfeaturewasbyAndrewGumbel,thepaper'sRomeandVaticancorrespondent.MrGumbelwaswritingfromRome,
althoughitneversaidsointhepaperandonegottheimpressionthathisreportagewastheresultoffirsthandexperienceinCalcutta.
ThenewsfeaturerespectfullyreportedhowthedeeplyhumbleMotherTeresaresented(almostdetested)sophisticatedmedicaltreatmentfor
herself,butadmittedthattherewere'armiesofdoctorsfightingroundtheclocktosaveherlife'.'Accordingtoherclosefriendsand
associates,shewouldmuchratherthedoctorsleftheralone,'readerswereinformedonpageonecolumnone.Therewasanelementoftruth
inthisasthe86yearoldwomanwasgettingincreasinglyfedupofprotractedandpainfulmedicalprocedures.Thiswasnotbecauseshe
wasparticularlyhumbleandselfeffacing,butanaturalhumanresponseattheendofone'slengthylifespan.Gumbeltoldusthatbecause
Motherhad'onefootinheaven',shewas'feelingdismayedandalittleembarrassed'atbeingalive.Thedayafterthenewspaperheadline(29
December1996)MotherTeresahad(andsurvived)anangioplastyathirdoneattheageof86wasnothingshortofamiracle,butmore
likelyreflectedherincredibledesireofnotwantingtodie.Weallknowifapatienthasreallygivenup,complicatedproceduressuchas
angioplasty(theblastingofclotsinanarteryoftheheart)donotwork.Shewassupposedtohavepunchedherfistintheairaftercomingto
followingtheprocedure.
TheIndependentwenttosaythatMotherhadtobealmostwrenchedagainstherwishes'fromtheramshackleWoodlandsNursingHometo
thestateoftheartBirlaHeartResearchInstitute.'Strange!becauseonlyfourmonthspreviouslytheSundayeditionofthesamenewspaper
haddescribedthesameWoodlandsasa'clinicasgoodasanyinLondon.'10Onthatoccasionhoweverthecorrespondentwasphysicallyin
CalcuttaratherthanRome.
MrGumbelintryingtogivereadersanideaofMother'sgoodness,holinessandcharity,extensivelyquotedoneJimTowney[Towey],'a
formerseminarianwithherorderwhohasknownherfor11yearsandmaintainsdailycontactwithCalcutta.'(JimToweyhappenedtobe
Mother'sUSattorney.)IdonotthinkaCatholicpapercouldhavebettered TheIndependent's perverseadulation.
Iwrotealettertotheeditorpointingoutmuchthe'reluctant'sainthadcostatthe'ramshackleWoodlands'andhowmuchmoreshewasgoing
tocostattheBirlaHeartInstitutethatherdailyexpenseswerecomingtosubstantiallymorethatthemonthlysalaryofanIndianbank
manager,butmyletterneversawittoprint.
IhavemadeanexampleofTheIndependentbecauseonthewholeitisaneminentlyrespectablenewspaperwithastrongsenseofethicsand
proportion.ButevenarationalandfairorganwouldthrowtruthtothewindswhenitcametoTeresatheywouldprobablyjustifyitby
sayingthatshedeservedit!
ThereisatendencyinthemediaduringMother'sillnessestoseizeontheseopportunitiestoboostherupevenmore.In1983,whenMother
wasinGemelliHospitalinRome,herdoctorcameoutandfacedthepress.Hegravelyinformedthemthatshehadrefusedtotakepainkillers
because'shewantstoofferuphersufferingstoGod.'11Buttookthemshedid.Sheneverrefusedpainkillers,asmanyanurseatthe
Woodlandswouldtellyou.Shealsohadalowthresholdforpainandfrequentlycomplainedofpain,especiallywhenbeingstuckwith
needlesinotherwords,shewaslikemostotherhumanbeings.Nonetheless,herRomandoctor'swordswerefaithfullyreportedthe
followingdayinmostoftheworld'sleadingnewspapers.
Reuterscirculatedaphotothatappearedinmanyoftheworld'snewspaperson5December1996itshowedstreetchildreninCalcutta
prayingforMother'srecoveryfromillnessafterherthirdangioplasty.Asimilarphoto,againputoutbyReuters,hadappearedon24August

1993thistimeitwastakenoutsideahospitalinDelhi.Bothpictureshadchildrengraspinghugeportraitsofthenun,beautifullymounted
andframed.Nowifjournalistsjustsatbackandthoughtaboutithowbizarreitwouldbeforstreet(orany)childrentoobtainandframea
hugeportrait(almostasbigasthemselves)andgoaroundwithit!Iamsurereadersbelievedtheydidanydegreeofscepticismwassimply
notpartoftheequationwhenTeresawasconcerned.
ItisinterestingtorecordTeresa'sgratitudetoCalcutta'snurses,doctorsandmedicalestablishmentsfollowingherrecovery.InherChristmas
1996newslettertoherCoWorkers,shesaid:
Somanypeopleprayedforme:tinychildrenandgreatgrandmothers,humbleworkersandheadsofstate,peopleofallfaiths
andnationality...Idon'tknowwhyallthishashappenedthisyear,butIamsureofonethingthatJesusdoesnotmake
mistakes...ItwasMary,ourmother,whohelpedmebackinMotherHouse...'
Therewasnomentionoftheroundtheclockmedicalattentionthatbroughtherbacktolifefromthebrinkofdeathsomanytimes.
Inthedominoeffectofthemythpropagation,Reutersplayedthemostcrucialroletheyhavebeenthebiggestdisseminatorofuntruthinthe
lastfewdecadesastheydidattheNobelceremony(8December1979),whentheydeclaredthatMotherTeresawenttogetherprizeinthe
Norwegianwinter'wearingnosocksinhersandalsandwithherthinIndiansaricoveredonlybyablacksweater'.
AttheNobelceremonyinOslo,numerouspicturesshowedMotherTeresawalkingupthestepsoftheAulaoftheUniversityofOsloina
particularlyheavyfurcoatthatcamedowntoherankles.SomeofthepicturesweretakenbyReutersthemselves.
IgatherfromReuters'inhousemagazinethattheygaveherasubstantialdonationasrecentlyasDecember1996theywenttoCalcuttato
handitovertoher.ShouldReutersnotknowaboutthequeriesandquestionsthatarehangingoverMotherTeresa'saccounts?Wouldthey
donatemoneytoadeeplyHindu,IslamicorBuddhistcharitythatdidnotpublishitsaccounts?Idoubtit.
InrespectablenewspapersIhavereadcountlesstimesthatMotherTeresausedtolive'inthemiddleofateemingCalcuttaslum'.
Surprisingly Hello! magazine12wasslightlymoreaccurate:'Thegrey,fourstoreyVictorianbuildingat54LowerCircularRoad,issetin
theheartofaCalcuttaslum,inanarrowalleyawashwithgritandgrime.'
Shedidliveinaratherforebodingfourstoreybuildingwithhernuns.Thebuildingistypically1970sitwasnotthelapofluxurybutslum
itwasnot.ItstandsonapointonLowerCircularRoadwheretheroadis100feetwideincludingpavements,withapairoftramtracksin
themiddleandasinglecarriagewayoneithersideofit.Thepartaboutthe'narrowalleyway'isnotentirelyfictional,asthisiswhereMother
House'ssideentranceis,whichisthedoorwaymostcommonlyused.MotherHouselooksacrossLowerCircularRoadtowards'Bamboo
Villa',afifteenstoreyhighstructure,theheadquartersoftheIncomeTaxdepartmentinCalcutta.Atnighttime,thegroundsofBambooVilla
areusedbyadozenorsostreetdwellersastheirsleepingquarters,mostofwhomwererefusedhelpofonekindoranotherbythe
MissionariesofCharity.TheenvironsofMotherHouseinCalcuttaarenotamongthemostsalubriousinthecity,beingnoisyanddusty,
andflankedononesidebyalowermiddleclassenclave,butinnowaydotheyevenapproachthoseofaslum.Moreimportantly,thislarge
fourstoreybuilding,whateveritsappearanceandenviron,doesnothaveanycharitablefunctionitisusedforresidential,religiousand
administrativepurposesonly.
Indeed,Motherherselfneverclaimedthatshelivedin'theheartofaCalcuttaslum'.Itwaspuremediainvention.
MisreportingonMotherTeresaisequallyrampantinIndia.On14September1996, TheAsianAge ,adailynewspaperpublished
simultaneouslyanumberofIndiancitiesandLondon,printedalistofMotherTeresa'soperations.
Threeandahalfmonthslater,on31December1996, IndiaTodaymagazine ,India'smostpopularweeklymagazine,whichmodelsitself
on Newsweek ,andwhichisveryhighlyregardedbytheIndianmiddleandupperclasses,didthesame.Ishouldmentionherethatboth
TheAsianAge and IndiaToday alwayssupportedMotherTeresawhenevershewasinvolvedinacontroversyofanykind India
Today asamatteroffact,hadaneditorialpolicyofnotprintinganythingwhichcouldberemotelycriticalofherthepoliticsbehindthis
diktatwascomplexandoutsidethescopeofthisdiscussion.IgivethestatisticsofthesetwopublicationssidebysideIdonotthinkany
commentisnecessarytoillustratethepointIamtryingtomake.
MOTHERTERESA'S
OPERATIONS

TheAsianAge
(14September1996)

IndiaToday
(31December1996)

NumberofCountriesofOperation

95

120

HomesforLepers,DrugAddictsandAIDSpatients

750

48

MobileHomes

1100

DoesNotMention

MobileClinics

DoesNotMention

1103

Bothpublicationsgavethesamefigurefor'malnutritioncentres'100MotherTeresadidnotoperateasinglededicatedmalnutritioncentre
inIndia.Ihaveheardthatsherana'feedingcentre'inJijigainEthiopia.Inherorphanages,however,sheundertooknutritionprogrammes
fromtimetotimehenceshechosetocalleveryoneofherorphanagesa'malnutritioncentre'andproducedthesamefigureseparatelyfor

bothoperations.
AroundthesametimethatIndiaTodayandTheAsianAgetoldusaboutMotherTeresa's100malnutritioncentres,suchcentreswere
actuallyneededincertainpartsofIndia.Theneedaroseinthemonsoonof1996intheAmravatidistrictofMaharashtrastateinwestern
India.DuringJuly,AugustandSeptemberofthatyear,over500childrendiedofmalnutritionmanymorediedoftheaccompanying
illnessessuchasgastroenteritisandchildhoodinfections.Twentyfivethousandchildrenweresaidtobesufferingforwantofminimum
nourishment.ThesituationbecamebadenoughfortheMaharashtragovernmenttoorderahighlevelinquiryintothe'starvationdeaths',and
tosetupsomepatchy'healthcamps'(i.e.,malnutritioncentres)inthearea.Needlesstosay,theMissionariesofCharitywerenowheretobe
seen,despitethefactthatthisisthesortofregionthattheylovetoworkin,astheareaofAmravatithatwasmostseverelyaffectedwasthe
Melghattribalbelt.EversinceChristianmissionariesarrivedinIndia,thetribalshavebeentheirprimetargetforconversion,andMother
Teresaexpendedlotoftimeandmoneyontribalselsewhere,suchasinBihar.EventhePope,duringaverybriefvisittoIndiain1986,after
meetingMotherTeresainCalcutta,wentstraighttoaremotetribalbeltinBihar,whereheaddressedagatheringofBiharitribals.Butthe
tribalpeopleofMelghathavebeenconsideredbeyondconversionbybothHinduandChristianpreachersalike,andnoreligious
organisationoffersthemanycarrots.
ThefamineandtheinfantdeathsinAmravatiin1996werenotunusualoccurrencestheyrecuralmosteveryyearwiththeonsetofthe
monsoon,albeitonasmallerscale.NeverhavetheMissionariesofCharitybeenknowntoopenupa'malnutritioncentre'there,although
theyareamerefourhours'driveawayinNagpur,wheretheyruna(verydecent)homefordestitutes.
AfewyearsbackIchanceduponalittleanthologycalled TheMeaningofLife (VirginBooks),whereintheeditorhadprevaileduponthe
greatandthegoodfromallovertheworldtowriteinafewwordsonyes,themeaningoflife.MrGubbinwassooverjoyedthathehad
receivedapersonallyhandwrittennotefromMotherTeresa,thathehadprintedafacsimileoftheletterinthebook,accompaniedbyabrief
lifesketchofthelivingsaint.IfoundthatMotherTeresahadbeendescribedashavinghad'medicaltraininginParis'.Ifounditamusing
'DrMotherTeresa,MBBSorMBChB'aswellaseverythingelse!Ididnotthinkmuchofit,asthiswasalightheartedvolumebyan
amateuranthologist.TomyutteramazementIsoondiscoveredthatMrGubbinhadobtainedhisinformationonMother's'medicaltraining'
fromsomeoftheworld'smostrespectedbiographicaldictionaries: TheCambridgeBiographicalEncyclopaedia (editedbynolessan
authoritythanProfessorDavidCrystal), ChambersBiographicalDictionary ,andthe ChambersBiographicalDictionaryofWomen .
IwrotetoProfessorCrystal,andtoLarrousse,thepublishersofthe Chambersdictionaries ,pointingoutthattheyhadgotParismixedup
withPatna,atownintheIndianstateofBihar,whereMotherTeresahadspentafewweekswithsomeAmericannunsasshewasstarting
outinlife,learningcertainbasicnursingskills,suchasbandagingetc.Igotswiftreplies.ProfessorCrystalwrote,'I'lltake[yourpoints]into
accountatthenextavailableopportunity,andI'mgratefultoyoufordrawingmyattentiontothem.'13MelanieParrywrote,'Ihavenoted
yourcommentsandtheentrywillbecorrectedinanyfutureeditionoftheDictionaryofdWomen,andinthe ChambersBiographical
Dictionary .'14
MotherTeresaoftensaid,'EvenjournalistscandotheworkofGod.'Shesometimesgotexasperatedbythefusstheymadeofher,butshe
wasfullyawarethatsheneededthem.AsKathyWardofIreland's SundayIndependent 15remarkedinanotherwisesympatheticarticle,
'Thereisnodoubtthatshehassoughtpublicity...'
Playingthemediabecamesecondnaturetoher,withsomanydecadesofpractice.Herskillwashonedandsharpenedtoperfection.Shewas
trulya'natural'.On29June1986,MotherTeresawasattheplushOmnihotelinMiamitospeakatanantiabortionmeetingsponsoredby
wealthyAmericans.Sixteenhundredpeoplehadbookedtables(payinglotsfortheprivilege)tohearherspeak.Inordertogetmaximum
publicityforherantiabortioncause,Motherplayedthiscardsherefusedtoeatbreakfastwithherguests,saying,'Idon'twantyour
abundance.Iwantyoutoexperiencethejoyofloving.Ihaveseenpeopledieforthelackofaglassofwater.'Shefollowedthisupwitha
trenchantattackonabortion.ShethusensuredthatwhatwouldhavebeenlocalnewsinMiamiandFloridabecameaworldwideheadline
alongwithherantiabortiontiradeofcourse.Even TheSun 16infarawayBritainfoundspacetotellitsreaders:TERESASNUBSMEAL
WITHTHEWEALTHY.IwonderifjournalistsknewthatitwasthesameTeresathathadarrivedinMiamitravellingfirstclass(forfree).
Motherbecamesoadroitatplayinggameswiththemediathatshediditfromherhospitalbedassoonasshewasbarelyabletospeak
recoveringfromherthirdheartsurgery.Oneday(14December1996),findingthatmediawerepresent,Mothersaidtoawomanthewife
ofanotherpatient,'Whydon'tyougoandgetsomeoldsareesforthepoor?'.ThrilledReutersreportedwiththeheadline:MOTHER
TERESACONTINUESCHARITYWORKFROMHOSPITALFROMHERSICKBED.
Reuterstoldusthatthewoman,possiblyquiteawealthylady,asonlytherichcanaffordtheBirlaHeartInstitute,broughtin'100sarees,50
newforweddingsforthepoorand50oldsarees.'Shewasnotobviouslynotpreparedtoletsuchachanceofachievinginternationalglory,
howevermomentary,slip.IamsureReutersarenotawarethatMotherTeresaneverdistributedclothes(neworold)tothepoorinCalcutta,
excepttoafewpeopleatChristmas?IalsorememberthesigninItalianIhadseenonthedoorofhernunnery(nocharitablefunctionshere)
inVittoriainSicily'WEDONOTACCEPTCLOTHES,THANKYOU'.Thisistostoplocalsfrombringinginoldclothestothedoors
oftheordersotheycouldbepassedonthepoorinCalcutta.
AswellastheparableofsareesthisonewasalsocirculatedbyReuterson5December1996:MOTHERTERESASEEKSFOSTER
HOMESFOR4000CHILDREN.ThestorywenthowMotherTeresa,assoonasshehadregainedminimumstrengthafterherheart

surgery,wasarrangingforadoptionsforherchargesfromherhospitalbed.Thereportalsoadded,'Theeffectsofoldageandthelifeofhard
workinCalcutta'sslumshaveleftMotherTeresawithkidneytroublesandweaklungs.'
FortheworldmediathisisaneverrecurringmotifthatMotherspentallthetimeGodsenttoilingawayintheslumsofCalcutta.Infact,
shehadnotbeenseeninsideaCalcuttaslumforthelasttwentyfiveyearsofherlife.Thelasttimeshedidanyhandsonworkwasduring
the1971BangladeshwarSenatorEdwardKennedy,whovisitedtheMissionariesofCharityreliefcamp,wassaidtobemuchimpressed.
Thereisalsosomerecordofhercomingoutanddistributingfoodduringthe1978floods.Sincethen,shehardlyevercrossedtheportalsof
aCalcuttaslum,especiallyafterherNobel,whenshestartedcrisscrossingtheglobewithmonthlyfrequency.
Iknoweyebrowswouldberaisedsurely,asweallknow,MotherTwasfortheslums,oftheslums,bytheslums,atleastinCalcutta!Itis
difficulttoprovesomethingthatdidnothappen,butconsiderthefactthatMotherwasoneofthemostphotographedpeopleintheworld
hereverymove,everymood,everyaction,everyquiverofeyebrow,everywrinkleonherfacehavebeenphotographedinnumerabletimes.
Herhands,holdingrosarybeadsforsomereasonaparticularfavouritewithherfanshavebeenpicturedthousandsoftimes.Ican
rememberthreepurelypictorialbiographiesofhers. Hello !magazinehasafewhundredphotosofhersintheirarchives.Amongstthese
manyhundredsofthousandsofphotos,cananyonecomeupwithasinglepictureofthe'saintofthegutters'actually'workingintheslums
ofCalcutta'inthelasttwoorthreedecadesofherlife?Iknowitforafactthatforeignpressandtelevisionweredisappointedbecausethey
couldnotfilmthe'saintoftheguttersworkinginthegutters',asitwere.Therearephotosfromthe1970sshowingherservingfoodto
residentsinNirmalHriday,butnophotographexistsshowingMotherTeresaworkingin(orevenvisiting)aCalcuttaslum.
TheAmericanphotographerMaryEllenMark('votedthebestAmericanwomanphotographerofalltime')didanextensivephotofeatureon
TeresathatappearedinLIFEinJuly1980(inamomentaryslipupher'care'wasdescribedas'rudimentary').Shespentalotoftimewithher
subjectinCalcutta(Ibelieveshemadetwovisitsthere)butcouldnotcatchherinaslum.Thebestshemanagedwasaheavilystage
managedshotwitharesidentatNirmalHriday.TheLIFEphotographsaregruesomeandwithoutcompunctionshowfullfrontalsofsemi
nakedmenandwomeninvariousstatesofindignity.IdoubtifMarktooktheirpermission.Disturbingly,thesephotosarenowonthe
Internet.IrecentlywrotetoMarkaskingifitwasethicaltoshowpeoplefromthethirdworldinsuchstates'aretheyhumanbeingsorjust
facelessobjectsformakingsaintsandawardwinningjournalists'Iasked.Ididnotreceiveareply.NeedlesstosayMotherTeresawas
fullyawarewhatsortofphotoswerebeingcirculatedconsistentlyinandforhername.Suchpracticehadherblessingitwasafterall,fora
goodcausetoenhanceherimageandshefirmlybelievedthatbecauseshewasparticularlyspecialtoGodsheneeded(deserved)such
publicity.Themeanswereimmaterialtoher.Mark,naturally,completelyexoneratedthelivingsaint:'Idon'tthinkMotherTeresaeven
noticedmewhenIwasthere.She'snotthesortofpersonwhohadanawarenessfordoingthingsforaphotographer.'17
CharlesGloversaidinThe DailyTelegraph ,18whilecoveringMother'svisittoaOxfordreligiousconference,thatshewas'takingtime
offfromherworkamongthedestituteofCalcuttathisweek.'Inreality,ontherareoccasionswhenshewasseenatallinCalcutta,shetook
timeofffromherinternationaltravels.WhatiscuriousthatWesternjournalists,especiallyreligiouscorrespondents(particularlyinItalyand
theUS,thetwocountriesshevirtuallylivedin)neverwonderedhowshemanagedtoworksohardinandforCalcuttaandwhenshewas
practicallyresidentoverseas.
MotherTeresaalmostobsessivelyprojectedherselftoothersespeciallyWesternersashumble,poorandnaive.Shecouldbecrassand
obviousinherstatements,butshecouldalsobeverysubtle.PeterDalglish,theCanadianfounderofStreetKidsInternationalandan
ardentfanofherstravelledwithheronaplaneinSudan:
MotherTeresagavemeherpassportandaskedmetofilloutalltheformsforher.Iaskedherhowmuchmoneyshehadin
herpossession.Shesaidshehadnone.Iaskedagain.Surelyshehadsomemoneyinherpurse,theonlyitemshewas
travellingwith.'Myson,'shereplied,'Ihavenothadacentonmypersonin30years.'19
Motherbehavedratherdifferentlywhentherewasnopotentialofpublicity.Letustaketheincidentof21August1993.Shehadbeeninvited
topresentartificiallimbstoathousandhandicappedvillagersnearCalcuttaneedlesstosay,shehadmadenocontributiontowardsthe
limbs.Theorganisers,afledglingsecularcharityofCalcutta,calledAnandalok,hadpaidforthem.TheyhadhopedthatbringingMother
TeresaasaguesttotheirceremonywouldraisetheprofileoftheirworkinIndiaandabroad.Motherhadacceptedtheinvitation,whichhad
delightedDKSaraf,Anandalok'ssecretary.WhathappenednextcanbebestdescribedbyquotingfromalettertotheeditorthatMrSaraf
wrotetoanationalnewspaper:
Onthedayofthefunction,at4p.m.,shesentamessagethatshewon'tbeabletoattendonaccountofherillness.Thenews
disappointedmeandthevillagers...Butnextmorning,muchtomyshockanddisbelief,Ilearntfromanewspaperreportthat
MotherTeresahadleftforDelhitoreceiveanawardtobepresentedtoherbytheGovernmentofIndia.Icouldnothelp
writingalettertoherinwhichIstatedthatsinceathousandpoorandhandicappedvillagerscametoreceivenotonlyartificial
limbsbutalsoherblessings,sheshouldnothavechangedherprogrammeonpretextofillness.Ialsohumblyaddedthatfor
alessermortallikeme,agovernmentawardmeantalotbutshewastoogreattoattachsuchimportancetoit.Infact,I
believedthatshewasaboveallkindsofmaterialawards.Mother'sreplywasprompt.Shesaidsheforgavemeandpromised
toprayformetotheAlmighty.

InmyletterIhadutteredasimpletruthandallIhadwantedtoknowwaswhyshepreferredreceivinganawardratherthan
givingherblessingstothepoor,haplessvillagers.AllIgotinreturnwastheassuranceofbeingforgiven.Icannothelp
askingmyselfthisquestion:'WhatdidMotherTeresaforgivemefor?'20
MotherTeresaherselfcouldbeforgivenformakingtherightdecisionwhenfacedwiththechoiceofattendinganartificiallimbdonation
ceremonyinaforgottenvillagenearCalcuttaorgoingtoDelhitocollecttheRajivGandhiMemorialAwardfromSoniaGandhi,Rajiv's
widowandatthetimeapractisingCatholic.Theformerceremonywouldhavebeenattendedbyacoupleofjournalistsfromthelocalpress,
andthenewsmightormightnothavemadeittothefourthpagesofCalcuttanewspapers.TheRajivGandhiAwardceremony,ontheother
hand,wasattendedbytheinternationalmedia.Itwastransmittedbytheinternationalnewsnetworks,andwasalsoshownonthenational
televisionnetworkinIndia.OnealsoneedstotakeintoaccountMotherTeresa'sspecialrelationshipwiththeGandhifamily,whichwas
probablyjustthatbitmorespecialthanshewouldhavehadwiththelimblessvillagers.TheGandhis,althoughcurrentlyoutofpower,are
theclosestthatIndiahastoaroyalfamilythreegenerationshavebeenprimeministers,andsomeanticipate/expectthatafourthislurkingin
thewings.(Itneedstobementionedherethatthisfamilyisnotrelatedtotheirillustriousnamesake, the GandhiofIndia.).
Thepublicperceptionisofcourse,thatMotherTeresadidnotcareaboutroyals,primeministers,dictators,andotherheadsofstate.The
mediaassiduouslyconveyedthismessage,butagainthetrendwasstartedbyMotherherself,possiblyforthefirsttimein1973:inan
interviewwithPaulDacre(thenofthe DailyExpress )shortlyaftershereceivedtheTempletonPrizefromtheDukeofEdinburgh,shehad
said,'Ican'tbeartheseoccasions.Withallrespecttoyourprince,I'dmuchratherbeamongstmydyingandlepers.'21Onecannotalsohelp
recalling(again)thewordsoftheonlookerinPeoria,Illinois,who,oncatchingaglimpseofMotherTeresainthetown'scathedral,
remarked,'Shehasgainedherpopularitynotbymanipulatingthemediawithsoundbytesbutbyservingthepoorestofthepoorinplaces
wewouldnevergo.'
AfterherNobelPrizewasannouncedNewsweek22didafullpagearticleonherwhichstatedthatshedid'regularvisitstothesickandthe
dyingpoor:shewashestheirbodies,cleanstheirtoiletsandemptiestheirbedpans.'Allthiswasutterlyuntrue,asanyhonestCatholic
volunteerwhohadworkedwithherorderinCalcuttacouldtestify.ThearticlealsosaidthatthehostilitytowardsherfromHindupriests
wentawaywhenshetreated(sometimeinthe1950s)atemplepriestsufferingfromcholera.Thistalecouldbebeautifulifitweretruebutit
mostprobablyisnot.IhavespokentoanumberofelderlyKalighatpriestswhoaresympathetictoTeresaandnoneofthemcouldrecallthe
incident.ThesameNewsweekarticleandalsoanumberofothermedia(suchasBostonGlobe)saidfollowingherNobelthatshewould
buildanotherleprosariuminCalcuttawithherprizemoneybutthishasneverbeenbuilt.
TheAmerican(andglobal)magazineTIMEhasbeenoneofherstrongestpropagandists.In1975theyhadherontheircoverwiththewords
'livingsaint'emblazonedacross.ItwasTIMEwhichpopularisedthetitle'livingsaint'.During1999TIMErananInternetpolltoselectthe
'personofthecentury'.FromthebeginningMotherTeresawastrailingbelowthe10thposition.SomepeopleinTIMEofficesobviouslygot
quiteworried(duringherlifetimesheregularlycamewithinthetopfiveplacesinpollsrunbyvariousUSmagazinestoselectthe'personof
theyear'),andinthefinalstagesofthepollputupjustfourphotosonthewebsitebeforepeopleactuallyregisteredtheirvote,withtheblurb
'Whoareyougoingtovoteforaspersonofthecentury?'orequivalentonlyonewasawomanandanonAmericanandacharityworker.
Despitesuchnonesosubtlepromptshefinallycame13th.
ForWesternmediaandpublic,preservingstatusquore.Calcuttaisimportantitiscomfortabletobelievethereisafarawaydisgusting
placecalledCalcuttawherethereisafairytale(whiteChristian)angelcalledMotherTeresawhyletdiscordantfactsinterferewiththis
prettypicture!Letusallworkevenhardertomakethissimplisticmodelevenmoreprettier.EvenintellectualssubscribetothismodelIshall
quotefromoneoftheworld'smostfamous(andrespected)literaryeditors,atSt.Martin'sPress,NewYork.Afterreadingsomesample
chaptersofthisbook,heturneditdown,saying:
Intheend,IfeelthatcertainthingsarebetterleftunsaidwhileMotherTeresa'saccomplishmentsmayindeedbeillusory,I
stillapplaudtheidealsthatshe,perhapsnotunhypocritically,represented,andmillionsintheWest,asocietyravagedby
excessmaterialism,werestillabletoconnectwiththephilosophyshepreached.Alas,sheorherorderwasnotabletoliveup
tothestandardthatshepreached,butsheremainsahero,albeittainted,tomillionsinAmericaalone....somuchso,thatIdo
notfeelIwouldbethebesteditortolaunchthiswork.
Thisfromamanofotherwisesoundjudgementandwhowieldsimmenseindependenceinhischosenfield,andtheworld.
Occasionallythemedia'sindulgenceofheramountedtocriminalconnivance.Thishappenedon19March1980thepreviousevening
MotherTeresa'shostelforhomelesswomeninSalisburyRoadinLondon'sKilburnareahadcaughtfireandninewomenwereburntto
death.Threeotherswereseriouslyinjuredwhilejumpingoutofthetopfloor.Agreed,thiswasbarelythreemonthsafterMotherhad
receivedherNobel,andthatherreputationwasatitspeak,butshouldthathavestoppedthepressfromhighlightingthegrossdeficienciesin
thehome? TheSun ,althoughmentioningthattherewerenofireescapes,carriedapictureofthestatueoftheMadonnathatstandsoutside
thehome,withthecaption,'SilentWitnessAWindowLedgeStatueAtTheHostel'italsocarriedapictureofCardinalBasilHume,saying
thathehad'appealedforprayers'.Therewerenocasualtiesamongstthenunstheyhaddiligentlylookedafterno.1anentirely
understandablereaction,butthepaperreportedhowtwonuns'trieddesperatelytocontaintheflameswithbucketsofwater.'MotherTeresa's
greatnesswasalsocommentedupon:'[thedeadwomen]wereforgottenoutcastsuntilMotherTeresa,famousforherworkwithIndia's

poor,befriendedthem.'Itwasnotreportedthatthehosteldidnotevenpossessafireextinguisher.Theonlyfireextinguisherthathadbeen
usedtofighttheflameswasbroughtinbyGeorgeAgathangelou,ownerofthenearbyLaRochellehotel.
Onecanonlyimaginethereactionifsuchanincidenthadoccurredinahomerunbythecouncil,orbysomeothercharitysuchasDr
Barnardo'sorAlcoholicsAnonymous.Letalonenonreligioushomes,Ithinkthereactionwouldhavebeensubstantiallydifferentifthe
homehadbelongedtoanyotherCatholicorganisationIcanimaginethetabloidheadline'ToweringNunferno'!
ItwastouchingtoseeTheTimesdoingtheirbitintryingtoabsolvetheMissionariesofCharityofresponsibility:'Buttherewasdispute
yesterdayaboutthehostel'sprecisestatusandwhosejobitwastoenforcefireregulations.'23Therewasaninquiryintothefire,althoughthe
MissionariesofCharitydidnotrunaninternalinquiry.Nocompensationwaseverpaidbytheorganisationtotheinjured,ortotherelatives
ofthedead.
MotherTeresawasunderstandablyupsetaboutthedeaths,andshesaidmanyspecialprayers,butonewouldhavethoughtshemighthave
travelledtoLondontospeaktohertraumatisednuns,ortogivesolacetotherelativesofthedead,butherreactionwasnonchalant.Shedid
notsendindividualmessagestotherelativesofthedead.Thenunwhowouldtraveltenthousandmilestostopasingleabortion('Abortion
ismurderofthechildbythemother'),wasnotmovedbythemurderofnineinnocentlives.
Journalisticmemoryisastonishinglyshort.Thirteenyearslater,inMarch1993,London'sLambethCouncilwasravagedbytheBritishpress
forrefusingtoallowMotherTeresapermissiontoopenarefugeforthehomeless.Shehadworkedoutplansforconvertingadisused
magistrate'scourtintoadormitorywith33beds,adiningroom,andachapel.Thecouncilturneddowntheproposalbecauseit'didnotmeet
contemporarystandardsforhostels...Peopledidnotmindthehomelesscomingtoliveintheirstreetbuttheywantedthehosteltobeof
decentstandard.'24Thecouncilwantedseparatebedroomsratherthandormitory,andtheyalsoinsistedonactivitiesfortheresidents
throughouttheday.HellbrokelooseinBritishmediatheLabourruncouncilwasbranded'lefties','inhuman'etc.Themedia'stonewas
'Howdareyou?'TheyweredeeplygrievedthatMotherTeresawassaidtohavebeen'upset'bythedecision.Nobodyforamomentrecalled
the1980fireinKilburn,nobodyponderedtothinkthatifthechapelhadbeensacrificed,separatebedroomscouldindeedhavebeen
possible.
Inanotherincidentthathappenedin1986,journalistsweresadlydeficientinhighlightingthetragedyofthedeathoftwoTanzanianchildren
whowerekilledbyMotherTeresa'splane.On11October,theprivatejetshewastravellinginskiddedofftherunwaynearDodomain
centralTanzaniaandkilledfivepeople,includingtwochildrenandoneofhernuns,whowerewatchingtheplanetakeoff.MotherTeresa
attendedthefuneralofhernunbeforeresumingtherestofhertravel,butsaidnothingaboutthe(Muslim)children,aged8and12.Shewas
notreportedtohavemetthedeadchildren'srelatives.Shedidnotattempttoattendtheirfunerals.Themediawereoverwhelmedwithrelief
that'MotherTeresaescapesunhurt'.The(nameless)childrengotabarementionintheirreports,neitherwasitmentionedthattheirfamilies
nevergotanycompensationmayberewardsfordeathbyasaint'sjetareotherworldly.ItisalsopertinentthatthejourneyMotherwas
undertakingwasreligiousratherthancharitableshewasgoingtothefinalvowtakingceremonyofsomeofhernunsinTabora.
Ihavefoundthatgenerallyperceptiveandquitecynicalpeoplebecomecompletelybereftofjudgementanddiscernmentwhenitcameto
MotherTeresa.TakethecaseofJonathanAgnewthesportswriterandBBC'sformercricketcommentatorwhentheinternationalbanon
theSouthAfricancricketteamwaslifted,thefirstmatchtheyplayedwasinCalcuttainNovember1991somethingtodowiththepersonal
friendshipbetweenNelsonMandelaandJyotiBasunodoubt,andalsoCalcuttans'financialandmoralsupportoftheANC.Agnewwasone
oftheinternationaljournalistswhocoveredthishistorictour.MotherTeresa,notonetolettheopportunityofthismomentouspublicitygo
by,behavedwithherusualcanniness.WritesAgnew:
UntilthatmorningaSouthAfricanaeroplanehadneverbeenallowedtolandonIndiansoil...Theultimatesealofapproval
wassoughtfromMotherTeresa,whoopenedthedoorsofoneofhermissionsthefollowingday.Bynowthewelloiled
wheelsofthepublicitymachinewererunningatsucharatethatalltherespectandhumilitytheoccasiondeservedwas
trampledunderfoot.Thetinystonebuildingwaspackedwithplayers,officials,televisioncrewsandworstofall,dozensof
SouthAfricansupporterswhobehavedlikeagroupofsightseersspottingPrincessDioutsideBuckinghamPalace.The
diminutivefigureofMotherTeresamovedsilentlyamongthehordesofjostlingpeople,herhandspressedgentlytogetherin
thetraditionalIndiangestureofwelcome.Shepausedtodistributeyellowcardsonwhichwereprintedasimpleprayer.A
raucoustelevisionpresenterbegantocommentateinAfrikaansasshewentby.Itwasdeeplyembarrassing...TheSouth
AfricanplayersandmanagementwereindividuallyintroducedtoMotherTeresaandsheformallyblessedtheFriendship
Tour.MomentslaterevenhereternalpatiencewasstretchedtothelimitwhenaTVcamerawasthrustonlyinchesfromher
nose.Immediatelyshebegantoshooeverybodyoutside.IftheSouthAfricanentouragefeltevenalittleashamed,they
certainlydidnotshowit,...25
Ifinditdistastefulthatawholecricketteamwithanarmyofjournalists,officialsandsupporterswouldbeletlooseina'homeforthedying'.
Ifeelittransgressesbasicnormsofcivilisedbehaviour.Obviouslytherewasnoquestionoftakingpermissionfromtheresidents.What
werethese'objects'lyinginthehome?Theywerenothingbutfodderformakingasaint.
MotherTeresashooedthecrowdoutbecausesheknewthatshehadhadenoughfootagebythenshecouldnowgobacktobeingahumble
livingsaintwhodetestedpublicity.

Deeplydisturbinghoweveristhetotaljournalisticconnivancewiththisextraordinarilybasebehaviour.Imagineifthishadhappenedinthe
Westjustimaginetheuproar!WhatissurprisingisthattheBritish,unliketheAmericans,areessentiallyascepticalirreligiouspeoplenot
muchmovedbyholiness,posturing,saintlinessetc.ButeventheysomehowbecomenumbedbyTeresaandlosetheirrationality.
BecauseMotherTeresawasoftenaroundinCalcuttaduringthewintermonths,sheoftenmetupwithvisitingcricketteams.KeithFletcher's
EnglandteammetherinJanuary1982.Shewastheepitomeofinnocenceassheaskedthem,
'Cricket?'shesays,'Isitplayedthisway.'Andsheflapsawristinanoverarmedmime:'Orisitthisway?'Andherarms
essayabaseballswipe.Youarenotinaweanymoreandyouarelaughingwithherandwanttocallher'Luv.'Withoutthe
slightcorninessMotherTeresaofCalcutta,andtheworld,tellsBobTaylorofDerbyshire,andEngland...26
OnlyoncehasanAmericannewspaperbeenboldenoughtopublishsomethingwhichwasnotdrippingwithgushingpraisefortheliving
saint.Backin1983BostonGlobe27publisheda7000wordfeaturebySylviaWhitman(theAmericanauthorandhistorian)whowasthena
majoratHarvardUniversity.WhitmanworkedasavolunteerinCalcuttafortwomonthsin1982inherfeatureshetriesherbestnottobe
criticalofTeresabutonedoesnothavetobeapsychologisttogaugethetruesentiment:
...OnthemonthlymajorcleaningdayattheHomeforDyingDestitutes,Iswabbedblackplasticsheetswithragsandwater.
InthemorgueoffthekitchenthreeshroudedcorpseslaystackedonshelvesunderalittlepictureofcrucifiedJesusthatsaid,
'I'monmywaytoheaven.'...Nonuneveraskedmynameortoldmewhattodoorwheretofindanything.Theydidnot
believeininformation.IfDrJackPregerhadwelcomedvolunteersImighthaveleftMotherTeresa'sthenandfollowedhim
ontheroundsinthebustees(encampments)underHowrahBridge,...atleastonce.AmongstWesterners,hewassomewhat
ofalocalcelebrity,...AtPremDanwehadonlyfourtowels,sowehadtowringthemoutbeforeslappingthemonthelast
fewbodies.Somewomentriedtosneakthroughbystrippingandthenlininguptobeclothed,...Becauseofashortageof
underwear,wegavethemonlytowomenwhodraggedthemselvesalongonthefloor.Outofmodestyormadness,some
startedpunchingaswetriedtopersuadethemtoputashortcotton'jama'withatearorabrokentie...Thefavorite[breakfast
oftheresidents]wasUSCivilDefenseglucosebiscuits,expiredandforwardedfromthebombshelters,crumbledintomilk.
Becausewedidnothaveenoughaluminiummugs,thelastpersontobeservedalwayspanicked,afraidthattherewouldbe
nothingleft.Whenwerinsedthecupsbythepump,womencameouttoscoopoutanyleftovers.Thetransfersfromthe
homeforthedyingalwayscomplainedthatthefoodwasbetterthereeveryonewasalwayshungry...Weheardstoriesabout
theHomefortheDying,Mother'sfavoritehouse,aboutpouringetherintoawound...Outbackwescrubbedtheplateswith
soapandashandbitsofcoconutfiber,asriceandcurrysloppedovertheSisters'flipflopsandalsdownintothegutter,
whereapatientoccasionallycameouttodefecate...InthesickandcrippledwardofShishuBhavan,thechildrenateasnack
atthreeintheafternoonanddinneratfive,andthentheysatonpotties...[Somechildren]justcrawledaround,buildingthick
callouspadswherevertheirtwistedlimbstouchedthecementfloor,...OnedayachildnamedEkkapointedtoapinkstuffed
rabbit,aplasticduck,andacoupleofotherhandmedowntoysinaglasscabinetunderastatueofVirginMary.AfterItook
outthetoys,aSistercameoverandclosedthembackup.'No,nothechildrenwillbreakthem,'shesaid.'They'retherefor
themtolookat.'...AtanyonetimetherewereaboutthirtyWesternvolunteerswiththeMissionariesofCharityinCalcutta
widows,nurses,electricians,Christianbooksellers,shopclerks,orstudents.Somestayedforayear,someforadayone
studentfromOregonvolunteeredforaweektosee'toseeifMotherTeresawasforrealornot,ifshe'sonanegotrip.'
BecauseIalwaysrootedfortheformerSisterswhomarriedpriests,truckdriversorlepers,Iwasbothamazedandhorrified
whenaFrench,aDutchandanAmericanvolunteerjoinedtheIndianaspirantstotheorder.Therestofusledadoublelife,
cappedbyaThursdayafternoonteawithatSunitaKumar'swithdelicateslicesoforangechiffonpieservedoncocktail
napkins...IntwomonthsinCalcuttaIsawMotherTeresathreetimes.Shewasoften'OUT',checkinguponher280houses
allovertheworldorgivingspeecheshowtheworkhasgrownwasaverypopulartopicwiththenuns...MotherTeresa
mighthavefoundedtheorderinanindividualactofradicalChristianitybutobedience,abylawofconservativeCatholicism,
keptitrunning.OnemorningapriestgentlychidedtheSistersatMassbecausehemissedacertainenthusiasmwhenMother
wasaway...OnedayinthecourtyardofMotherHouseamaninanoldarmysweaterwhoclaimedtohavewaitedfivehours
toseeMotherTeresareverentlyscrapedthefeetofeverySisterwhopassedby.Mothercameoutandswepthimgently
towardthedoor.'PleaselistentotheSisterwhenshetellsyounottocome,'shesaid.'Icannotseeeverybody.''ButIdon't
wantmoney,'themansaid.'Youhaven'tgivenmeanything.'AftertheIndianleftawoman[verylikelyaWesterner]indress
pantsandatropicalblouseposedbesideMotherwhilehernervoushusbandsnappedhiscamera,withandwithoutflash.
Mothershooedawayanothermanflappingstapledpapersbyherhand.'Ihavetogototheairportnow,'shesaid,looking
veryold,tiredandcrosshatchedwithwrinkles.Shehadbroad,peasantfeet,andthefirsttwotoesofherfeetweretwisted
overthethird,eitherbecauseoftightshoesofabadrotationoftheballofherfoot...AtShishuBhavan,achildnamed
Gotham[Gautam],whoselegsafterpoliodangledlikeamarionette's,usedtoshinnyupthebarsinsidethewindows,using
justhisarms.Fromtherehestaredoutintothecourtyard,wheremenwereusuallyunloadingbagsofUSsoyenriched
bulgarfromatruckpaintedwiththewords'Touchtheleperwithcompassion'...IgotpermissionfromaSistertotake
Gothamoutforawalk...PeoplewererightwhentheycalledMotherTeresa'saBandAidoperation.Ofallthevolunteers,the
nursesanddoctorsarethemostfrustrated,...TheyworriedmoreaboutgermsthansinsandtheyfoundtheSistersnotopento
criticism,howeverconstructive.'Motherdoesn'twanttobeperfect,'aGermanvolunteersaid.'Itwouldbeeasytohavea
doctorcometrainnovices,butthat'snotthepoint.'...OnedayatPremDan,whenIwasabouttorubscabieslotionona

womancoveredwithlittleusdomes,apostulant[traineenun]wavedmeaway:'Don'ttouchher.'apparentlythewomanhad
chickenpoxorsomethingoneofthepostulantshadcaught.WithinafewdaysIsawthatifIdidn'ttouchhernooneelse
would...MotherTeresasawGod'smysteryandnotman'scomplicityinthepainsofthepoor,nevermakinganyconnections
betweenSunitaKumar'svillaandthetarpspitchedoverthesidewalkParkCircus...
Whitman'sfeaturespewsalotofspleenagainsttheWestBengalauthoritieswhoatthetimeweretryingtocurtailvolunteeringby
WesternersinChristianorHinduextremistorganisationsshewasalmostarrestedandthrownoutofCalcutta.Andpredictably,shelionises
JackPregerwithoutactuallyworkingwithhimacommonreactioninvolunteersdisappointedwithTeresa.Althoughgenerallynon
complimentarytowardMotherTeresa'swork,sheimpliesthatshewasdoingthebestinthecircumstances,callingthenuns'childrenof
God'.HerdescriptionofCalcuttaisalsoratherBiblical,generallyhintingthatitisimpossibletoachieveanyresultsinsuchaplacewiththe
bestwillintheworld.
MotherTeresa'sorderrunssmallhomeswithfinitenumberofpeoplethereshouldbenojustificationthatinmatesshouldnothaveenough
towels,underwearoraluminiummugs.IhaveseenshiploadsofthesesortofitemsarrivingatCalcuttaportasdonationstotheMissionaries
ofCharity.Significantly,Whitmanskimsbutdoesnotaddresstheissueofthedisappearanceoftoysthatshemusthaveknownaresent
fromabroadinhugequantities.Thesearesoldofftothelocalshops.Alsoavastamountofclothesdestinedforthepoorfindtheirwayto
theCalcuttastreetmarkets.anystreettraderwouldtellyou.
WhitmanlucidlydescribeshowMotherTeresadealtwithingratiatingIndianswhodidnotmattershehadlittletimeandbarelymasked
contemptforthem.HowevershewouldbealloverIndianswhowereimportantinherpublicity.KhushwantSingh,themaverickIndian
journalist,raconteur,socialiteandpoliticalanimal(laterMP)wasaskedby TheNewYorkTimes (shortlyaftershereceivedherNobel)to
doafeatureonher.SinghwrotetoMotherandpromptlygotareplysheagreedtocooperatewithhimleavingasideher'Ihatepublicity'
posturing.Singhspentthreedayswithherwhenshepersonallytookhimaroundherhomesandalsoregaledhimwithstoriesfromherlife.
Shesaidshefrequentlyreliedon'miracles'forfundsandprovisions.Shetoldhimofatimewhentheorderranoutofquiltsandshewas
abouttotearopenherownpillow(Singhandhisreadersseemtohavebelievedthatshecouldprovidenumerousquiltsfromasinglepillow)
whensuddenlymiraclearrivedintheshapeofanofficialwhowasabouttoleaveCalcuttaandhadbroughthisquiltsandpillowsforthe
order.Attheendofhisthreedayjournalisticmission,MotherevendroppedSinghoffattheairport:'AsIwasabouttotakeleaveofhershe
said,"So?",....'Needlesstosay,Singhdidnotdisappointthereadersandeditorsof TheNewYorkTimes inthefeaturehewrote.Hemet
MotherTeresaforthelasttimeatapartyshortlybeforeshedied(shehadspeciallycometoDelhitoreceivetwoMarutivanspresentedto
herbyarichbusinessman)shecouldnotrecognisehim,helaments.28
SomeeighteenyearsaftershewroteherBostonGlobearticle,IcaughtupwithSylviaWhitman.Isimplywantedtoknowwhatthegeneral
reactionwastohercriticismsinacountrythatveneratedTeresasointensely.Sheshowedinitialinterestbutassoonasshegottoknowmy
strongantiTeresastance,shetotallybackedoff.IhavecomeacrossthisreactionnotinfrequentlyIfeelthereisanracialelementtoit We
WesternerscanoccasionallycriticiseourownWesterniconifwesowish,butasanIndianyoushouldbequietandthankfulforwhatyou
get .
ShortlyafterMotherTeresadiedinSeptember1997,Iwascontactedby TheSundayTimes (London).Somebodytheregotwindofmy
work(probablyreadmywebsite)andfelttherewasa'story'init.Iwaspleasantlysurprisedthiswasthefirsttimeamainstream
conservativenewspaperwastakinganalternativeinterestintheformerlivingsaint.Iwasaskedtosendwrittenandphotographicmaterials
toStephenGrey,thenewspaper'sSouthAsiacorrespondentinDelhi.Ididso,makingitveryclearthatallmyphotosweretakenduring
MotherTeresa'slifetime.MrGreygotinterestedandtravelledtoCalcuttatodoapersonalonthespotreporting.HerangmefromPark
HotelinCalcutta(IbelieveinmidNovember)andwehadahalfanhourchataboutvariousavenueshecouldpursuetodohisfeatureand
whotointerviewetc.MrGreystayedinCalcuttaalmostaweekandonepointhesuggestedwedidajointfeaturewhichIneverthought
wasaseriouspossibility.Hisarticlewaspublishedinthenewspaperon7December1997anddescribedinharrowingdetailhowthepoor
werebeingrejectedfromthedoorstepsofMotherTeresa'shomes.HewroteaboutaragpickerwomancalledShonasittingatthedoorofthe
homeforthedying,almostbarricadingit,askingforfoodorothermaterialhelp.AmancalledLaltuSahawasquotedassayingthatthenuns
hadthreatenedtocallthepolicewhenhebroughtadyingmanandinsistedforhimtobelookedafter.GreyquotedSisterPriscilla,'number
threeintheorder'assaying,'Mostbeggarsaremuchmorecomfortableinthestreetsthaninsidearoomfullofbeggars.'
Greyrecountedtheheartrendingtaleofa80yearoldwomancalledAmmaji('halfparalysedandvisiblydistressed')whowastakenbya
MissionariesofCharityvehicle('number7123')anddumpedinamiddleclassarea.AwomancalledPollyBanerjeewasquotedassaying,'I
sawtomyhorror,twopeoplecarrythewomanoutofthe[van's]sidedoor,leaveheronthefootpathanddriveoff.'Themiddleclass
residentsnowcalledthepoliceandtooktheinitiativeofhavingthewomanreadmitted'aftersomeargument'.SisterNirmala(MotherTeresa's
successor)wasquotedassayingthattheycouldnotaccommodateeverybodyandthatAmmajiwasfeeling'homesick'.
Greyalsowroteaboutwhathesawintheorphanage,commentingona'wailingchild,shufflingaround',wantingattention,but'nobody
responded'.Hewasalsoperturbedthateachcotintheinfants'wingcontained'twoclamouringbabies'.'Therewerenovolunteersinthe
infants'wing.onlyhiredmaidsandsomesisters,whowereputtingreligiousmusiconataperecorder.'Healsocommentedonthetotal
absenceoftoys.
ItmightseemfromtheabovefeaturethatmainstreamconservativeatleastinBritain,arelosingtheirextremetouchinessaboutMother

Teresa,butthatisnotthecase.ThearticlerepeatedlyexoneratedTeresa,puttingalltheblameonhersuccessors.Itwasheadlined:MOTHER
TERESA'SHEIRSACCUSEDOFDUMPINGSICK
IamsomewhatsurprisedthatGreywassotakenabackattwoinacot,whenIhadsenthimphotos(takenwhenMotherTeresawasvery
muchalive)ofeightinacot.
Greycitedinterviewswithvariouspeoplewiththepoor,andwiththosethathadbeenclosetoMotherTeresaincludingaCatholicpriest,
whoallsaidthattheorganisationhadbecomedysfunctionalsinceherdeath,priortowhichthingsweresomuchbetter,oralmostperfect!I
canquitebelievethatIndianswouldsaysuchathing,astheywouldnotwanttoupsetasahib,especiallyaBritishone.AstheToryMP
BowenWellstoldme,'It'sdifficulttoknowwhatIndiansactuallybelievebecausetheytellyouwhatyouwanttohear.'Threehundredyears
ofcolonialrulehasengenderedintheIndianacomplexcravenattitude,whichisquiteunique.ThepoorthatGreyhadinterviewedwould
assumethatanyWesternerwouldbeafolloweroradevoteeofTeresaandhencewouldbeaversetoanycriticismofher.Eveniftheyhad
saidsomethingcriticaltheinterpreter(whomightbeworriedthattheymightnotbehiredagainassahibwouldnotwanttointerviewthe
wrongkindofpoor)wouldsuppressitIhaveseenthishappen.
ItisofcoursepossiblethatGrey'soriginalarticlewaseditedheavilyonceithadarrivedattheLondonofficesof TheSundayTimes .ButI
finditratherimmaturetoputallblameon'heirs',barelyeightweeksafterMotherTeresa'sdeath.Itisafactthatallthegruesomepracticesare
adirectlegacyofthe'livingsaint'indeedtherehavebeensomesubstantialimprovements,especiallyintheorphanage,sinceherdeath,such
astheplayingofmusic.MotherTeresawasaversetonurseryrhymesandsingalongmusic.Alsotoysarebeingseennowadays.Mother
Teresadidnotliketoysforchildren,probablybecauseshethoughtJesusdidnothaveany.(AlthoughJesus,whosefatherwasacarpenter,
probablyhadlotsoftoys.)Evenifweacceptthattheorganisationhastakenarealdiveonlyeightweeksafterthedeathofthefoundress,that
herlife'sworkcouldnotsustainsixtydayswithouther,whatdoesitsayaboutherethos?Wasitallahouseofcardsthen?Doesitthen
exoneratethefoundress?
Thereisapotentiallydisturbinginnuendoinputtingallblameon'heirs',asithasaracistundertone.EvenwhenMotherTeresawasaliveI
haveheardmanyavolunteer(someofthem,especiallytheevangelicaltypes,arewhiteChristiansupremacists)expresstheopinionthat
withoutaEuropeanatthehelm,theIndianswouldmakeahashoftheshowonceMotherTeresadied.Unfortunatelybutpredictably,many
Indians,whohaveadeepinferioritycomplex(compoundednodoubtbythefactthatthecountry'sinfrastructurehasfallentobitssince
independence)shareandpubliclyairthisview,especiallyinthecompanyofasahib.Theythinkthatsuchanopinionwouldpleasethesahib,
andIndians(ofwhateverclassandeducationalbackground)arewonttoingratiatesahibs.
ItispossiblethatMissionariesofCharitymightceasetoexistinafewdecades'time,butthatwouldbeduetothefactthatwithoutthe
glamourofTeresa,therichandpowerfulwouldnotpropuptheorganisationandalsothemediawouldhavelostinterestinit.
On27August1996,whenMotherTeresawasseriouslyill,anarticleappearedin TheTimes (London)whichvoicedgraveconcernabout
Calcutta'sfutureonceshedied.TheauthorChristopherThomas,thepaper'sIndiacorrespondentwaswritingfromDelhialthoughthepaper
claimedhewasinCalcuttaatthetime.Calcuttawasasusualportrayedastheultimatewhiteman'sburdenThomasmentionedMother's
'vastindustryofgoodworks'therewasachillingfeelofapprehensioninthefeaturethatthecitywasonthebrinkofsomekindofdisaster
withthepossibleimminentdeathofitssolesaviour.
Therealityis,CalcuttacarriesoninitsowninimitablewaytheabsenceofTeresahasmadenoimpactonthecity.Inthelastdecade,
CalcuttahasfaredthebestamongstthefourIndian'metros'inmostparameters,suchaspowersupply,costofliving,crime.Italsohasthe
lowestinfantmortalityrateoutofthefourandthelowestHIVinfectionrate.ThetheseimprovementshavemainlycomesinceTeresa's
death.
On18September2000,aTeresanuncalledSisterFransiscawasarrestedbyCalcuttaPolicefortheunlawfulconfinementoffourchildren
anddeliberatelyburningthehandofoneofthem,sevenyearoldKarabiMondal.On4Septembershehadaccusedthefourgirls(whowere
sisters)ofstealingmoneyandhadrepeatedlytakenahotironrodtotherighthandofKarabi.Thegirlswerebeinglookedafterinaday
centrethenunsruninnorthCalcuttaforchildrenofpoorpeoplesinceMotherTeresa'sdeath,theorganisationhasmovedawayfromthe
strict'nofamilycases'policyandwasmakingsomeefforttolookafterthegeneralpoorwithfamilies.Ontheeveningof4September,
Kabiram,thegirls'fatherhadgonetothedaycentretocollecthisdaughters,butwastoldthattheywouldbestayingovernightforextra
trainingandteaching.DuringthenightFransiscasystematicallyterrorisedthefourchildrenandrepeatedlyburnedKarabi.
UnfortunatelyfortheMissionariesofCharity,thegirls'fatherKabiram,aragpickerandpavementdwellerinCalcutta'sGrantStreetarea
wasnotoneofMother'smeekand'beautifulpoor'.HeimmediatelywenttoBowbazarPoliceStationandlodgedanFIR(FirstInformation
Report).Followinginvestigations,thepolicearrested(andlaterbailed)Fransisca.Sheinitiallytriedtodenyhertheallegation,butSister
Nirmalaintervenedandaskedhertoconfess.Thecasecametocourtninemonthslaterandon30June2001,SisterFransiscawasconvicted
andgiventheoptionofasmallfineoratwomonthprisonsentence('simpleimprisonment').Shepaidthefine.
IamnotblowingtheincidentoutofproportionsinanorganisationthesizeoftheMissionariesofCharity,suchunfortunateincidents
wouldoccur.TheseptuagenarianFransiscaofcourseisaparticularlyviciousperson,althoughcoldbloodedcrueltyisnotunusualamongst
TeresanunsinCalcutta.(Interestingly,FransiscawasoneofMotherTeresa'sfirstassociates.)InmyopinionSisterNirmalacameoutquite
wellintheaffair,althoughshewascriticised(rightly)inthelocalpressfornotsympathisingwiththechildrenandinsteadprayingfor

Fransisca'whowaspassingthroughsuchdifficulttimes.'ButshebroughtFransiscatothepolicestationandacceptedfullresponsibilityon
behalfoftheorganisation.Later,sheagainwasincourtwhenthesentencewaspassedandabjectlyapologisedtoallconcerned.
Totheircredit,theCatholicmedia(atleastintheUK)reportedtheconviction.Indeed CatholicTimes 29hadthenewsasaheadline.But
whatisextraordinaryinthesagaisthebehaviouroftheworldmediatheytotallyblackeditout.Thenewsofthetortureappearedasa
minutenewsitemonBBCworldservicewebsite.Idonotthinkthenewsofconvictionandsentencingwasreportedatall.Itisnotthat
postTeresatheworldmediahavelostallinterestinthewomeninblueborderedsaris.AroundthesametimeasFransiscawassentenced,I
sawhalfpagephotosinmanymajornewspapersfromaroundtheworldofexPresidentClintonreceivingabouquetfromagirlinShishu
Bhavan.
ItisnotentirelytruethatMotherTeresahadnotbeencriticisedatallinWesternmediabeforethelastfiveyearsofherlife.InBritainshe
facedrobustcriticismforthefirsttimein TheObserver of3May1992.Thiswastwoandahalfyearsbeforeourdocumentarywas
shownonBritishtelevision.ItwasfactualunstintedcriticismbytheauthorMaryLoudon,whohadworkedasavolunteeratthefamous
homeforthedyinginCalcutta,butthepiecewenttotallyunnoticedbyBritishmediaandpublicalike.Publicwastoostunnedtoreact.
Media,whicharealwaysonthelookoutforscoopsand'stories'wereunmoved.Why?BecauseMsLoudon'sbriefagainstMotherTeresa
wasnotideological,butfactualshehadallegedsevereneglectanddescribedpracticessuchasthewashingofoldneedlesincoldwater.
TheBritish(andworld)mediaknewthatanyattackonMsLoudonwouldnotonlybeindefensible,butwouldbecounterproductivehence
thesilence.DrFox,whosecriticismhadbeenhalfheartedandfaltering,couldbeattackedandshreddedtobits,butletusnotmesswith
MaryLoudon,whodidnotpullanypunchesandwasobviouslypreparedtostandherground.
FollowingMsLoudon'spiecein TheObserver ,Iwasexpectingaplethoraofinvestigativereports,andteamsofjournalistsdespatchedto
Calcuttaforonthespotaccounts.Butnothinghappenedtheworldmedia,whichfoundtimetocampinCalcuttaformonthsoverthe
electionofMother'ssuccessor,wereutterlyunimpressed.
WhenevergentlemenandladiesofthepressandtelevisioncriticisedMother'scritics,theyinvokedGermaineGreerandhersubjective
commentsabout'religiousimperialism',and,ChristopherHitchensandhispersonalattacksMsLoudonwasnevermentioned.Hitchens's
lattercriticisms,whichweresubstantial,werealsoignored.GreerandHitchensareeasytorubbishyoucancallthemfeministandleftyand
proclaimloftilythattheyunderstoodnothingabout'love'andalltheywereinterestedwasinempowermentofthepoorwhichwasnotthe
territoryofthelivingsaint.
TwoandahalfyearslaterMsLoudonalsoappearedinour Hell'sAngel documentarywheresherecountedharrowingaccountsofneglect
inMotherTeresa'shomes,andsaidthatthehomeforthedyingremindedherofscenesfromNaziconcentrationcamps.Inthemonths
followingthedocumentary,whenthefilmwasregularlydemolishedbysanctimoniousjournalistsaroundtheworld,nobodyevermentioned
MsLoudon'saccountinit.TheentirethrustwasagainstChristopherHitchens'spersonalattack,andwhocanblamejournalistsforthat.
PaulWilliamRoberts,theBritishCanadianauthorofaseriousandsuccessfultravelogueinthemid1990s,isamongstaveryfewwhoever
madeanhonestappraisalofMotherTeresainatravelbook.HecametoCalcuttainJuly1992andmanagedtointerviewher,becausethat
yearMotherleftforherannualEuropeUSsojournquitelate.WhilewaitingatMotherHousecourtyardfortheinterviewhefoundanun
desperatelystrugglingwithayoungwoman,verylikelyanewconvert,learningtoreadtheBible.Robertsremarks:30
SurelytheBiblewasn'tthebestbookforbeginners?...Thelowercastesandtheharijanshadalwaysbeen
conversionfodder,...'WhowantstoseeMother?'acracklyoldvoicesnapped.Ilookeduptoseethecurtain
coveringaninnerdoorbrisklysweptasidebyatiny,robustfigureclutchinganenormousbonerosaryinher
hands.MotherTeresawasclearlygoodatmakingentrances.Shealsoseemedfarlessshyandfrailthanshe
didonfilm,withsomeimpressivewartsonhernose.Ateightytwoshewascertainlymorevigorousthan
manypeoplehalfheragelikemeandtherewasacertaintenacityinhermannerIhadnotexpected.'She
grippedmyhandsfirmlywithhers,saying,'Verykindofyoutocomeallthisway.Whatdoyouwant?'...I
askedifCatholicismwasimportanttoher.'Itisimportanttoeveryone,'shereplied.'Notjustme...Once
someonebeginstoseekGodthroughhisgracethenhemustlookintherightplaces.Otherwiseheleaves
theroad...Ohyes,'shesaidsternly.'Christiansarethelightoftheworld.'...'Whatmakesasaint,doyouthink?'
Shebrightenedatthementionofthistopic,saying,'Thereisagreatpricetobepaid.Youmustrenounce
everything.Youmustovercomemanytemptations...Andalwayssacrifice,sacrifice,sacrifice.....''Thepoorare
God'sgifttous,'shesaidobscurely...'Inyourcountrythereisspiritualpovertythatisanevenheavier
burden,yousee.ItissohardtoseeGod'sloveinyourcountry.''Well,atleastwearen'tfishingbabiesoutof
garbagecans.Notoften...'Thisseemedtoraiseherhackles.[Motherdidnotlikebeingcontradicted.]'Whatis
suffering?'shedemanded.'Itisnothing!ButwhensufferingissharingthepainChristhimselfendured,itis
themostwonderfulthingabeautifulgift,yousee...Thesufferingrelievesthesinthatiswhyitissucha
beautifulgift.''ThatisprettymuchthewaytheHindusviewkarma,isn'tit?''Tobeasaint,'shecontinued,
'meanstearingawayanythingthatisnotGodfromyourself.everyfalsedesire.Youremoveitandpurifythe
heart.YougiveupyourownwillalltheprettythingsyouwantandyoulivethewillofGod.''Butifyour
concernisthepoor,therearesomanycontradictionsinyourfaiththatignoretherealsituationhere,aren't

there?Imean,youareagainstcontraceptionandabortion?'Shetuttutted,therosaryzippingthroughherbusy
fingerswithnoiseslikeahecticpooltable.'It'snot"for"or"against",'shetoldme.'...[God]hearsthescream
oftheunbornchildkilledwithoutevenachanceofenteringtheworld..''Butthere'snoroomfortheminthe
world.Isn'tthathalftheproblem...?''JesustellusthattheFathertakescareofallthetinythingsincreation
theinsects,thebirds,thetrees.Soifhetakescareofthese,howmuchmorewillhetakecareofus?...Itisnot
forustodecidewholives,whoisborn,whoisnotborn.ThesedecisionsbelongtoGod,andhetakes
responsibility...'Shekeptharpingonlove.Itsuddenlyoccurredtomethatshedidnotcareaboutthepooratall
exceptasawaytoachieveherownspiritualfulfilment.Thethoughtsurprisedmewithitsirreverence.'Are
youconsciouslytryingtobeasaint?''IsharethepassionofChrist,'shesaid,lookingatmeangrily,beads
clacking.'Ifyouwishtosharethiswithus,youcometotheserviceinourchapel.thisevening...topraiseGod
withus.Thenyouwillseewhatwedohere.'
Robertsaskedheraboutthe(thencurrent)USpresidentialcandidateJerryBrown,whohadvolunteeredfor
herinCalcutta.
'Brown?'sherepeated'Therearesomanyvolunteers.Letthemallcome...Theymustbewillingtowork,''To
suffer,youmean?''ItisallfortheloveofGod.''IsitMother?OrisitjustmorevanityasEcclesiasteswould
havesaid?''Sheroseabruptly,glaringatme.Herfeelingsweren'thurt,Ifeltbutherpridewas.'Thankyou,'
shemuttered,hasteningbackthroughthecurtainfromwhenceshe'dappeared.'
BeforeheleftMotherHouse,RobertsmetanAmericanvolunteerwhohadbeenworkingwiththeorderfor
ninemonths.Heaskedherifshewasdisillusioned.
Shescreweduphereyes,shookherhead,sighed,thensaid,'Yeah.Butthat'sokay.Iwantedtobelievein
fairiesonce,too.''So...noSaintTeresa?'Ismiledathercourage.'NoSantaClaus,either...WhatIhavelearned
isthatwe'vegottogetusedtojustbeingpeoplewithallfaults.We'vegottastopputtingeachotheron
pedestals...becausewekeepfallingoff.'
WalterWuellenweberoftheGermanmagazine Stern isanotherjournalistwhohadthecouragetowriteadetailedandfactualcritiqueof
Teresa'sactivities.HewenttoCalcuttainSeptember1997forthenun'sfuneralandwasutterlyunimpressedbytheorder'swork.Hebecame
almostobsessedfortheneedtotelltheworldthetruestory.Hiseditorswerenotenthusiastic,toputitmildly.Theycitedbadpublic
relations,lawsuitsandahundredotherreasonsforhimnottogoahead.Hewasdeterminedanddoggedlypursuedhisresearchinthree
continents.IntheendtheeditorsrelentedandMOTHERTERESA:WHEREAREYOURMILLIONS?31waspublishedonfirst
anniversaryofherdeath.Thoughhardhittingandvivid,largechunksoftheoriginalarticlehadbeendeletedbyeditorsandlawyers.This
justshowshowdeterminedajournalisthastobetotakeoneventhelegacyofthelivingsaint.
OccasionallyMotherTeresahasbeencompared,usuallybyhercritics,withAlbertSchweitzer,theotherpurportedwhiteCatholicsaviourof
the20thcentury,althoughnobodywouldclaimthatSchweitzerachievedtheiconicstatusofTeresa.Therearehowever,moredifferences
betweenthesepersonalitiesthantherearesimilarities.
WehavetorememberthatHerrSchweitzerwasamanbeforethemasstelevisionera,andbeforetheageofjettravel.Hecouldnot,evenif
hewantedto,appearinmillionsofAmericanhomes,byjoiningtheNationalPrayerBreakfastMeetingwiththecountry'spresidentand
politicalhierarchy.HedidnotmakemonthlytripstotheVatican,withwhomhedidnotenjoyapassionaterelationship,asdidMother.
ConsequentlytheVatican'swealth,powerandpublicitymachinerywerenotbroughttohisaidduringhislifetime.
Schweitzerwasalsoraciallyprejudiced,andIdonotthinkanyonecansaythataboutTeresa.Hewasremoteandoftenarrogant.
UnlikeSchweitzer,Motherwassupremelyobligingtotheglitterati,bothinternationalandIndian.Afewyearsback,theIndianwinnerofthe
MissUniversetitlefoundherselfbeingsidelinedbythebetterknownMissWorldsoshewentandhadsomephotostakenwithMother
Teresa,andquicklyfoundherselfinmanyoftheworld'smajornewspapersandmagazines.Motherwasverykindtothemoghulsofthe
Indianfilmindustryandhasappearedinmanyaposewithmanyofthem.Thefirstcelebrityshemetandpubliclyhadaphotocallwith(on
22March1997)afterhersuccessorwaselectedwasthehottestheroineofIndiancinema,themegastarMadhuriDixit.ThisgaveMsDixit
internationalcoverageandalsoenhancedMother'sstandingwiththeIndianmasses.
IshuddertothinkwhatHerrSchweitzer'sresponsewouldhavebeenhadhebeenapproachedbyMarleneDietrichorMarilynMonroefora
photoshoot.
Butmoresignificantly,Schweitzerdidnotappealtothelowestcommondenominatortabloidsand Hello !magazine,hadtheyexistedin
hisday,wouldnothavetouchedhimwithabargepole.Hewasatetchy,gruffTeutonicmanwhohadapassionateinterestinBach.Hehad
moreinterestinCatholictheologythaninchanting'Love'likeamantra.
OneofMotherTeresa'smajorappealswasthefactthatshewas'alittleoldlady'ora'simpleAlbanianpeasantwoman',althoughsheherself
alwaysdeniedthatshecamefrompeasantstock.AsherofficialbiographerNavinChawlarepeatedlytoldanaudienceatLondon'sNehru

Centre(on22April1996),MotherTeresagotperturbedandalmostoffendedwhenthesobriquet'Albanianpeasantwoman'wasappliedto
her.WeIndiansunderstandhowimportantclassstructureis,soChawlahadparticularsympathywithhissubjectonthisissue.Hesaidthat
MotherhadtoldhimthatherfamilywereoriginallyVenetianmerchantswhoemigratedtoAlbania.Itisironicthatthewomanwhoglorified
povertyforotherpeople,andhadportrayedthecityofCalcuttatobeonemassofslumsandlepersshouldbesotouchyforherselftobe
portrayed(rightlyorwrongly)ascomingfrom'simple'stock.
Peasantstockornot,shelookedsupremelyfrailandvulnerable.Byhersheerappearanceshebroughtalumptothethroatandarousedone's
protectiveinstinctsevenofthemoreruthlessamongstus,suchasthetabloidRottweilers.
OnecouldquestionwhyMotherTeresaexploitedthemediaforherownend.Itisobviouslyacceptedintheworldtodaythatthemedia
wouldgotoanylengthforagoodstoryanyamountofprevaricationorinventionfromthepressandtelevisionisalmostexpected.But,if
oneissurprisedthata'livingsaint'joinedinthisbandwagon,oneneedstounderstandthepositionMotherTeresaworkedfromasshe
herselfsawit,itwasnotfornarrowpersonalgain,butforthegreatergooditwasallservingGod'shigherpurposethathigherpurpose
wasnotservingthepoor,butspreadingthemessageofherkindofGod,andaboutthemurderthatwasabortion.
TheperceivednotionthatMotherTeresadetestedoratleastwasobliviousofpublicityhasnobearingorrelevanceintruthandisfarthest
removedformit.Mother'sfriend,spiritualadvisorandbiographerFartherLeJolyoncesaid,'ThemediaareMother'sbestpropagandists,
diffusingherideasandideals.'32Elsewherehealsosaid
MotherTeresa'ssuccessowesmuchtoherremarkableabilitytoobtaincollaborationfromeveryside...Shealsousedallthe
modernmeansofmasscommunication.Themediamadeherknownandmadeherworkpossible.Theymadeherfirsta
state,thenanational,andfinallyaworldfigure...Shewasagoodsubjectforthecameraman.33
AndMotherintuitivelyknewwhichpublicationstofete.Incredible,buttrue,thatsheknewthepublicitypotentialof Hello !.
Thatjournalistsandauthorshavelittleornoinclinationtofindthetruthaboutthisiconofourtimesisillustratedbythedescriptionof
MotherTeresa'sfather'sprofessionindifferentbiographies.IshallgiveanincompletelistofthevariousprofessionsthelateNikolas
Bojaxhieuwassaidtohavehadaccordingtohisdaughter'sbiographers(whowerehercloseacquaintances).Hewasa'chemist'(according
toGeorgesGoreeandJeanBarbier),a'buildingcontractorandwholesaleimporteroffood'(EileenEgan),ora'doctor'sassistant'(David
Porter).
IappreciatethatitisnotimportantinthegrandschemeofthingswhetherMotherTeresa'sfatherwasabaronorabusker.Butifbiographers
cannotgetasimplecheckablefactrelatingtoalivingpersonright,howcanweexpecttotellthemthetruthwhenitcomestoimportantissues
oneitherMotherTeresaorCalcutta.
Itisparticularlyperniciouswhengrotesqueliesappearinbooksforchildren.Inacomicbookcalled MotherTeresa,Missionaryofthe
Impossible ,writtenforItalianchildrenbyPaoloGherlardini(whoseliteraryskillsaregenerallyemployedintranslatingexploitsofNinja
Turtles)publishedbytheGruppoEditorialeSirioMilan(1997),MotherTeresaisshown,surroundedbycoweringvillagers,fightingoff
tigersinanIndianjunglewithaburninglog.Whenaskedwhetherhehadlethisfantasiesrunawaywithhissensestoacertainextent,
Gherlardiniblatantlysaid,'Probablythatdidnothappen,butthisisthesortofthingreadersreallylike.AndMotherTeresamightconsiderit
acompliment.'34
IhavewrittentoallofTeresa'saccreditedbiographersnumeroustimes,askingforaninterviewIhadmentionedinmylettersthatIwished
toaddresssomeglaringdistortionsoffacts.
LucindaVardeyandKathrynSpinkreplied,butonlytoturnmedown.NavinChawlaandEileenEganneverreplied.
LucindaVardeywrote,'...IfeelIcannotcooperate.'35
KathrynSpinkwrote,'Iammoreinclinedtobecomplimentaryaboutafriendandmentorofmanyyears,Ifeeltheremightbe
aconflictofinterestinourmeeting.'36
IsentnumerousfaxesandletterstoNavinChawla,heronlyaccreditedbiographerinIndia.Heignoredallofthem.IntheendIcaughtup
withhim(3December1996)atLondon'sNehruCentre.Herefusedtograntmeaninterview,citingthe'conflictofinterest'clauselike
Spink.Hewashowevergraciousenoughtosignacopyofthepictorialbiographywhichhewasflogging.
OneofthebestsellingTeresaauthorsthroughthe1990swasSueShaw.Althoughherswasnotanauthorisedversion,itcouldbefound
sellingbrisklyinmostbookstoresintheUK,probablybecauseofthemarketingstrategiesofthepublishersHarperCollins.MsShawisa
remarkablycandidwoman,displayingararehonestyinherprofession.Shetoldme37shewasnotaCatholicandhadnoparticularinterest
inMotherTeresa.Shewrotethebooksimplybecauseshewascontractedtodosobythepublishers.ShehadnevermetTeresaorvisited
Calcutta.WhenIpointedouttohervariouserrors,distortionsandinaccuraciesbothabouthersubjectandaboutCalcutta,sheexpressed
deepregret,sayingshemerelytookherinformationfromotheraccreditedbiographies.Shesaidshehadhopedthattheeditorsatthe

publisherswoulddotheneededcorrections!Thedominoeffectofmythmakinggoeson.
Ihavealmostsolelydealtwiththemythaspropagatedbywrittenmedia.Evenmoretellinguntruthshavebeentoldthroughtelevisionand
film,whoseimpactisfarmorevivid,permanentandwidespread.Numerous'documentaries'havebeenmadeonTeresa,mainlybyher
friendsandfollowers,andhavebeenshownonnormalchannelsaroundtheworld.Thenotableoneamongstthemwasmadebythesisters
AnnandJeanettePetrie.Mother,despiteherhumility,hadnoproblemsallowingthefilmcrewtoshadowherforalmostayear.
HoweffectiveandfarreachingTeresa'spropagandamachinerywas(is)canbeguessedbythefactthatthis'documentary'wasshownat
UnitedNationsGeneralAssemblyHallon26October1987duringcelebrationstomarktheorganisation's40thanniversary.Notevery
memberstatewasentirelyhappyasthefilmwasmaskedCatholicandVaticanpropaganda,buttheykeptquiet,asnobodywouldbeseento
sayanythingagainstthe'livingsaint'.And,indeed,sheherselfwasthereandaddressedathousanddignitariesaboutthevirtuesofhumility,
charityandtheblightofabortion.ShewasintroducedbyXavierPerezdeCuellaras'themostpowerfulwomanintheworld.'Shesaidinher
speech:
Whenwedestroytheunbornchild,wedestroyGod.Weare
frightenedofnuclearwar,wearefrightenedofthisnewdisease
[AIDS],but...Abortionhasbecomethegreatestdestroyerofpeace.
The'documentary'beginswithatypicalCalcuttastreetsceneandshowsnunsasiftheywereatanycornerofthecityjustgoingaroundon
theirduties.Andloandbehold,theysuddenlychanceuponadyingman!Andtheytenderlylifthimuptocarryintheirambulanceforthe
longjourneybacktoNirmalHriday.Butwhatacoincidencethis'random'streethasinthebackgroundthehazyoutlineofNirmalHriday
shimmeringinthesunshine.

NOTESTOCHAPTER4
1.TheLancet,London,17September1994
2.TheGuardian,London,14October1996
3.Ibid.,18October1996
4.NewStatesman,London,26September1997
5.emaildated20January1997
6.7March1993
7.emaildated20April1999
8.ForbesMagazine,NewYork,3November1997
9.29March1995
10.IndependentonSunday,London,25August1996
11.EileenEgan,SuchAVisionoftheStreet(Sidgwick&Jackson,1985),p.443
12.1October1994
13.Letterdated28October1996
14.Letterdated20December1996
15.1October1995
16.30June1986
17.Seewww.pathfinder.com/Life/classic/motherteresa/
18.13April1989

19.PeterDalglish,TheCourageofChildren(HarperCollins,1998),p.289
20.TheAsianAge,IndiaandLondon,4July1996
21.TheDailyExpress,London,20April1973
22.29October1979
23.TheTimes,London,20March1980
24.TheDailyExpress,London,29March1993
25.JonathanAgnew,OverToYouAggers(Vista,1997),p.12627
26.TheGuardian,5January1982
27.16October1983
28.KhushwantSingh,BookOfUnforgettableWomen(PenguinBooksIndia,2000),p.3644
29.8July2001
30.PaulWilliamRoberts,EmpireoftheSoul,SomeJourneysinIndia(RiverheadBooks,1997),p.24555
31.Stern,Hamburg,10September1998
32.EdwardLeJoly,AWomanInLove(AveMariaPress,1993),p.94
33.EdwardLeJoly,WeDoItForJesus(OxfordIndiaPaperbacks,1977),p.14546
34.CatholicNewsService,USA,10April1997
35.Letterdated24February1997
36.Letterdated2November1996
37.Letterdated15October1997alsotelephoneconversation.

CHAPTER5
CALCUTTA
'ForIhaveheardtheslanderofmany...whiletheytookcounseltogetheragainstme,theydevisedtotakeawaymylife.'Psalm31:13
InJanuary1912,KingGeorgeVvisitedCalcutta.In1911,thecapitalofBritain'sIndianEmpirehadbeenshiftedfromCalcuttatoDelhifor
politicalandgeographicalreasons,andthekinghimselfhadlaidthefoundationstonesinthewildernessofwhatwasgoingtobeNewDelhi.
Thekingemperor'svisittoCalcuttahadpartlybeentosalvebruisedsentimentsinthecity.Hetoldthecitizensinhisaddress:
YourcitymustalwaysremainthepremiercityofIndia.Itspopulation,itsimportanceasacommercialcentreandgreat
emporiumoftrade,itssplendidhistoricaltraditions,allcontinuetoinvestCalcuttawithauniquecharacterwhichshould
preserveittoapreeminentposition.'1
ThekinghadanticipatedhugeprotestsagainstthetransferofcapitalinthismostvolatileofallIndiancitiesindeedWhitehallhadbeen
lukewarminendorsingthevisit.Intheeventhowever,thekingwasgreetedby'aforestofwavingarms'.Atthetime,thetransferofcapital
wasnotseenbyCalcuttansasathreattotheircitytheyremainedconvincedthatDelhi(evenwiththenewepithet'New')wouldcontinueto
beasedatebackwaterinthetraditionofmadetoordercapitalcities,suchasOttawaorCanberra.
Therestishistory.ItseemsCalcutta,likehissonthefutureEdwardVIII,letKingGeorgeVdownratherbadly.'Alas,alas,thatgreatcity,
thatwasclothedinfinelinenandpurpleandscarlet,anddeckedingold,andpreciousstones,andpearls,Forinonehour,sogreatrichesis
cometoruin.'(Revelation18:16,17)
ThereasonsforCalcutta'sdecline(beforetheTeresafactorbecamerelevant)arecomplexpartlyofitsownmaking,butequallyforbeingin
thewrongplaceatthewrongtime.InretrospectitisobviousthatthetransferofcapitalaffectedCalcuttaadversely,butthecitynonetheless
continuedtothrive,andaccordingtomanyhistorians,reachedtheacmeofaesthetic,culturalandcommercialstatesinthe1930s.Itwasthen
the'wealthiestcitybetweenRomeandTokyo'andwasstillverymuchthe'secondcityoftheBritishempire'.ItwasintothisCalcuttathat,in
1929,theteenageAlbaniannunAgnesBoxhahieu(asMotherTeresahadbeenbaptised)steppedoutofashipfromIreland.Itmustbe
emphasisedherethatshedidnotcometodocharity,buttoleadareligiouslifewiththeLoretoSistersinCalcutta,inwhosecloistersshe
remaineduntil1948.WithinafewmonthsofSisterBoxhahieu'sarrivalinCalcutta,aNobelPrizecametothecityCalcuttaUniversity's
ProfessorofOpticalPhysics,SirChandrasekharRaman,wontheNobelPrizeforphysicsfor1930.Thiswas,ofcourse,thesecondNobel
tocometothecitythefirstwasin1913,whenTagorewonitforliterature.
InoneofMother'smostpopularbiographies,however,adifferentstoryistold.CommentingonMotherTeresa's1979NobelPrize,itsays,
'ItwasthefirsttimeanIndiancitizenhadeverbeengiventheaward,andachorusofpraisesweptroundtheworld.'2Suchalieis
understandableifthetruthbetoldthatCalcutta,evenbeforeTeresahadproperlyunpackedherbagsintheplace,hadalreadyhadtwo
Nobelprizes,itwoulddefeattheentireagendaafterall,thisisaplacewhich,accordingtoMotherTeresa'sfriendand'secondself'Father
GeorgesGoree,isan'abscessoftheworld'where'inthedustbins,thedrains,underthebusseatstherewerelivingfetusesgiventodogsto
eat.Alittleboywhosemotherhadtriedtokillhimstillhadthestranglemarksonhisneck.'3
Theabovecommentissobizarreandlowthatitdoesnotmeritdiscussion.IfindtheCatholicobsessionwithfetusessad,warpedand
bewildering.Progressingfromfetuses,worldmediahavesaidcountlesstimesthatTeresa'snunsroutinelypickupbabiesfromCalcutta's
dustbins.Indeed,manyseeitasoneoftheirdailyfunctionspeepingintothedustbinsandthenwhiskingawaytheobligatoryweebabyin
theirwarmcottonsari.Inreality,ifababyisabandonedinCalcutta'sstreets,italwaysmakesfrontpagenews,asitdoesinanyothercityin
theworld.On18October2000ababygirlwasfoundabandonedinSitanathRoad(inagarbagedump,interestingly)innorthernCalcutta
andthefollowingdayallnewspapersreportedthenewsontheirfrontpages.No,thebabywasnottakentoaTeresahomebuttoMarwari
ReliefSocietyHospital.Nearlyadozenchildlesscouplescameforwardtoadoptthebabyandinduecourseshewasadopted.Ayearlater
manyofthecity'snewspapersreportedonthebaby'sfirstbirthday.
ItisassumedtheworldoverthatwhenAgnesBoxhahieusteppedoutofashipinCalcuttatheyoungwomanleftalifeofplentytocometoa
savageanddesperatecity.Therealitywasdifferent.MotherTeresawasanethnicAlbanianfromtheBalkancityofSkopje.Herfamilyhad
alwayslivedincrisis,beingCatholicsinaMuslimmajorityarea.ShelikemanyCatholicwomenoftheregionbecameanunpartlytoescape
povertyandpersecution.AfterWorldWarIISkopjebecamepartofYugoslavia.AfterthedisintegrationofYugoslaviaandtheformationof
Macedonia,Skopjeisnowthecapitalofthatcountry.Skopjehasneverbeenapeacefulplace.Presentlypitchedbattlesarefoughtalmost
dailythere(especiallyinthepartofthecitywheretheBoxhahieuslived)betweenethnicAlbaniansandMacedonians.Albaniansand
MacedoniansfromSkopjeescapeindrovesonships,boatsandraftstryingtogetintoItaly.Itisaregularfeatureforthemtoberescued
fromtheMediterranean.InjustoneweekinMarch1997,12,000economicrefugeesfledAlbaniaforItalyacrosstheAdriaticthelargest
suchmovementofpeopleinEuropefromacountrynotatwar.
MotherTeresaconsideredherselfanAlbanian,butwiththeprovisothatherfamilywasofItaliandescent,buttheItalianconnectionhas
neverbeenclarified.ItwouldbeunfairtocomparethematerialconditionsofCalcuttaofthe1930sandthoseofAlbania,buttheirdifference

insocialdevelopmentmaybeexemplifiedbythefactthatAlbania,untilthelate1990s,wastheonlycountryintheworldwhere,byofficial
decree,poetrywasobligedtorhyme.
ThewriterRumerGodden(noloveroftheOrientorofOrientals,she),whoisbestknownforherbook TheBlackNarcissus latermade
intoaHollywoodblockbusterhadthistosayaboutlifeinCalcuttain1929:
ForawhileItastedagainhowbeguilelypleasantlifeinCalcuttacouldbe...golfisalwaysplayedinattractivesurroundings
[myhusband]usedtogooutearlyonSundaymorningstooneoftheCountryClubs,theCalcuttaGolfClub,orthemore
exclusiveTollygungeClub,andIusedtodriveoutforlunch.SundayluncheswereusuallyprawncurryCalcutta'sprawns
weredelectableafterittherewouldbealongsiestauntilitwastimeforthecinema.4
Calcuttaprawnsarestilldelectable,andtheCalcuttaGolfClubandtheTollygungeClubstillexist,butitisnowexceptionaltotalkabout
them,justasitwasexceptionaltotalkaboutpovertyinCalcutta(whichverymuchexisted,albeitonamuchsmallerscale)inthe1930s.
RumerGoddenherselfillustratesthepointdespitenothavingmentionedpovertyinCalcuttainherearlierwritings,shesuddenly
remembered,duringaspateofcontroversyaboutMotherTeresain1994,thatallshesawinCalcuttainheryouth(inthe1930s)was
poverty.ShehadbeenbackinCalcutta(forafewdays)inAugust1994,courtesyofBBCtelevision,whoweremakingadocumentaryon
her.Shortlyafterwards,duringthecontroversyinBritishmediaaboutthegoodness(orotherwise)ofMotherTeresa'swork,establishment
worthieslineduptodefendthelivingsaintamongthemGodden,whointerestingly,convertedtoCatholicismlateinlife.Inasudden
flashbackofmemory,sherealisedthatshehadseenmorepovertyinCalcuttainthe1930sthanin1994,andsheverynaturallydecidedthat
thiswasthankstoMotherTeresa:'[Isaw]withmyowneyeswhatMotherTeresahasdone,'for'Ineversaw[duringmyvisitinAugust
1994]anyonedyingordeadinthegutters,noabandonedbabies.'Shealsoopined,'IdonotknowofanyIndianladynowwhoisn'tinvolved
insomekindofcharitablework,whereasbeforetheyappearednottocareoreventosee,andperhapsthisisMotherTeresa'strue
mission...'5
TheBBC Bookmark documentarywasallaboutRumerGodden'shedonisticyouthinCalcutta(spicedupbyherwithsomedisparaging
commentsaboutIndians),andthe88yearoldGoddendidnotgoaroundMotherTeresa'shomes,butitissafeforanyWesternerto
concludethatCalcuttaisapermanentwhiteman's(orwoman's)burden,andthat,whenitcomestocontemporaryCalcutta,ifyougothere
anddonotfindwhatyouhadhadnightmaresabout,youconcludethatMotherTeresahadcomeandvacuumedtheroadsofthedeadandthe
dying.Thisisjustasmallexampleoftheselfdelusionalnatureofbeliefsystemthattheworldhasgotitselfintoinordertopropupthe
'livingsaint':shewinsevenwhensheloses,andexactlythereverseobtainsforCalcutta.
Apartfromthetransferofcapitalin1911,thetwootherwatershedsinCalcutta'sdeclinecameatthepartitionofIndiain1947,andlastly
duringthe1971civilwarintheerstwhileEastPakistanwhichresultedinthecreationofBangladesh.Boththeselattertwoeventscaused
hugeinfluxofrefugeestopourintoCalcutta.Inmyopinion,Calcutta'sdarkesthourswerebetweenthelate1960sand1977.Thebeginning
ofthisperiodsawthebirthsofnumerousextremeleftwinggroupsinthecitywhoseonlyaimwastodestroythe'system'andeachother
oneoftheirpopularmeansofprotestingagainsttheestablishmentwasbyburningdoubledeckerbuses.MrsGandhi,whowasPrime
MinisterofIndiaatthetime,counteredthethreatfromtheextremeleftbyraisingandarmingablackshirtstyleforceofhooliganyouths
whoweregivencarteblancheinwhatevermeanstheyadoptedinordertocountertheleftistthreat.
AfterGeorgeV,thenextBritishmonarchtovisitCalcuttawasQueenElizabethIIthatwasinFebruary1961shehadbeenaccompanied
byherhusband.ThequeenarrivedinCalcuttaonthe16thFebruaryandleftonthe19th.HereisasummaryofherengagementsinCalcutta:
Day1:
ArriveatamilitaryairbasenearCalcuttahavedinnerretire.
Day2:
Visitasteelplantabout100milesfromthecityhavelunchwiththeMinisterofSteel.ArriveCalcuttalateafternoonandattendreception.
RetirethereaftertoRajbhavan(officialresidenceoftheGovernorofWestBengal).Dinner,followedbytheGovernor'sofficialreceptionto
theroyalcouple.
Day3:
SpeakatagatheringofchildrenofBritishexpatriatesinCalcutta.LaterattendtheNationalAgriculturalFairnearthecity.Atnoon,tourthe
VictoriaMemorial,theworld'slargestmemorialtohergreatgreatgrandmother.AttendGovernor'sformaldinner.Attendreceptionatthe
RoyalCalcuttaTurfClubhostedbytheUnitedKingdom'sDeputyHighCommissionerinCalcutta
Day4:
AttendserviceatStPaul'sCathedral,themainAnglicanchurchineasternIndia.Atnoon,leaveforMadras.
Theroyalcouple,whoseIndiantourhadstartedwithCalcutta,gotawarmreceptioninthecitythiswaslessthan14yearsafter
independence,butvirtuallynoanimositywasevidentagainsttheformerrulersfurthermore,itwasalreadybecomingapparenttomiddle
classCalcuttansthatthecityinindependentIndiawaslosingitspreeminenceinwealthandstatusawistfulnostalgiafortheRajerawas
alreadystronglyinplace.ItissaidtheQueenandherhusbandweregreetedby10000peopleattheairportontheirarrival.

Whatisnoteworthyintheroyalitineraryof1961isthecompleteabsenceofanythingtodowith'charity','aid','slums','lepers','Savethis'or
'Helpthat'.Itisalsoworthnoting,thatbythistimeMotherTeresahadbeenactiveinthecity(asacharityworker)forthirteenyears,but,of
coursethiswaseightyearsbeforeshewassuddenly'discovered'byMalcolmMuggeridgefromtheBBC(duringtheseeightyearsher
charitablefunctionshadremainedunchangedinCalcutta).Andyet,whenonereadsaccountsofCalcuttaoftheearly1960sinMother
Teresa'sbiographies,onegetstheimpressionthatthecitywasalreadyonebignecropoliswithstreetslinedwithdeadanddyingpeople
whereMotherTeresawasfunctioningasthesolerovingangel.
QueenElizabethIImetMotherTeresaforthefirst(andonly)timeon24November1983duringtheCommonwealthSummitinNewDelhi,
whenshepresentedthenunwiththeOrderofMeritaveryrarehonourindeedforsomebodywhoisnotBritish.AlltheBritish
newspaperswentgagaoverhowMotherTeresamettheQueenina'darnedgreycardigan'6etc.AndwhenMothersaid,'Ihopethequeen
doesn'tmind,butmyhabitisn'tveryclean.Ididn'thavetimetochange'7,shereducedthehardenedmediamenandwomentotears.Thestaid
andserious DailyTelegraph 8madethisuniquediscovery:'TheQueenlastmetherduringherStatevisittoIndiain1961.'Thisis
obviouslyuntrue,butIamnotsurprisedthataBritishjournalistwouldfinditunthinkablethattheQueenofEnglandwouldhavegoneto
Calcuttain1961,butnotmetMotherTeresa.ThisiswhattheQueen'spresssecretarytoldmeabouther1961Calcuttavisit:'Wehave
searchedourpapersconcerningTheQueenandTheDukeofEdinburgh'svisittoIndiaintheearlyspringof1961andcanfindnoreference
toanymeetingbetweenHerMajestyandMotherTeresa.Ihopethissetsyourmindatrest.'9
In1962,anotherprominentBritisher,themediamagnateandaspiringLabourMPRobertMaxwell,madeaprivatevisittoCalcutta.Mrs
Maxwell'sautobiographydescribestheluxuriousdaystheyspentwiththeirhoststheMahalanobisesMotherTeresawasnoteven
mentioned.RobertMaxwellofcourse,becameoneofMotherTeresa'smostflamboyantsupportersandfundraisersinthe1980s,whenhe
wasmilkinghisemployees'pensionfundstothetuneofhundredsofhundredsofmillions.Whateverhismotivesmighthavebeenin
lendingherhissupport,didheeverpausetothinkwhyheneverwitnessedanyofheractivitieswhilstinCalcutta?
ThirtyoneyearstothedayafterQueenElizabeth'svisit,anotherqueencametoCalcuttaitwasnoneotherthanthelate'QueenofPeople's
Hearts',althoughthiswasfouryearsbeforeshetookuponitherselftoassumethistitle.Itwasprimarilyapersonalvisitalthoughthetab
waspickedupbytheBritishtaxpayer,astherewasanostensible'official'parttothetriptolaythefoundationstoneofthenewBritish
DeputyHighCommissionbuildingonHoChiMinhStreet.Thefoundationstonelayingceremonywasgonethroughswiftlyand
unceremoniously,despitetherebeingaminorhiccupwithmalfunctioningmicrophones(duringwhichthePrincessgiggledwith
amusement).TherestoftheengagementsofPrincessDiana'stwodayCalcuttatripwereasfollow:
1.VisitPremanandaHospital,theonlyhospitalinCalcuttaforlepers(thishospitalisnotrunbytheMissionariesofCharity)
2.VisitShishuBhavan,MotherTeresa'sorphanage
3.VisitNirmalHriday,MotherTeresa'shomeforthedying
4.VisitMotherHousetochatwiththenuns(andbringthemasubstantialbutundiscloseddonation)
Insharpcontrasttohermotherinlaw'svisitthirtyoneyearsback,Diana'sentiretripwastodowithslums,lepers,destitutes,etc.,thesort
ofthingsthathavebecomesynonymouswithCalcuttasinceMotherTeresa'sascendancytostardom.
Dianahad30peopleinherentourage,includingherhairdresser,ladiesinwaitingandvalet.Awholeweekbeforesheevenlandedin
Calcutta,thenowextinct Today newspaperpredicted,'Nodoubthereyeswillmoistenassheseesfirsthandthescaleofdeprivationthat
hasturnedtheinnerrecessesofCalcuttaintoahauntofthelost,wherebeggarsroamandbabiesarelefttodie.'10Indeed,Dianawas
frequentlymovedtotearsduringhertimeinCalcuttawhilelamentinghowsheregrettednotmeetingMotherTeresainthecity.Shewasat
theGemelliHospitalinRomehavingarest.Dianacreatedtheincrediblynewsworthy'ThePrincessandtheLeper'picturefortheworld
mediawhenshechattedwithJodhanShaw,a55yearoldpatientinthe'ulcerward'intheleprosyhospital.(Thishospital,incidentally,has
nothingtodowithMotherTeresa'sorganisation.)
DianaspentagoodhalfanhouratMotherTeresa'sorphanagewhereshewatchedaskitbythechildrenenactinghowacaterpillarturnsinto
abutterfly.Shewentroundtheorphanage,huggingchildren,pinchingcheeks,nimblymovingfromcottocotonly,onthisoccasioneach
cothadasinglechild,unliketheusualfivetoeight.
WhatisstartlingisthecontrastbetweentheentireaurasurroundingDiana'svisitandthatofhermotherinlaw.Howmuch,Iaskyou,cana
citysinkin31yearsthatitsentireperspectivewouldchangesomuch?IamnotdenyingthatCalcutta,likeallotherIndiancities,hadbeen
slidingdownhillduringthatperiod,butthistotalsynonymywithsqualoranddestitutionthatithasacquiredlatterlyisanessentialpartofthe
Teresamyth.AsJohnKeay,authorofbooksonIndiaandtheRaj,remarks:
ItishardnowtoimaginethecityasthegayandelegantcapitaloftheEast.Fewplacescanhavegainedquitesuchan
oppositereputationinthespaceofacoupleofcenturieslikeRegencyBathturningintotheBronx.Contemporarydrawings
bythelikesofThomasDaniellshowspaciousPalladianmansions,widethoroughfaresandstatelygardensborderedbythe
bluewatersoftheHughliriver...it[lifeinCalcutta]wasallintenselyexcitinglikeacombinationofParisinthenaughty
ninetiesandtheKlondike.11

Alas,thewatersoftheHughliriverarenolongerblue,butbrownishblack,andmostofthe'spaciousPalladianmansions'havebeen
knockeddown,tomakewayfor,no,notslums,butuglyapartmentblocks.
Ihave,here,reproducedfromvariouseditionsofthe EncyclopeadiaBritannica overthelasttwocenturies,entriesunder'Calcutta'.The
3rdedition(178897)describesCalcuttathus:
Calcutta,acityof500,000inhabitants,isbutamoderncity,builtonthesiteofavillagecalledGovindpur.Itiselegantly
built,atleastthepartinhabitedbytheEnglishbuttherest,andthatthegreatestpart,isbuiltafterthefashionofthecitiesof
Indiaingeneral...Amongtheseimprovements[ofCalcutta]wemayreckonthatofSirWilliamJones...Calcutta'sflourishing
statemayinagreatmeasurebesupposedowingtotheunlimitedtolerationofallreligionsallowedherethusthePagans
beingsufferedtocarrytheiridolsinprocession,theMahomedansnotbeingdiscountenanced,andtheRomanCatholics
beingallowedachurch.
The'unlimitedtoleration'ofallreligionsisverytruetothisdaycomparedwithotherpartsofIndia.The'societyofinquiry'foundedbySir
WilliamJones(aforgottenscholarwhoshouldbeplacedalongsideEdwardGibbonandDrJohnson)isofcourse,Calcutta'sAsiatic
Society,anerstwhilegloriousinstitution,nownotevenashadowofitsformerselfcurrentlyitisknownfortheinfightingitgenerates
amongstvariouspoliticalfactionsthatstruggletogaincontrolofitsoperations.The178897edition Britannica alsomentionstheless
salubrioussideofCalcutta:'...forthreemilestothenorthcoast,thereisasaltwaterlake,whichoverflowsinSeptemberandwhenthewater
driesinDecemberleavesbehindsuchaquantityoffilthandputrescentmatter,asrendertheairveryunhealthy.'The9theditionof187589
describes'Calcutta'thus:
'...acityof892,429souls,whose1872maritimetradeamountedto521/2millionsterling,withanexcessofexportover
importof11millionsterling...Fromthistime[1773]thehistoryofCalcuttapresentsasmoothnarrativeofadvancing
prosperity.Nooutbreakofcivilwarnoranyepisodeofdisasterhasdisturbeditsprogress,norhavethecalamitiesofthe
climateeverdonemischiefwhichcouldnothavebeeneasilyrepaired.Agreatpark(maidan)intersectedbyroadsand
ornamentedbyagarden,stretchesalongtheriverbank.Thefortrisesfromitonitswesternside,thestatemansionsof
ChowringhiwithGovernmentHouse,thehighcourt,andotherpublicoffices,lineitseasternandnorthernflanks.Several
finesquares,withlargereservoirsandgardens,adornthecityandbroadwellmetalledstreetsconnectitsvarious
extremities...ProposalshavebeenmadefromtimetotimetoremovetheseatofSupremeGovernmentfromCalcutta.Its
unhealthiness,especiallyintherainyseason,itsremotenessfromthecentreofHindostan,anditsdistancefromEngland,
haveeachbeenanimadvertedupon.ThesedisadvantagesofCalcuttahavenow,howeverbeenalmostentirelyremovedor
theirconsequencesmitigated,bytheconquestsofscienceandmodernengineering...Thedrainageworksareonanequally
effectivescale.Themainsewersareunderground,andfortheproperdischargeofthecontentsinthedirectionoftheSalt
Lake,apumpingstationismaintainedatanannualcostof3000.Thesystemofundergrounddrainage,althoughnotentirely
completed,hadcostin1874acapitalsumof620,000.Anamplewatersupply,improveddrainageandothersanitary
reformshaverenderedCalcuttathehealthiestcityintheEast,healthierindeedthansomeofthegreatEuropeantowns.
EnglishcivilisationhasthusenabledCalcuttatoremainthepoliticalcapitalofIndia.
Calcutta,was,untiltheearly20thcentury,the'CityofPalaces'.Thiswasofficial.ItwasnotatitlebestoweduponthecitybyCalcuttan
themselves,butbytheworld.Itissupposedthatitwasfirstusedinthe1780sandsoonbecamearegulardescriptionofthecityineveryday
speak.ThomasTwining(ofTwiningsTeafame),whoarrivedherein1792wasoneofthefirsttouseit:Turningsuddenlytothenorth,at
theendof[Garden]Reach,the'CityofPalaces'withitsloftydetachedflatroofedmansionsandthemastsofitsinnumerableshipping
appearedbeforeusoftheleftbankoftheGanges.Arangeofmagnificentbuildings...'12 Thetitle'CityofPalaces'caughtthethenpublic
imaginationjustaslatterly'cityofslums'orofMotherTeresahave.GeorgeBennetandDanielTyerman,twomissionariesoftheLondon
MissionarySocietyarrivedinCalcuttaon15April1826.Theywrote:
NowthefarfamedcityofCalcuttaburstuponoursightwithimposinggrandeur,fromitsvastextentandthemagnificent
styleofitsbuildings...WellmayCalcuttabecalledacityofpalaces...Fewcitiesintheworldwillstriketheuntravelled
strangerfromEnglandwithmoreastonishmentthanCalcutta.13
InalltheworldCalcutta'sreputationisnowtheworstintheUnitedStates,butthisishowtheAmericanauthorKatherineMayo(whois
nowrememberedinIndianacademiccirclesforherantipathytowardsIndiaandeverythingIndian)wasdescribingthecityinthe1920s:
Calcutta,secondcityintheBritishempire[afterLondon],spreadalongtheGangescalledHooghly,atthetopoftheBayof
Bengal.Calcutta,big,western,modern,withpublicbuildings,monuments,parks,gardens,hospitals,museums,University,
courtsoflaw,hotels,offices,shops,allofwhichmightbelongtoaprosperousAmericancityandallbackedbyanIndian
townoftemples,mosques,bazaarsandmanylittlebookstalls,wherenarrowchested,nearsighted,anaemicyoungBengali
students,innativedress,broodoverpilesofflyblownRussianpamphlets...RichCalcutta,wideopentothetrafficofthe
worldandIndia,trafficofbullion,ofjute,ofcottonofallthatIndiaandtheworldwantofeachother'shands.Decorous,
sophisticatedCalcutta,wheredecorousandsophisticatedpeopleofallcreeds,allcolors,andallcostumesgotoGovernment

HouseGardenParties,pleasantlytomaketheirbowstoTheirExcellencies,andpleasantlytotalkgoodEnglishwhilethey
taketheirteaandicesandlistentotheregimentalband.14
AsCalcutta'scharmgrewwiththeBritish,thetaleofthe'blackhole'wasforgotten,orkeptverymuchinthebackofthemind,althoughit
remainedacompulsorychapterinhistorybooksforgenerationsofBritishschoolchildrenIbelievewelluntilthe1970s.Itwasnodoubtto
remindempirebuildersthatafterall,youcannottrustthenatives,and,howevermuch'homeawayfromhome'youmayfeelinthisplace,it
canneverbehome.Whichbringsustothebusinessofthe'blackhole'.Inthelastfewdecadesthishasbecomeanappellation,ametaphor
forCalcutta,butthe'blackhole'wassupposedtohavebeenasmallroomwhereanumberofBritishmenandwomenperishedduringa
siegeofCalcuttain1756,whentheBritishandtheNawabofBengalwerefightingoverthecity'scontrol.MostIndianhistoriansare
emphaticthatthe'blackhole'incidentdidnothappenatallandthatitwasinventedbytheBritishtomaketheannexationoftheprovince
moreethicallyacceptablebarbarianswhocansuffocatewomenandchildrenshouldbedivestedoftheirlandbeingthelogic.Calcutta's
biographerGeoffreyMoorhouse,whoisnotknownforhisradicaloranticolonialviews,says,
Thisstoryisstillcirculatedwithallhis[Holwell's]detailsinEnglishhistorybooks,thoughthereisreasontobelievethat
someofitisfabricationthat,atthemost,64peoplewentintotheBlackHolewithnoMrsCarey[sheistheonewhosold
herstorytothe18thcenturytabloids]amongthemandthat21survived.Notthatthelegendislikelytobedisturbedin
Europebyreducedfigures.15
SimonSchama,thepopularmediahistorian,believesthateveniftheBlackHoleincidentdidhappen,thefiguresaremuchexaggerated.16It
is,however,acceptedevenbyhistorianswhobelievethat'blackhole'didhappen,thatitwasanaccident.Itisatestimonytothepowersof
Westernmediaandcommunicationsthat'blackhole'becamesuchaninstantlyrecognisableimageofsufferingontheBritishsideduringthe
Raj,whereashardlyanybodyhasheardofAmritsar,whereon13April1919,350unarmedpeople(womenandchildrenamongthem)were
moweddowninlessthantenminutesontheordersofBrigadierReginaldDyer.Thegrowthofmoderninternationaltravelhasseenthe
growthofamultimilliondollarindustryoftravelbooksandtravelwriting.ThereisaprofusionofsuchbooksonIndia.Mostofthemhave
beenwrittenbyWesterners,whohaveclaimedtohavebecomeexpertsonIndiaafteracoupleofmonthsinthatdifficultandinscrutable
country.Quiteoften,publishershaveenlistedthehelpof'Indians',usuallyexpatriateones,i.e.,WesternerswithIndiannames.Very
occasionallyacontributorwouldbeatrueIndian,butnonewritingonCalcuttaisaCalcuttan.AsaCalcuttan,Iknowhowdifficultitwould
betowriteaboutGoaorMadras.ItisnotthereforesurprisingwhenIfindhugefactualerrorsandreinforcementofWesternstereotypes
aboutCalcuttaintravelguidesonIndia.ThemostglaringerrorsareevidentinthemostpopulartravelogueofalltheLonelyPlanet'India'
guide.Thistravelbook,whichsellsinmillions,isparticularlyunkindandwrongaboutCalcutta.Ihavequotedfromthe1996edition,the
lastonebeforeMotherTeresa'sdeath.Its'Calcutta'chapterstartsoffwith:
Denselypopulatedandpolluted,Calcuttaisoftenanuglyanddesperateplacethattomanypeoplesumsuptheworstin
India...Furthermore,Calcuttahasbeenplaguedbychroniclabourunrestresultinginadeclineofitsproductivecapacity...
CalcuttaisnotagoodintroductiontoIndiaandisbestvisitedafteryou'vehadachancetogetusedtosomeofthecountry's
extremes.HindustanMotorsisjustoneoftheseveralmajorindustriesthathavegivenuponthecityandhavetransferred
theiroperationstootherstates.Thesituationissummedupbythecity'shopelesspowergenerationsystem.Electricalpower
inCalcuttahasbecomesoonagainoffagainthatvirtuallyeveryhotel,restaurant,shoporsmallbusinesshastohavesome
sortofstandbypowergeneratororbatterylightingsystem.theworkersareblamed,thetechniciansareblamed,thepower
plantsareblamed,thecoalminersareblamed,evenIndianrailwaysareblamedfornotdeliveringthecoalontime,butit's
widelypointedoutthatBombay,forexample,certainlydoesn'tsufferthefrequencyandextentofpowercutsthatareaway
oflifeinCalcutta.
Idonotknowofanywouldbetravellerwhowouldnotbeputoffbythisuniqueintroduction,buttheultimateinsultisaddedthus:'Don'tlet
thesqualoroffirstimpressionsputyouoffthiscity.Therearealotofjewelstobediscoveredandthey'renotfarfromthesurface.'Apart
frombeinguniquelyuncomplimentary,especiallyaboutaplaceitissupposedto'sell'totheworld, LonelyPlanet makesthesemajor
factualerrors:
1.The'chroniclabourunrest'verytruebetween1955and1980isgreatlyimprovedandisnotuniquetoCalcuttaanymore.Thecitywas
abastiontomilitanttradeunionismbutcurrentlylabourrelationsinCalcuttaanditsstate(WestBengal)areamongthebestinIndia.Thisis
because,the(token)Marxists,whowerethemainagitatorsinthepast,haveruledWestBengalcontinuouslysince1977.In197778,45%
ofallthestrikesandclosuresinthewholeofIndiahappenedinasinglestateWestBengalbuttheturnaroundhasalsobeenrather
impressiveforinstance,in197980thecumulativedaysofworkers'industrialactionatCalcuttaportwere99,761thesamefigurefor
198182was7736. India,TheRoughGuide ,theLonelyPlanetgroup'smaincompetitorinthebusiness,itseems,ismuchmoreuptodate
withcurrenthappeningsinthesubcontinentthisguide's1996editionremarks:
...theimageofacitystrugglingforsurvivalbeliesarecentupsurgeinitsfortunes...withthereturnofpoliticalcalmandthe
pragmatismoftheBengaligovernment[Calcutta]isbuoyantwithfreshoptimism.TheopeningofIndia'sfirstunderground
railwayin1984wasseenasthefirstportentofanewbeginning.

2.HindustanMotors,makersofthefamousAmbassadorcar,arestill,verymuchinCalcutta,or,moreprecisely,intheirindustrialtownship
nearthecity,calledHindMotor.ItishowevertruethattheyhaveanotherplantinthewesternIndianstateofGujarat,butthen,allIndiancar
manufacturershavemultistateoperations.ThecompanyhasexpressednointentionwhatsoeverinwindinguptheirCalcuttaoperations,and
CalcuttaremainsthehometotheportlyandsedateAmbassador.
3.PowercutsinCalcuttastartedin1971andreachedtheirpeakinthelate1970s,early1980s,whenwewouldoftengowithoutelectricity
for12hoursintheday.Currentlythecityhasverylittlepowershortageoneofthereasonswhymanyindustrieswhichhadleftthecity
twentyyearsbackarecomingback.WestBengalisnowsellingitssurpluspowertoneighbouringstates.DelhiandBombaynowhave
severepowershortagesandareplaguedbyblackoutswhicharebothprotractedandfrequent.InMay1995,theBritishorganisation,the
EconomicIntelligenceUnit,organisedaconferenceontheIndianenergysituationinatopDelhihotelapowercutterminatedthespeechof
theIndianFinanceSecretary,MontekAhluwalia.CommentingonthepowersituationinDelhiin1995,theBritishmagazine The
Economist said,'atpeakperiods,electricitysupplycurrentlyaveragesabout20%ofthetotalrequired,afigureforecasttoriseto30%next
year.'17Indeed,on5December1996,theIndianparliamentinNewDelhihadanunprecedentedpowercutduringquestionhour.On28
February1997thecityofBombaywentpowerlessfor24hours. LonelyPlanet isrightabout'somesortofstandbygeneratororbattery
lightingsystem'allCalcuttabusinessesandmanyhouseholdsstillhavethemjustincase,astheystillcannotquitebelievethatthelong
daysofseverepowercrisishascometoanend.WhenIwasgrowingupinCalcuttainthe1970s,wehadbothinourhouse,asonoccasions
thepowercutswouldbesoprolongedthattherewouldnotbeelectricityforlongenoughtochargeupthebatteries.Standbypower
generatorsarenowthenorminallIndiancitieson9July1996,allthreepeopleofafamilyinDelhiwereasphyxiatedtodeathbythetoxic
fumesoftheirowngeneratorduringaprolongedpowercutinthecapital.
Itissadthatacountrywhichisbristlingwithnuclearweaponscannotensuresomethingasbasicaselectricitytoitscitizens.
4.Onthematterofpollution, LonelyPlanet shouldnothavesingledCalcuttaout,asDelhi,whichhasmorecarsthantheotherthree
metrosputtogether,isthemostpollutedcityinthesubcontinenttoday.ThecitystateofDelhi,originallybuiltpurelyforadministrative
purposeshasinthelastquartercenturyseenexponentialgrowthinindustrialactivity.Duringsomewintermonthstheparticulatelevelin
Delhireaches
550ppm(WHOrecommendedmaximum260ppm).AirpollutionlevelinDelhihasnowreachednightmarishproportions,andaccordingto
theIndianCentralPollutionControlBoardabout2000tonnesoftoxicfumesareaddedtothecapital'satmosphereeveryday.In1996,the
WHOpublishedalistoftheworld's41mostpollutedcitiesCalcuttadidnotfeatureinthelistwhich,Imustadmit,surprisedme
considerablyandDelhicamefourthintheworld.18Andyet,whiletheeditorsat
LonelyPlanethavedecidedtoopenitsCalcuttachapterwithremarksaboutthecity'spollution,theyhavemadenomentionofpollution
whenitcametoDelhi.Eventhemorereliable RoughGuide singlesoutCalcutta(inboxedhighlight)whentalkingaboutpollutioninthe
Indiancities.ThestrikingfeatureaboutCalcutta'spollutionisthatitissovisiblebeingmostlydieselfumesandsmokefromthecoalfired
foundriesthatsurroundthecity.PollutionisarealandburningissueinCalcuttatodayandanumberofpressuregroupsandNGOs(andto
anextentthegovernment)aredoingthebesttheycantoaddresstheproblem.MaybeMotherTeresa,whogavetheimpressionthatsheran
thecitysinglehanded,couldhavedonesomethingforpollutioninCalcutta.Butshewasnotinterestedaslongasshemadepublicity
exploitingthecityshewascontent.EventhetreesoutsideherMotherHousearemaintainedbyEconomicTransportOrganisation,the
ownersofafleetoftrucks.Onecouldofcourse,arguethatitisunfairtoexpectanoldwomansteepedinmedievalChristianityto
understandmodernconceptssuchaspollution.IusedtothinksountilIcameacrossthislettershewrotetooneSMGhosh19:
DearMrGhoshandallofSMGGroupGodloveyouforallyoureffortstofightagainstairandnoisepollution.Indoingso,
youareservingbothGodandneighbour.YouserveGodbytakingcareofHiscreation,andyouserveneighbourbymaking
theworldacleanerandhealthierplaceforall.KeepthejoyoflovingGodandneighbourinyourheartandspreadthatjoyto
allyoumeet.LetusprayMTeresaM.C.
SMGGrouprefusedtoconfirmordenyifadonationhadchangedhands.Needlesstosay, LonelyPlanet Indiahadaglowingreferenceto
MotherTeresa(inboxedhighlight)intheirCalcuttachapter,whereshewasintroducedas'SaintoftheGutters'herbiographicalsketchwas
factuallyquiteinaccurate.Inthebook's'FactsfortheVisitor'chapterthereweredetailsofhowtocontacttheMissionariesofCharityifone
wishedtoworkasavolunteer.
ThisenormouslypopulartravelbookwasaglobaladvertisementforthesqualidsideoftheCalcutta,partlyfactual,butmainlymythical.It
wasalsoaninternationalbillboardforMotherTeresa.Factsarenotthestrongpointofthisbook,whichhasalmostbecomethe derigeur
ofmainlyyoungpeopletravellingto,orevenlearningabout,India.Itissurprisingthatfactcheckers(iftheyhaveanysuchperson)at
LonelyPlanetheadquarterscouldgetsimplefactsrightsuchastheaddressoftheGovernmentofIndiatouristofficeinCalcuttaneither
thebuildingnorthestreettheymentionedexistinthecity.IthastobesaidtotheircreditthattheygotMotherTeresa'saddress,postalcode
andtelephonenumbercorrect(bothinCalcuttaandinLondon).Ihavenotconsulted LonelyPlanetIndia afterMother'sdeath,butIdonot
expectanymaterialchangeintheirinformationandattitude.IwrotemorethanoncetothemaineditorsinAustraliapointingouttheir
numerousfactualerrors,butatleastupto1996,theymadenochangesintheirguide.

MosttravelbookspublishedintheUnitedStatesareequallyfactuallywrong,butthemostdamagingis Frommer'sFrugalIndiaGuide ,
alsoprimarilyaimedattheyoung.ItsCalcuttachapterstartsoffwith:'EverythingyouhaveheardaboutCalcuttaistrue.'Whatitfailsto
mentionisthattheauthorJanAaronhasdonejustthatshehaswrittenaboutthecityfromhearingaboutitshehasneverbeenthere!She
describesCalcuttaas'anenormousramblingcity[like]astageset'where'theinhabitantsofa1,000differentvillagesactouttheirlives.'
Calcuttaisactuallyquiteacompactsmallishcity.ItspoliticalhistorywilltellyouthatitisthemostculturallyurbanisedcityinIndia.There
areentrenchedandmindbogglingmythsaboutCalcuttainthepublicmindallovertheworld.Ihavehereaddressedsomeofthem.
Mythno.1:
Calcuttaisthemostpopulouscityintheworld,atleastinIndia.
Fact:
CalcuttaisnoteventhemostpopulouscityinIndiathathonourbelongstoBombay.
Thefollowing20isalistofthesixteenmostpopulouscitiesintheworldthefigureinparenthesisgivestheexpectedpopulationin2015:
Tokyo

26.6million(28.7)

NewYork

16.3million(17.6)

SaoPaolo

16.1million(20.8)

MexicoCity 15.5million(18.8)
Shanghai

14.7million(23.4)

Bombay

14.5million(27.4)

LosAngeles 12.2million(14.3)
Beijing

12.0million(19.4)

Calcutta

11.5million(17.6)

Seoul

11.5million(13.1)

Jakarta

11.0million(21.2)

Osaka

10.6million(nochange)

Tianjin

10.4million(17.0)

Karachi

9.9million(20.6)

Dhaka

7.8million(19.0)

Lagos

10.2million(24.4)

Delhi

9.9million(17.6)

Calcutta,asisevidentfromtheabovetable,sharesthe9thpositionwithSeoul.In2015,accordingtoUNFPA,Tokyowillremainthemost
populouscityintheworldandwillbefollowedbyBombay,Lagos,ShanghaiandJakarta.Calcuttawillhaveslippedfurtherdownin
populousnessandwillshare11thpositionwithDelhiandNewYork.Thecitytoshowthebiggestgrowthrateintheworldbetween1970
and2000wasbeManilagrowing eachyear by4.65%onaverage.ThisoughttohavepleasedMotherTeresa,as,likeher,herclose
friendCardinalSinofthePhilippines,remainsstaunchlyopposedtocontraceptionofanykind.Thetwocitiesthatgrewfastestbetween
1990and2000wereDhakainBangladeshandLagosinNigeria,withdecadalgrowthat76%and64%respectively.Dhaka'sproblems
bodesillforCalcutta,assomeoftheoverspillwillprobablyfindtheirwayacrossthebordertoCalcutta.
During19952025thetenAsiancitiesprojectedtohavethehighestannualpopulationgrowthratesare:Dhaka,Lahore,Karachi,Rangoon,
Hyderabad,Bangkok,Bombay,Delhi,JakartaandBangalorewithgrowthratesvaryingfrom3.96(Dhaka)to2.58(Bangalore).21
Interestingly,sevenoutofthesetencitiesareintheIndiansubcontinent,butCalcuttaisnotoneofthem.
MythNo.2:
Calcuttaistheslummiestcityintheworld,atleastinIndia.
Fact:
CalcuttaisnoteventheslummiestcityinIndia.InBombayslightlyoverhalfofthepopulationlivesinslums,inCalcuttaabout33%,andin
DelhiandMadrasabout30%.Manymoreineachcityliveindesperateaccommodation,possiblymuchworsethanslums.About5%in
eachcityarewealthy,enjoyingalifestylecomparabletothewelloffintheWest.Thesecondbiggestslumintheworld(thebiggestoneis
notinCalcutta,butinMexicoCity)isinBombaythisisnoneotherthantheDharavislum,thesubjectofinnumerabledissertations,books
anddocumentaries.Dharaviisatownwithinacity,andmorethan500,000people(orfourtimesthepopulationofGeneva)liveinthisslum
alone.Accordingtoexperts,ifpresenttrendscontinue,about80%ofBombay'spopulationwillbelivinginslumsby2010.BlakeMorrison,
theBritishauthor,describedhisvisittoanIndiancityinSeptember1996:
Bodiesallthewayfromtheairport,nexttobusstopsandrubbishheaps,onbenchesormakeshiftbeds,sometimesintwos

orthrees,ormoreoftensimplylyingonthepavement.Asiftherehasbeenawar,andtroopshadmovedawayleavingthese
intheirwake.Onlytheyarenotdead,justsleeping.ThehotelisoppositetheCityHospitalandtomyeyestheregular
pavementdwellersareindistinguishablefromthosewhocometoseedoctors,illhealthandlimblessnessbeingcommonto
both.When[thecar]stopsatsomelights,smallchildrencarryingbabiesbangatthewindowaskingforcoins.Theirfingers
againsttheglassmakeascrapingsoundlikekittensorpuppiesbeingdrownedinametalbucket.22
ThecityMorrisonwasdescribingwasBombay,butifoneshowedthedescriptiontoanyoneintheworldandaskedthemtonamebutone
placeonearth,theywouldsay,'Why,thismustbeCalcutta.'Bombayhas70,000streetchildren,morethanallofCalcutta'sstreetdwellers.
Despiteitsextremesqualor,BombaycarriesfarmoreglamourthanCalcutta,beinghometotheBollywoodfilmindustry.TheIndian
CatholicestablishmentisfondofBombaybecauseithas40timesasmanyCatholicsasCalcutta.Indeed,EdwardLeJoly,Mother'sfriend
andbiographer,whohasnotagoodwordtosayaboutCalcutta,heapspraiseonBombayinherbiography:'Bombayisalsothehomeofthe
HollywoodofIndia,...[and]has400,000Catholics...ThetowncanboastofdozensofschoolsandcollegesrunbyCatholics...'23 LeJoly
goesontodescribehowMotherTeresawasa'starofgreatestmagnitude'inBombayandwouldbemobbedonthestreetsifshewas
recognised.Idonotthinksuchwasthecasebutifitwas,itwouldbeintolerabletoIndianCatholicsthatshewasvirtuallyignoredin
Calcutta.AnotherreasontorunCalcuttadownfor.
TheoncetolerantandmulticulturalfabricofBombayisathingofthepast,asthecity(andindeedthewholeofwesternIndia)isnowa
bastionofHindufundamentalism,whereMuslimsandChristiansliveinfear.
BetweenDecember1992andMarch1993,1200peoplediedinBombayinriotsbetweenHindusandMuslimson12Marchalone,320
peoplediedfromasinglebombblast.IfMotherTeresawassucha'star'there,shecouldhaveusedherinfluencetobringabout
reconciliationasaChristianshecouldhavebeenseenabovethesectariandivide.SheneverwenttoBombayduringthetroubles(shewas
abroadpartofthetime)butshedidherusualprayerforpeaceandissuean'appealforcalm'.
Mythno.3:
Calcuttaisaperpetuallyhungryplace.ThereishardlyanyfoodinCalcutta.
Fact:
AnyIndian,fromanypartofthecountrywouldtellyouthatanaveragemiddleclassfamilyinCalcuttaspendsthehighestinabsoluteand
relativetermsonfoodcomparedtoitscounterpartinanyotherIndiancity.Goodfoodiscentraltotheexistenceofevenrelativelyworseoff
Calcuttans.Unfortunately,thereareveryfewrestaurantsinCalcuttaservingtypicalCalcuttacuisinetheingredientsaredelicate,thecooking
isfiddly,andveryoftenthetastehastobeacquired,asmuchofthecookingisdoneinmustardoil.
Calcutta'sstate,WestBengal,isoneofthemostfertiletractsoflandanywhereintheworld(theswampyenvironthatmakesitdampand
malarialistheveryreasonwhyitsalluvialsoilisexceptionallyproductive).AlthoughoneofthesmallestofIndianstates(comprising2.6%
ofthetotalIndianlandmass),ithasbeenthebiggestyearlyproducerofriceinIndiaforthelast20yearsannuallyproducingabout20%of
thenationalyieldonanaverage!Thestatehasafoodgrainyieldof142tonnespersq.kmagainstanIndiannationalaverageof56in
foodgrainyieldpersq.kmitcomesthirdamongst32Indianstatesandterritoriesiflargetractsoflandhadnotbeenreservedforteaand
jute,itwouldhavetoppedthelist.Togiveanexample,thelargeststateinIndia,MadhyaPradesh,fivetimesthesizeofWestBengal,
producesoneandahalftimestheamountoffoodgrainasthelatter.TheCalcuttawholesalegrainmarketisthelargestinIndia.Darjeeling
Tea,the'champagneofteas',isexportedonlythroughCalcutta.
IamsorrytosoundlikeabulletinfromtheSovietera,butthisbusinessofomnipresenthungerinCalcutta,apetthemeoftheCatholic
publicitymachinery(andofthemediaatlarge)needstobeaddressed.Thefactis,themiddleclassCalcuttaneatsextremelywellcomparedto
hisorhercounterpartanywhereelseinIndia.ThepoorCalcuttandoesjustasbadlyastheircounterpartanywhereelse.
TheagriculturalproduceofCalcutta'shinterlandhasalwaysbeenimpressive,andin1813theBritishcolonialistCharlesStewartsaid,'The
provinceofBengalisthemostvaluableacquisitionthatwasevermadebyanynation.'24 AccordingtoSirWilliamJoneswritinginthe18th
century,Bengalwas'thiswonderfulcountrythatfortunehasthrownintoBritain'slapwhileshewasasleep.'25
Calcuttansareparticularlyfondof(freshwater)fishandthecityconsumesmorefishthantheotherthree'metros'(i.e.,Delhi,Bombayand
Madras)puttogether.FishiscentraltothecultureofWestBengal,whichistheonlystateinIndiatohaveaMinisterofFisheries.Calcuttans
consumeahugevarietyoffish,butthereareofcoursefavouritestheeelishisprobablythemostprizedoffishesapartfrombeingdelicate,
fragileandseasonal,itisalsoriddledwithsmallbonesappreciationofeelishisnotsomethingyouwouldexpectanAlbaniantoacquire.
Butyouwouldexpecthertotreatitwithrespect.Thereisaparabolictale(repeatedinmanyabiographyofhers)concerningMotherTeresa
andeelish:amiddleclassCalcuttafamilyoncewantedtodotheSistersagoodturnandsentthemaconsignmentofeelishasatreat.Mother
gotupsetthatherSistersshouldenjoyadelicacy,butinordernottothrowawaythegift,askedthemtocookitinamannerthatwouldnot
ticklethetastebudssheaskedthemtoboilthefish!ThetaleendswiththehappynotethattheSistersenjoyedtheirsimplerepast.
Now,eelishdisintegratesrapidlyifboiled.Ionlyhopethat,likemostofherotherparables,thisoneisalsoimaginary.Shouldthisbetrue,
thenIamafraid,bythissingleact,MotherTeresahasforfeitedtherighttobecalled'ofCalcutta'Iampreparedtooverlookallofherother
digressions,butboilingofeelishisnotsomethingthataCalcuttanwouldtakelightly!

Calcutta'simageasafoodlesscitywithaperpetualfamineisfarthestfromthetruth,andunlessonespendssometimewithanaverage
middleclassfamilyinCalcutta,onewouldnotbeabletoappreciatehowuntruetheperceptionis.Iamtoldthereisacorrelationbetween
hungerinacityanditslevelofinflationifso,Calcuttaisdoingthebestamongthefour'metro'sinIndia,thelargestcityateachendofthe
diamondshapedsubcontinentiscalleda'metro'(shortenedfrom'metropolitancity')the'fourmetros'thereforebeingDelhi,Bombay,
MadrasandCalcutta.Inasurveyofwhattherupeewasworthin1996comparedtoitsvaluein1982,CalcuttanotonlydidbetterthanDelhi,
MadrasandBombay(inthatorder),italsofaredslightlybetterthanthenationalaverage.26
On10December2001,thecelebritytelevisioncookKeithFloydbroadcastafoodprogrammefromCalcutta,whereinhecouldnotstop
marvellingattheexceptionallyhighlevelofcuisineandtheplentifulproduce.Hehoweverwentonabittoomuchabout'elegant,clean
streets',possiblyareactionfromtheshockofimagerynotfittingwithreality.27
WhatMotherTeresahasachieved,especiallyoverthelastquarterofacentury,istobringpeopletoCalcuttafromallovertheworld,looking
particularlyforpoverty.Indeed,themajorityofforeign'tourists'thatIhavemetinCalcuttaoverthelastdecadebelongtothiscategory,ifwe
includethemenandwomenwhocometoworkasvolunteersfortheMissionariesofCharity.Nodoubt,theseseekersofpovertymanageto
findwhattheyarelookingforinlargemeasuresCalcuttaisafterallathirdworldcity.Forgetthethirdworld,ifIwenttoSwedenwiththe
soleobjectiveoffindingpoverty,wouldInotfindampleofit?
PreTeresa,peoplecomingtoCalcuttawerenotgeareduptohominginonthepovertytheme.In1949,theFrenchfilmmakerJeanRenoir
(sonofthepainterPierreAuguste)wasdescribingthecityas'agoodcopyofasuburbofLondon',28 althoughthen,twoyearsafter
partition,thecity'surbanproblemswereacuteandtherewasalotofsqualoraroundbutvisitorswerejustnotprimedtolookatthem.
Evenso,atleastinthelastdecade,manyoftheghoulslookingfortheworstaspectsofCalcuttahavebeendisappointedespeciallyifthey
havealreadyvisitedotherpartsofIndiaunlesstheywerereallyassiduous.ThetravelwriterSteveMcClarencedescribes29theexperience
ofonesuch'tourist',MichaelfromtheUnitedStates,whohemetinCalcutta:
Michaelisoutofsortsoverbreakfast.Thingsarenotgoingaccordingtoplan.HehascometoCalcuttatofindpovertyand
likesomanytravellerstoIndia,tofindhimself.Bothareprovingelusive.Sure,therearebeggars,hesays.Sure,thereare
peoplesleepingrough.Butquitefrankly,it'snotrealpoverty,isit?It'snothetoysthoughtfullywithhispoachedeggit's
notswollenbelliedpoverty...[Calcutta]hastheimageofthemostdesperatecityonearth,aplaceseethingwithhumanityand
inhumanity,whereyouhavetopickyourwayoverthedeadandthedying.Aplaceapproachedwithtrepidation,ahuman
junglewherepeoplehavebeenpredictingcatastropheoverthehalfacentury.
Lateronintheday,Michaelisdescribedashavingattainedhisnirvana:
MichaelfromNewYorkisachangedman.Afterbreakfast,hetoldataxidrivertofindhimrealpoverty.Afterhalfanhour,
theyfoundit.Realsqualor.Realswollenbellies.Michaelbeamsoverthemulligatawny.Heiswellonthewaytofinding
himself.
IhavelostcounthowmanyMichaels(andMargarets)Ihavemetandinterestingly,theyaremostlyfromtheUnitedStatesandeastern
Europe.TheirinfluxhassharplyincreasedsincethebookandthefilmTheCityofJoymadetheirappearances.WhereMotherTeresaleftoff
inthebatteringofCalcutta'sreputation,TheCityofJoytookoverneedlesstosay,boththebookandthefilmareproductsofabunchof
deeplyCatholicandevangelicalpeople.
SteveMcClarencehadmadeanastuteobservationduringabriefvisitthattaxidriversinCalcuttahavebecomeguidesforaconductedtour
ofthecity'sdirestpoverty.Indeed,cabbieswhoservethecity'sairportswouldroutinelyaskanyyoungWesternpassengerwhichofthe
slumsheorshewouldliketovisitPilkhanasluminHowrah,whichisactuallythe'city'inTheCityofJoy,issaidtobeamustinthe
itineraryofthecurrentWestern'tourist'toCalcutta.
Whataremarkableturnaroundinthefortunesofthecity!WhatremarkablesuccessofWesternpublicityanddogma!Thecity,whichuntil
theearlypartofthe20thcenturywasafocalpointofthegreatestempireinhistory,andwhichtheyoungLordCurzon,beforehebecamethe
ViceroyofIndia,called'theworthycapitalofanEmpirenotfarsmallerinsizethanentireEurope',30hascomealongway!
JournalistsandmeremortalsalikeareshockedifCalcuttaisportrayedasnormal,andhorrifiedifitisshowntobeelegant.TheotherdayI
wasreadingthebiographyofDrWillPickles,thefirstpresidentoftheRoyalCollegeofGeneralPractitioners,thataugustbodyofwhichI
amamember.ThebiographerdescribesDrPickles'sexperiencesinCalcutta:
TheyreachedtheirdestinationCalcuttainDecember[1912]andWillfounditadelightfulplacetobeindiningattheBengal
club,dancingattheSaturdayclub,attendingracemeetings,polomatchesandtheweddingsoftwoorthreeofthe
passengers...31
Thebiographerisbynowshockedbeyondbelief'Calcutta'hasbeenmentioned,butwhereistheimagery?Hequipsin,'...andthehorrors

ofthepovertyanddiseaseinthatcitydonotseemtohaveimpressedthemselvesuponhimatall.'Therearetwofactstonotehere:a)Dr
PickleswenttoCalcuttawhenitwasofficiallythe'cityofpalaces',althoughifyoulookedforit,youcouldfindplentyofsqualor,andb)the
biographywaswrittenin1970,shortlyafterMotherTeresawascatapultedtostardombyMuggeridge.
IhaveheresomeglimpsesofCalcutta'sperceptioninWesternwrittenmediaoverthelastfewyears,pickedoutentirelyatrandom.Ihave
quotedfromBritishnewspapers,butIamtoldtheimageisevenworseintheUnitedStates:
'70,000maybedyingonthepavementstonight'TheDailyExpress32'thepoorest,mostdepressedpartofIndia',(fullof)
'fetidpoolsandteemingslums'TheTimes33'oneoftheworld'spoorestcities'TheTimes34'cityofslums,pollutionand
MotherTeresa'TheSundayTimes35'theworld'sworstslum'TheIndependentonSunday36
Thelastnewspaper,afewmonthslater,hadthistosayaboutBombay:
[Wewent]throughthecitycentrepastanearcontinuouslineofslumhousing.PeoplesayBombayis70percentslumsand
whatwewerepassingwasjustatinypartoftheproblem,andthatthereweresprawlingareasofslumhousingallacrossthe
city...Attheedgesoftheslumcommunities,newresidentshavehadsetuphomebysimplyfixingatarpaulin,bivouacstyle
againstawallagainstawallonwhichsatpots,pans,clothes,asmallshrine...Acrowdbegantoappearaswestoppedtopeer
downafilthypassagerunningthealleywaylitteredwithplumbingpipes,rubbish,rawsewerageandhoardsofrats.37
Thedescriptionisnotcomplimentary,perhapsevenlesssothan'theworld'sworstslum',butthereisonesignificantdifferencebetweenthe
commentsaboutthetwocitieswhereasinthecaseofBombayitwasaneyewitnessaccount,thoseaboutCalcuttaweremadefromdeeply
heldmentalimageryoftherelevantjournalist,whohadneverbeentothecity.
Now,isCalcuttaoneofthepoorestcitiesoftheworld?Idonotknow,butIknowthattheworldisalargeplaceandcontainsalargenumber
ofcities,andthatCalcuttawasoneofrichestcitiesintheworlduntilquiterecentlythemid1930s,althoughitsrecentdeclinehasbeen
precipitous.IalsoknowthatitcostsmoretorentasquarefootofofficespaceinCalcuttathanitdoesinLondon.
AtableofpercapitaincomesofindividualIndiancitiesisnotavailable,butintermsoftotalwealthgeneratedBombayiscurrentlyinthelead
amongstIndiancities,although,ifaleagueofpercapitaincomewasdrawnup,BombayandCalcuttawouldbesimilar,owingtothemuch
largerpopulationoftheformercity,andalsothelargernumberofdestitutestherein.
Now,isCalcutta'thepoorest,mostdepressedpartofIndia'?Idonotknowwhatismeantby'depressed',andoneoughtnottobesurprised
ifthecitywerefeelingcollectivelysuicidal,inthefaceoftheveritablewartheworldmediahaveragedagainstitbut,itisnotthe'poorest
part'ofIndiabyaverylongshot.India'spoorestpartisthedistrictofRaigarhinthestateofOrissa,anovernighttrainjourneyfrom
Calcutta.RaigarhhasthelowestincomeofalldistrictsinIndia,thehighestpercentagebelowthepovertyline(75%),andoneofthehighest
infantmortalityratesofanyareaintheworld.TheproportionofpopulationinCalcuttalivingbelowthepovertylineis13%,againstanall
Indiaaverageof29.9%.Admittedly,'povertyline',asdefinedbytheIndiangovernment,isathresholdabovewhichpeopleknowwhere
theirnextmealiscomingfrom.
AcomparisonofthepercapitaincomesofIndiancitiesmaynotbeavailable,butwhatisavailableisthenumberofpeopleineachIndian
citypayingincometaxCalcutta,notthemostpopulouscityinIndia,hasthelargestnumberofincometaxpayers1.4million,or12.73%
ofitspopulation.Theproportionmayappeartiny,buttheequivalentpercentageinthecapitalDelhiis8.91%.InIndiaasawhole,only12
millionpeople(orlessthan0.2%)payincometax.
'70,000dyingonpavementstonight'wasacommentbyayoungPaulDacre,thenofTheDailyExpress(heisnowtheeditorofthe
influentialanddeeplyconservativetabloidDailyMail)waybackin1973,inaninterviewwithMotherTeresainLondonshehadcometo
receivethe1973TempletonAward(35,000)'forreligiousunderstanding'.Peopleseemtoforgetthatthetotaldeadandinjuredafterthe
atomicbombinNagasakicameto66,000.ImustadmitthatMrDacrehadbeenunusuallykindtoCalcuttatheusualrefrainbyjournalists
being'millionsdieonitsstreets'.
MichaelJFarrell,senioreditorofNationalCatholicReporter,themainCatholicorganofAmerica,writingfromhisdeskinKansasCity
USA,propoundedtheuniqueviewthatCalcuttansaresoabjectlydegradedthattheyareacompletelydifferentbranchofthehuman
evolutionarytreethathomosapiens'atthisstageofhumanevolution'arerepresentedbytwomenonerichorevennormal,andthe'second
man,onabackstreetinCalcutta,[who]neverhadahouseorajoborawifeoracaroratieor$10tohisname.Todayat27,unabletohack
itanymore,heliesdownanddies.'38IwonderwhattheVaticanthoughtpolicewouldhavetosayaboutthisuniquetheoryofhuman
evolution,deviateasitdoesfromtheBiblicalline.
Needlesstosay,theseadorationsofCalcuttahavebeenmostlymadeinthecontextofMotherTeresa,andmostoftenbypeoplewhohave
notbeentothecity.EvenifthejournalistinquestionwouldgotoCalcuttaanddiscoverthattherealitydidnotfittheimage,heorshesaw
noreasontochangetheprewrittenscript.ThehorrorfilmimageofCalcuttamakesgoodcopythisiswhattheeditorswant,andfinally,
thisiswhatthereaderswanttoread.Also,asweallknow,themostgrippingstoriesarethosewithcontraststhealldreadfulversustheall
divine.Thisisthestufffairytalesandfantasiesaremadeof.ThepsychoanalystJungmadeastudyofthisfascinationofthehumanracewith

primitiveimageryinhistheoryof'archetypes'.
MotherTeresa'smanybiographiesgivesuchagrotesquedescriptionofCalcuttathatitbecomesalmostsublime.Thecitizensaredepictedas
robotic,supine,somewhatserenebutveryverywretchedandneedy.Thewholethingcomesoutquitesurreal,likeadepictionofHell
paintedbyHironymusBoschwheresomestrangeanddeformedfigureshavebeenaddedinbyEdvardMunsch.Iquoteherefromapopular
biographywheretheauthor,quotinganunnamedvolunteer,describesasceneinthehomeforthedying:
Aragwaswrappedroundit[theleg],and,wehadtotakehimoutsidebecauseofthestench.Whenwewasheditdown,the
waterstartedthebloodflowingoverthegreenflesh,boneandmuscledroppedoff.Thefootwasnomorethanaskeleton
andyoucouldseerightthroughtheleguptotheknee.Acrowcamedownandpickedupabonethathadfallenfromthefoot
theywerehungrytoo.39
Anybodywhohaseverdissectedadeadbodywouldtellyouhowdifficultitistowrenchbonefrombone,eveninacadaverthesmall
bonesofthefootareespeciallystronglyattachedtoeachotherbymeansoftendonsandligaments.Forbonestodropfromabody,
especiallyalivingone,wouldrequireanotheroneofMother'smiracles.Bonesdroppingfromfeetand(hungry)crowscomingandpicking
themupmighthappeninspecialeffectsinfilmsbutnotinreallife.Theauthorofthebookinquestion,SueShaw,toldmepersonallythat
shehadneverbeentoCalcutta.
IhavenoticedthatfrequentlyjournalistsandauthorsgetannoyediftheywouldtraveltoCalcuttaandwhattheysawofTeresaandthecity
didnotcomeanywhereneartheirmentalpicture.Theywouldoftenventtheirfrustrationonthecityandthecitizens.TheCatholic
establishment'swrathatCalcutta'slackofpietyhasbeenmanifestfrequentlyinlessthansubtlewaysitexpressesitselfwhenCatholicsfrom
theWesthavevisitedthecity,expectingasubhumanwailingpopulationtobesubmergedinGodlydevotion,atleastutterlybeholdentothe
livingsaint.Insteadtheywouldfindafiercelysecularcity,wherethewallsaredisfiguredwithMarxistgraffiti,andwhereCatholicismis
virtuallyunknown.ItisdifficultforaCatholictodealwiththefrustrationthatthepurportedcityofMotherTeresashouldhavevirtuallyno
regardforherfaith.Catholicpriestsandauthorshaveoftendealtwiththisangerbyspewingvenomatthecity.
TheJesuitpriestPaulChetcuti,whowenttoCalcuttatoworkforMotherTeresa,wasnonetooimpressedbythepopulation'slackoffaith,
especiallythepoor's:'Whatstruckmemost,seeingthesemenandwomenwalkingthesesqualidstreets,washoweasyitisformantolose
hishumanity...Ihaveseenmenwhowerehardlybetterthanbeasts.'UnabletocontainhisangeragainstCalcutta,hesaid,'Itisnoteasyto
describewhatapersonseesinCalcutta.Thecityseemstomelikeanopenulcer.'HegoesonandonhowinCalcuttaherealisedevenChrist
haddescendedintohell,howCalcuttansdidnotpossessthe'divinespark'andwere'nolongeratempleofanythingatall',with'theireyes
emptiedofallexpressionandcontent.'40
Catholicswhomaybeangryatthecity'spoorforfailingtoappreciatethesaintamongstthemshouldrealisethatitisunchristiantoventtheir
angeragainstthecitizensandrevilethem.InsteadtheyshouldaskthemselveswhyCalcuttahasnoCatholicinfluenceoranyCatholic
populationtospeakof.IfMotherTeresahaddeliveredaminutefractionofwhattheworldthinksshedelivers,thepoorinCalcuttawould
haveconvertedindroves.
AllreaderswouldbeawarethatevenwhenMotherTeresaisnotbeingdiscussed'Calcutta'isinvokedasametaphortoconveysqualorand
povertyoftheultimatekind.InthepopularfilmIntheNameoftheFather(1993)hungerstrikingIRAprisonerswereshowntodaubfaeces
alloverthewallsandceilingsintheircells.TheyallowedonlyaCatholiccardinaltointerviewthem.Thecardinallatertoldthepressthathe
hadbeenshockedatwhathesawandsuchlevelofhumandegradationhehadonlyseeninCalcutta!IntheWoodyAllenfilmAlice(1990)
whenMiaFarrowannouncestoWilliamHurtthatinordertofindherselfshewasgoingtoCalcuttatoworkforMotherT,astunnedHurt
takesagoodminutetogethisspeechbackandthenblurts,'Butthereare10,000unknowndiseasesinCalcutta!'
AninterestingfactaboutCalcuttaisthatitsinhabitantsarecomfortableintheircity.Lotsofthemliveincrushingpovertybutdefinitelythere
isnorushtoescapeifCalcutta,isthe'poorestmostdesperate,hungriest'partoftheworld,orevenIndia,hasanybodyknownanyrefugees
tocomefromCalcutta?MostofCalcutta'sproblemsareowingtopeopleflockingtoCalcutta.Fromtimetotime,Indiansescapepovertyin
Indiainboats,trucksorevenhangingontotheundercarriageofaeroplaneshasanysingleonetheseeconomicrefugeeseverbeenfrom
Calcutta?WhenhaveCalcuttansmovedenmassefromtheircitytoanotherpartofIndia?Amongstthehordesthatemigratedinthe1960s
and70sfromCalcutta'sdoorstepinBangladesh(manyofthemactuallywentthroughCalcuttaairportandseaport)toEngland,howmany
fromCalcuttaorWestBengalwereencouragedtojointhemassesoftheunwashed?Interestingly,BangladeshisintheUnitedKingdomare
beingincreasinglycalled'Bengalis',duetothefactthatBangladeshisandBengalisinWestBengalusethesamewrittenlanguage,Bengali.
Therearemajorculturaldifferencesbetweenthesetwopeoples,thepredominantonebeingthatBangladeshisareoverwhelminglyMuslims
whereasIndianBengalisaremainlyHindus.
ThetravelbookFodor'sIndia(1996)makesthepointsuccinctly:
AposterinEnglishsummedthefeelingsofmanyCalcuttans:ManysaythatCalcuttaisadeadcity.Yethundredsthrongto
Calcuttaeachdayfromneighbouringstates.Aretheyscavengersfeedingonthemortalremains?No.Theycomeinthehope
ofopportunitiesforalivelihoodandsurvival.Theydogetthemandsettledown.TheyarenotscavengersandCalcuttais
verymuchalive.

Somuchforfactswhenitcomestofictionhowever,CalcuttaisalwaysatthereceivingendTheSimpsons,perhapsthemostsuccessful
comicserialofalltimehasacookieshopownercalledApuwhospeakswithanexceptionallyprominentsouthernIndianaccentandwho
depictedasaneconomicmigrantfromCalcutta.InoneepisodeheispoignantlyshowntobeescapingpovertyinCalcutta.Iwonderif
amongstthehundredsofthousandsofAmericancookieshopowners,asingleoneisfromCalcutta(althoughAmericanuniversitieshave
thousandsofCalcuttaUniversityalumniontheirteachingrolls.)
TheBritishPrimeMinisterJohnMajorcametoCalcuttaon9January1997withhimhecarriedhisTradeandIndustriesSecretary,and50
headsofBritishbusinesses,who,betweenthem,controlled20%ofBritain'sGDP.MrMajoraddressedagroupof12,000Indianbusiness
peopleinCalcutta'sNetajiIndoorStadium,whichwasincidentallythelargestgatheringofpeoplehehadeverspokentoinhiscareer,and
whohadamongstthem,someoftherichestpeopleintheworld.TheFinancialTimes41waxedeloquentabouttheBritishbusinessgains
fromthetrip:'YoushouldhavebeenattheTollygungeCountryClubindowntownCalcuttatheothernight...'Itwentontosayhowmany
millionsofpoundsworthofdealsBritishbusinessmenhadsignedonthateveningonly.However,theyprintedonlyonephotograph(onits
frontpage)andapicturesaysathousandwordsofJohnMajor'sCalcuttatripthatoftheMajors'visittoaslum.Thevisittotheslum
hadbeenasmallinterludeinaveryhecticbusinesstrip,andthesluminquestionwasonewhichhadbeenupliftedwithBritishaidmoney,
andhad,naturally,neverbeenvisitedbyanyfunctionaryoftheMissionariesofCharity.
TheBBC6o'clocknews42alsostartedoffwith'IntheslumsofCalcutta'andaclipoftheslumscene.TheDailyTelegraph43carriedthe
samephoto.TheEveningStandard44summedupMajor'stripas'fromtheslumsofCalcuttatotheKhyberPass'.Forthepresentgeneration
itisjustnotpossibletoget'slums'and'squalor'outofthereckoningassoonas'Calcutta'ismentionedthissituationhasprevaileddue
solelytotheTeresaconnection.
SomuchforBritishgratitudeforthebusinessdrummedupforitscompaniessomuchforthehistoricalrecognitionthatmostofthewealth
ofthefabledRajonceflowedfromthisplacebringstomindKipling'swords,whoin1899,onseeingBritishbusinessactivityinCalcutta,
remarked,
Thenawickedideatakespossessionofthemind:Whatadivinewhataheavenlyplacetoloot!...adorned,docked,wharfed,
frontedandreclaimedbyEnglishmen,existingonlybecauseonlyEnglandlives,anddependentforitslifeonEngland.
IwrotetoNormaMajorshortlyaftershecamebackfromCalcutta,askingherwhatshethoughtofthenegativepresscoverage,andifshe
hadanythoughtsonwhyLondoners,forinstance,who,onlyacenturyback,hadhadclosertieswithCalcuttathansay,LeedsorCardiff,do
notnowadaysmentionCalcuttaotherthantorunitdown.Shereplied,
Iamsureyouunderstandthatwehadnocontroloverthewaythemediachosetoreport[ourvisit].Ourownpositiveattitude
toCalcuttaanditsfutureisillustratedbyourdecisiontovisitthecity...Morewidely,youmaywellberightthatastereotyped
andmisleadingviewofCalcuttaiswidespread.IdonotthinkthisisjustaBritishphenomenon...Butthereisaconfidence
[inCalcutta]aboutthefuturewhichaugurswell.45
Remarkably,MotherTeresadidnotfeatureinanywayintheBritishprimeminister'svisit.(Hedidnotevenmentionherinhislengthy
speech.)Thisisahugeturnaroundinthelastquarterofacentury,headsofstateorofgovernmenthadgonetoCalcuttaonlytomeether.I
didaskMrsMajorwhethershesawanyevidenceofMotherTeresa'sactivitiesinCalcutta,butshemadenomentionofthe'queenof
Calcutta'(astheCatholicpropagandamachineryhassometimesdubbedher)inherreplyIwasexpectingapositivemention.
IfindthecurrentBritishattitudetotheerstwhilecapitaloftheRajdisconcerting.True,inBritain,Calcuttadoesnotquitehavetheextreme
lowimageasitdoesintheUS,butconsideringtheclosetiesthecityhadwiththecountryeveninlivingmemory,theprevailingattitude
betraysasadlackofhistoricalawareness.MuchoftheBritishwealthinthe18thand19thcenturyflowedthroughCalcutta.Thousandsof
Britishers,bothordinaryandnotsoordinary,werebornheresuchasWilliamMakepeaceThakeraySirCliffRichard(hisfatherwasa
cateringsupervisorintherailways)theactress(latterlyofHollywood)MerleOberonClareDuchessofSutherlandAlisonBlairtoname
butafew.VivienLeighwasbornnotfarfromthecityherparentswereactivemembersofthecity'samateurdramaticsocieties.Eventhe
BritishCatholicmedia'smostprominentphotographerofthelastfewdecades,ValMorris,wasborninCalcutta.
WhenRobertClive,thevirtualfounderoftheBritishempirediedin1774hisfortunewasestimatedat1millionmostofitwasmadein
Calcutta.Gladstone'sthirdandfavouritesonHarrymadeanenormousfortuneinthecity.OneofCharlesDickens'ssonstriedtomakeone
butwasnotquitesuccessfulandliesburiedinthecity'sParkStreetcemetery.
LifeinCalcuttafortheBritishcommunitywasnotmerelyaboutmakingmoneyitwasaboutlifestylealso.Anadvertisementforanew
apartmentblockonatypicalSundayinTheStatesmanfromthe1930sshowsasmartlydressedBritishcouplegazingateachotherovera
wishbone.Sheasks,'I'lltellyoumywish.IwishforareallyniceEnglishhome,withrefinedsociety,anartisticsuiteofrooms,beautifully
cookedEnglishfare,goodservice,nicegroundsandnomoreworries.'Hereplies,'Thenyourwishisgranted,dear,asallyouwishforis
righthereinCalcutta.'
Thecity'swealthwassolegendarythatitmadeitswaytoliterature.IntheIrishplaywrightSheridan'sASchoolforScandal(1777)thepoor

unclecomesfromIreland,whereasthemegarichonearrivesfromCalcutta.InABusyDaybythefemaleplaywrightFannyBurney(1752
1840)theheiressisfromCalcutta.Contrastthatwiththemetaphorthattheword'Calcutta'isnowadaysusedinbooks,films,conversation.
InFrankMcCourt'sAngela'sAshestheauthordescribessqualorbyinvoking'Calcutta'.IntheOscarwinningfilmTraffic(2000)Michael
Douglassays'likeCalcutta'whenmakingareferencetobegging.Thelistisendless.PersonallyIhavenodoubtthatMotherTeresais
directlyresponsibleforthiscalumny,althoughCalcuttansmustsharesomeoftheblamefornotdefendingthehonouriftheircity.
On13June1999,BBC2televisionshoweda'docudiary'entitledScrutiny.ItwasaflyonthewallaccountofsixBritishMPs'visitto
IndiaandBangladeshinMarch1999onafactfindingmission,lookingattheallocationoffundsfromtheUK'sDepartmentofOverseas
Development.AgoodchunkoftheirtimewasspentinCalcutta.ThefilmshowedtheMPstouringSonagachi,Calcutta'snotoriousredlight
district,andalsoaslumintheKasbaarea.InboththeseareaBritishfundshavebeenputtogooduse.Thefilmtrawledtroughpoorand
deprivedCalcuttaandinterviewedanumberofverypoorpeopleinterestinglythewords'MotherTeresa'or'MissionariesofCharity'were
notoncementionedthroughoutit.ItshowedtheMPsinterviewingaprostitutecalledBobbiwhosaidthatshewentintoprostitutionbecause
shecouldnotaffordthelastyearofherhighschoolifshehad,shesaid,shewouldhaveperhapssetupasmalltailoringbusiness.
Soonafterwards,IinterviewedfiveoftheMPswhowentonthattrip.(TheLabourMPAnnClwyddeclinedmyrequestforaninterview.)I
askedtheMPsthreebasicquestions:1.WhethertheythoughtMotherTeresa'sorganisationhadagiganticpresenceinthecity,especially
amongstthepoorwhotheymet.2.RegardingBobbi'scase,whenshegaveupherstudiesMotherTeresawasatherprime:didtheywonder
whyshedidnotgotoherforhelpwhenthatisherworldimagethatthepooranddesperateofthecityrushedtoherforhelp.3.Didwhat
theysawinandofCalcuttaliveduptothecity'simage?
TheConservativeMPBowenWellstoldme46 thathehadbeentoCalcuttanumeroustimes,thefirsttimein1955whenhewasintheRoyal
Navy.HealsohadafamilyconnectionwiththecityhisgreatgrandfatherwasthecaptainofapilotshipthatpliedtheHooghly.Hesaid
thathehadfoundconditionsin1955(lessthandecadeafterpartition)prettyawful.HemaintainsthateverytimehehasvisitedCalcuttahe
hadfoundthecitybetterthantheprevioustime.
Indeed,hehadmetMotherTeresain1984whenshehadtakenhimaroundoneormoreofherhomes.No,hedidnotseeforhimselfher
nunsworkingintheslumshevisitedorinthestreets,buthehadalwaysbelievedthatMotherTeresahaddoneahugeamountsuchas
pickinguppeoplefromthestreets,housingthemetc.No,hedidnotfindMotherTeresaprovidinganyschoolsfortheslumchildrenhe
cameacross.RegardingBobbi'scase,thatshecouldhavegonetoMotherTeresadidnotcrosshismind.Hesaidthathefound(in1984)
MotherTeresaveryefficientingettingthecity'smunicipalauthoritiestodoalotoftheworkonherbehalf.AboutCalcutta,hedidnotagree
withmethatthecityhadbecomesynonymouswithMotherTeresaandslums(manyoldergenerationBritishwhowerearoundduringthe
RajholdthesameviewasMrWells).Healsosaidthathefoundthecity'sRajarchitecturefascinatinghewasparticularlyfondofthe
maidanandtheBotanicalGardens.ItseemsWestBengal'sMarxistgovernmenthasanunlikelychampionintheshapeofMrWellswho
saidhefoundits'ideasonagricultureandlandreformreallyquitesound.'
DrJennyTongeMP(LiberalDemocrat)toldme47thatinthethreedaysshewasinCalcuttaalotofhertimewasspentwaitingintraffic
jams.Shesaidshevisitedone'quitegruesomeslum'andalsoanotherslumwhichwasbeing'admirablyrejuvenated'solelybytheWest
Bengalgovernment.Shesaidinthethreedaysoftours(ofslums)andnumerousmeetingsanddiscussionsthewords'MotherTeresa'were
notoncementioned.Shedidnotcomeacrossasinglenunintheslumsoranywhereelse.Shesaidshewasimpressedwiththeworkofthe
WestBengalSexualHealthProjectwhichBobbiandhundredsofothersexworkersbelongedto,andwhichtheBritishgovernmentispart
funding.ShesaidshehadneverbelievedCalcuttatobesynonymouswithMotherTeresa,althoughshehadheardalotabouther,butwas
notquitesurewhatshedid.SheagreedCalcuttadidhaveaverypoorimage,butshehadherselffoundthecityquitepleasant(barringthe
dreadfultraffic)whosecitycentrecouldhavebeenthecentreofanyEnglishcity.
TheLabourMPPiaraKhabraemigratedtoBritainfromthePunjabinIndiain1959.HevisitedCalcuttaforthefirsttimein1999withthe
delegation.Hetoldme48thathehadheardalotaboutMotherTeresaandbelievedshehelpedalargenumberofpeople.Butno,hedidnot
seeanyofhernunsintheslumsanddeprivedareashevisited,neitherdidheseeanyevidenceofherwork.
TheConservativeMPAndrewRowehasastrongconnectionwithIndia,bothpersonal(hehasvisitedthecountryeighttimes)butmainly
throughhiswife,whorunscoursesincommunitybasedrehabilitation,wherethetraineesareoftenNGOsfromIndia.MrRowemissedthe
Calcuttalegoftheparliamentarydelegation's1999Indiatripbuthetoldme49thatfromwhathehadheardfromhiswifehedidnothavea
greatregardforMotherTeresa'swork.MrandMrsRowearestrongChristians(ChurchofEngland)andsponsoraslumprojectinDelhi.
HesaidthatMrsRowehadfoundMotherTeresa's'standardofcareprettydepressing.'HesaidhedidnotexactlyknowwhatMotherTeresa
did,butwasawarethatshewasnotinterestedinrehabilitationordevelopmentwork.HealsosaidthatthethreestategovernmentsinIndia
thatmanagedtheUK'saidmoneythebestwereWestBengal,OrissaandAndhraPradesh.
FortheLabourMPOonaKingthiswasthethirdvisittoIndiaandthefirsttoCalcutta.In1986asateenagershehadspentsixmonthsinthe
countrytravellingasabackpacker.Shesaid50shehadseenasmuchpovertyinDelhiasshehadinCalcuttabut'peopledonotassociate
Delhiwithpoverty.Calcuttahasbecomean"iconofpoverty"'.ShesaidshedidnotseeanyevidenceofMotherTeresa'sworkwhilein
Calcuttabutinsistedthatsherespectedher.ShesaidshevividlyrecalledphotographicimagesofMotherTeresaclutchingachildwhether
thepicturewasgenuinealtruismorapublicitystuntshewasnotinterested.

ItisinterestingthatthemostsympathetictoandindulgentofTeresawastheyoungestoftheMPs,OonaKing,whohadgrownupinthefull
glareofthenun'spublicityblitz.
NodiscussionofthedenigrationofCalcuttaiscompletewithoutreferencetoKipling'swellknownquote'thecityofdreadfulnights'.Most
travelbooksandnarrativesaboutthecitystartwiththesewords.KiplingwasnotatallfondofCalcutta(althoughheregardedthecitywith
awe,andconceded,'CitythereisoneinIndia')buthedidnotdescribeitassuchthatwashisdescriptionofaredlightdistrictofthecity
wherehewasmuchtakenwithaprostitutecalledDaintyIniquity.51Kipling'sdislikeofthecitywasowingtoitsthencosmopolitanismand
fusionofEastandWestinlearningandculture.RudyardKipling(18651936),borninIndia,wasadiehardracistwhobelievedthat
Westernlearningandcultureoughttobethesolepreserveofthewhiteraces.OncehewenttothelegislativedebatingchambersinCalcutta
andheardalocalbabuquotingJohnStuartMillshebecameapoplectic:
Wemadethatfloridsentence.ThattorrentofverbiageisOurs.Wetaughthimwhatwasconstitutionalandwhatwas
unconstitutionalinthedayswhenCalcuttasmelt.Calcuttasmellsstill,butWemustlistentoallhehastosayaboutthe
pluralityofvotesandthethreshingofwindandtheweavingofropesofsand.ItisOurownfault.52
HewasalsolividthattheCalcutta'municipalBoardlistischokedwiththenamesofnativesmenofthebreedbornandraisedoffthis
surfeitedmuckheap.'53
SirRudyardwasalsoanentrenchedantiSemiteandbelievedthatmuchoftheworld'swoeswerecausedbyJews.Heheapedscornon
Einstein'stheoryofrelativityanddescribedthescientistthus:'oneEinstein,nominallyaSwissbutcertainlyaHebrew...'54Hewasalsoan
ardentadmirerofMussolini.
InApril1919BrigadierGeneralReginaldDyerkilledincoldblood350unarmedIndiansinthePunjabmanyofthemwomenand
children.AshewasbeingtriedinLondon,theMorningPostnewspaperstartedadefencefundforhimoneofthefirstcontributorswas
Kipling.
SothiswasthesortofmanthatRudyardKiplingwas.Hewasprobablyagoodenoughwriter,butmanypeoplemaintainthatamanwith
suchaworldviewshouldneverbeengiventhefirstNobelprizeforliterature.IfeelitisafinecomplimenttoCalcuttaandCalcuttansthata
personsuchasKiplingdislikedthem.
IanFinlayson,writinginTheTimes,notedthatamansuchasKipling,brimmingwith'misogyny,chauvinismandracism...insteadofbeing
awardedtheNobelPrizeforliterature,wouldtodaybemorelikelybelockedupatHerMajesty'spleasure.'55Interestingly,Kipling's'cityof
dreadfulnights'(incidentallyaphrasenothisownbutliftedfromthepoetJamesThomson)quotewasmadein1888,butwasunknownuntil
MotherTeresabecameprominentintheworld.Duringtheauthor'slifetimethecitycontinuedtobeknownas'thecityofpalaces'.
EvenifKiplinghadsaidterriblethingsofCalcutta,whyshoulditbecomethedefiningdescriptionoftheplace?Isthereanycityintheworld
whichsomeprominentpersonsomewherehadnotsaidnastythingsabout?Doesthatthenbecomealmostthelogooftheplace?Do
passagesonEinsteinopenwith'AlbertEinstein,whotheNobelprizewinningauthorKiplingdescribedas...'etc.?
Duringthespringof1996,theBritishthespianTimPigottSmith,whoplayedtheleadingroleintheRajtelevisionfableTheJewelinthe
Crown,whichsocapturedthepublicimaginationinBritainandtheUnitedStatesinthe1980s,presentedaneightparttelevisionserieson
CalcuttacalledCalcuttaChronicles.56HetoldmethatinitiallyhewasabitsurprisedthatinalltheseriesMotherTeresadidnotgetamention
(whichwasthedirector'sdecision).IaskedhimifongoingtoCalcutta,hefoundanyevidenceofMother'sactivities(theserieswasfilmed
whenshewasalive).Hisanswerwasasurprisedandemphatic'Well,Noooo!'
PigottSmithsaidthathehadtolookveryhardtofindreallygruesomeslumsthatfittedwiththe'Calcutta'metaphor.Hesaid
Ijustdon'tknowwhyCalcutta'sgotthisimage.Ifoundanormalcitywhichhasborneupverywelldespitetheincessant
propaganda,anddespitemassmigrations...IholdthemedialargelyresponsiblefortheimageCalcuttahasacquired.Justthe
onesluminBombaythatgoesonformilesandmilesisthewholelengthofCalcuttaforgoodness'sake...Andyet,ifyouask
anybodyhere[wewerechattingintheRoyalNationalTheatre'scafeteria]whattheyassociatewithCalcutta,they'llallsay
slumsandMotherTeresa.It'slikethisifyoutakeadeprivedareaofLondon,saypartofBrixtonforinstance,and
constantlytelltheworldthatonlythatpartrepresentsthewholeofLondonthatiswhathashappenedtoCalcutta
unfortunately,forwhateverreasons...WewantedtogetawayfromtheTeresastereotypesoIwaspleasedshewasnot
mentionedinourseries.Howeverifwehaddecidedtoshowherorhernuns,it'dbesimplethey'dhavelovedthe
publicity...AndIfeel,weBritshavealsoletCalcuttadownratherbadly.57
NonpovertyseekingWesternerswhohavebeentoCalcuttaandbeensurprisedbyitsnormalcyhavetoldmehowdetrimentalMother
Teresahasbeentothecity'scommercialprospects.IknowofcountlesssmallbusinessesinBritainwhohavebeenturnedawaybythecity's
negativeimage.Howmuchrevenuethecityhaslosttherebycanonlybeimagined.

Agoodguesscanbemadeofthemoneythenunlostthecityfromvisitorsandtouriststhatdidnotvisititscaredawaybyimageryof
rottinglimbspiledhigh.
Atpresentabout3milliontouristsvisitIndiaannually.Ataconservativeestimateabout20%or600,000ofthemwouldhavevisited
Calcutta,haditnothadthedreadfulimage.Asithappensabout85,000foreignvisitorscometothecityeveryyear.Assumingeveryvisitor
atthecurrentratewouldhavespentabout$500inthecity,theamountlostcurrentlybythecitycomestoabout$258millionannually.The
Teresabandwagonreallytookoffinthemid1970s,sointhelastthreedecadesshehaslostthecitysomethingintheregionoffouranda
halfbilliondollars,allowingforinflationetc.andthisisaveryconservativeestimate.Tothisfigureshouldbeaddedasimilaramount
whichistherevenuelostduetointernationalbusinessesnotcomingtothecityornotevenconsideringitduetoitsnegativeimagethetotal
inmyestimationisatleasttenbilliondollars.Balancethatagainstthe$450,000herorderspendsinthecityannuallyinitsheyday(see
Chapter9)totallinginthelast3decadestolessthan$10million.Thedifferenceistoofabuloustocalculateorevencontemplate.

NOTESTOCHAPTER5
1.TheStatesman,Calcutta,30January1911
2.SueShaw,MotherTeresa(MarshallPickering,1993),p.126
3.GeorgesGoreeandJeanBarbier,FortheLoveofGod,MotherTeresa(T.ShandAlbaPublication1974),pp.22,58
4.RumerGodden,ATimetoDance,NoTimetoWeep(Macmillan,1987),p.36
5.LetterstotheEditor,TheTimes,London,11November1994
6.TheDailyMail,London,25December1983
7.TheDailyMirror,London,25December1983
8.25December1983
9.Lettertoauthordated11April1997fromGeoffreyCrawford,BuckinghamPalace
10.Today,London,8February1992
11.JohnKeay,IndiaDiscovered(Collins,1988),pp.2122
12.QuotedinJ.P.Losty,CalcuttaCityofPalaces(TheBritishLibrary,1990),p.45
13.QuotedinTomHiney,OntheMissionaryTrail(Chatto&Windus,2000),p.204
14.QuotedinMrinaliniSaha(ed.),SelectionsfromMotherIndia(KaliforWomen,1998),p.69
15.GeoffreyMoorhouse,CalcuttaTheCityRevealed(Penguin,1971),p.45
16.SimonSchama,HistoryofBritain(BBCBooks,2002)
17.TheEconomist,London,27May1995
18.IndiaToday,15July1996
19.AdvertisementsbearingthisletterappearedinvariousCalcuttanewspapersduringAugust1996
20.SourceUNFPA
21.TheStatesman,Calcutta,30July1998,quotingUNsources
22.IndependentonSunday,London,29December1996
23.EdwardLeJoly,MotherTeresatheGloriousYears(StPaulPublications,1992),p.99
24.QuotedinCalcuttaTheCityRevealed,p.133
25.QuotedinIndiaDiscovered,p.21

26.StatisticalOutlineofIndia199596.
27.Channel5television,UK
28.JeanRenoir,Letters(FaberandFaber,1994),p.222
29.IndependentonSunday,London,3September1995
30.DavidGilmour,Curzon(Macmillan,1994),p.68
31.JohnPemberton,WillPicklesofWensleydale(GeoffreyBles,1970),p.52
32.26April1973
33.4February1986
34.27August1996
35.24March1996
36.24March1996
37.IndependentonSunday,26January1995
38.NationalCatholicReporter,US,17March1995
39.SueShaw,MotherTeresa,p.108
40.PaulChetcuti,ChoosingtoServetheDestitute(IrishMessengerPublications,1980),pp.35
41.10and13January1997
42.9January1997
43.10January1997
44.14January1997
45.Lettertoauthor,dated22January1997
46.InterviewedattheHouseofCommons,30June1999
47.InterviewedattheHouseofCommons,21May1999
48.InterviewedattheHouseofCommons,22July1999
49.InterviewedattheMP'soffice,1December1999
50.InterviewedattheHouseofCommons,24November1999
51.AndrewLycett,RudyardKipling(Phoenix1999),p.210
52.Ibid.
53.Ibid.
54.Ibid.,p.673
55.RequotedinTheTablet,London,2October1999
56.Channel4Television,UK57.Interviewwithauthor,8November1996

CHAPTER6
THEDESTITUTESOFCALCUTTA
APROFILE
ANDMYOWNVIDEOINTERVIEWSWITHTHEM
Calcutta,likeallIndianandThirdWorldcities,hasmanydestitutes.TheTeresapublicitybrigadehasreducedthemtoBiblicalcreatures,but
theyarerealpeoplewithrealproblemsinarealcity.
Letusforafewminutesgetawayfromthe'Calcutta'metaphordestitutesliningthestreetsetc.andaskourselvessomeseriousquestions:
WheredoCalcutta'sdestitutescomefrom?Wheredotheylive?Howdotheysurvive?And,howmanyarethere?
Inmyviewnotallpavementdwellersaredestitutes,formanychoosetoliveonpavementsasawayoflife.Converselymanynonpavement
dwellers,suchasmanylivinginslumsorindeedalargesectionofthelowermiddleclasspopulationlivinginsocalledhousesarebordering
ondestitution.VeryfewstudieshavebeendoneonthehundredsofmillionsthatliveinIndiainaprecariousstatepermanentlypoisedonthe
brinkofdestitution.
NumerousstudieshavebeendoneonthepavementdwellersofCalcutta,somebythecityauthorities,butmostlybyacademics,bothnational
andinternational.
ItisoftenaskedhowmanypavementdwellersthereareinCalcutta.IhavelostcounthowmanytimesIhavereadthefollowingappellation
ofthecity'wheremillionsliveonthestreets'.Forgetmillions,ifjustonemillionpeoplelaydowntonightinthestreetsofCalcuttanextto
eachother,eachtakingupamodestthreefeetofstreetspace,theywouldformachainthatwouldbe567solidmilesofdestitutereaching
theholycityofVaranasiinnorthernIndia!
So,howmanypavementdwellersarethere?Between50and55thousand.BetweenMarchandJune1987,theCalcuttaMetropolitan
DevelopmentAuthority(CMDA)carriedoutapersontopersonsurveyofCalcutta'spavementdwellersandputthetotalat55,571.
Numerousothersurveyshavebeendone,mainlybyacademicbodies,andthefiguresthatrepeatedlycomeuparebetween50and55
thousand.ShortlyaftertheBangladeshwarintheearly1970s,thenumberofpavementdwellersreacheditspeakover70,000.Currently
thenumberhasprobablydippedbelow50,000,asthecityauthoritieshavetakenstepstostopthesettingupofshacksbyrootlesspeople.
WhatdoCalcutta'spavementdwellersdotoearnacrust?Inasurvey1of10,841pavementdwellersin1975,DrSudhenduMukherjee,then
DeputyDirectorofPlanning,CMDA,foundthemtohavethefollowingoccupations:
Beggar

22.0%

Casualdaylabourer

23.4%

Handcartpullerandcoolie 6.5%
Rickshawpuller

7.3%

Hawker

3.1%

Ragpicker

4.8%

Regulardaylabourer

8.6%

Vegetableseller

3.6%

Maidservant

4.2%

Others

16.5%

Inhersmallsurvey2ofpavementdwellers(undertakenmid1974)aroundtheSealdahrailterminusarea,DollyPalfoundthecommonest
occupation(of30.04%)tobe'riceandwheatsmuggling'.Thiswaswhenthe'import'ofgrainsintothecityfromvillageswasbannedbylaw
inorderthattheirpricesdidnotriseinthevillages.
Inasurvey3 of33,743pavementdwellers,DrSudhenduMukherjeefound98%ofthemtohaveemigratedintothecity,butmostlyfromits
hinterlandtheruralareasofWestBengal.33.2%camefromoutsidethestate,mostlyfromBihar(about20%ofthetotalnumber).6.6%
camefromBangladesh.Justbeforetheyemigrated,mostwereworkingontheland,eitherasafarmhandorasahelper.
Aninterestingpointthatcomesoutinthesesurveysisthatonlyaminorityofpavementdwellersarebeggarsthefigurevariesfrom8%to
25%,dependingontheareasurveyed.
Anacademicstudywasdone(byoneDrSumitaChaudhuri)withthebeggarsofasmallareaofCalcutta,namelyKalighat,andlaterabook
oftheresearchpublishedasBeggarsofKalighat,Calcutta(AnthropologicalSurveyofIndiaCalcutta,1987).Thestudywasundertakenin

themidtolate1970s,butthesociologicalpicturehaschangedlittlesincethen.And,itwasalsotheperiodwhenMotherTeresawasgoing
fromstrengthtostrengthinherinternationalreputation,andwascollectingawardsaseasilyandblithelyasonewouldpicktogorflowers
aftertherains.ApartfromherNobel(1979),shehadbythenreceivedallhermajorawards.Thestudywasdonesolelyamongbeggars,
excludingotherdestitutes.Itshowedalargepercentage(about40%)ofthetotalbeggarpopulationtobechildrenbetweenthenewbornand
15yearsagegroup.Italsoshowedanotherunusualphenomenonthatthereweremorewomenthanmeninthatpopulationthereverse
usuallyobtainsinapopulationofdestitutes.Thewomenweremostlyeitherwidowswhohadbecomedestitutesafterthedeathsoftheir
husbandsandhadmigratedfromthevillages,ormarriedwomenwhohadfledtheirruralhomes,leavingtheirviolenthusbandsbehind.
Therewerealsomarriedorcohabitingwomenaspartofabeggarcouple.
InDrChaudhuri'ssurvey,about50%ofthepopulationhadcomefromruralareasofWestBengal,20%fromtheneighbouringstateof
Bihar,20%fromBangladesh,andtherestfromotherpartsofIndia.TherewasonefamilywhichcamefromthedistantAndamans,aremote
groupofislandsaboutathousandmilesaway.Beggarsfromaparticularpartofthesubcontinentformedtheirownethnicgroup,and
althoughthereexistedsomerivalrybetweenthegroups,therewasnoovertanimosity.ChaudhuriputthetotalnumberofKalighatbeggars
as3,000althoughitisrareforallofmostofthemtobeseentogetheratthesametime.
ThebeggarsofKalighattendtocookdaily,between4and9p.m.Thecookingisdoneintheopenandthemeal,consistingifriceand
vegetables,istakenaround8p.m.Thisisnottheonlymealtheyhave,asfromtimetotimethepilgrimsgivethemfood.Thetempleprasad,
becauseofthesizeofitsportion,isnotverypopular.Themealsarecookedseparatelybydifferentfamilyorimmigrantunits.
ItistobenotedthatMotherTeresa('ofCalcutta'),whoseorderhassoupkitchensinobscurecornersoftheUnitedStates,doesnothaveone
inKalighatinCalcutta.
TheKalighatbeggarstakeresorttovariousploystoenhancetheiralmsintakecoveringapartofthebodywithgoat'sskin(bloodysideup)
tomakeitlooklikeanulcerisanoldploy.Thosewhohavechildrenasarulecarrythemwhenbegging,aschildrenaresaidtobesympathy
generatorsonereasonwhyitisdifficulttogetthesechildrentoschool.
Thebeggarsdonothavetheluxuryoflivinginslumstheymostlysleeponthepavement,somesleepunderneathporticoesofbuildings,
somehaveportableshacksinnearbyKalighatpark.Asmallnumbersleepinshops,servingthefunctionofasecurityguard.Again,Mother
Teresa'sorderdoesnotofferanysheltertothebeggarsofKalighat(orelsewhereinCalcutta),althoughithasmanyhundredsofnight
sheltersthroughouttheworldindeed,worldwide,theprovisionofnightsheltersisitscommonestcharitablefunction.Perhapsitwouldbe
toomuchtoexpectforittoprovide,eveninCalcutta,anymannerofsheltertothreethousandbeggars,butIthinkshecouldhavebeen
expectedtooffersomeminimumprovisionforthemostvulnerablewomenwithverysmallchildren.Shedidnot.
BeggarsofKalighat,Calcuttaisaslimvolume.Itiswrittenwithoutsentimentalityandemotion,asaresearchdocumentshouldbe.Apart
fromvariouschartsandtables,itcontainsdescriptivepassages,wherethedailyroutineofaKalighatbeggar'slifeisdescribed,alsohisor
hertribulationsandaspirations.Therearevariouscasehistories,especiallyofthewomen.Butinthecourseofthisthoroughresearch
narrative,MotherTeresagetsasinglementioninpassing,althoughthebeggarsspenttheirlivesintheclosevicinityofherworldfamous
home,andindeed,manysleptatnightbyproppingtheirshacksagainstthewallsofNirmalHriday.Notsurprisinglyinnoneoftheserious
documentsIhaveconsultedtodowithCalcutta'surbanproblemseveninMother'simmediatepreNobelyears,dotheMissionariesof
Charitygetamention.ButIhadassumedthattheymighthavehadsomeroleintheKalighatbeggars'lives.MotherTeresaandherSisters
areunknownentitiestothevastmajorityofbeggarsanddestitutesofCalcutta.Butitcouldbesupposedthattheywieldsomekindof
influenceoverthepoorthatliveorfrequentthesmallareawhereherhomeforthedyingis.
InmyownsurveysinKalighatamongtheadultbeggars,Ihavefoundthatlessthat10%ofthemenand2%ofthewomenhaveanyreading
orwritingskillsthisisconsistentwithMsChaudhuri'ssurvey,andothersurveyswithIndianbeggars.
MotherTeresahadtheidealresourcestobringeducationtothechildrenofdestitutesofKalighat.Herhomeforthedyingisagroundfloor
operationthefirstfloorofthebuildinghasachapelandroomstosleepfourorfivenuns.Thenuns'bedsarenotWorldWarIstretcherbeds
likethoseoftheresidentstheyareproperbeds,withmattressesandginghambedsheets.Thereisalsoalargeverandaonthefirstfloor,
whereIhavespentmanyanafternoonchattingwithvolunteers.Thechapelisnotabigonebutitiscleanest,bestlookedafterroominthe
building.
Asthehomeforthedyingdownstairsisrarelyfullysubscribed,thefirstfloorcanbeused,ifthewillisthere,forthepurposeofa'school
forslumchildrenofCalcutta',whichfunctionsheispurportedtoprovideingenerousmeasuresifwerefertoentriesunderhernamein
numerousinternationalWho'sWhostheentriesreadthus:'...in1948...sheopenedherfirstschoolfordestitutechildreninCalcutta.'This
phrase,commontomostWho'sWhos,impliesthatsherunsachainofslumschoolsinCalcutta.Inmatteroffact,shehasonlyoneschool
situatedinsideaCalcuttaslumthatistheoriginal1948Motijheelschool(studentstrength80).Shedoes,however,haveothersmall
classroomactivitiesattachedtosomeofherhomes,includingNirmalHriday.
Apartfromitsowndestituteandbeggarpopulation,holyKalighatattractsalargesimilarpeopleeverydayfromallpartsofthecityand
surroundingareas.Hindupilgrimsatthetemple,whoareouttostoresomevirtueforthemselves,mayfeelgenerousenoughtogive.Itis
oneofthecity'soldestareas,whichhaschangedlittleoverthreecenturiesifanythingtheconditionshavedeteriorated.Thisisarecurring
patterninalloldHinduholyplacestheyaresurroundedbyfilth,decayandcorruption.Varanasi,theHindus'holiestcity,isoneofthe

dirtiestinthesubcontinent.InthemannerofmanyotherHinduholyareas,Kalighatalsohasalargeredlightdistrict,whichisblood
curdlinginitsdegradationanddeprivationthreeprostitutesoftensharethesamesmallroomwiththeirclientsandchildren.
AsallgoodCatholicswouldknow,MotherTeresahasputKalighatontheinternationalmap,asthisiswhereherfamous'hospicefor
Calcutta'sdyingdestitute'issituated.AsIhavementionedelsewhere,the'hospice'isverysmall,andhasfewerthanahundredplaces.One
couldthereforeexpectthatshewouldhavehadsome,ifnotamajorinvolvementwiththepoorofKalighat.Shehadnoneshedidnoteven
runasoupkitchenthere.Theonlyfeedingofdestitutesthatisundertakeninthisareaisbythetempleauthorities,whogiveasmalldollopof
holyprasadtoaboutfivehundredbeggarsanddestituteseveryday.
Teresa'sorderdoesnotofferanyfacilitiesfortheextremelyunfortunatewomenandchildreninKalighat.Itiswellknownthatshehada
sentimentalattachmentfortheplace,perhapsbecausethiswasthefirstofhermanyhundredestablishments,orbecauseitisthroughthefilm
ofthehomethatshefirstachievedfame.Sheevenvisitedthehome,NirmalHriday,occasionallycontrarytointernationalmythology,she
rarelyvisitedherotherhomesinCalcutta,atleastinthelasttwodecadesofherlife.Indeed,beforeAugust1996,whenshewastemporarily
groundedinCalcuttawithheartproblems,shespenthalftheyearabroadasthePope'spoliticalambassador.WheninCalcutta,mostofher
timewasspentonreligiousandadministrativework.Nevertheless,shecouldbeseenatherhomeatKalighatfromontheoddoccasionit
isherethatshebroughtthePope,andmanyprimeministersandpresidents,andofcoursejournalists.
Itcouldbeexpectedtherefore,thatshewouldinvolveherselfinsomewaywiththeproblemsofKalighat,atleastintheareaimmediately
surroundingthehome.IagreetheproblemsofthispartofCalcuttaarehuge,althoughonewouldnotthinksoifonelistenedtoher
addressingjournalistsintheWest.Butinasmallareasuchasthis,aboutaquartersquaremileinarea,onewouldexpecthertomakealittle
effort.Nobodyexpectedhertosolvethecenturiesoldcausesoftheproblems,butassheherselfsaid,shedidnotofferfishingrods,but
fishestherewasplentyofopportunityheretodistributefishes.
True,thenunsdohaveasmallclassroomwithhandfulchildrenontheroofofNirmalHriday,wheretheyaretaughttwohoursintheday,
andwherecatechismclassestakeamajorshareofthetime,andthatisthesumtotalofherinvolvementinthisarea(apartfromthehome).
EventhegovernmenthasalargeschoolinKalighatcateringtoabouttwohundredchildren,buttheproblemisbringingthechildrentothe
school.
AninterestingfactaboutCalcutta'spavementdwellersisthatasignificantproportion(about40%)ofthemarechildrenunder16.Thatmakes
atotalofabout20,000citychildrenlivingonthestreets.Manyofthesechildrenarenotfromabjectdestitutefamilies,andliveinafamily
unitwhereoneorbothparentswork,andthereforewouldbeoutsidethepurviewofMotherTeresa's'poorestofthepoor'definition.Butata
conservativeestimate,therewouldbe10,000streetchildrenwhowouldbeveryneedyindeed.
Theworld,misledbyMother'scomment'Weneverrefuseachild'haspresumedthatshelooksaftertheneeds,includingtheschoolingneeds
ofmost,ifnotall,ofCalcutta'sslumchildren.Butisitremotelypossibleforanorganisationwithanorphanagewith300placestolookafter
10,000extremelyneedychildren.Isitpossibleforanybody,letalonesomebodywithalowkeyoperationsuchasMotherTeresa's,tolook
aftertheneedsoftentotwenty(oreventen)thousandverypoorchildren?
Indeed,MotherTeresahascategoricallymadetheoutrageousclaimthatsheteaches'thousandsofchildren'Idefyherordertoshowme
where.Moresurprisingly,shesaiditwaybackin197071whenheroperationsinCalcuttawereonanevensmallerscalethanitisnow.She
madetheclaimwhiletalkingtoMalcolmMuggeridgeaboutherworkinCalcutta:
Forexample,ifwedidn'thaveourschoolsintheslumstheyarenothing,theyarejustlittleprimaryschoolswhereweteach
thechildrentolovetheschoolandbecleanandsoonifwedidn'thavetheselittleschools,thosechildren,thosethousands
ofchildrenwouldbeleftinthestreets.4
Thisisanastonishingclaim,giventhatevennow,thesumtotaloftheplacesshehasforchildrenindifferentsitesinCalcuttawillnotcome
tomorethan200.Itisalsorelevantthatshedoesnothaveasingleproperstructuredschoolforslumchildrenoranykindofchildren.
Evenwiththebestwillintheworld,itisnotphysicallypossibleforoneorganisationtocaterfortheschoolingneedsofallCalcutta'sslum
children,ofwhichthereareaboutoneandahalfmillion.ButitispossiblewiththeresourcesthatMotherTeresahas,tohavealarge
integratedschoolforthe10,000childrenoftheextremedestituteasthisgroupissaidtobeMother'sspecialremit,onewouldhave
expectedthatshewouldhavesomekindofservicesforthisgroup.
Sofarasthemillionandahalfslumchildrenareconcerned,morethanhalfdoactuallyattendschoolsthesearefreeschoolsrunbythe
governmentofWestBengal.MuchismadeofthefactthatMotherTeresausedtoteachina'free'schoolrunbytheLoretoSistersbeforeshe
'cameout'thisschoolwasfreebecauseofagovernmentgrantanditstillis.Therearealargenumberofgovernmentaidedschoolsin
Calcuttawhicharerunbyotherorganisations.
ThebiggestdirectproviderofprimaryeducationinCalcuttaisthemuchmalignedCalcuttaCorporation.Theyrun350(free)primaryschools
inCalcuttaforthepoor.Everyyearabout40,000childrenattendtheseschools.
Inthelastfewyears,asmallschoolforthepoor,runbyaCatholicorganisation,hasbeenstartednearMotherTeresa'sPremDaanhome.It

issituatedintheAuxiliumChurchinCalcutta'sTiljalaarea.Incidentally,thischurchisthebiggestconstructionprojectevertohavebeen
undertakenbyanyCatholicorganisation(includingtheMissionariesofCharity)inCalcuttaandenvirons.Itisabigstructure,surroundedby
slums,thatrisesincongruouslyoutofthewastelandsofTiljala.Itismadeofgreystoneandwhenlitupatnight,shinesenticinglyfromafar.
IdonotknowwhichpreciseCatholicgroupbuilttheAuxiliumChurch,butitisknownthatthemoneycamefromItaly.Itisalsoknownthat
MotherTeresahadacloserelationshipwiththisparticularchurchsheprayedtherefrequently,althoughshewasrarely,ifever,seenin
Calcutta'smainCatholicchurchinMurgihata.Onher85thbirthdayshetooktheCroatianambassadortoIndiaspeciallytotheAuxilium
Churchforaprayersession.MotherTeresa'snunsareseenalmostdailyinthischurch.AfterthedisintegrationofYugoslavia,shebecame
exceptionallyclosetoCatholicCroats.ItneedstoberememberedherethatduringtheWorldWarIIyearsCatholicCroatsunleashedareign
ofterroronotherreligionsfarsurpassingthatoftheNazis.
TheAuxiliumChurchdoesrunasmallschoolforthechildrenofthesurroundingslums,whoaremainlyHindusandMuslims.However,
thehourlongprayersessionthatthechildrenmustundergodaily,isentireCatholic.Theyarenotgiventheoptionofprayingtotheirown
faiths,orofoptingout.TheschoolalsohasasmallresidentialsectionthisissolelyforCatholicstudents.TheAuxiliumChurch(and
thereforebyproxy,theMissionariesofCharity)iscreatingenormouspsychologicalpressureonthepoorresidentsofthispartofTiljala.
Thecarrotdisplayedissooverbearingthatfewwouldnotfeelthetemptation.Thereareotherorganisationsworkingintheareabuttheydo
nothavethefinancialprowessoftheCatholics.
InMotherTeresa'sownsmallclassroomtypeactivities,prayerisalsosolelyCatholic,albeititismorerelaxedandnotsoregimentedasin
theAuxiliumschool.PersonallyIamnotperturbedthatMotherTeresa'sordershouldhaveonlyCatholicprayers,butdidshenotsaytothe
worldthatshegavechildrentheoptiontopraytotheirowngods?
Fromthestreetstotheslums.BeforewecometodiscussthevariousaspectsofCalcutta'sslums,wemustmakesureweknowwhatexactly
constitutesa'slum'(orabustee)inCalcutta.Fortunatelyadefinitionisprovidedbytheauthoritiesthedefinitioncameintobeinginthe
CalcuttaMunicipalAct1951anddescribesabusteethus:'anareacontaininglandoccupiedbyorforthepurposesofanycollectionofhuts
standingonaplotoflandnotlessthansevenhundredsquaremetresinarea.'
A'hut',asstipulatedbytheAct,isabuildingofwhich'nosubstantialpartmaybebuiltofmasonry,reinforcedconcrete,steel,ironorother
metal.'TheActthengoesontodefine'substantial',which,thereaderwillberelievedtoknow,Ishallnotrecount.
Itisobvious,therefore,thataslumcanbequiteasmallareacontainingshackssevenhundredsquaremetreswhichisthesizeofasmall
theatre,oralargerestaurant.Calcutta,unlikeBombay,doesnothavevastslums.
Howmanyslumsdoesthe'slumcapitaloftheworld','thecityofslums',orindeedthe'world'sworstslum'have?slightlyfewerthan1000
thisfigurehasremainedconstantsince1972.Slumsconstitute6%ofthecity'ssurface,sowegetasituationwhere35%ofthepopulationis
livingin6%ofthespace.
Whatislifelikeina'direCalcuttaslum'?Throughthe1970s,JeanRacine,FrenchacademicandonetimedirectoroftheFrenchCultural
CentreinCalcutta,didadetailedsurveyofmanyofCalcutta'sslums.Hehasproducednumerousacademicworksonthedestitutesof
Calcutta,andalsoapersonbypersonstudyofaparticularslum,theManiktalaslum,whichisoneoftheleastappealinglivingquarterseven
asslumsgo.Oneofthistablesisreproducedhere:
SOCIOECONOMICSURVEYOFMANIKTALASLUM,CALCUTTA5
Population4279,Male2270,Female2009,SexRatio:F:M=885:1000
Area3.92hectares
PopulationDensity109,158inhabitantspersquarekilometre!
DwellingUnits255Households837
HouseholdSize:Mosthouseholds(47.8%)had3to5people
EmploymentStatus:
Notlookingforjobs(tooyoung,tooold,orwomenwithsmallchildren) 63.12%
Employed

26.97%

Underemployed

4.51%

Unemployed

5.40%

Tradingestablishments:44
Smallindustrialestablishments:148

Mainactivitiesamongindustrialestablishments:
Tailoring

55

Jewellery(trinkets) 14
Hosiery

27

Carpentry

Finallywecometo'Facilities'.Inthatcategorythefollowingcametolight:
MedicalNONE,exceptamobilevantwiceaweek(this,needlesstosayhadnothingtodowiththeMissionariesofCharity)
WaterPoints(total142):1per30people
Toilets(total221):1per19people
SlumshavebecomeapermanentaspectofIndiancities.Therearehoweverongoingprogrammestoimprovetheirconditions.Backinthe
1960s,thecityauthoritiesinCalcuttahadtheimpossiblevisionof'slumeradication',i.e.,replacingthehutsorshackswithprefabricated
units,butitwassoonrealisedthatanexpenditureofRs2000millionwouldhavetobeincurredaconsiderablesuminthosedays.Hence
themorerealistic,butequallydifficultprogrammeof'slumimprovement'hasbeenadopted.Workiscarriedoutinfitsandstarts,depending
onmoneyavailablemuchofthemoneycomesfrominternationalloansandgrants.
Ihaveherereproduced'beforeandafter'pictures6 ofChetlaslum(onGovindaAddyRoad)whichwasincorporatedinanimprovement
programme:
ProblemTackled

BeforeImprovement AfterImprovement

RoadsandPavements

3750sq.ft10326

sq.ft

SanitaryLatrines

13

110

'Service'(nonsewered)latrines 25

Nil

Sewerpipes

234feet

4688

feetWaterpipes

360feet

9017feet

Waterpoints

17

82

Tubewells

Bathingplatforms

Nil

91

Dustbins

Nil

Surfacedrains

Nil

477runningfeet

Yardgully

Nil

41

ThereasonIhaveputintheabovetableistoillustratethatitisnoteasyto'workintheslumsofCalcutta'.AccordingtoMotherTeresa
herselfandherpublicityindustry,herSisters'gooutintotheslumsinpairs,withtheirrosarybeadsfirmlyheldbetweentheirfingers'.Butit
takesmorethanrosarybeadstodo'goodworkintheslumsofCalcutta'.IcertainlycannotseeTeresa'sSistersputtingin477'runningfeet'
ofsurfacedrains.
Theaboveimprovementswereundertakenin1973bytheCMDAatatotalcostofRs3.61million.ThepercapitacostwasamodestRs
195.ThisisthesortofmoneytheMissionariesofCharitycouldwellspend,iftheychoseto'adopt'aslum,astheRamakrishnaMissionhas
adoptedtheRambaganslum.
TheChetlaslumisfortunateishavingbeenspeciallyearmarkedbytheBritishgovernmentfordevelopmentoverthelasttenyears.Prime
MinisterJohnMajorvisiteditonhistriptoCalcuttainJanuary1997.
TheCMDA'scurrentprogrammeisnotoverlyambitiousandmerelyhopestoimprovesomefacilitiesinslumssuchasprovisionoflatrines
andeffectivegarbageclearance.Italsoaimstosupplyninetylitresofpotablepipedwaterperpersonperday.NeedlesstosayMotherTeresa
hadneverbeeninvolvedatanystageofthenumerousslumimprovementprogrammeundertakeninCalcuttaoverthelastfiftyyears.
MyownsurveyswithCalcutta'sdestitutes(allrecordedonvideo)weredoneinfourlocalitiesofCalcuttaalongastretchofLowerCircular
Road(A.J.C.BoseRoad)whereMotherHouseandShishuBhavan(theorphanage)aresituatedinKalighatandTiljala,intheimmediate
vicinitiesofNirmalHridayandPremDaanrespectivelyandinthecitycentre,wheremostofMother'sWesternvolunteerstendtostay.
Thereweremostlyundertakenduring199596.
VisitorstoMotherHouseinCalcuttawillhaveseenasmallcollectionofbeggarsthatsitsatthemouthofthealleywaythatleadstothemain

door.Theyaretheregulars,andtheyhavebecomealmostapermanentfixtureatMotherHouse.ThemostregularamongtheMotherHouse
beggarsarePamelaandherfriends.TheyareamongthesmallgroupofAngloIndianbeggarsinCalcutta,anditisthought(bythe
MissionariesofCharity)thattheybegbecausetheyaretoolazytoworkthereisagermoftruthinthisview,andindeedthesamecouldbe
saidformanybeggarsinIndia.Theyarepoor,buttheycannotbeplacedamongstMother's'poorestofthepoor'.
PamelaandherfriendscommutefromCanning,atownsomefiftymilessouthofCalcutta.TheyareChristians(throughancestry)andare
fluentinEnglish.TheyhavechosenMotherHouseastheirbeatbecausetheywouldbeabletoconversewiththeWesternerswhocomein
anunendingstream,bringingdevotionandmoney.ItisthusastrangesightthattheverydoorstepofMotherTeresa,purportedlytheworld's
biggestbenefactor,issurroundedbypeopleloudlyprotestingthattheyhavegotnothing.IwonderifMother'swesternvisitorshaveever
reflectedonthis,eventhroughtheirmistofdenial.
IinterviewedPamela(onvideo)forthefirsttimeon21October1995.ShewasbeggingonMotherHouse'sdoorstepwitha12yearoldboy
calledPremshewasquicktopointoutthattheywerenotrelated,sothatalmsshouldbereceivedseparately.
IaskedthepairwhytheywerebeggingatthedoorofMotherHouse,towhichPamelacrypticallyreplied,'Wheretobeg?'
AC:Howdoyouearnyourliving?
Pamela:Ieatbybegging.
AC:Wheredoyougetmedicinesfromwhenyou'reill?
Pamela:Ihavetobuythemofcourse.
AC:DoesMotherTeresahelpyou?
Pamela:Nothing,...nothing.(Premalsoquippedinatthispoint,'Wegetnohelp.')
AC:WhatdoyouthinkofMotherTeresa?
Pamela:Motherisagoodlady,butSistersarenogood.MotheraskstheSisterstohelp,buttheywon't.Premrepeatedthelastsentiment.
IinterviewedPamelaagain(onvideo)almostninemonthslater,on12July1996,againrightinfrontofMotherHouseonthisoccasion
Premwasnotthere,butshehadbeenjoinedonthepavementbyawomanwithasmallchildMichelleandJessica.Thesetwowerealso
fromtheAngloIndiancommunityinCanning.Today,therewasbigactivitygoingoninfrontofMotherHouse,astwotruckloadsof
goodiesshippedfromMilanwerebeingunloaded.
Michelle'sbabyJessica(whose3rdbirthdayIwastold,wasonlysixdaysawayonthe18th)wasill.Notveryill,butshehadafever,which
accordingtohermother,kept'comingandgoingfortwodays.'Shealsosaidthatshehadgivenher'BabyAspro',whichshehadbought.
Atthispoint,theNepaleseSisterAquinit,whowasoneofthosewhowasoverseeingtheunloadingofcrates,cameandmildlyreprimanded
thewomenfortalkingonvideothisbithasnotbeenfilmed.
AC:HaveyouaskedtheSistersforhelp?
Michelle:TheytellustogotoShishuBhavan[theorphanage,whichisfiveminutes'walkaway]butwhenIgotheretheychaseusaway.
AC:Why?
Michelle:Idon'tknowwhy.Iamhappytobuymedicinesformybaby.ButtheSistersstoptheforeignersfromgivingusmoney.
Afewweekslater,on24August1996,Iinterviewed(onvideo)threeboys,Rafiq,Raju,andVikiwhousedtoperpetuallyhangoutinfront
ofMotherHouse.TheyknewalltheSisterswell.TheyalsoknewMotherwhowouldrecognisethem.Rafiqwasdisabledinhavinga
hunchbackbutwasfullymobilehewasalsoanorphan.TheysleptinthegroundsofBambooVilla,anofficeblockacrosstheroadfrom
MotherHouse.In1996theboysrangedinagefromeighttofifteen.TheywenttotheSamaritanschoolforfree,assomebody(notthe
obviousperson)arrangedfortheirfreeeducation.TheyhadalotoffriendsamongsttheAngloIndiancommunityandspokereasonable
English.
Hereistheirtale:
TheSistershaveneverhelpedus.Theynevergiveusanything.TherearealotofforeignerscomingtoseeMotherTeresa
weaskthemformoney.ButtheSistersdon'tlikethat.Theytellusoffforaskingtheforeignersformoney.Nowadaysthey
callthepoliceregularlyandreportusforpesteringtheirguests.ThepolicefromParkStreetpolicestationcomeandthreaten
us.Thankfullywehavenotyetbeeninprison,butsoonitwillhappen.
MotherTeresaisokay[VikisaidMotherwas'good']butwehatetheSisters.Particularlywedon'tlikeSisterAquinitand

Sister'Bonet',theonewhoistall,withbuckteethandglasses.
Curiouslyenough,thesechildrenwhohangoutjustoutsideMotherHouse,werenoticedeventhroughthemistsofherdevotionby
MarinaCantacuzino,whowenttointerviewMotherforHello!magazine.Shewrote,'Outsidethedoor,localchildrenbegfromWestern
visitors,butthesistersinsisttheyshouldnotbegivenmoney."ThesechildrenhavebeenhelpedbyMotherandputintoschoolbuttheyjust
gobackonthestreets,"oneexplains.'7
IwrotetoMsCantacuzinogivingherthetruepictureofhowthechildrenareregularlypickedupbythepoliceatthebehestofthenuns,and
Iamhappytosayshedidnotcontestmyviews.Shewroteback,'Youhaveobviouslyresearchedyourmaterialthoroughlyandextensively
andIaminnopositiontoarguewithanythingyousay.IfmyarticleinHello!glossedovercertainimportantissues,itisbecauseofthetype
ofmagazineitis.'8
AverycommonsentimentamongstthedestitutesaroundMotherTeresa'shomesinCalcuttathoseelsewhereinthecityhavenotheardof
heris'Motherisgood,buttheSistersareterrible.'Particularly,SisterAquinit,whoin199596,hadthejobofpolicingthefrontofMother
House,earnedalotofundueopprobriumfromthedownandouts,althoughnobodycansaysheisquiteacompassionatesoul.
ButIthink,messengersaregettingshothere.Mostoftherulesoftheorganisation,suchasusingMotherHouseasapurelyadministrative
centre,notentertainingbeggarsatthedoor,notacceptingachilduntilitsrightsarewrittenawaybytheparentsallthesewereformulatedby
Motherherself.IhaveseenMotherbeingaccostedbybeggarsassheisabouttoenterMotherHouse,askingforfoodandclothes.Mother
wouldsmileatthem,blessthemandgrandlysaytotheSisters,'Whydon'tyougivethemsomething?'Thenshewouldwhiskaway.
Thebeggarswouldnowclamourformoney,orforblankets,andtheSisterswouldbeputinanimpossiblesituation.Givingofmoneyis
totallybannedbytheorganisation.Thecannotgiveoutblankets,orfood,oranythingfromMotherHouse,assuchisnotallowed.Notthat
theydistributeblanketsfromanyoftheirothercentresinthecity.Sisterswouldoftenfaceabuseastheyareseentobeharshandmean
(whichmanyofthemundoubtedlyare)andtobedefyingordersfromabove.MotherTeresaisnothelpingthealreadylowmoraleofher
Sistersbyherattitudeshewouldhaveearnedmorerespectamongsthernuns(andpossiblythedestitutes)ifshecamecleanandsaid,
'Sorry,wedon'tworklikethat.Youshouldn'tbebegginghere.'Butshejustcannotstopplayingtothegallery.
IinterviewedanumberofbeggarsandstreetchildrenonLowerCircularRoadinthevicinity(withinhalfamile)ofMotherHouseandthe
orphanage.Exceptintheimmediatevicinity,noneofthemhadheardofMotherTeresa.
TiharAliwasayoungachondroplasticmanwhohadhisfamilyinavillagecalledKrishnanagar.HelivedonthepavementsofMullick
Bazaar,whichis200yardsfromMotherHouse,andbeggedinthestretchoftheroadbetweenMullickBazaarandBeckBagan.Hewent
backtohisvillagefromtimetotimetoseehisfamily.HehadneverheardofMotherTeresa.
AnotherLowerCircularRoadbeggarwasGouri,althoughshewasnotaregularIhavenotseenherthereforsometime,butIpresumeshe
returnsfromtimetotime.SheusedtositinfrontoftheCircularRoadBaptistChurch(whichisabout150yardsfromMotherHouse)
underneathabigsignthatsays'CalcuttaJesusLovesYou'.ShecamefromBangladeshmorethanadecadeback.Shehasneverheardof
MotherTeresa.
SheikhRafiqwasadoubleamputeehelosthislegsinatrainaccidentwhowassometimesseenbeggingonLowerCircularRoad.Hehad
artificiallegsgivenhimbythecharityRehabilitationCentreforChildren.HehadheardofMotherTeresabutneverhadthechancetoaskher
forhelp.
AmentallyillbeggarcalledBhutnathwhoIinterviewedinfrontoftheorphanagealsohadnotheardofMotherTeresa.HetoldmeGod
lookedafterhim,butforhisfoodhespentRs10dailyatsomeroadsidestall.
DirectlyoppositeMother'sorphanage,atthejunctionofLowerCircularRoadandH.K.KonarRoad,isarubbishtip,whichattractsabout
twodozenchildreneveryday,whorummagethroughrubbish.Theyarethepoorestofthepoor.Theyhaveneverbeentoschool.Allofthem
howevergetfreegrubfromtheorphanage,whichcomewithoutanystringsattachedno'foodcards'.
On15August1996(Indianindependenceday),Iinterviewedsomeofthesewretchedchildren.IspoketoBideshi,athirteenyearoldrag
pickerwho,thoughaHindu,sportedacrucifix,giventohimbyaWesternvolunteer.Hesaid,'TheSistersdon'thelpusatall,exceptforthe
khichuri[mixtureofdalandrice].'Bideshi'smotherhadTB,andhetriedtohaveheradmittedinPremDaan(notanappropriateplacefora
TBpatient).Hesaidthattherewassomekindofanimosity(orpowerstruggle)betweenSisterLeeatPremDaanandtheSistersatthe
orphanage,whichmadeitdifficultforhismothertogetanyhelp.
AsIhavementionedfrequently,thesqualorsurroundingMother'sflagshiphomeinKalighatisunimaginable.On4September1996,I
interviewed(onvideo)anelderlydestitutewidowcalledBimalaontheverystepsofNirmalHriday.Shewassittingtherewatchingthe
worldgobythestepsareapopularrestingplacefortheKalighatdestitutes.
ShewasaclassicalpavementdwelleroriginallyfromthetownofDiamondHarbourneartheBayofBengal,shemovedtoCalcuttamany
yearsbackwhenherhusbanddied,tojoinsomebeggarsfromherhometownwhowerealreadyhere.WhenIaskedheriftheSistershelped

her,shefirstthoughtIwaspullingherleg'Whyareyouaskingsillyquestions?Whyshouldtheyhelpus?Haven'ttheygototherthings
todo?'washerattitude.SheassumedIwasontheSister'ssidesosheventedhervenom:'YoucangoandtelltheSisterstheysodomiseus
[sheusedamorevulgarexpression].'Shewenton:
IfyoureallywanttoknowwhattheSistersgiveus,it's'ashes'[literaltranslationofchaee,anidiomaticusage].Theyonly'oil
thealreadygreasyhead'[anotheridiomaticexpression].Nobodyhelpsus.FromwhateverIearnfrombegging,Ibuymy
meals,andwhenIamill,Ibuymedicines.Previouslytheyusedtogiveawaythefoodthatwouldbeleftoverfromthehome
butnowtheytakeitawayintheirvan['ambulance'].PreviouslytherewasakindheadSister.Moreandmoretheyare
gettingSisterswhoaremoredestitutethanusIwon'tbesurprisedifonedaytheycomeoutandaskusforalms!
PrahladwasaKalighatbeggarwhoworkednearthehomeforthedying.Hehadhadleprosyfor20years.Hehadnocomplaintsagainstthe
MissionariesofCharity,butbemoanedthefactthattheystoppedtheirleprosyclinicatKalighat(inthemid1980s)nowhehadtotravel5
milestoManiktalatotheTLMHospitaltogethisleprosytablets.
IamafraidIhavenotbeenabletointerviewtoomanydestitutesintheKalighatareabecauseIdidnotfeelsafewithmyvideoequipment.
AnotherpersonIspoketowasDebrajParmarwholivedacrosstheroadfromNirmalHriday,andmovesaroundinaninvalidchair.Though
notapoorestofthepoor,hefindsitdifficulttomakeendsmeet.Thehousehelivedinwasnotmuchbetterthanaslum.Hegothisinvalid
chairfromapoliticalorganisationwhenIaskedhimifheeverthoughtofgoingtoMotherTeresaforanysortofhelp,hewasgenuinely
surprised'Whywouldtheygetinvolved?'heasked.
IdidmostofmyinterviewsinTiljala,notleastbecausehereliesMother'slargesthome,PremDaan,whichadjoinstheDnaraparaslum.The
slumisprettydire,withapopulationof15,000.Notallofmyintervieweeswerejoblessshacklesspoorestofthepoor,andItriedtoinclude
acrosssectionoftheneedyfromthearea.
PerhapsthemostdisturbinginterviewIhadwaswithayoungwomannamedBabyKhatun,onthestepsleadingfrom4thBridgedownto
PremDaan.Althoughaslumdweller,shewasafirebrand,confidentwomanandwasnotquiteoneofthe'poorestofthepoor'.On20July
1996,IwasaimlesslyfilmingPremDaanfromatop4thBridge,whenshecameuptomeandsaid,'Iwishyou'dstoptakingpicturesofthat
awfulplace.'SheinitiallyassumedthatIwasinsomewayconnectedtotheMissionariesofCharity,butstillwenton,'It'scalledPremDaan,
butnevergivesanydaan[gifts].'Iaskedherwhy.Shesaid:
TheSistersareonlytheretofeathertheirownnests.Theyareabsolutelyawful.Poorpeoplearealwaysshoedawayfrom
theirdoors.Theyregularlypinchstuffthatismeantforthepoor.Everyborodin[Christmas]therearealotofclothesthat
comefromabroadthisisalsothetimethattheSistersgettheiryearlyvisitsfromtheirfamilymembers.Someoftheclothes
aredistributedintheslum,butmostoftheclothesandgoodiesaresentawaywiththenuns'relativessometimestheytake
awaysomuchstuffthattheywouldhavetohiretaxis.And,alotofthefoodrationthatismeantforthepoorisalsosold
therice,thewheat,themaizeallsoldtothelocalshops.
Iwasnowtrulyincredulous,andexpressedmygenuinesurpriseattherevelation.Butamanwhohadbeenlisteningtoourconversation
buttedinandsaidthatthepracticehadbeengoingonforsometimeandwascommonknowledgeinthearea.
BabyKhatunalsosaidthatsheusedtogotoPremDaanforsewingclasses,buthadbeenbarredbythenunsforbeingcheeky.Shesaidthat
shehadhadanargumentwithsomeofthenunsoverCatholicprayerswhichsherefusedtotakepartin.Theargumentheatedupandshe
allegedthatshewasslappedbyanun,locallyknownas'KaleeSister'.Lateronshegotholdof'KaleeSister'outsidethehomeandroughed
herup.
BabytoldmethatshegotangrywhenWesternerswereshownaroundbythenunsandgivenadifferentpictureshesaidthatshewaspining
totellthemtherealstateofplayinMotherTeresa'shomeshewasfrustratedthatshecouldnotspeakEnglish.Shealsoallegedthatoften
thenunswouldputupashowofcharityifimportantWesternerswerevisiting.Shesaidthattheywouldbegivengiftsofnewclothesor
foodinfrontofvisitinggroupsofwhitepeople.Shealsomadetheextraordinaryallegationthattheseclotheswouldsometimesbetaken
awayoncethedelegationhadleft.
TheonlyhelptheslumdwellersaroundPremDaangetisthemonthlydistribution(givenawayonthe1stofeachmonth)of3kilosofscrap
paperperfamilyinsteadofthrowingawaythepaperMotherwasgracioustogiveitawaysothatthepoorcansellthematRs5perkilo.
TherearehoweverluckierfamiliesalltheCatholicfamilies(thereareadozen)gethelpofonekindoranotheratleastonememberfrom
eachfamilyhasbeenemployedinPremDaan.Thefamiliesalsogetmonthlyfoodrations.
Iwasinitiallygenuinelysurprisedattheallegationofpilferagebynunsbutlateronrealiseditwascommonpracticeandneverraisedany
eyebrowsamongstthepeoplewholivedinthevicinityofTeresahomes.Itwasacceptedasstandardpractice.AlepercalledKamolwho
sometimesbeggednearthecitycentreatthejunctionofParkStreetandChowringheetoldmeonvideothattheBrothersattheTitagarh
leprosarium(GandhijiPremNiwas)weremisappropriatingmaterialsmeantforthepoor.Hecomplainedthatallhegotwas2kilosofbulgar
wheatamonth.Hegotfreemedicines,hegratefullyacknowledged.Hestayedattheleprosariumfor10weeksduringwhichtimetherewas

nopressureonhimtoconvertbuthesaid,ifyouwereCatholicyouweretreateddifferently.
IsoonrealisedthattheknowledgeofpilferageinMotherTeresa'sorganisationwasmuchmorecommonthanIhadthought,atleastinthe
Christiancharitycircles.DrJackPreger(OBE),theCatholicwhohadworkedforMotherTeresaasavolunteerbeforehefoundedhisown
'CalcuttaRescue',toldmeinatapedinterviewthathehadheardthatthereis'somemisappropriationofmoney.Somepeopleamongthe
religiousIamtoldsendmoneyordersbacktotheirvillages...couldbeallowancesofcourse.'9
ItisauniversalperceptionwithintheslumdwellerssurroundingMotherhomesthatthenuns'lookaftertheirown'.Ihavelostcounthow
manytimesIhaveheardtheexpressionused.Itisnotsaidoutofbitterness,butisacceptedasthenorm.Kurban,atanneryworkerwho
liveswithhisyoungfamilyinashackonthenorthernedgeof4thBridge,toldme,'ManyvolunteerscomefromAmerica.Theydon'tknow
thatyouhavetobeaChristiantogetanyhelpfromthenuns.However,atborodin[Christmas]lastyearmychildrengotnewclothes.'
Kalua,aneighbourofKurban's,workedparttimeasaTempodriver,andlivedwithhiswifeandfoursmallchildreninashack.Hehad
heardofMotherTeresa'She'sthebossoftheSisters,'hesaid.Heneverreceived(oraskedfor)anyhelpfromthem.Hewasquite
dismissive'Youneedacardtogetmealsoranykindofhelp.Theyonlyhelptheirown.'
Fakir,ahelperinabutcher'sshopinBrightStreet,hadnotheardofMotherTeresa,althoughhelivesliterallyahundredyardsawayfrom
PremDaan.HewasnotcriticaloftheSisters'Theygivemealstosomepeopleyouneedcards,butIdon'treallyknowhowyoucangeta
card.Ihaven'treallytriedforone,butIhaveheardthatyoucan'tgetthemanymorewhichisunderstandable,astherearetoomanypeople.'
ImanagedtotraceacoupleofthehandfulofCatholicswholiveintheslum.RabiGabrielRoytoldmethathisgrandmotherwasemployed
atPremDaan.IalsointerviewedAshishGomez(norelationoftheGomezeswhohelpedMothersetupherorganisationin1948)inhis
ownhut,whichisinthebetterareaoftheslum.TheyarebynomeansthepoorestofthepoorAshish'sdadAlbertPintoworkedasa
motormechanic,andhismotherNamitaalsoworkedintheoddjobwhenshecanbutthewholefamilyhadbeengivenfoodcards.
SadhanSenwasajovialmanwhowasawellknowncharacterinDnaraparaslum.Heranateastallinthedepthsoftheslum,whichheset
upwhenhecameoverfromBangladeshin1973.HetoldmethatheoncedidgototheSistersmanyyearsback,toaskiftheycouldhelp
withhiselderson'spoliodeformity.'Theywerequitepolitetome,'hesaid.'TheysaidthatIdidnotqualifyforhelpbecauseIwasanable
manwhohadsomekindoflivelihood.'
TheteenagersofDnaraparaarenotentirelyenamouredoftheMissionariesofCharity.Itisnotanuncommonsighttofindgroupsofboys
(betweentenandfifteenyearsofage)millingaroundinfrontofPremDaan'ssideentrance(whichisthedoorcommonlyused)bangingon
theirondoor,generallytryingtohecklethegatekeeper.Oftentheywouldthrowstonesfromtheircatapultsatthedoor.Ispokewithsomeof
them,whowereallslumandstreetchildren.TheirnameswereSohan,Kanu,MohammedAyubandBabuMalhotra.Theyhaveallheardof
MotherTeresa:'We'veheardshe'skind,'theysaid.'ButtheSistersareharaami[roughlytranslatesas'bitches'].Theyhavesomewidowsand
orphansintheirhomebutwearenotorphans,sothey'dneverhelpus.'
BooksonMotherTeresafrequentlysaythathernunsandbrotherspatrolCalcutta'srailwaystationsscoopingupdestitutesmanyyears
back,theyusedtobeseenoccasionallyinHowrahstation.Currentlytheyhaveforsakenthatactivity.Onestationtheyhaveneverbeenseen
inisParkCircusstation,asmallstationthatPremDaandirectlylooksoverindeedthehomealmostformsawalltothestation.Therearea
numberofregularswhobeginthestation.Ihaveinterviewedallofthem.
AmongtheplatformbeggarswhobeggedliterallyintheshadowofthehighPremDaanwallweretwomencalledAbdulandMuzarali,and
awomancalledAnurjan.Theycametobegatthestationin1992.TheyhadheardofMotherTeresa'We'veheardshehelpspeople.We've
neverhadtheopportunitytogotoPremDaanwe'veheardyouneedacardtogethelp,'theysaid.Karim,another65yearoldplatform
beggarsaid,'TheSistersneverhelpanybody.'
Forsomereason,theoverbridgeatthestationisgiventowomenbeggars.Until1995,anoldandveryillwomancalledJymanBibiusedto
sitontheoverbridge.SheneverheardofMotherTeresa.Sheneverreceivedhelpfromanybody.
JymanBibidiedinJanuary1996andherplacewastakenbyanotheroldwomancalledGolabjan.ShecameformavillagecalledJibantalain
southernWestBengal.Atnightshesleptinthestation.Shehadagrownupsonbackinthevillage.Shecouldnottellmehowoldshewas,
butshelookedaboutseventy.Shelookedquiteunwell.ShehadnotheardofMotherTeresa.
Thereisagovernmentrun(free)primaryschoolDrB.R.AmbedkarSchoolforverypoorchildreninDnarapara.Theschoolsharesa
wallwithPremDaan.Ihaveinterviewedsomeslumdwellersintheschoolitself.Needlesstosay,theMissionariesofCharityhavenever
themgivenanyhelp,e.g.,writingpaperorleftoverfood.Shyamsundar,apoortanneryworkerwhocamefromBiharin1993withhis
family,toldmethathehadheardofPremDaan,butneverhadtheoccasiontogothereforhelp.'I'veheardtheydon'treallyhelppeople.I
keepmyselftomyself.Whenmychildisill,Ipayforhismedicines.'
4thBridge,beforeitwaswidened,alwayshadanumberofstreetchildrenplayingonit.Theiragesrangedbetweenfourandfifteen.Ihave
spokentoallofthem,andonlytheoldestchildrenhaveheardofMotherTeresa.

Duringmuchof1993,TheSundayTimesranapagewherethedailyroutineofacelebritywastoldinhisorherownwords'ALifeInThe
Day'8ofsoandso.Aftergoingthroughamotleyofmajorandminorcelebrities,theywantedtodoadestituteandwhichplaceinthe
worldcomestomindwhenyouthinkofdestitutes?
AcorrespondentwasthereforedespatchedtoCalcuttawhotoldthestoryofoneMonaraKhatun,a21yearoldmigrantwidow,who,inthe
newspaper'sownwords,lived'onabridgeonTiljalaRoad,nearParkCircus,Calcutta.'Thestoryofherlife(orday)washeartrending,and
thenewspaperalsopouredscornontheaffluentofCalcutta:
We[Monaraandchildren]walktoParkCircus,MullickBazaar,ortheposhhousesofBallygungetorummagethroughthe
rubbish...Insummertheheatmeltstheroad,whichstickstoyourfeet.InBallygungethebigwhitehouseshavebeautiful
gardenswithbigdahliasinflowerpotsstandinginstiffrows.Oftenweseetheburramemsahibs(grandmadames)intheir
cleansariswaddlingaroundtheverandahsandbossingtheservants.Oftentheygetintotheirshinycarsandwhooshpastus
atthegate.Theycallmekhurchera(dirty).Ihatethem!AtleastIearnmyfood.10
Thereaders'responsetoMonara'sstorywasoverwhelming.TheSundayTimessetupa'CalcuttaFund'andwithinamonthsomethinglike
30,000hadpouredin.Readerswereparticularlymovedby'WhenIwaslittle,Fatherusedtofeedmesweetmeats.Mychildrenhavenever
tastedany.Noranyfruit,notevensummerlycheesandmangoes.Itryanddescribethetaste,butwhyfilltheirheadswiththingstheycan't
have?'
MotherTeresadidnotgetamentioninthisaccountofoneofCalcutta'sseriouslydestitutes.But,whattheinterviewerVanyaKewley
convenientlyforgottotellreaderswasthatMonarawasaneighbourofMotherTeresa'sthe'bridgeonTiljalaRoad,nearParkCircus',
whereshelived,wasnoneotherthan4thBridge,adjacenttoPremDaan.MsKewleyalsoforgottomentionthatMullickBazaar,where
Monarawenttorummagethroughrubbish,isbarely200yardsfromMotherHouse.ItistruethatthewastegeneratedbyMotherHouse
attractsalotofdestitutesalotofcookedanduncookedfoodistobefoundintherubbishgeneratedbythisconventfor200nunsthisis
theonlycharitablefunctionemanatingfromthisparticularbuilding.
IagreethatmostoftheburramemsahibsofCalcuttawouldconsiderMonaradirtyandshoveherasideifaccostedbyherIalsoknowthat
MotherTeresawouldhaveconsideredher'beautiful,likeJesus',buttheendresultwouldbeexactlythesame.
ItisnotonlyinCalcuttathatMotherTeresaignoredpovertyonherdoorstepIhaveseenthesameinSardiniainItaly,whereinthecapital
Cagliarihernunshaveaconvent.TheconventadjoinstheChurchofSanSepolcro,anddoesnothaveanycharitablefunctions,withthe
possibleexceptionofasmallsoupkitchen5daysaweek.CagliariistheonlywesternEuropeantownwhereIhaveseenIndianstyle
beggingViaGiuseppeMano,whichrunsbehindtheconventisfilledwithbeggars,especiallyintheevenings.Gypsywomenbegging
withsmallchildrenisalsoafamiliarsight.Cagliarihasalotofpotentialforcharitablework,ifthewillisthereandhere,unlikeinCalcutta,
wearetalkingofasmall,captivepopulation.
OneofthemorepopularplaceswherebeggarsinCalcuttahangoutisinfrontoftheIndianMuseum,atthejunctionofSudderStreet.One
ofthemisShibu,whocametoCalcuttain1962fromBarddhaman,atownaboutahundredmilesaway.Hehasseverelimbdeformitiesand
cannotstandupfromthecrawlingposition.Hesaid,'IhaveheardMotherTeresahelpspoorpeople,butIhaveneverhadthereasontogoto
her.ButIhaveheardshehelpsonlypeoplefromOrissa[astateinIndiatothesouthwestofWestBengal].'Hehadbeengivenaninvalid
chairbyJackPreger'scharity.
Anotherregularfromthesamemuseumarea,AkhtarAliMollah,isamiddleagedbeggarwhohasseverespasticlegdeformitiesheusually
beggedintheprostratepositionasthisarousedthegreatestsympathyfrompassersby.Hecouldnotstanduporwalk.Hehadheardof
MotherTeresabutdismissedherwith'Wouldsheeverlookafterus?She'donlyhelptherich.'
BothShibu'sandAkhtarAliMollah'sallegationsagainstMotherTeresa,thoughuntrue,revealthedepthofcynicismamongstbeggarsin
Calcuttawhohaveheardofher.
AbitfurthernorthfromthemuseumisanotherfavouritebegginghauntunderneaththeporticoofGrandHotel.Theregularbeggarsof
GrandHotelcomefromtheextremesouthofWestBengal,southofCanning.Duringthelatterpartof1995,afamiliarsightwouldbethe
eightyearoldSalimaKhatuncarryinghertwoyearoldbrotherMona.Monahadseveredropsywhichbecameprogressivelyworse.
Eventuallythetwoyearoldhadaabdomenlikeapregnantwoman's.MonahadcaughttheattentionofsomeMotherTeresa'svolunteers,
whoareafamiliarsightinthispartofthecity,althoughtheyarenotusuallyamongtheguestsattheGrand.TheWesternershadtakenMona
toMother'sorphanagewherehehadbeenadmittedforafortnight,beforebeingthrownouttodieonthestreets.
AnotherregularintheGrandHotelarcadewasBimal,atenyearoldwithseverelimbdeformities.Hewasoftenseencrawlingonthe
pavement,shufflingafterpeople,askingformoney.NotonlyhadheheardofMotherTeresa,hewasprobablytheonlyoneamong
Calcutta'sregularstreetchildrenwhospentanytimewithherorganisationhewastaken(bysomevolunteers)toherhomewherehewas
keptinforafortnight,beforebeingaskedtoleave.Teresavolunteerskeeptoasmallareaofthecity(theyarenevertobeseeninthepleasant
southernresidentialareas)andtheyfrequentlypassalongtheGrandHotelarcade.Beforeleavingtheircountriestheyhadbeenbombarded
withpropagandaaboutnunsscoopingthelikesofMonaandBimaloffthestreetsofCalcutta,sotheysometimesmustercouragetopick

somebodyupandtaketheminataxitoahomeororphanage.Suchanactisnotlookedonkindlybythenunsbuttheygrudginglyacquiesce
foraperiod.
OtherbeggarsundertheGrandHotelarcadeincludedRohimaandKhalaBibi,bothofwhomhadheardofMotherTeresa,butneitherhad
everbeentohertoaskforanything.
Inthesamepartofthecity,abitfurthersouth,IoncemetayoungmancalledMohammedAkhtar,underwhatisknownasthe'Lufthansa
Porch',asLufthansahasanofficethere.Hewasnotaregularthere,butwasoccasionallyseen.Hewasparalysedfromthewaist
downwards.HecamefromBiharin1989tobeginCalcutta.In1993CalcuttaRescuegavehiman'invalidcar',anarmdriventricycle.Not
onlyhadheheardofMotherTeresa,buthadalsotriedtoseeherontwooccasions.Hesaid,'ButtheSisterssaidshewasnotavailable,and
askedmetoleave.'ItispossibletheycouldbetellingthetruthasMotherwasprobablyabroadatthetime.Inanycase,Akhtarneverwent
backtotheMissionariesofCharity.
SinceMotherTeresa'sdeath,Ihavenotbeenonthestreetswithmycameraortaperecorder.Inmyinterviews,itwasnevermyintentionto
getthepoorofCalcuttatalkillofMotherTeresamyobjectivewastoshowhowmanyeverheardofher,andhowmuchshemeanttothem.
Iletthemtalkspontaneously,andmyquestionswereopenended,e.g.,'Whohelpsyouwhenyouareill?'TheonlyclosedquestionIasked
was'HaveyouheardofsomebodycalledMotherorMaTeresa?'Iwaskeenlysearchingforanythingpositivetobesaidofherandonthe
rareoccasionitwas,Ihavereproduceditfaithfully.
TheallegationthatMotherTeresahelpedonlytherichhasnobasisintruthalthoughitcouldmeanthatshehelpedonlyChristianswho
alreadygotalotofhelp.Undoubtedly,therewasagulfofdifferencebetweenhelpgiventotheChristianpoorandthenonChristianpoor.
Also,ifapoorpersonorfamilyconverted,theyweregivenspecialtreatment,whichisunderstandable.
IhavenoreasontodoubtBabyKhatun'sallegationofwidespreadpilferagebythenuns,whichseemstobecommonknowledgeinthe
Tiljalaarea.
Itwouldnotbeanexaggerationtosaythatofthe20,000oddbeggarsofCalcutta,roughly500wouldhaveheardofMotherTeresa,and
abouthalfofthelatternumberwouldhavehadanyhelpfromheratanytime.Ihaveconductedmostofmyinterviewsintheclosevicinities
ofMother'sestablishments,butevenso,agoodnumberofthebeggarshadnotheardofher.Paradoxically,mostoftheChowringheeRoad
(citycentre)beggarshadheardofherandidentifiedheras'ShewholivesnearJoraGirja[twinspiredchurch]'.Inotherareas,Ifoundher
recognisedexceptionallyrarely.
WhileshewaswritinghermarginallycriticalbiographyofMotherTeresa,theBritishauthorAnneSebbacametomyhousetowatchmy
videorecordings.Shewrote:
OveraperiodofdaysChatterjeetookhisvideocameraandtalkedtothelargelyMuslimslumdwellersaboutMother
Teresa...Fakir,abutcherwhohaslivedforfouryearsinaslum...said,'...FreefoodfromMotherTeresa?Youcan'tjust
queueupforthat.Youneedacard.Ican'tgetone.'Next,Chatterjeeaskedtwomensittingagainstawallveryclosetothe
buildingitselfiftheyreceivedfoodfromPremDan.'No,'theysaid.'Wehearshehelpspeoplebutit'sacardproblem.We
don'tknowhowyoudoit.'Chatterjeespoketoateastallowner,toamanfromBiharandtobeggars,andtheanswerswere
allthesame.No,theydonotreceiveanyhelpfromtheMissionariesofCharitybecauseyouneedacard.Avandriverwho
hadlivedinthesameslumsfortwentyyearssaid,'They'veneverhelpedus.TheyhelponlyChristians.
ShehasspecialprovisionsforChristians.WhenChatterjeetookhisvideocameratothestreetsofcentralCalcuttaandaskedbeggarsoutside
theOberoi[Grand]HotelwhattheyknewofMotherTeresaitwasclearmisconceptionswererife.Oneleperinsistedthattherewasnouse
asking
herforhelpasshewouldn'thelppeoplefromAndhraPradesh,whileanotherinawheelchairsaidMotherTeresaonlyhelps
peoplefromOrissa.Adwarf,beggingonLowerCircularRoad,insistedthathehadneverheardofMotherTeresaeven
thoughhewasalmostoutsidetheMotherHouseashesaidit.11
Itmightappearoddthat90%ofmyintervieweesareMuslimsinacitywhere15to20%ofthepopulationareso.Therearetworeasonsfor
thisanomalysomearerefugeesfromBangladesh,butmainlythereasonisthatMuslimsaredisproportionatelyoverrepresentedamongst
thepoorinIndia,forreasonsbeyondthescopeofthisbook.
Myintervieweesareallrealpeopletheyappearintheirrealnames.AndalltheinterviewsIhavequotedhereareonvideo.Manyofthe
intervieweesarestillthere,butafewhavedied.Someofthem,suchasBimalthecrawlingboyoutsidetheGrand,werewellknown
charactersintheirownpatch.Othersarenotsowellknownbutallcanbecontactedatanytimebyanybodywhoiswillingtogetatthetruth.

NOTESTOCHAPTER6
1.JeanRacine(ed.),Calcutta1981(ConceptPublishing,1986),p.231

2.DollyPal,PavementDwellersofCalcutta(JointWomen'sProgramme,1989)
3.Calcutta1981,p.268
4.MalcolmMuggeridge,SomethingBeautifulforGod(Fount,1971),p.119
5.Calcutta1981,passim
6.Ibid.,p.321
7.Hello!,1October1994
8.Lettertoauthordated28January1997
9.InterviewedduringAugust1996
10.TheSundayTimes,London,25July1993
11.AnneSebba,MotherTeresa,BeyondtheImage(Weidenfeld&Nicolson,1997),pp.21516

CHAPTER7
MOTHERTERESA'SHOMESVIEWSFROMWITHIN
PapuaNewGuineaisaremotecorneroftheworld.Thisspaciouscountryhasapopulationofthreeandahalfmillion,i.e.,thecityof
Calcuttaismorethanthreetimesmorepopulousthanthisnation.ThepopulationdensityofPapuaNewGuineais8persquarekilometre,
almostonehundredththatofWestBengal.
MotherTeresahasalargepresenceinPapuaNewGuineaasamatteroffact,herpresencethereisenormouscomparedtothepopulation
andthepopulationdensity.InthetownofVanimo(infact,thisisbarelyalargevillage)withapopulationofabout5,000,shehastwo
establishments.IntheremoteandinaccessibleCentralProvinceshehadopenedherfirsttwocentreswaybackin1980sheopenedathird
onein1997.Indeed,shehasmoreplacesintheremoterpartsofthisroughandwildislandthanshehasinthemorepopulouscoastalareas.
Mother'sSistershaveatoughtimetravellingfromonecentretothenext,astherearevirtuallynoroadslinkingthecoaststotheCentral
Province.Theusualmodeoftransportisbyair.
AltogetherMotherTeresa'sorderhaseightcentresinPapuaNewGuinea,afacttheinternationalmediahavefoundaweinspiringfrom
afar,asfewofthemhavegoneandlookedattheMissionariesofCharityinactioninthatcountry.
So,whatisthepointIamtryingtomake?Itisthisnoneoftheeight'homes'thattheMissionariesofCharityruninPapuaNewGuineahas
gotasingleresidentinit.Becausetheyarenunneries.Butwhyputnunneriesinthisremotecorneroftheworld?Becausetheyare
recruitmentcentresforlocalwomenwhowouldopttobecomeCatholicnunsthesenunnerieswouldalsopointmeninthedirectionofthe
nearestCatholicchurchshouldtheybecome'hungryforChrist',oneofMother'sfavouriteexpressions.
Theorder'smainnunneryinthecountry,incapitalPortMoresby,untilafewyearsback,usedtohaveashelterforbatteredwomenandtheir
children.Thisshelter,whichwasonthegroundflooroftheconvent,hasnowbeenscrappedtomakeroomforthe'candidates',astheyare
called.These'candidates'arelocalgirlswhohavedecided,forwhateverreason,tobecomeCatholicnuns.Theyremain'candidates'forone
yearatPortMoresby,followingwhichtheyareshippedtothePhilippinestoofficiallybecomenovices.
ThenunsinPapuaNewGuineaareclassedbytheMissionariesofCharityas'active',i.e.,theyarenot'contemplative'.Tobe'active'inthein
thelanguageoftheMissionariesofCharitymeansthattheyareperformingcharitablefunctions,andonemightlegitimatelyaskwhatthese
charitablefunctionsarethatthesenunsareperforming,whentheydonotevenrunasoupkitchentheyaredoing'visits',whichisthe
largestsinglecharitableactivityoftheMissionariesofCharityworldwide:theSisterssimplygooutand'see'people.IntermsofMother
Teresa'sreputation,thisisnottheimagepeoplehavewhentheythinkofhernunshelpingpeople.
Theother,andmostimportant,functionthese'active'nunsperformistoteachthecatechismtothelocals,especiallychildren.Visitingand
bringingCatholicismtopeopleareseenbytheorderasthemostvitalfunctionsofaTeresanunworldwide.Thefunctionsbecomesmany
timesmoresignificantwhenthelocalpopulationisanimistortribal,asinPapuaNewGuinea.InIndiaalso,MotherTeresamadeconsistent
andstrenuouseffortstomoveintothetribalbelts.TribalsinIndiahavebecomepawnsinthepowerplaybetweenChristiansandHindus.
MoremilitantmaledominatedChristiangroupshavetakentheleadintribalconversioninIndiaandveryoftenTeresafollowedintheir
heels.
IamsureinPapuaNewGuineathereexiststhescopeofplentytodointhewayofoldpeople'shomes,orphanages,feedingcentres,etc.,let
aloneclinicsanddispensaries.MotherTeresa,afterhavinggiventheseotherlessdevoutactivitiescarefulthought,decidedthatthebestway
toservethepopulationtherewouldbethroughvisitswiththeBible.Herorderusestheireightbuildingsinthecountrywithseventyodd
nuns,andtheconsiderableexpensethatisspentintheirupkeep,forreligion,notcharity.
NIRMALHRIDAY,CALCUTTATHEHOMEFORTHEDYINGDESTITUTEItallstartedwiththisestablishment,MotherTeresa's
firstandmostfamoushome.ThehomeforthedyinginKalighat(oneoftheoldestquartersofCalcutta)hasbecomeabywordforcareand
compassionintheworldthepropagandawasstartedbytheCatholicmedia,butasMotherTeresa'sfamegrew,theworldmediahave
pickedupthetab.
IhavespokentoafewhundredpeoplewhohaveworkedasvolunteersinKalighat.Indeed,Ihaveworkedtheremyselfsharingashift
withthefamousAndy,theAustralianyouth,whocametoworkforafewweeksintheearly1990s,butquicklyrealisedthatGodhadcalled
uponhimtostayoninKalighathewentontorentlodgingsnearby,anddecidedtodevotehislifeworkingasavolunteeratNirmalHriday.
Idonotknowifheisstillthere.Andyoftengaveinductionlecturestonewvolunteers.
ConditionsattheKalighathomearedirealmosteveryvolunteer,exceptthediehardTeresafan,wouldadmittothat.Theymakethe
volunteersangry,includingtheCatholicones.ButCatholicandnonCatholicvolunteersoftenreactindifferentwayswhilethenon
Catholiconesoftenbecomeopenlycritical,theCatholicsoperateasystemofdefensivedenialandmanydealwiththeirangerand
disappointmentbyadoptinganoverenthusiastictrumpetofsupport.ButevenamongstthedevoutCatholics,thereareoccasionalvoiced
murmursofcriticisms.Forinstance,onceIwastalkingtoagroupofdevoutGermanmenandwomentheytoldmethatitwasapitythat
MotherTeresadidnothavesuchsimplegadgetsaswashingmachines,whichcouldensurethatthevolunteersbereleasedfromtime

consumingtaskssuchaswashingdirtyclothes,therebyenablingthemtospendmoretimewiththeresidents.TheyconcededthatMother
Teresawouldnotevenhavetopayforwashingmachinesthousandswoulddescendfromallovertheworldifshedesiredthem.
Theimpressionhasbeengivenagainandagain,mostlybyMotherTeresaherself,thatsherananextensiveoperationatKalighat.Thisshe
didbyrepeatingadinfinitumthatshe'pick[ed]upthousands',orbyinvokingoneofherfavouritesayings,'Ifwedidnotpickupone,we
wouldnothavepickedupthousands.'
OnehastorealisethatMotherTeresa'shomeforthedyinginCalcutta,NirmalHriday,isaverysmallplaceitisasquarishbuildingeachof
whosesidesdoesnotmeasuremorethaneightyfeetevenontheoutside.AsachildIusedtopassitregularlywhenIaccompaniedmygreat
grandmotherononeofherregulartripstotheKalitempleIhadalwayspresumedthatitwasfunctionallyapartofthetemple(which
structurallyitis),sononnondescriptisitsappearance,andblendsasitdoeswiththegeneralmassofthetemple.WhenIcametotheWest
andlearntallaboutMotherTeresa'stremendousoperationsnexttothetemple,IjustcouldnotplacethebuildingIhadtogobackandlocate
it.Partlythereasonforthebuilding'sanonymityisthefactthatitiscoveredcompletelyonallsidesbyshopsIamcomingtothatlater.
ButhowdoesMother'sofficialbiographerdescribethebuilding?Her500pagebookopenswiththeselines:
[NirmalHriday]isivoryincolorandfromitsroofriseeightbulbous,fluteddomestoppedbydelicatespires.Thestructure,
intheshapeofaquadrangle,isbuiltaroundalargeinnercourtyardafterthemannerofthetraditionalseraiorhostelfor
merchantsorpilgrims.1
MsEganhassuccessfullymanagedtocreatetheimpressionofagrandMoghulmonument.Buttherealityisdifferent.The'ivorycolor'is
peelingyellowpaint.Thelittleglobeswithspikescouldbecalleddomeswithspiresonlywithaseriousstretchoftheimagination.Readers
areadvisedtoconsultthephotographinEgan'sverybookforanimpressionofthebuilding.
TheAustralianCatholicnurseandTeresaacolyteTraceyLeonarddescribesthebuildingthusinherbook:
Besidethisimpressivestructure[ofthetemple]theblandyellowbrownKalighatbuildingwithitssinglestoreybarelyrates
inspection.Clutteredstallsattachedtoitsouterwallsfurtherreduceitsvisualimpact.2
IfNirmalHridayissmallontheoutside,itisevensmallerontheinside.Ithastwolongitudinalrooms,oneforthemen,theotherforthe
women.Theroomsareverysmallindeed,eachmeasuringnotmorethanfiftyfeetbytwentyfeet.
OneofthemajormythssurroundingtheMissionariesofCharityisthatNirmalHridayinCalcuttaisavastoperation'agleamingoasisina
teemingslum'.WheneverMotherTeresahastalkedof'thousandsdyinginourhomes',peoplehavenaturallyassumedthatthe'Calcutta
hospice'caterstothousands.Probablyby'thousands'shemeantthecumulativetotaloverdecades.
ManyWesternjournalistshavetoldmethatthefirstthingthatstruckthemonarrivalatNirmalHriday,evenbeforetheyentereditsdark
interiors,wasitssmallness.However,theyhavebeencarefulnottostressthatpointintheirfeatures,althoughsome,suchastheformer
CaliforniagovernorJerryBrownwritinginLife(April1988),havesomewhatcoylymentionedthenumberofresidents,asifinpassing:
'InsidetheHouseofthePureHeartweretworowsofmetalcotsforabout50men.'
EvenforthePope'svisitthehomecouldnotmusterupmorethan'42menand44women'3,accordingtoTheTimes,London.Reportingon
thevisit,theBritishDailyTelegraphunderestimatedthenumberofresidents,saying,'[ThePope]serveddinnertothedyingandthedestitute
whoareitspatientsandblessedall36ofthem.'4
Therearefortyfiveplacesinthemen'sroom,andasimilarnumberinthewomen's.WhenIsayplaces,Imeanjustthattherearenobeds.
InthelingooftheMissionariesofCharity,therearethreekindsofsleepingapparatusbeds,'MCBeds',andpallets.A'bed'iswhatwe
understandbythebasichospitalbedtheMissionariesofCharityhavetheseinmanyoftheirhomes,suchasintheirsmallbutneathomein
Asansol,asmallindustrialtowninWestBengal,about150milesfromCalcutta.MotherTeresaisalsoveryparticulartouseonlyproper
bedsinallherhomesinEuropeandNorthAmerica,andinthehomeinKilburninLondon,therearenicewoodenbeds.
'MCBeds'aretheregulation'MissionariesofCharityBeds'whichiscommonesttypeofbedusedbytheorganisationworldwide.Itis
shorterandnarrowerthanthestandardbed,andstandsaboutafoothighfromtheground.
Nowtothe'pallets'eventheMissionariesofCharitycouldnotbringthemselvestocallthesebeds.Thesearecontraptions(specially
designedbytheMissionariesofCharity)fiveandahalffeetinlengthandbarelytwofeetacross,andtheystandbarelysixinchesfromthe
groundveryoftenthemiddlepartofthemattress,ladenbythenegligibleweightofthepersonabove,touchestheground,asthepalletis
sprungwiththeminimumpossiblesprings.Thepallethasathin(abouttwoinchesthick)mattresswrappedinbluepolythenenobedsheets
areused(althoughtheydidappearontheoccasionofthePope'svisit,promptingtheBritishmediacoveringthevisittodutifullymentionthe
'gleamingwhitebeds'.)
Thereisaboutafootbetweenonepalletandthenext,andshouldapersonlyinginonehappentostretchtheirarms,theywouldfind

themselveshittingtheirneighbour.Tomaximisetheuseofspace,thepalletsarenotplacedperpendiculartothewalls,butatanangle,and
thetworowsofthemlooklikefishbonesgrowingoutofthespineinthemiddle,whichistheaisle.
TraceyLeonardsaysinherbook:
Severalmorebedsarecrammedintotheremainingspaceateitherendofthiswardtobringthetotalbedcapacitytofiftyone.
Thebedsaremadeofmetalandarelongandnarrow...Thebedsthemselvesareonly13centimetresabovefloorleveland
about40centimetresapart.Aboveeachbedisanumber.5
TogiveanideaofthecrowdednessofNirmalHriday,onemightcompareitwithMother's(verydecent)homeinRome'sPiazzaSan
Gregorio,whichhasasimilarnumberofplaces(8090),andwhichisfairlycrowded,havingthreebedstoasmallishroom,butwhich
standslargeandsquareandisanimposingbuildingfourstoreyshigh.(Butherealso,thelargestroomsarereservedaschapelsthereareat
leasttwointhebuilding.)
ResidentsinNirmalHridayareforcedtolieontheirpallets,andarenotallowedtogetupandwalkaroundtheroom,maybebecausethereis
noplacetowalkaround.Buttheyarenotevenallowedtostandupandstretchthemselves,unlessinvitedtodosobyavolunteer.Shouldthe
menhappentostandaroundandloiterforevenamoment,the'wardboy'Anthony,wouldtellthemfirmlyandloudlytogoandliedownon
theirpallets,andshouldtheynotgetthemessagepronto,ashovefromhimwouldmakesurethattheydo.Ithastoberememberedherethat
NirmalHridayiscurrentlyusedmoreandmorebyhealthydropoutswhojustcheckinforafewdaysoffreegrub,muchtothechagrinof
theMissionariesofCharity.Partlytheharshnessoftheregimeistogivetheclearmessagetothesedropoutsthatthisisnodosshouse.
Duringdaytime,Anthonydoesnothavedirectcommandoverthewomen'sroom,wheretheregimeislessstrict,andwheresomeloiteringis
tolerated.
AnthonydeservessomediscussioninthecontextofNirmalHriday,ashewasanimportantpersontherein,atleastduringMother'slifetime.
'Wardboy'isapeculiarlyIndianconcept,andmostIndianhospitalwardshaveone.Wardboysare(usually)illiteratemenwholookafterthe
menialbusinessofahospitalward,suchascleaningthefloor,carryingthebedpanetc.Wardboysoftenbecomeenormouslypowerful,
muchmoresothandoctorsornurses.InmostIndiangovernmenthospitals,wardboysoftenoperateacomplexnetworkofcorruption.
InNirmalHriday,Anthonydidnotdoanymenialtasks,astheseweredonebythevolunteers.Hisjobwaspolicingtheresidentsand
ensuringthatdossersdidnotgetin.Ihaveseenhim(literally)kickingoutpeopletryingtogetin.
Dossersanddrugabusersdid(anddo)getinfrequently,despiteAnthonyanddespitethebesteffortsoftheSingaporebornSisterLuke,
whowasthehome'ssupremoforalmosttwodecades.Ibelieveshehasnowmovedon.
TraceyLeonarddescribesSisterLuke'sstrictnononsenseapproachofgettingridofresidents('attemptstocullthenumbers'):
Thisalwaysoccursinthemorningsandmostpatientsarealerttoasuddenchangeinatmosphere.Menwhowereanimated
andchattyonlyminutesbeforearenowmoaningandgroaning,shiveringundertheirblanketsinthemistakenbeliefthatthis
willsavethem.Noamountofpleadingandwailingcanreverseherdecision,...6
IappreciatethatpeoplehavetoberemovedformahomesuchasNirmalHriday,sometimesruthlessly.Buttheworldmistakenlybelieves
thatMotherTeresaorherorderwereincapableofpushinganybodyawayfromtheirprecinctsintothe'streetsofCalcutta'.
MotherTeresafrequentlyusedtovoiceheranguishabouttheisolationoftheindividualinsociety,especiallyintheWest,callingit'the
povertyoftheWest'.Sheoftenrailedagainstthefaceless,namelesssocietywheretheindividualquicklylosesidentity.Iamtherefore
surprisedthatinherflagshiphomeNirmalHriday,individualsarenotidentifiedbytheirnames,butareassignednumbers,whichare
inscribedinwhitepaintovertheirpallets.AnyofthephotographsthathavebeentakeninsideNirmalHridaywouldshowthesenumerals,
whichglowdistinctivelyinsidethedarkhome.
NirmalHridaydoesnothaveanywindowsitusedto,butnowtheyareblockedup.TherewerefourtallFrenchwindowsinthemen's
room,andthesamenumberinthewomen's.Thewindowsgotblockedupduringthe1950swhen,refugeesfromtheerstwhileEastPakistan
(nowBangladesh)setupshopsonthepavementsofKalighat.Thesepavementshops(aboutadozenofthem)nowcompletelysurround
NirmalHriday,andtheonlybitthatisuncoveredisthefrontdoor.Theshopscatertotheneedsofthevisitorsandthepilgrimstothetemple
ofKali.Someofthemsellflowers(especiallythebloodredhibiscusflower,saidtobeaparticularfavouriteofKali),othersselllittlebrass
utensilswhichareneededforworship,yetothersoffergarishlygaudyplasticbanglesandsmallclaymodelsofanumberofHindugodsand
goddesses.ThebacksoftheseshopsarebuiltagainstthewallsandwindowsofNirmalHriday.TheFrenchwindowsarequitetallandthe
shopsarenothighenoughtocovertheirentirelengthsasmalltriangularslitisleftatthetopofeachwindowthroughwhichair,light(and
theincessantdinofKalighat)entertherooms.
NirmalHridayisthustheonly'hospice'intheworldwithoutwindows.NaturallyMotherTeresacoulddopreciouslittleifpeopledecidedto
wrapherbuildingwithpavementstalls,butitwasuptohertoensurethatminimumstandardsweremaintained.TheWestBengal
governmentwasawareofthedeterioratingconditionsaroundthehomeandsometimebackofferedheranalternativesitetorelocateher

operations,butsheturneddowntheoffer.ShehadgreatsentimentalattachmentforNirmalHriday.
MotherTeresacouldofcourse,relocate(orextend)herhomeforthedyingtotheArchbishop'sPalaceinCalcuttathismansionsitsin
expensiveParkStreetandisvaluedat$8million.TheCatholicArchbishopofCalcuttaisalameduckprelatewhopresidesoveraminute
anddwindlingflockbuthasagrandmansionathisdisposal.Whenevershesawlargebuildingsinthepresenceofjournalists,Mother
Teresalamented'ifonlyIcouldusethatformypoorpeople!'DuringherfirstvisittoEthiopia,shesaidinapressconferencethatshehad
askedthecountry'srulerstogivehertheformeremperorHaileSelassie'spalacesoshecouldturnitintoahomeforthepoor'Youcould
helpcleantherooms,'shetoldjournalists.ShecouldhavestartedwiththeredundantbuildingsherownchurchpossessesinCalcutta.She
alsofamouslytoldMalcolmMuggeridge7howshedetestedCalcutta'sfinebuildings,includingthemarblemonument,VictoriaMemorial
she'positivelyglowered'atit,and'Itwould,shesaid,justdoforher.'
InsideNirmalHridaythereisalargenotice.Itis5feetby3feetinsizeandhangsonthewalloppositetheraisedplatformwhichthenuns
sometimessiton.Itcontainscertaininstructionsforvolunteers.Instruction'B)3CAREOFGLOVES'givesdetailsonthereuseofgloves
disposablelatexglovesarenotthrownawaybutwashedandreusedhere.Therearealsodetailedinstructionsontheuseofhypodermic
needles,asfollow:
C)CAREWITHNEEDLES
1.AllNeedlesShouldBe:a.RecappedImmediately(notrecappingneedlesafteruseisthe#1waythatcaregiversare
infectedbypatients).ORb.PutInASteriliser,ORc.ThrownAwayInABinWithTightLid
2.AllNeedlesShouldBeHandledAsIfInfected
3.DoNotUseTheSameNeedleOrSyringeOnAnotherPatientWithoutDisinfectingItFirst
Itiswellknownthatthe'#1waythatcaregiversareinfectedbypatients'isthroughrecappingofneedles,andtherehasbeenaconcerted
campaignallovertheworldtostopthispractice.TheMissionariesofCharityadvocatesrecapping,therebygivingvolunteers(otherthan
thoseamongstthemwhoarehealthcareworkersandshouldknowbetter)thewrongnotionthatrecappingreducesneedlestickinjury.
Fortunatelyforthevolunteers,theriskofneedlestickinjurythroughrecappingistheoretical,asrecappingandsterilisingarenotpractised
neitheristheoptionof'thrownawayinabinwithatightlid'.(IamtalkingaboutconditionsprevailingduringMother'slifetimethemore
humaneSisterNirmalamighthavechangedpractices.)
WhatispractisedatNirmalHriday(orwas,duringMother'slifetime)routinelywithneedlesisitemC3,i.e.,thereuseofneedlesafter
washingthemwithwaterordilutesurgicalspirit.Thistheyhavebeendoingproudly,openlyandblatantlysincetheinceptionofthehome.
TheyhavenotreappraisedtheirpracticewiththeadventofAIDS.MotherTeresaherselfwasverymuchawareofAIDSasaproblemin
theworld,andspokeaboutiteloquentlymanyatime.MaybeshethoughtHIVwasamoralproblem,whichhadnothingtodowithneedle
sharing.
AlthoughHIVisnotamajorhealthprobleminCalcuttaingeneral,itisverylikelyaproblemamongstthepopulationwhichMotherTeresa
dealtwithmoreover,theKalighatareahasanancientanddireredlightquarter.Theuseofopiumandcharasisverycommonamongthe
destitutesofCalcutta,andtheintravenoususeoftheseandothercrudesubstancesisnotuncommon.
ItisawellknownfactthathepatitisBinfectioniswidespreadamongsttheIndianpoor,anditisestimatedthatbetween20and50%ofthe
destitutepopulationofIndiancitiesarecarriersofthisdisease,whichisverymuchlikelytobetransmittedbyneedlesharingthanisHIV.
Indeed,itisalmostcertaintobepassedonbyasharedneedlewhichhasbeenwashedandreusednumeroustimes.HepatitisC,another
(more)deadlyneedleborneinfectionisalsolikelytobehighlyprevalentinthepopulationattendingNirmalHriday.
DothepoorofCalcuttanotdeservetheminimumdignitythatofcleanneedleandsyringe?Consideringthatsyringesandneedlesarevery
infrequentlyneededatNirmalHriday,and,therichesoftheMissionariesofCharity,isittoomuchtoexpectdisposableneedlesand
syringesatNirmalHriday?If,accordingtoMotherTeresa'thebodyofapoorpersonequalsthebodyofJesusindistress'literally,wasshe
treatingJesuswithrespect?
ItisnotthatMotherTeresawouldhavetobuyherneedles.Shewouldjusthavetoutterthewordandmillionswoulddescendfromaround
theworld.WhenPrinceCharlescametoseeherinCalcutta,hecarriedwithhimaboxofsyringesandneedlesahintperhapsignored,
sadly.Ifshewantedtoobtainthemlocally,achemistonKalighatRoaditself,abouttwominutes'walkfromNirmalHridaywouldsupplya
disposablesyringeandneedlesetforlessthan20cents.Butshewasnotinterestedaslongasherfamewasontheupandupandpeople
believedwhateveroutrageousthingsshesaid,shewassatisfied.Calcutta'spoorandwhethertheycaughtAIDSorhepatitisCmatteredlittle
toher.
Disturbingly,amongtheunbelievablebountyofdonationssheusedtogetfromtheWest,therewerealotofsyringesandneedles.These
werenotused,possiblytosatisfytheideologicaldogmaofthefounderthatmoretheresidentssufferedtheclosertheycametoJesus.

TraceyLeonardwrites:
TheequipmentsuppliedisusuallyIVsets,syringesandneedles,catheters,scalpels,andboxesandboxesofgloves(noneof
whichweeverseemtouse.8
ThebiographyofDrJackPreger(OBE),theCatholicwhoheadsthecharityCalcuttaRescue,andwhohadworkedwithMotherTeresa
beforehewentonhisown,isscathingaboutMother'sneedlesharingpolicy:
Yetifitismedicationthatthey[NirmalHridayresidents]want,theirrequestislesslikelytobefavourablyreceived.An
inspectionoftherulesandaimsoftheorderconfirmsthatmedicalattentiontothepoorislowontheagenda.Thepriorityis
quiteclear:theworshipofChristandthepropagationofthefaith...Certainlynopainkillersareadministeredtopatientsbelief
remainsfirmlyvestedintheinterventionoftheAlmighty.AndthereareexamplesofmedicalmalpracticeatKalighatthat
wouldhorrifywesternobservers.Forexample,needlesforinjectionsaresimplyrinsedincoldwaterafteruseandsimple
passedfromonepatienttothenext.AndpatientswithTBarenotisolated,despitethehighlycontagiousnatureofthe
disease.Itsspread,itisheld,isinHishands...Whenitcametoherownailinghealth,MotherTeresawasalittleless
complacent,andmorereluctanttorelyonthepoweroftheSpiritalone.Shepreferredtohavethebestdoctorsflowninfrom
overseas,tohaveapacemakerfittedbyhighlyskilledheartsurgeons,andrecuperateinthepostcardiaccareunitat
Woodlandsnursinghome,themostexclusiveprivateclinicinCalcutta,andcertainlynoKalighat.9
WesternvolunteersIspoketoatKalighatwereperturbedbyMother'sneedlesharingpolicy,butmostofthemkeptquiet.Manywere
teenagersontheirfirsttriptoAsia,andtheyhardlyknewwhattoexpect.Manywerenotbotheredaboutconditionsdoingastintfor
MotherTatCalcuttawaslikeafinishingschoolexperiencetheymustgothroughtoputontheirCV.Manyweremorekeentofindoutthe
bestsupplierofcheapandgoodqualitydopeinCalcuttaaqueryIwasfrequentlyposedwith.Furthermore,iftheyhaddoneany
backgroundreadingoftheMissionariesofCharity'spublicitymaterial,itwouldappearthatthiswasthebestthatCalcuttacouldoffer.This
wasprobablywhywhenMotherwashospitalisedeitherattheWoodlandsClinicortheBirlaHeartResearchInstitute,strictorderswere
giventovolunteersnottovisittheseplaces.Presumablytheorderdidnotwishthemtowitnessthegulfbetweenthecaresreceivedand
givenbythelivingsaintinCalcuttaitself.
TimStillwellofLondon,whohadworkedasavolunteeratKalighatin198990saidwhatstruckhimabouttheplacewastheresidents''total
lackofdignity'.HetoldmethathehadtravelledtoCalcuttawithtremendoushopeinhisheartthathewouldseeahomewhichlackedmany
basics,butmadeupwithloveanddignity.Buthecamebackdisappointedonallcounts.Tobeginwith,theplace'lookedlikeaconcentration
camp,'hesaid.Hesaidthatthepeoplewhowenttherewere'betteroffonthestreets',partlybecausethe'standardofhealthcarewas
atrocious',butmainlybecausetheyweretreatedsobadlybythenuns.
MrStillwellhadproblemswiththefactthattheresidentsweremainlyHindu,whereasthereligiousiconsweresolelyCatholic.So,oneday
'IwentandgotsomepostcardsofHindugodsandgoddesses,andsomestickytape,andstuckthemonthewalls'abovesomeofthe
residents'pallets.Hesaidthatthemenreallyappreciatedthegesturesomeofthemgot'quitestarryeyedandbegantouchingtheirheads'
andthankedhim(withgestures).Butthenextdayhewentandfoundthatthepictureshadbeenremoved.Whenheaskedwhy,hewastold
bythenunsthatthewallshadtokeptclean.
MrStillwelldescribedNirmalHridayatthetimebeing'thickwithwesternEuropeanvolunteers',whoweresmittenbythe'glamourof
MotherTeresa'.Healsosaidthathehadexpected,fromgeneralpreconceptionandfromreadingTheCityofJoy,thatonarrivalinCalcutta
hewouldbe'setuponbyregimentsofarmlessbeggars'hefoundsuchfearsunfounded.
MrStillwellwrotealettertoTheGuardian10 describingsomeofhisexperiencesatNirmalHriday.Iinterviewedwithhim11followingthe
publicationofhisletter.
MissionariesofCharityshownotajotofconsiderationfornonCatholicreligionsinNirmalHridayorinanyoftheotherhomesor
orphanages,despiteMotherTeresa'smanystatementstothecontrary.ButitispossiblytruethatthedeadinCalcuttagetfuneralrites
accordingtotheirreligion.Although,oneoftheorder'sformernuns,SusanShields,says:
Inthehomesforthedying,Mothertaughtthesistershowtosecretlybaptizethosewhoweredying.Sistersweretoaskeach
personindangerofdeathifhewanteda'tickettoheaven'.Aaffirmativereplywastomeanconsenttobaptism.Thesister
wasthentopretendthatshewasjustcoolingtheperson'sforeheadwithawetcloth,whileshewasinfactbaptisinghim,
sayingquietlythenecessarywords.SecrecywasimportantsothatitwouldnotcometobeknownthatMotherTeresa'sorder
wassecretlybaptisingHindusandMoslems.12
Ifeelthatdespiteherinnerurge,MotherwouldnothaveriskedtheabovepracticeinCalcuttaoranywhereinIndia(MsShieldsdidnot
workinIndia).BecauseIndianHindus,whomaybesupremelyoblivioustothesufferingoftheirpoorortothecalumnyofCalcuttabyan
Albaniannun,wouldembarkonbloodbathifsuchapracticeevercametolight.

AlthoughMotherherselfhadoncemadeasimilaradmission.On14January1992,afterherheartsurgeryatScrippsClinic,California,she
madealengthyspeechtodoctorsandnurses(capturedonvideowhichhasbeenwidelypubliclydistributedandavailable)inwhichshe
gloatedaboutsecretiveconversions:
Somethingverybeautiful...notonehasdiedwithoutreceivingthespecialticketforStPeterwecallit.Wecallbaptismticket
forStPeter.Weaskthe[dying]persondoyouwantablessingbywhichyoursinswillbeforgivenandyoureceiveGod.
Theyhaveneverrefused.So29,000havediedinthatonehouse[inKalighat]fromthetimewebeganin1952.
Totheloudguffawfromheraudienceshewentontosaythatshewas'cheatingheaven'nobodyaskedifshewascheatingthedefenceless
residents.
IampreparedtoMotherbenefitofthedoubtonthis.Shewasasupremepoliticianandcommunicator.Sheknewthatconversionsecretive
ornotwouldgodownwellwithanAmericanaudience,whoareoverwhelminglypractisingChristians.Shewaspossiblyplayingtothe
gallery.
Itcouldbetruethatresidentsweresecretlybaptisedthengivenfuneralritesaccordingtotheiroriginalreligiontokeepupappearances.
Beinganatheist,Idonotgetterriblyexcitedaboutconversions.Also,whocanoverlookhowmainstreamHindustreattheweakestmembers
oftheirownfaith?
Buttodeceitfullyconvertadefencelessdyingperson,oreventalkaboutit,requireslowscruplesofmonumentalproportions.
Idonotbelievethatthedeadbodiesaretreatedwithmuchrespect,althoughIamafraidIhavenotlookedintothe'morgue'.Thereisno
refrigeration.
InFebruary1992,whenPrincessDianavisitedKalighat,herpersonalprotectionofficerKenWharfehadtodoasecuritycheckofthe
morgue,incasetheprincesswantedtopeekin.Hewrites:
ThemortuaryattachedtothehospicerunbyMotherTeresa'sSistersofCharityisthemostappallingplaceIhavevisitedin
mylife.Indeedthehospiceitselfwaseffectivelyamortuary.13
TraceyLeonarddescribesthemorgue14 asaplace'wherethelinebetweenthelivingandthedeadwassometimesuncomfortablyblurred.'
Sherecountsanexperiencewhenshefoundaliving(albeitjust)personinthemorgueandthenthesurrealdramaofbringinghimoutofit
intomen'sroom.(OneoftheBrothershadwronglydiagnoseddeath.)Many,likeKenWharfe,couldarguethathemightaswellbeleftin
themorgue.
DanLeighton,ananthropologygraduatefromCambridgeUniversity,isanotherpersontohaveworkedatNirmalHridayasavolunteer.15
Hewenttherein1990whenhewas17,andspentsevenmonthsattheplace.Hewaspartofalargegroupofyoungmenandwomenwhose
tripwasorganisedtocontributesomethingworthwhileduringtheir'Gapyear'.TheirtripwaspartlysponsoredbyCalcutta'sGrindlays
Bank,whichprovidedtheiraccommodationinthecity.
WhenMrLeightonarrivedatNirmalHriday,hewasgreatlydisappointedwiththeconditionsthere.Hecomplained,buthewastoldby
SisterLuke,whowasinchargeatthetime,'Youmustworkhereandunderstandtheconditionsweworkinbeforeyoumakesuggestions.'
Afterworkingforalengthoftime,MrLeighton'steambecameevenmorecritical.Heknewthathecouldnotchangelongstandingworking
practices,butonethingthatreallyirkedhimandhisgroupwasthatofwashingthedishesinthesameplaceasthesoiledblankets,which
oftenhadfaecesonthem'theshitwouldcomeofftheblanketsontoplates'washowheputit.Hefounditdisturbingthatthiswasan
unnecessaryandentirelyremediablehazard.HeandhisfriendskeptonatSisterLuke(whohefounda'caringandunderstandingperson')
aboutit,andintheendthenunrelentedasmallconcreteenclosurewasbuiltforthewashingofplatesandglasses.MrLeightonis
enormouslyproudthattheirbriefvisittoNirmalHridayeffectedthispermanentandpositivechange.
ImyselfhavewonderedatthelevelsofhygienewithplatesandglassesatNirmalHriday.Itistruethatpresentlythedishwashingisdone
separatelyfromthewashingofsoiledblankets,butplatesandglassesarenotwashedunderrunningwater.ThisisbecausetheMissionaries
ofCharitywillnotinvestinanelectricpumpfortheirhome.Theydependonthecorporationfortheirwatersupply,whichisnotquite
gearedtocaterforahomeforahundredpeople.Thepipesarenarrowerthantheyshouldbeandthewaterpressureissolowthatthesupply
occasionallyrunsout.TheMissionariesofCharityhavetackledthisproblemnotbyinstallingasmallandcheappump(everymiddleclass
householdinCalcuttahasone)thatwoulddrawcleanwaterfromthebeneaththesubsoilandstoreitinanoverheadtank,butbydoingall
theirwashinginstagnantwater.Iamnotsurewhatsourceofwaterisusedforthechapelandnuns'quartersupstairs,anditispossiblethata
pumphasbeeninstalledforthem.
ThewashingofdishesinstagnantwaterataplacelikeNirmalHridayisnotasensiblepracticemanyoftheresidentshavetuberculosis,
andmanymorehavebaddiarrhoeaandotherinfectiousconditions.Furthermore,theminimumpossibleamountofwashinguppowderis
usedthreepartsof(sterile)ashismixedwithonepartofwashinguppowdertoproducethegreypowderthatisusedtowashupatNirmal
Hriday,oratleastwasduringMother'slifetime.

Itisnotthecasethatresidentsareservedonpatentlydirtyplatesthestainlesssteelplatesandglassesarecleanedandpolishedtoashineby
diligentvolunteers,whohavetospendalotoftimeandefforttoachievethateffect.Again,suchtimeandeffortcouldbebetterspentwith
theresidents,lookingaftertheirphysicalandemotionalneeds.WasittoomuchtoexpectforMotherTeresatoproviderunningwaterand
pureunadulteratedwashingpowderather(small)homeforthedyinginCalcutta,herfirstandflagshiphome,andtheplacethatputheron
thepathtofame?DanLeightontoldmethattheotherthingthatheandhisfriendsrefusedtodowhileatNirmalHridaywaswashthe
needlesincoldwatertheyinsistedonwashingtheminsurgicalspiritinstead.MrLeightonthinksthatthereuseofdirtyneedlesis
indicativeofthefatalistic'Doesitreallymatter?'cultureprevalentatthehome.MrLeightonalsosaid:
TheSistershavelittleornomedicaltraining.Thereisalocaldoctorwhocomesinforacoupleofhoursonedayweek,but
muchofthemedicalandnursingworkisdonebythevolunteers.Theydogetaregularstreamofvolunteerswhoarenurses
ordoctors,butthatisjustbychancebutIwonderwhatwillhappenwhenMotherTeresadiesandtheglamourfadesaway
thesteadysupplyofvolunteerswilldefinitelydryup,andtheywouldneedtohavesomesortofsysteminplaceforensuring
thateventhecurrentmedicalstandards,whicharelessthanbasic,aremaintained.
Commentingonthecommunalshavingoftheresidents'headsatNirmalHriday,MrLeightonsaid:
Icanseewhytheyhavethepolicyofcommunalshavingofheads,becauselicecanbecomeaproblem.Themendonotseem
tomind,butmostofthewomenarenotkeentodispensewithalltheirhair,ashairmeanssomuchtoIndianwomen.Ican
rememberanelderlywomanwhodidnotwantherheadshaved,buthadnochoiceshebecamesoembarrassedabouther
smoothheadthatsheusedtowalkaroundwitha'nappy'roundherhead.
Shavingoftheresidents'headsisoneoftheoldpracticesatthishome,andinmanyothersrunbytheMissionariesofCharity.Itisoneof
thefirstthingsthathappentotheresidentsastheycomeinIfeelthishassomethingtodowiththeconcentrationcamplikeappearancethat
onegetsasoneenterstheplace.
DanLeightonalsosaidthatduringhissevenmonthsatNirmalHridayheneversawanuntouchingtheresidentsortalkingtothemthese
werelefttothevolunteerstodo,despitethelanguagebarrier.ImustadmitthatIhaveseennunschattingtotheresidentsinhomesinother
partsofIndia.MrLeightonfeltthatthenotionaboutlackinginequipmentandamenitiesbutmakingupthesedeficitswithlovesimplydoes
notholdtrue,atleastinKalighat,as
totheMissionariesofcharity,loveissynonymouswithprayerandtolovesomebodywouldbetoprayforthem.Thisisthe
essenceofMotherTeresa'sphilosophywhichwouldbedifficulttounderstandforsomebodywhodoesnotsubscribetoher
brandofCatholicism.OneofthebasicproblemsoftheMissionariesofCharityisthattheydonothaveanyvision,neither
anymanagementstructuretheyarejustbumblingalongfromdaytoday.Theyhavenounderstandingwhatsoeverof
palliativecare,andIwonderiftheyareevenawareoftheconcept.PrayingtoGodaboutagroupofsufferingpeopleisall
verygood,butloveandcareforthesepeopleareissuestooimportanttoleavetoGodaloneandIamspeakinghereasa
believer.
SisterUrsulaoftheMedicalMissionariesofMary,whoappearedinaBBCdocumentaryonMotherTeresa('Everyman')afewdaysafter
herdeath,alsomadethepointthatprayerwassoimportanttotheorderthatnunsmightsuddenlydropaspoonthatachildwasbeingfed
fromwhenthehourforprayercame.
Itistheresidents'goodfortunethatnunsdonotbotherwiththematNirmalHriday.Mostofthemareindolent,naiveandunawareof
nursingandmedicalbasics.TraceyLeonardwrites:
UnfortunatelyJesusisnottheonegivingoutthemedicationoradministeringinjectionstothepatients.He,Iwouldtrustto
getitrightbuthishelpershavealackadaisicalapproachtomattersmedical.IhaveseenthemgivethesteroidPrednisolone
insteadofparacetamol,becausebothstartwiththeletter'p'.WheneverIyellatthemandaccusethemofmurderingthe
patientstheysimplysmileandtellmethatitisallinGod'shands.16
Manynunsareoutrightcruel.ManypeoplewholivearoundtheKalighatareahavetoldmethatgivenanyopportunitysomeofthenuns
wouldterroriseresidentsandwouldnotdesistfromhurtingthem.TheyareafraidtogoonrecordbecauseoftheinnateIndianfearofsaying
anythingnegativeagainstawhitememsahib.OneKalighatpriest,DebiCharanHaldar,wholivedandworkedclosetothehome,didgoon
recordandgavethisinterviewtoalocalmagazine:
ButmanySistersbelongingtotheMissionariesofCharityareveryharshtowardsthepatientsatNirmalHriday.Almost
everynightwehearheartrendingcriesfromtheseoldpatients.IsuspecttheSistersindulgeinphysicaltorture.Mother
TeresararelyvisitsNirmalHridaythesedays.Andwhenshedoes,theSistersensurethatNirmalHridaylooksspickand
span.IfearthatafterMotherTeresa'sdeath,theMissionariesofCharitymightfallapart.Idonotthinkthatthepatientsare
convertedtoChristianity...Ihavetwocomplaintsagainsttheorganisationa)thepatientsdeservebettertreatmentbyMother
Teresaandco.,and,b)byadmittinghealthypeoplelookingforafewdays'offreemeals,theyareencouragingscrounging

andlaziness.17
DrRichardDean,apractisinggeneralpractitionerinLondon,wenttoCalcuttaasavolunteerin1980(afewmonthsafterMother'sNobel)
andstayedforafewweeks.Thisishisaccount:
MyvisitwasorganisedbyaCatholicstudents'organisationatCambridgeUniversitywhereIwasstudyingmedicineatthe
time.Consequently,myaccommodationwasarrangedwiththeBrothersatHowrah[Calcutta'ssuburbacrosstheriver].
TheyhaveatwentyfivebeddedhomefordestitutesinHowrahattachedtoaBrothers'house,bothsittingoveralarge
compound.TheBrothersweremostlyBiharis,andquiteagoodnumberwerefromTamilnaduandKerala.Hardlyanywere
fromWestBengalfortunatelythisdidn'tcauseaprobleminthatparticulararea,asintheadjoiningslum,mostpeoplewere
migrantsfromotherstates.PracticallyalltheBrothersspokegoodEnglish.
Therewasachapelinouryard.Ihadtogetupat4a.m.everydayforreligiousdiscourse,thenalongmasswouldfollow.I
wassupposedtohelpoutwiththeBrothersinageneralway.Ialsowentwiththemwhentheywentontheirteaching
missions,althoughtheydidnothaveproperschoolstheclassroomsweretemporarysetups.
Alargequantityoffoodgrain,suchasriceandwheatIthinkmostofitwasagiftfromtheUSwasstoredinthe
compound.Idon'tknowwhythegrainsweretherebuttherewasnopolicyondistribution.Theproblemwasthattheslum
dwellersknewthatthericeetc.wererottinginthere,andeverymonththerewouldbeaminiriotatthehomeabouta
hundredslumdwellerswouldburstinthroughthegates,grabsomericeandwheatandgoaway.
TherewasalsodrugsstoredintheplacealsosentaspresentstoMotherTeresafromabroad.Mostofthedrugswere10to
20yearsold,buttheBrotherswouldroutinelyusethem.Theydidnotseemtohaveanymedicalornursingtrainingbutthey
wouldregularlycarryoutmedicaltreatments,whichwereerratic,ifnotdangerous.Theywouldoftenusedrugswithout
knowingwhattheywerefor.
Theneedleswereneverreplacedtheyweremoreappropriateforcatchingfishthantreatingpeople.Thetipshadbecome
likefishhooksanditwasajobtogiveaninjectionasyou'dhavetostruggletogettheneedleinandanothertogetitoutI
founditquitepainfultousethoseneedlesIshuddertothinkwhatthepatientsmayhavefelt.
TheBrothersthemselveshadthebestpossiblemedicaltreatment.EverymonththeywenttoagleamingnewAmericanrun
hospitalinthecentreofCalcutta[AssemblyofGodChurchhospital]andhaveachestxraywhichcost10each,comingto
300forthelotwhichisthemorethanwhatthey'dprobablyusefortheircharitableactivitiesforthemonth.Ididtellthe
Brothersthattheyshouldstophavingtheirowncheckups(oratleastsuchexpensivecheckups)anddivertthemoneytothe
poorIfounditdifficulttoreconcileallthistoMotherTeresa'simage.MotherTeresaherselfhassaidmanytimesthather
nunsandBrothersliveexactlyatonewiththepoor.
MyfinalcrunchcamewhenIfoundthismanIthinkhewasaragpickerwiththebiggesthydrocoeleIhadeverseenit
reacheddownfromthegrointohisknees.Itookhimonasitwere,andaskedtheBrothersiftheywouldfinancehis
treatment.TheBrothersplainlysaidno'Ifwedoitforone,wehavetodoitforthousands,'theysaid.Ihaveheardthis
particularsentencerepeatedumpteentimesbytheMissionariesofCharityinCalcutta.
OnedayItookthemantotheswankyhospitalthattheBrotherswentto,andwastoldbythedoctortherethathewasnot
welcome.SoIspentawholedayqueuingatagovernmenthospitalandcamewaywithsomeFrusemide[diuretic].
OnthewholeI'ddescribemyexperiencewiththeMissionariesofCharityinCalcuttaas'horrific'.IsupposeIwas
particularlyshockedbecauseitwassomuchshortofwhatIhadbeenexpecting.Ihadassumeditwouldbeanopendoorset
upwhereeverybodywaswelcomewhatIfoundwassoutterlydifferent.Anotherthingthatcameasasurpriseapleasant
onewasthattherewasverylittleeffortatreligiousconversiontheBrotherswereacutelyconsciousofthereligious
tensionthatexisted,andsteeredclearofanyevangelism.BeforeIleftEngland,IhadpresumedthatMotherTeresawasso
popularinCalcuttathatpeoplewouldcometoherindrovestogetconverted.
IactuallylefttheBrotherstowardstheendofmystay.IfoundsomeHinduorganisationswhoweredoingexcellentwork
withfarlessresources.
IcouldsaythatmyexperiencewithMotherTeresa'sorganisationwasatleastpartlyresponsibleformeeventuallyleaving
Catholicism.IhavebeenbacktoCalcuttaafewtimessince1980no,Ihaven'tbeenbacktoseeanybodyfromthe
MissionariesofCharity.18
IhaveinterviewedmanymenandwomenwhohaveworkedasvolunteersatNirmalHriday,thevastmajorityofwhomhavebeencriticalof
thestandardsthereof.IhavedecidedtoquoteDanLeightonratherextensivelynotbecausehewasthemostcritical,butbecausehehas
frequentlygoneonrecordwithhisviews.HewrotequiteanintimatelettertoTheGuardian19,andalsoappearedinadocumentaryentitled

MotherTeresa:TimeforChange?20whichwasshownonEuropeantelevisionnetworksduring1997.IhavequotedfrequentlyfromTracey
Leonard'sbookbecausesheisCatholicandaTeresafanandsoimpressedtheSistersthatatonepointwasencouragedtobecomeanun.She
didtwoprolongedstintsasavolunteerinCalcuttaintheearly1980s.Shewasadiligentandconscientiousvolunteer.
InMother'sauthorisedbiography(onlyposthumousonetobeauthorised),KathrynSpinknotes:
Theprovisionofprofessionalknowledgeandskills,ofvitalmedicinesandequipmentwasascompletelydependenton
DivineProvidenceaswasthelivesoftheSistersthemselves.Ifanincreasingnumberofoccupantsofthehomeforthedying
begantorecoveritwasnotbecauseNirmalHridaycouldprovideefficientmedicalcarewhichhospitalscouldnot.There
werethosetraineddoctorsandnurseswhocametoworkthereonavoluntarybasiswhowerehorrifiedatthefailureto
observethekindoffundamentalrulesofhygienethatwouldprotecttheSistersfrominfectionandthe'patients'from
contaminatingeachother.21
ItiswidelybelievedthatallpubliccriticismofMotherTeresa'scharitablefunctionsstartedwiththeHell'sAngeldocumentaryofNovember
1994,ifonediscountsthesomewhatreluctantcriticalcommentsmadeinTheLancettwomonthspreviously.
ButthefirstemphaticpubliccriticismofMotherTeresa'scharitableactivitiesappearedinTheObserveron3May1992.Itwasmadeby
MaryLoudon,theauthor,whohadspentsometimeinCalcuttaworkingwiththepoor,andwhoalsoworkedasavolunteeratNirmal
Hriday.Shewrote:
WhenIwasinCalcutta,IwenttoworkatthemostfamousofMotherTeresa'smonumentstohumandignity:thehomefor
thedyingatKalighat.BecauseIhadalreadybeenworkinginthecityforsometime,Inaivelyimaginedmyselftobeimmune
toshock.HowwrongIwas.ThehomeatKalighatconsistsoftworooms,eachwitharound40patientsinstretcherbeds,
sandwichedbetweenpiecesofgreenplasticandsmall,scratchyblankets.Onadmission,thepatients'headsareshaved,their
clothesremoved,andanypossessionsconfiscated.Patientswearakneelengthwesternstyleoverallthattiesattheneckand
gapesopenattheback.Nounderwearisprovided.
Thereisnothingforthepatientstodo,andnowhereforthemtogo...Thefactthatthefoodisnutritionallyinadequateand
alwaysthesame,thewaterdiseaseridden,andthevolunteerslargelyunabletospeakBengaliisoflittleimportance...
Idon'tknowifshe[adyingwomanwithTB]hadanyfamily.Ifshedid,theywouldalmostcertainlynothavebeenallowed
toseeher,becausefamiliesarestronglydiscouragedfromvisitingtheirrelativesatthehome.WhatIdoknow,oratleastI
wastold,byanAmericandoctorworkingatKalighat,wasthatshemighthavelivedifshehadreceivedsomehospital
treatment.YetMotherTeresa'spolicyisnotoneofintervention...Goddecideswholivesandwhodies.Peoplearebetteroff
inheaventhanintheoperatingtheatre.Thus,insteadofusingherinfluenceandincometofinanceaproperlyequipped
hospital,MotherTeresaandherSisterscontinuetogiveaspirintopatientswithcancer,linctustothosewithTB,andglucose
dripswitholdneedlesrinsedincoldwatertothoseincomas.Andeveryone,regardlessofcreed,getsagoodCatholic
funeral.
Whenwemadeourfilmtwoyearslater,wecontactedMsLoudon,andsheagreedtoappearinitinthedocumentaryshe
said:
Myinitialimpression[ofNirmalHriday]wasofpicturesandfootageofplaceslikeBelsenthatIhadseen.Thepatients'
headsareshaved,andtheylieinfirstworldwarstretcherbeds.Thereisnogarden,thereisnoyardthereisnothingforthe
patientstodo,nowhereforthemtogo,theycan'tevensit,...therearenochairs,there'snothing...Theonlypainkillersused
wereaspirin,and,ifyouwerelucky,someBrufen...
OnceIaskedanunwhowaswashingusedneedlesunderacoldwatertapwhyshewasn'tsterilisingthemshesaidthere's
nopoint...Myboyfriendworkedinthemen'sroomandhewaslookingafterayoungboywhohadsomekindofproblemI
forgetexactlywhatwhichanAmericandoctorvolunteertoldmewasentirelytreatable.Iaskedthenunswhytheywerenot
takinghimtothehospital,whytheyweren'tdoingsomethingassimpleascallingacabandtakinghimtothehospital,but
theysaidthatwasnothowtheyworked'Ifwedoitforonewehavetodoitforeverybody'...22
MsLoudon'sanxietyaboutwhetherthewomanwithTBhadanyfamilywasmisplaced,becauseifshehad,shewouldnothavebeen
allowedaplaceatNirmalHridaythe'nofamilycases'commandmenthasalwaysstoodverystrongthere.However,fromtimetotime,
peoplehaveslippedin,pretendingtobea'Ihaveabsolutelynobodyintheworld'case,butwhohavelaterturnedouttobea'familycase'.
SuchomissionsbythepoorestofthepoorwerenottakenlightlybyMotherTeresatoemphasisethevirtueoftruthfulness,hermessage
was'Ifyouhadliedtousthatyoudidnothaveanyfamily,sowithoutafamilyyoushallremainduringsuchtimethatyouareunderour
holyroof.'Visits(evenbyfriends)arenotallowed.
TheveryfirstalbeitnotstridentcriticismofMotherTeresa'spracticesatNirmalHridayappeared,rathersurprisingly,intheBritish
CatholicweeklyTheTabletinthesameweekthatshewenttoOslotogetherNobel.Itwaswrittenbyananonymous'EnglishCatholic

doctorinCalcutta'whohadworked(orwasworking)asavolunteerfortheMissionariesofCharity.Itislikelythedoctorinquestionwas
DrPreger.Hewrote:
TheenormouspublicityshehasattractedrecentlyintheWest,will,nodoubt,yieldabountifulharvestincashandkind.
Someofthiscouldbeusedtoupgradehermedicalprogrammes,wherenecessaryalthoughMotherherselfresiststheideaof
themdevelopingintohospitals.Shewillreceiveaneverincreasingflowofvolunteersandtheycouldbeemployedin
maintainingroundtheclocksurveillanceofherpatients.Motherisnotinfavourofhersistersandbrothersbecomingpurely
nursesorsocialworkers.ButifsheistoavoidthekindofcriticismpreviouslylevelledatAlbertShweitzerinLambareneshe
mayhavetoconcedethatthemedicalcareofheradultpatientswillhavetoberevised.23
InthetwodecadesthatpassedtillMother'sdeath,thecaredeteriorated.PaulChetcutiisaMalteseJesuitpriestwhowenttoworkatNirmal
Hridayintheearly1980s.Fromhisexperiencesthere,camehisslimvolumeChoosingToServeTheDestitute,abookaboutMotherTeresa
andherwork.AccordingtoFrChetcuti:
InthelifeoftheMissionariesofCharitymoreimportanceisgiventoprayerthantoactualwork.'Wearenotsocialworkers',
MotherTeresawillsay,'wearefirstandforemostcontemplatives'.AndthiscontemplationstartsfromtheEucharist...I
rememberoneoccasion,whileworkinginthehomeforthedying,whenIwentinsomeagitationtotellSisterthatamanwas
onthepointofdeath.Thefirstquestionsheputtomewas,'Haveyouprayedforhim?'Toprayisthefirstthingtobedone,
evenbeforeconsideringwhatisneededfromamedicalpointofview.Nowondertheirscaleofvaluesseemstochallenge
ourmoreusualones...Likewisebytheirowndeliberatechoicetheyuseonlythemosthumblemeansintheirwork.Mother
Teresarefuses,onprinciple,tomakeanyofherworksofcharityintoaninstitution.Forexample,sherefusestohave
hospitals.InherhomeforthedyinginCalcutta,sherefusestoemployafulltimedoctor,andishappysimplytohavethe
freeserviceofoneortwodoctorswhovolunteertheirtime.Sherefusesallsophisticatedequipmentinherhomes,evena
simplemicroscopewhichcouldbeusefulintherapiddiagnosisofcertainsicknesses.Inhereyesthiswouldbethefirststep
towardstheestablishmentofaninstitutionforsickpeople...Tosetupaninstitutionmightpossiblyservethepoor,butnot
necessarilythepoorestofthepoor.ButMotherTeresa'svocationispreciselythisandsheisfiercelyloyaltoit.Anyonewho
doesnotgraspthispointwillprobablybeshockedattherudimentaryleveloftreatmentavailableinthehomesofMother
Teresa.Incompetenceisnotatallexcludedmistakesaremade.Butthisistheonlywaytoremain'small'andthusgenuinely
attheserviceoftheleastofmen...Itdoesnotmatteriftheydonothavethenecessaryvaccineforthetreatmentofthis
woman,becausetheygiveherwhathasbeengiventothemfreeofchargetheloveofGodandthefewmedicinesthey
possess.Godwilltakecareofthissickwoman.TohumaneyesthistrustinGodseemscarriedtoexcess,butitisthe
touchstoneofthewholeworkofMotherTeresa.Herfavouritesayingis,'IfGodwantssomething,itwillbedone.'24
TosomebodynotdeeplyCatholic,FatherChetcuti'sargumentssupportingMotherTeresa'slackofstandardswouldseemuntenable,even
offensive.Imyself,beforeIhadaproperunderstandingofMotherTeresa'sfaith,founditbewilderingthatshewouldknowinglychooseto
applysuchappallingstandards.Icannow(partly)understand(butnotcondone)herstrangebehaviour.
IshallnothoweverignorethefactthatthereshouldbesuchastronomicaldifferencebetweenthestandardsinherhomesintheWest,and
thoseinIndia.Ifthe'poorestofthepoor',whatevertheirnationality,areequalintheeyesofherGod,whyweretheynotequalinherown
eyes?ItshouldalsonotbeoverlookedthatMotherTeresa,whendescribingheroperationsinIndia,nevermanagedtotelltheworldofthe
lessthanbasicnatureofthestandardofcare.Ifsheconstantlycouchedherstatementswith'love'and'beautiful',whatwouldabandof
youngillinformedreporterssupposedtopresume?
Despiteherprotestations,andthoseofherfriends,thefactremainsthatMotherTeresawasnot'small'.Shewasimmenselyrichand
powerful,andshewaswellawareofit.Shedidnotlike'institutions'whichofferedbettercaretopeople,butshemadestrenuouseffortsto
developherorderintoaworldwideinstitution,includingstationsintheIslamicworld.MissionariesofCharityisaCatholicempireandits
founderstroveveryhardeverydaytoexpanditatallcosts.Shewasinastateofconstantnegotiationwithreligiousauthoritiesandpolitical
leaderstoopenmoreandmoreconventsandhomes.
FrChetcuti'scommentaboutrelyingondonatedstuffandnotmakinganyefforttogoandbuysomethingtohelpapoorpersonisquitetrue
Teresawasobsessedwithfreebies,amentalitywhichcamefromalifetimeofreceivingshiploadsofdonationsfromallovertheworld.She
wasphilosophicallyopposedtospendingevensmallamountstobuymedicineorequipmenttosavelivesinIndia.
IamafraidIdonotquiteseehowChetcutidemarcatedthepoorfromthe'poorestofthepoor'.Ialsodonotbuythelinethatthepoorestof
thepoorneededmoreprayersandlessmedicinesthantheordinarypoorthese'arguments'aresobizarrethatitismeaninglessdiscussing
them.
AnotherJesuitpriest,FreddieLanemadea'pilgrimagetoCalcutta'in1997,afewmonthsbeforeTeresa'sdeathhewas'invitedtogivea
RetreattothenovicesoftheMissionariesofCharitybyMotherTeresa,cumpermissu'.Histrip(includingairfare)wasfundedby
parishionersinLiverpool.IfindthisdisturbingthereisnoshortageofCatholicpriestsinIndia,evenJesuitprieststhereareaplenty.
(Indeed,IndiahasthelargestnumberofJesuitsintheworld.)DidMotherTeresareallyneedtoinvitean'exotic'priestfromLiverpoolso

thathecouldgivebettercredibilitytoapurelyreligiousceremony?Diditnotoccurtoherthatparishioners'moneycouldhavebeenbetter
spentbysendingfood,clothingormedicines?
FreddieLanewasnaturallythrilledtobitsitisnoteverydaythatoneispersonallyinvitedbyalivingsaint.Aftergivingtheladiestheir
retreat,hewenttoKalighattovisitNirmalHriday.Subsequentlyhewrote:
WhilstIwasthere[inCalcutta],IheardofsomecriticismlevelledatMotherTeresaandhernunsforthelowlevelof
treatmenttheygavetothepeopletheyserved.Todothejobproperlytheyneedfarmoremoneythanisgiventoaccomplish
this.25
Thelastsentencedoesnotastonishme.IhavegotusedtoanykindofincrediblestatementbyMotherTeresaandherfriends.Iamnotsure
ifFrLanereallybelievedthatMotherTeresawasshortofmoney.Peoplewilldeludethemselvesintobelievinganythinginordertopreserve
theirpsychologicalstatusquo.Ifshewassohardup,shecouldhaveusedthethousandoddpoundsthathistriphadcosttoaddresssomeof
her'lowlevel'care.OnethousandpoundsgoesalongwayinIndiaitwouldhave,forinstance,bought20,000standardantibioticcapsules.
ShortlyafterhisarticlewaspublishedIwrotetoFrLaneaskingsomepertinentquestions,butneverreceivedareply.
On8March1984,ChristiesofAmsterdamauctionedaprivateartcollectiontoraisemorethan30,000specificallyforthehomein
Kalighat.Iamnotawareifanyofthemoneywasspentonthehome,asnoimprovementswereundertakeninthatyear30,000would
haveatleast,ensuredalifetime'ssupplyofcleanneedles.
SamWestmacott,theBritishfreelancejournalist,workedasvolunteeratboththehomeforthedyingandtheorphanageinCalcutta1996.
ShewroteanextensiveaccountofherexperienceinTheDailyTelegraph.ItwasobviousthatMsWestmacottwas(andremained)a
steadfastfanofMotherTeresa's.IthasalsotoberememberedthatboththeDTanditsSundaystablematearesolidtrueblueconservative
organsandarestaunchsupportersoftheTeresacult.AlargechunkofMother'slatestpictorialbiographywasreprintedinthelatter26.Iam
quotingfromMsWestmacott'saccount27,whichevenTheDailyTelegraphhadtoconcede,was'inmanysenses,disturbing':
AsIarrivedonthefirstday,amandiedinfrontofme.Istoodtransfixedbutnooneelsenoticed.Iwishsomeonehadbeen
theretoholdhishandandwatchwithhim.Hisdeathseemedalonelybusiness...[Residents]hadnothingtodobutsiton
theirbeds.ItwaseasytounderstandthecriticismsofMotherTeresa'smethods.Hygienictheywerenot.Rubbergloveswere
reusedafterminimalsterilisationandbeyondbasicmedicines,therewerelittlenursingequipmentnotevenforcleaning
patients'grotesquebedsores.Icouldnotunderstandwhythevolunteerswerenotshownbasicnursingtechniques,suchas
turningthepatientsregularlytopreventsores.IaskedSisterDoloreswhytimeandmoneywerenotspentonimprovingthe
medicalcare...Shesaid,'Itwouldnotbecomfortableforthemifitwaschrome,sterileandfullofwhitesheets.Oftenpeople
wanttogiveuswashingmachinesbutthatisnotdoingGod'swork.God'sloveisexperiencedthroughactionwithour
hands,ourfeet.Whenyougiveeverythingwithyourwholebody,youreceiveitallback.'...Iaskedwhytheydidnotmake
useoftheprofessionalskillsofthevolunteerdoctorsandnurses.'Wedo,'shesaid.'Buttheyhavetolearnourloving
untrainedway...'
Toholdsomeone'shandwhenheisdyingdoesnotneedequipment,itdoesnotevenrequirethe'poweroflove'itjustneedshonestyand
commitment.Andyet,MsWestmacottfoundKalighat'coolandpeaceful'.Suchisthepowerofthehalo.
Therewerealsootherrewards'unexpectedpleasures'fortheyoungBritishjournalist.AfterthedailymorningmassatMotherHouse
Chapelwouldbeover,MotherTeresa'mingledamongthevolunteers,placingherpowerfulhandsonourheads.'
Veryoften,whenendeavouringtospeakwithfaithfulvolunteerswhoremainedstaunchlyloyaltoTeresaevenaftertheirexperiencesin
Calcutta,IhavebeengiventhecoldshoulderassoonasIstartedaskingthefaintestofcriticalquestions.MywifewrotetoMaureen
Campbell,MeganMcArthurandEricaSiemundformervolunteersallwhoarerepresentativesofthegroupofstudentswhorunthe
'SeattleUniversityCalcuttaClub',aratherpiousoutfitwhichorganisesvolunteersfromamongsttheuniversity'sstudentstogoandworkin
MotherTeresa'shomesinCalcutta.Theinitialresponsetoherletter(shesaidshewasculturallyaCatholicandaformervolunteerherself)
wasoverenthusiastic:'We'ddoanythingtoansweryourqueries','We'dbeonlytoohappytohelp'etc.Assoonasshesaidthather(modest)
expectationsinCalcuttawerenotmetandcouldsheasktheSeattlevolunteerssomeeversoslightlyuncomfortablequestions,awallof
silencecameabruptlydownfromallthe20formervolunteersthathadreceivedherquery.KathrynDubik,ofAtlanta,Georgia,another
memberofthe'club',becamesilent(afterinitialenthusiasm)simplyonbeinginformedbymywifethatshewantedtoapproachtheissue
withan'openmind'.
AnotherUSuniversitythatorganisesandfundsthoughnotdirectlyvolunteersforMotherTeresaisWakeForestUniversityinNorth
Carolina,foundedonturgidsouthernBaptistethos.Theycallthesevolunteers'CityofJoyScholars',whoareshortlistedfromalarge
numberofapplicants.FrankSherman,aformerstudent,wroteabouthis1996experience:
Afterthetenofuswerechosen,wemetwithourfearlessleaderSarahLawlor,andbravefacultymember,SamGladding

beforeweleftforthesummer.Sarahgaveussomereadingforthesummerandweshookhandsandsmiledateachother.In
thefallwemetweeklytogettoknoweachother,learnaboutskindiseases,talkaboutIndia,trytoprepareasmuchaswe
couldforthatfirststepofftheplaneinCalcutta,planfundraisersandtalk.This'teambuilding'playedanessentialrolein
supportandgroupmoraleinCalcutta.Theuniqueandhumorouschemistrywedevelopedandtheabilitytoplayoffeach
otherinbothserioustimesandtimesoffunprovedespeciallyhelpful.Afterawhirlwindofsemesterofmeetingsandfund
raiserswepartedforourChristmasbreak.ThedayafterChristmaswewerebacktogether,nervous,anxious,excited,scared,
wired,sleepyeyed,andaboveallsmiling!ThefollowinghoursordaysittookustogettoCalcuttaseemedtodragon
foreverandthetimechangesmadeitimpossibletoknowexactlyhowlongittook.FinallywearrivedinCalcutta!...28
ItdoessoundtomeliketheeloquentemotionsofsomeonegoingofftothebattlefieldlikeacrusaderfromthemiddleagesCalcuttaas
usualisdepictedasanotherworldly,barelyreachableplace.Butalas,MrSherman'seloquenceisbarelyevidentwhenitcomestodescription
ofMotherTeresa'scharitablefunctionsinCalcutta.Abouthisworkintheorphanagehewrote:
Whetheryouarekickingaballwithakidorgivingapiggybackrideorsimplyholdingachildwhocannotmoveorspeakor
talkingwithanadultormassagingapatient'ssoremuscles,themostimportanttimeisspentextendingGod'sloveto
others...Eveninthemonthsfollowingthetripmymindconstantlyprocessedeventsandfeelingsfromthoseeighteendays.
WegaveseveralpresentationsandIhavesincesharedthetripwithmyfamilyandfriendsacountlessnumberoftimes,each
timelearningsomethingnewfromtheresponseandquestionsofothers.Herearetwoquestionsthatoftenarose,'Howdid
thistripchangeyourlife?'and'Whatisthemostimportantthingyoulearnedonyourtrip?'Throughoutthespringfollowing
thetripIcouldnotanswerthisquestion.ThissummercampIfinallyrealizedwhathadimpactedmemostonthetrip.Itwas
love.TheloveshownbythesistersandbrothersoftheMissionariesofCharityhadstruckmyheart.MotherTeresa's
missionissimple:tolovepeople...Wewerefortunateenoughtohaveachancetospeakwithheroneafternoonandshe
wantedtomakesureweleftwithoneclearmessage...MotherTeresa'sbook,ASimplePath,provideswonderfulexamples
ofsharingGod'slovewithothers.AlmosteverypagehadsomethingIcoulduseatcampwiththekidsorinmydailylife.29
Itisevidentfromtheforegoingpassagethatbarringthedescriptionofthepreparationforhisfearfulvoyage,MrShermanislongon
generalisationsandshortonspecifics.ThereisnothingmentionedaboutMotherTeresa'scharitableactionsthereisalotaboutherholiness.
Anothercrucialpointif'love'hadbeensomuchinevidenceamongtheMissionariesofCharityBrothersandSisters,hewouldnothave
takenthebetterpartofayeartofigureitoutitwouldhavestruckhimstraightaway.Afterall,beforehearrivedhehadreadandheard
abouttheirintense'love'towardstheirresidentswhoknowshowmanytimes.
SamGladding,professoratWakeForestwroteabouthisexperienceonthesametrip:
Oneofmydailyjobswasrinsingouttheboys'clotheswithcoldwellwater...Inbetweenjobs,weplayedwiththechildren...
[InKalighat]Iliterallybecamephysicallysick.IfeltfortunateonlytobenauseatedandIfoundmyselfbeingattendedto
lovinglyinawaythatgavemebothpeaceandcomfort.Iwonderediftheclientswewereservinghadsimilarfeelings.30
ImanagedtomeetupwithJessicaDavey,thebrightyoungwomanwhofounded'CityofJoyScholars'in1993.Shetoldme31thatasa
childshesawadocumentaryonMotherTeresaandsincethatdaygoingtoworkforherinCalcuttawasforherbecameaconstantdream.
AssoonasshereachedadulthoodshewentstraighttoCalcutta,anddidnotevenstopatAgratoseetheTajMahal.WhenIquestionedher
aboutthestyleandethosofMother'swork,Daveywasnotcomplimentary.Shesaidherworkwasmerely'bandaidoperation'and
commentedthatevenasmalllocalorganisationcalledAnkurKalawhichsheusedtopassonherwaytoMotherHousewasdoingmore
usefuljobthantheinternationallyfamousorder.ShecriticisedMother'semphasisonsufferingandcriticallycommentedonanincidentinthe
USwhenthenunhadcarpetsandtelevisionsremovedfromoneofherAmericanhomes.FurthermoreDavey,thoughastrongChristian,
believedincontraception.However,despitesuchawidegulfbetweenthebeliefs,expectationsandlifeviewofJessicaDaveyandMother
Teresa,theformerwasagreatfanofthelatter.Suchisthepowerofthehalo.
Themostsignificantthingthatstruckmeaboutvolunteersisthatalmostallofthemdoitforthemselvestosatisfysomeinnerneedrather
thanforthepeopletheyarelookingafter.Andwhocanfaultthemforthat?Forthatisasnobleareasonasany.Butitdoescloudtheir
objectivityandrationalityfacultyislost,astheywouldnotwanttospoiltheirownexperiencebybeingobjective.Addtothisatenderage
(theyareoftenteenagerswhohaveneverventuredoutsidetheUnitedStates,althoughtheEuropeanonesareusuallybettertravelledand
moreperceptive),areligious(oftenCatholic)upbringingandoutlook,alifelongexposuretoreligiousandsecularmedia'swailingabouthow
charitableMotherTeresais/was,andyougettheperfectheadinthesand.
AmongstvolunteerswhohavebeenmuchimpressedbyMother'sfacilities,IhavealreadymentionedAndyfromAustraliawhocamefora
fewweeksbutdecidedtostayontherearealsothosewhocomebackforafewweeksyearafteryear.OnesuchpersonisDrR.C.Smith,a
Britishdoctor,whofirstwenttoworkatNirmalHridayinCalcuttain1979,and'overthenexttwoyears,madefurthertripstoCalcutta,and
totheequivalenthomeinDelhi.'IamquotingfromaletterhewrotetoTheTimes32:
Myfirstvisitwasattheendof1979.WhenIarrivedatthehomethenuninchargesaid:'OhgoodI'vebeenprayingfora

doctorandyou'vecome.I'mgoingonretreattomorrowandyou'reincharge.'Itwasatotallyoverwhelmingexperience,with
littleequipmentandnotrainedstaff.Whattheylackedinbookknowledgetheymadeupforincaringforboththosewho
livedandthosewhodied.Irememberoneyoungmanofabout18yearswhowasadmittedwithmeningitisandlater
developedpneumonia.Imadethediagnosisandprescribedantibiotics(suppliedthroughthegenerosityofdoctorsand
pharmaceuticalcompanies),butthefactthathewascompletelycuredwasduetothedevotionofthenuns,thebrothersofthe
men'sorderandasecretaryfromEnglandwhohadspentsixmonthsworkinginthehome,whogavehimunremittingcare.
Twoandahalfyearsaftertheletterappeared,ImanagedtocatchupwithDrSmith.Iaskedhimwhetherhehaddonealumbarpunctureon
hisyoungmanwith'meningitis',assuchisessentialforthediagnosisofthecondition.Inmyopinion,doingalumbarpunctureinNirmal
Hridayislikedoingbrainsurgeryinapublictoilet.Iacceptthataclinical(nondefinitive)diagnosisofmeningitiscouldbemade,butno
meningitiswouldeverrespondtoanythingotherthanintravenousantibiotics,whichwerehardlyifeverusedatNirmalHriday.IaskedDr
Smithifhehadusedintravenousantibioticsonhispatient.
HereisthereplyIgotfromDrSmith33:
Asfarasthecaseofmeningitiswasconcerned,Ididnotdoalumbarpunctureforthereasonsthattherewerenoequipment
available,andiftherehadbeenitwasalmostimpossibletogetanycooperationfromthepathologylabs.Igavehim
antibioticsintramuscularlynotintravenously...andwhethertheyoungmanhadmeningitisornot,thefactremainsthatavery
illyoungmansurvived,andcametoseemeonmynextvisitsomemonthslaterlookingthepictureofhealth.
IfullyacceptDrSmith'slastpoint,butifonereadshislettertotheeditorofTheTimes,thatisnottheimpressiononegets.Hegivesthe
imageofahomewherealthoughtheprovisionofdoctorsislefttoprovidence,butoncetheyarrive,seriousandpotentiallyfatalillnessesare
swiftlyandefficientlytreated.
IagreewithDrSmith'scomplaintaboutnotgetting'anycooperationfromthepathologylabs'theycertainlywouldnotdoitforfree.Why
shouldprivatelyrunlaboratoriessacrificetheirearningssothatMotherTeresacangetevenmoregloryintheWest?Wasittoomuchtoask
forMotherTeresatopayfortheveryoccasionallaboratoryinvestigation,whenshespentmillionseveryyeartoshufflehernunsaroundthe
world?
IhadalsoaskedDrSmithwhathethoughtaboutthefactthattheworldwasgiventheimpressionthat'Kalighattypecare'wasthebestthat
Calcuttacouldoffer,whereasMotherTeresa'sowntreatmentswereofaratherdifferentnatureinbothluxuryandtechnology.Hereplied:
IamquitecertainthatMotherTeresawouldprefertodielikethepoor,butifshehasbeenofferedtreatmentattheBirlaHeart
Institute,thenshewouldacceptit.Shehasalwaystaughtthatitisrighttoacceptgiftsasthegivingbenefitsthedonoras
muchastherecipient...FurthermoreiftheCalcuttadoctorswereseenbythepublicnottobedoingtheirbestforherthere
wouldbealotoftroubleforthem.No,IdonotthinkshecouldhavedoneanymoreforthemedicalfacilitiesinCalcuttathan
shehasdone...AndIdonotthinkthattherestoftheworldissonaiveastobelievethat'Kalighattypecare',asyouputit,is
thebestCalcuttacanoffertothepopulationingeneral.
Mostofthevolunteers,nomatterhowmuchotherwiserationalorintelligent,operateastrangestateofdenialwhenitcomestoMother
Teresa.Rationalityandjudgementbecomeblurredifnotdisappeartotally.TakethecaseofDrMaryPoplin,ProfessorofEducationat
ClaremontGraduateUniversity,California.ShevolunteeredinCalcuttaforacoupleofmonthsin1996andhereistheaccountofher
experiences:
Forexample,duringmystayinCalcutta,agroupofEuropeanwomenarrivedforatwoweekstintasvolunteers.They
immediatelywereconfrontedwithayounghandicappedgirlwhohadconsiderablelungcongestion.Where,theywondered,
weretherespiratorytherapymachine?Surely,givenMotherTeresa'sfame,suchequipmentwasavailable?Informedthatthe
homedidnothavesuchequipment,thevolunteersbegantoprotest.Onehealthcareprofessionalwassodistressedthatshe
leftafteracoupleofdays.TheMissionariesofCharity,onelearns,resistowninganything,evenmedicalequipment,thatis
notwidelyavailabletothepoor.(Telephonesareoneofthefewexceptionstothisrule.)...MotherTeresaisoftendepictedin
themedia,especiallyuponherdeath,asagreathumanitarian,asuperiorsocialworker.Butshewasnothumanisticrather,
shewasgodly...ManywritershavedepictedMotherTeresaassomeonewhosawthepoorandrespondedsympatheticallyto
theirneeds.MotherTeresaservedthepoornotbecausetheyneededherbutbecauseGodcalledhertowork...Imyselfsawa
childwhohadstruggledformonthstostayaliveevidentlyhealedafteranightofprayer.Prayer,notmedicalorphysical
work,isthefirsttaskoftheMissionaries.Prayeristheirmethod,theirtechnology...Similarly,Ihavereadcriticism
suggestingthatattheendofherlifeMotherTeresagotthebestofhealthcareandtechnologywhilethepooraroundherwent
without.Tothebestofmyknowledgeshegotmedicalattention(notnecessarilythebest)primarilywhenshewas
unconsciousandunabletoprotest...Infact,ItookwithmetoCalcuttaoffersofbestmedicalassistancetoher.Oneofthe
inventorsofthelatestpacemakerwantedtodonateonetoMotheraswellasthemedicalservicestoreplaceheroldone.
Throughanothersistersherefusedpolitely,sayingshecouldn'tacceptspecialprivilegesgiventothepoor.[Shealreadyhad
thebestpacemakerfittedandareplacementsurgeryin1996wouldhavekilledherinstantly.]...DuringmystayIhadan

opportunitytotalktoMotherTeresaaboutHitchens'sbook.'Mother,therearepeoplewhowriteinbooksthatyouareoneof
thewealthiestwomenintheworld,andyoudon'tneedanymoremoney,'Isaid.Shelookedatme,atfirstquizzically,then
noddedinrecognition.'Ohyes,thebook.Ihaven'treaditbutsomeofthesistershave.Itmattersnot,he[theauthor]is
forgiven.'
Oneday,forexample,Iwashelpingthesisterswiththewashing.'Someoneshoulddonateawashingmachineforallthese
diapersandclothes,'Isaid.Asisterimmediatelyreplied,'Ohno,wedon'tneedawashingmachineJesushelpsuswash,
lovehelpsus.'Washingdiaperswasneverquitethesameformeagain.34
ProfessorPoplinalsotellssomebrazenuntruthsinherarticle,suchasMissionariesofCharityneverrefusedanybodywhocameoffthe
streets,orthatthenunslivedinthe'poorestneighborhoods'orused'poorpublictransportation'.ItisbizarretosuggestthatMotherTeresa
hadhervarioussophisticatedandexpensivetreatmentsallunderastateofcoma!Angioplasties,CTscans,pacemakerfitting,cataract
surgeries,arecomplexproceduresthatrequirethepatient'sfullcooperation.ItisnotgenerallyknownthatMotherTeresausedtoweara
spinalbraceeventhatwasmadeforherspeciallyintheUSbytheAmericanProfessionalBracingInc.AnIndianmadebracewasnot
goodenoughforher.
DrPoplinhasalsomadetheunusualclaimthatTeresahadcaused,duringherlifetime,'moresignificant"miracles"'likeceasefires!
InJune1995whenMotherTeresawastouringNewBedford,Massachusetts,alocalwomancalledJaniceWarrclaimedthathermortgage
applicationhadbeensuccessfulbecauseshehadprayedtothenun.35Mightsoundnaiveandridiculousbutdoesnothavethedestructive
capacityofDrPoplin'sverbiage.
DrMaryPoplinisaprofessorinaninternationallyreputedinstitution.Sheteachesandtrainsyoungminds.Possiblyinherchosenfieldshe
isableandlogical,butwhenitcomestoTeresaeverybitofjudgementgoesoutofthewindow.Shewritessagaciousarticlesinerudite
journalsandshecouchesherclaimsonMotherTeresainpseudoscienceandtheologicalwordplay.Sheistakenseriouslywhenshemakes
herastoundingstatements.
SuchextremeandirrationalvenerationisaparticularphenomenonintheUS.AlsobecausetheUSisanoverwhelminglyChristiancountry
peoplethereoftenbecomeobliviousthatMotherTeresaisnotaCatholicorChristianiconbutaseculariconwhethershewasgodlyornot
isnottheissue,butwhatisimportantiswhethershehaddeliveredminimumdecentcaretothepoorwhosoughtherhelp.Againandagain
mainlyAmericanshavecomeupwiththe'excuse'thatitdidnotmatterifhercarewasdecentornot,asshewassuchastrongChristian.
WhatwouldDrPoplinsayifhervetgaveherpetinjectionsfromausedneedlewhilechanting'Prayerismytechnology,prayerismy
method.'Iwouldliketoseethelearnedprofessor'sreactionifherailingdogorcanarywasapproachedwitha'nightofprayer'insteadof
basicmedicalattention.
EighteenmonthslaterIemailedDrPoplinaskingherifwhatshesawinCalcuttametherexpectations?Shewroteback36:'Iamnotsure
whatyoumeanwhenyousay,diditmeetmyexpectations?Iwenttounderstandwhyshesaidherworkwasnotsocialworkbutreligious
work...AsfarashavinganinfluenceonCalcutta,IdidnotseetheyhadthatmuchinfluenceinCalcutta.'Shealsosaidthatshewasamazed
howthenunsworkedeverydaywith'nopayandnovariety.'Ireplied,thatconsideringMotherwasa(super)charitableiconandnotmerely
areligiousiconwasitthenjustifiablethatsheweighedherworksomuchtowardsareligiousethos?IalsopointedouttoDrPoplinthatall
work,includinghersandmine,wasmundaneandtediousandhadtobedonedaily.Regardinglackof'pay'Isaidthatnuns,everywhere,
voluntarilychosetheirunpaidvocations,buttheimmensepublicityTeresahadreapedforherselfandherfaithwasitnotarewardorapay?
Inthehistoryofmankindwhichotherindividualhadreceivedsuch'pay'fordoingsolittle?Ialsoaskedif,givenTeresa'sfinancialclout,
therewasanyneedforwashingandreusingneedlesinNirmalHriday,orputtingsixoreightbabiesinacotatShishuBhavan?Ididnot
receiveareplytomysecondemail.
MotherTeresawassobrazenaboutherstandardsbecausesheknewthatWesternerswouldtakeaviewlikethatofFatherChetcuti,Dr
SmithorDrPoplinturnanobviousnegativeintoapositiveattribute.ThesepeopleneednotnecessarilybeCatholic,yettheyaresomehow
unabletodeviatefromtheirpreconceivedscriptsoncetheyhadbeensuitablyshockedbyherstandards.EveninthisageofHIV,no
journalisthascommentedonthereuseofneedles,althoughvolunteershavecomplainedtothemaboutthepractice,sometimesinmy
presence.
MotherTeresabecamesousedtoalwaysgettingherownway,thatshestartedtobelievethatwhatevershedidwasright.Inahomeforthe
poorinIndia,therearenostandards,noregulation,nosupervision.shedidwhatevershelikedhere,butshewasconvincedthatwhatshe
wasdoingwastherightandproperthingbecauseshewas'doingitforJesus'.Moredisturbingly,shepossiblydidnotcarebecauseshe
knewnobodywoulddarechallengeher,althoughsheherselfmighthaveknownshewasnotdeliveringminimumstandards.
Followingherusuallineoflogic,sheoncebecameslightlyunstuckinNewYork.ThenovelistAnthonyBurgess,whowaspresentatthe
inaugurationofherhospiceforAIDSpatientsinNewYorkinChristmas1985,foundher'ignoringcivicregulationsonfire,hygiene,
garbagecollection'.Whenacityofficialrightlywantedtoexaminetheelectricalwiringofhersettlement,shedrovehimoutwith:'It'snot
yourbusinesshowwedothingshere.'WroteBurgess:

TerryMiles,appointedbyStClare'sHospitaltosupervisethemedicalsideoftheGiftofLove[thehospice],sayshewas
appalledbytheignoranceoftheSistersthere.TheyhadnoideawhatAIDSwas.'Thecrucifixonyourchestwillnotprotect
you,'hewarned.'Godwillprovide,'MotherTeresakeptsaying.37
Goddidnotprovide,corporatedonorsdid,butMotherTeresagotherownway.Shealwaysdid.However,afterMotherleft,theSistersat
NewYorkmademanypositivechanges.ButatKalighat,Mother'sdarlingbabyasitwere,shesteadfastlyrefusedtointroduceanychanges.
ThequestionmaybeaskediftheregimeatNirmalHridayissoharsh,andtheconditionssodrastic,whydopeoplecomethereatall?Iam
sureanyonewhohasbeentoIndiawouldnotbesonaivetoaskthisquestion.ToquotetheJesuitpriestFatherChetcutitheIndianpoorare
'hardlybetterthanbeasts',althoughIhopehemeantprimarilyinaspiritualsense.Indeed,cowsinIndiahaveabetterlifethanthepoor.
PersonallyIthinkthatthefoodservedatthehomeisprettyacceptablemilkisscarcecommodityinIndia,andforthepooraglassofmilkis
likeastrangedream.
Evenso,letusnotgettheideathatthereisascrambletogetintoNirmalHriday.Inthelastfiveyearsorso,Ihaveneverencountereda
situationwhentheplacehasbeenfull.InacitywithoneandahalfmillionlivingbelowthepovertylineandtheIndianpovertylineis
drawnataverylowlevelthatsayssomething.Therearealwaysbetweenfiveandtenvacantplacesinboththemen'sandthewomen's
rooms.Ifoneisscepticalofmyfigures,onecouldconsulttheorder'sofficialledgerkeptatthehome.
MOTHER'STERESA'SCALCUTTAORPHANAGE(SHISHUBHAVAN)
AccordingtoMother'sbiographerEileenEgan,'By1958,therewereninetychildrenatShishuBhavan.'Now,inthesamebuilding,thereare
threehundred.(Aseparateextensionhasbeenbuiltforahundredhandicappedchildren.)
Itisacommonsighttoseefivetoeightchildrentoacot.Thereisnospacebetweenindividualcots.
Bottlesandbeakersarecommunalandarepassedfromonechildtothenext.Whentheayahsfeedolderchildrenwithaspoon,theydoso
withthesamespoonfromthesameplate,andthespoonispassedinrotationfromchildtochild.(Ihavephotographsofthispractice.)
Whenbabies'bottomsarewipedaftertheyhavebeentothetoilet,thesameclothisusedtowipearoomfulofbabies.
Childrenareexpectedtodefaecateundertheskyintoanopendrain,thathasawoodenplankplacedoverit.Theplankhasholesinitabouta
footapartfromeachother,andtheexcrementdropsthroughtheholeintothehouseholddrainagesystem.(Nunsenjoyproper,cleantoilets.)
ChildreninShishuBhavanoftenhaveinfectiousdiseases,andtheirstoolswouldbehothousesofinfectivity.Puttingtheirfaecesinthe
householddrainagesystemnotonlyplacestheorphanageatahealthrisk,butjeopardisesthehealthoftheentireneighbourhood.Also,the
washingofclothesisdoneimmediatelybesidethisfaecaldrain.Ihavephotosofchildrengoingtotoiletonplanks,andalsoofwashing
beingdonethere.
DanLeighton,whohadworkedforsometimeattheorphanage,describedhisfrustrationtome(andalsotoTheGuardian38 inaletter)when
hefoundaboydragginghislegsacrossthefloor.HetoldtheSistersthattheboyhadbrokenhisleg,buttheyinsistedthathehadpolioand
sonothingshouldbedone.Lateritturnedoutthattheboyhadindeedbrokenhisleg'theboyisnowcrippledforlifeandmustrelyon
charity.'
PeterTaylor,aformerBritishAirwayssteward(andadevoutChristian)whohadworkedinMother'shomesformanyyears,described
(withphotographstoprovehiscase)hisexperiencesinthedocumentary,MotherTeresa:TimeforChange:
MuchneedstochangebeforetheMissionariesofCharitycanbeconsideredaproperaidorganisation.Youcanseethe
discolorationonthesideofhisface[hepointedtothephotoofaboy]whichIamsurecouldonlyhavebeeninflictedby
beating...InmyviewVincent[anotherresidentoftheorphanage,whohaddevelopedafesteringwound]gotintothat
conditionbybeingleftfortoolonginlinencontaminatedbyhisownfaecesandurine.Vincentlayinthisconditionfor
protractedperiods,includingwhenthenunswereatadoration.AndwhenIpursuedthematterwithaSisterwhoIcould
name,IwastolditisthewillofGod.Isaid,'SisteritisnotthewillofGodthatyouleaveVincentinthiscondition.Itisthe
willofGodthatyoukeephimdry...Vincentlaterdied.
(TheAmericanjournalistMollyMoore,coveringBillandHillaryClintons'1996DelhitripforWashingtonPost39,hadalsoreluctantlyand
casuallymentionedthechildrensmellingofurine,whenHillaryClintonvisitedMother'sDelhiorphanage,whichisoneofherbetterones,
beingoftenintheinternationallimelight.Shehadtoendurereaders'wrathforherpassingcomment.)
Inthedocumentary,MrTaylorshowedtwopicturesofaboywhowasleftshackledtohisbedbecausehewasunwillingtowearthenew
clotheshehadbeengiven.Hesaid,'Soherewehavetwopicturesofalittleboy.Inonepicturehe'sboundbythewriststothesideofthe
crib.Intheotherpicture,he'sboundhandandfootoutsidethecrib.Thistimehe'sboundbehindhisback.'
Taylorallegedthatthebasicemphasisoftheorganisationwasfaulty.Hesaid:

OneoftheSistersinwhomIhadsomeconfidencebecauseofthewaysheconductedherselftoldmethatshewaswithina
weekortwotogoonatrainingcourse.EncouragedbythisIaskedherwhatweretheconstituentsofhertrainingcourse.
SherepliedthetrainingwasinthreepartsandwhenIaskedherwhatthepartswereshetoldme:thethreepartsareprayer,
numberone,extraprayer,numbertwoandmoreprayer,numberthree.
TayloralsogaveanextensiveinterviewtoTheGuardianwherehesaid:
MotherTeresa'slineisthatsheisgiving'lowlevelcare'.It'snot.It'sneglect...Canthey[thechildren]putupwiththe
crushingboredomofjustsitting,orlyingonabedandwaiting?Withasmallnumberofchildrentheneglectwas
particularlybad,andwasentirelyunnecessaryandavoidable,...somechildrensufferincrediblepainandwhenyou
challengethenunstheysayit'sthewillofGod.
TheSistershavedonenursingcoursesbuttheyweren'tevenfollowingbasicnursingsuchasturningpatientseveryfew
hourstoavoidbedsores.Mostofthesufferingcouldberelievedbyjustkeepingthechildrencleananddry.
Motherherselfhassaidtheworkisnotthevocation,prayeristhevocation.Whentheprayerbellrings,theSistersallgo
offtopray,leavingthewardstothecareofpoor,untrained'ammas'.SomehavethemselvesbeenbroughtupinMother
Teresa'shomes.Somebeatthechildren,andthenunssayitisthewillofGod.Theyneedashiftsystemforprayerssothat
theycansuperviseammas...Therearecaseswherethereareonlytwopossibledescriptions:criminalneglectandcriminal
assault.It'smostunsatisfactorytosaytheycan'tstopitbecausethenunsaretoobusy.Whycan'tyoupraywhileyoudress
awoundorchangeanappy?Youcan'tleavechildreninprofoundpainandpraytoGod.40
SomeofTaylor'sexperienceswereatAshaDaan,Mother'sBombayorphanage,buttheconditionsandmoraleinCalcuttaareidentical.He
describedthecaseofablindgirlcalledMinuwhohehadmetatAshaDaan.HefoundtwodoctorsinEnglandwhoofferedMinufree
treatment,andarrangedforherairticketsandpassportetc.HeflewtoCalcuttatwicetoaskMother'spermissionsoMinucouldbeflownto
Englandfortreatment.ThesecondtimeMotherTeresarefusedtospeaktohimandsaidthroughanintermediarythathispleashouldbedealt
ataregionallevel.
Sometimelater,saidTaylor,MotherTeresacametoBombay,andIraisedthequestionofMinu.Shesaidshe'dprayabout
it.WhenIcaughtupwithheralittlelater,Iwastoldnodecisionhadbeenreached.OnanotheroccasionshecametoAsha
Daan,andIaskedagain.Thefirstthingshesaidtomewas,'Yourcompanyistheonlyonethatdoesn'tgivemefreetickets.'
Thensheadded,'Wehavetobecareful,therearesomanybadpeopleabout.'IsaidIhadofferedtopayforaSisterto
accompanyMinubutshedidn'treply.41
SomemonthslaterTaylorfinallygotthegoahead,butwhenheturneduptocollectMinuhewastoldthatMotherhadchangedhermind.
OneshouldnotbesurprisedatMother'saskingforfreeticketsindeed,itbecamesomethingofanobsessioninthelastfewyearsofher
life.KathyWardfromIreland'sSundayIndependenthadthefollowingexperiencewhenshewenttointerviewherinCalcutta:'Shetookmy
hand,lookedmestraightintheeyesandsaid,"TelltheIrishauthoritiesIwantafreeflight.IftheygivemeafreeflightIwillcomeover."'42
SamWestmacott,whoIhavequotedearlieraboutherexperiencesatKalighat,hadthistosayinTheDailyTelegraphabout
herexperiencesattheorphanage:
Althoughdisturbing,KalighatdidnotshockmeasmuchasShishuBhavan,thehomeforchildren.Ifoundignoranceamong
thecarersandadirelackofequipment.Therewerenotevenenoughbottlesandbeakerstogoaround.Hundredsofyoung
childrenwereeitherconfinedinrowsofcotsorplayedwithafewbuildingbricksinavastandemptyhall.Thevolunteers
werelovingandcuddledthechildren,butIsawnooneencouragingconstructiveplayorlearning.Iwastoldtheyaretaught,
butIdidnotseethathappening.Anotherbuildingonthecampushousesabout200handicappedchildren.Again,although
thechildrenwereclean,wellnourishedandhappy[thanksonlytothevolunteers],thepermanentstaffwereignorantoftheir
disabilitiesandresistedattemptstointroducecorrectivetherapies.Microcephalicchildrenandthosewithcerebralpalsylay
flatontheirbacksintheircotsoronthefloorwiththeirlegsscissoredandtheirarmscontracted.WhenaBritishtherapist
beganproppingthemup,workingtheirlimbsandfeedingtheminanuprightposition,(whichisessentialiftheyareto
improvetheircondition),shemetangryoppositionfromthestaff.Shewastoldtoliethechildrenanddropthefoodintotheir
mouths...ButIknewofthemanywhohadofferedtoteachthem[thenuns],whohadshownthemhowtofeedproperly,
whohadtriedtochangethebadhabitsandhadbeenignored.SinceIwasstayingonlyforafewweeksIdecidedagainst
colludingwithbadpractice.Ididnotgothereagain.IwaslearningthatMotherTeresabelieves,andhastoldhernuns,that
nothingequalsthetherapeuticpoweroflove.IfGodwantedthingsanotherway,theywouldchange.
SallyWarner,anAustralianvolunteer,whoworkedinseveralofTeresa'sorphanagesfrom1997onwards,hasprovidedmewithawritten
accountofherexperiences.Sheallegescallousness,severeneglectandwidespreadpilferageoftoysbynuns.InTiruvanthapuram(Kerala)
shefoundthecotswithoutmattressesorpillows.Shewashorrifiedthatsimplemeasureslikeadequatesoapandrunningwaterwerenot

providedforpeopleworkingwithbabies.Shehadtowashherhandsina'plasticbasinwithfloatingsoapscum'.Sheremembersaboy
calledAnil,whohadfootdeformitywhichcouldhavebeencorrectedbutwhowaslefttolanguishandsufferalifeofdisability.LikeSam
Westmacott,shealsoallegesthatchildrenwerenotpickedupbutwerefedontheirbacks.
InMadrasshefoundthenunshavingaseparatekitchen(withadedicatedcook)forthemselveswhichserved'deliciousfood'whereasthe
children'sdietwashaphazardandinadequate.TheIndianworkers(notbelongingtotheholyorder)whoworkedhard,hadinferioreating
arrangements.AsawhitewomanWarnerwasexpresslytoldbythenunstojointhemformealsandnevertoeattheworkers'food.In
MadrasWarnerwentshoppingfortoys,asthechildrenwereofferednostimulation.TheOverseasWomen'sGroupalsobroughtintoys.
Toysusuallydisappearedfast.Sometoysendeduplockedincupboards,nottobeused.SheremembersseventyAmericanstudentsfrom
the'SemesteratSea'programmebringingintoyswhichdisappeared.
ShesawthesuperioratMadrasseverelyslaptwoworkersinherpresencewithoutanyshameorremorse.Theworkersdidnotunderstand
anyotherlanguage,Warnerwastold.AchildnamedCartihadatoybrokenonhimbyaSister.Anothertoywasbrokenonawomanwho
workedinthekitchen.
AgirlnamedPrincywithacleftpalatewaseighteenmonthsoldanddespiteWarner'sdailypleasthatsheoughttobeoperatedon
immediately,wasneverevenconsideredforsurgery.Shewillgrowupwithapermanentdisabilities,whichwereavoidable.Therewasa
mutetwelveyearoldgirlolddoingchildren'swashinginanupstairsroom.Sometimeback,Warnerhadbeenassuredbythesuperiorthat
shewouldbesenttoaboardingschool.
WhenanewborncalledMariawasadmitted,thesuperiordecidedthatshewasnottobefedfromateatedbottleastherewasanepileptic
childintheroomteatswerepassedaroundandnotproperlycleaned.Thesuperiorinsistedthatepilepsywascontagious.Consequently
Mariawasfedsobadlythatshediedintwomonths.
InMadrasWarnerfoundtwocorporatedonors,MRFTyresandAshokLeyland,donatingalotofthefoodstuff.
WarnerthenmovedontotheDelhiorphanagewheresheranintoasuperiorcalledSisterTekla.Teklaisallegedtobesomeanspiritedthat
eventheothernunsdislikedher.WarnerallegesthatdespitedonationsofpaintsfromBergerPaints,children'sroomsandareaswerenot
paintedbutinsteadtheconventandchapelwereredecorated.Shefeelsthatchildren'sareascouldhavebeenkeptintentionallygriminorder
tomakeshockedEuropeanspartwithonthespotdonations.Posterswerenotallowedonthewalls,andaMickeyMousenumberchart
Warnerusedtohangwouldberemovedregularly.TheonlypicturesallowedontheorphanagewallswerethoseofTeresaandJesus.
WarnermovedontoCalcutta,arrivingwhenamajorfloodhadstrucksurroundingvillages.Therewouldbepoorpeoplebeggingoutside
MotherHousefromforeigners.Anundeclared,'TheyknowwenevergiveanythingfromMotherHouse.'Indeedintheregularbriefingof
volunteerstheadvice(whichapparentlycamefromMotherherself)ofnotgivingtobeggarswasreiterated.
Althoughallwhitevolunteerswereservedbreakfast(asmuchbread,bananasandteaastheycouldconsume)afterthe5.50a.m.mass,
Indianscouldhavebreakfastonlyiftheyattendedmass.ObviouslypoorIndianswerehoweverbarredfromenteringMotherHousetotalk
tonuns.
WarnermakestheunusualclaimthatshesawsomeSistersrunningaminitravelagencyandvisaservice.Shesawmorethanoncesome
nunshandingoverforeigntraveldocumentsandexplainingbaggageallowancetolaypeople.ThisisplausibleasmanyTeresanunsare
highlytravelledandunderstandthecomplexIndiansystemofobtainingpassportsandvisaandbuyingforeigntickets.
IntheCalcuttaorphanageWarnermetwiththefamiliardispiritingscenario.Inoneroomtherewerefortychildrenwithvariousdisabilities
theroomwasonly10mby10m.Therewasasmallplaygroundwhichwaslocked.AnAustralianvolunteerhaddonatedaplasticpaddling
poolin1999whichdisappearedsoonafterwards.Teachingwasminimumornonexistent.Nunsoftendidnotknowhowoldagivenchild
was.
Warnercomplainedrepeatedlytonunsandalsowentonapetitioncampaigncollectingalargenumberofstatementsfromvolunteers(who
wereoftendevoutCatholics)askingrespectfullyforcertainminimumchangestobemade.Shewasignoredandonceeventhreatened.
TheScandalofMonidyne
AtleastduringTeresa'slifetime,thepowderedmilkforbabiesandtoddlersatMother'sorphanages(atleastinCalcutta)was'Monidyne',a
brandmanufacturedbytheBelgiancompanyBelgomilk.BelgomilkhasastrongCatholicbiasandMonidynecamespeciallypackagedfor
MissionariesofCharityinaspecialtin.OnthetinwasprintedthemessagethatBelgomilkwassupplyingtheproductspeciallyforMother
Teresa'sorder.Indeedthetinwasalsopaintedinhercoloursblueborderonawhitebackground.Thecompanynodoubtearnedenormous
kudosathomeandabroadfordoingthegreathumanitariandeedofhelpingMotherTeresa.
ButthecompositionofMonidyneleavesoneastounded.Thefatcontentofstandardtinnedmilkis22to23%whereasMonidyneismerely
7.25%fat.Inastandardbabymilkthecarbohydratecontent(about23%)shouldbealmostentirelylactosewithnosugar(asinsucrose).
Monidynecontainsanamazinglylargeamountofsucrose(25%)!Lactosecontentisminimal9.6%starchis38%.

Monidynecontainsfourvitaminswhereasanystandardmilkwouldcontainmorethanadozenvitamins.Itdoesnothaveabsoluteessentials
likefolicacid,VitaminsK,B12andCorD.TheIndianbabymilkLactogencontainmorethan20vitaminsandtraceelements.Imaginehow
muchthebabieswhoarealreadydeprivedandmalnourishedwouldsufferifdeprivedoftheseessentials.
Becauseofthelargesugarcontent,Monidynetasteslikearichcakemix.It'sthickandturgid.Thelargestarchcontenthasatwistedlogicas
itstopstoomanybowelmovementsbutbaby'swouldnothavediarrhoeainthefirstplaceifhygienewasnotsopoorinthehomes.
Babiesneedverycarefullybalancedmilkfeedsifnotbreastfed.Theirsystemscannothandleunusualcombinationstheybecome
dehydrated,malnourishedandrapidlyillifgivenevensubtlevariationoftheideal.Itwouldnotbeanexaggerationtosaythatmany(ifnot
most)babieswoulddieiffedsolelyonMonidynebeforeweaningage.IamtoldthatTeresaorphansweresometimesfedMonidyneonits
own,sometimesmixedwithIndianLactogen.Mixingofbaby'spowdermilksisacallousanddangerouspractice.
IfMonidynewasgiventobabiesinaWesternnation,itwouldcauseanationalscandal.InorphanagesinCalcuttarunbyother
organisations,onlyLactogenisusedcarefullymeasured.ButMotherTeresawasentirelyaboveallscrutiny.Evenindeathshehas
remainedso.
HOWMANY'HOMESDOESMOTHERTERESA'SORDERHAVE?
Averyrelevantquestion.Howmanytimeshavewereadthefollowing'slug',thatisgeneratedbynewsagenciessuchasReuters:'Mother
Teresa,calledSaintoftheGutters,whohas650homesthisfigureoftenbecomes700in120countries...'etc.etc.
TheofficialMissionariesofCharitystatisticatthetimeofMother'sdeathwasthattheyhad'567homes'.AsIhaveexplainedwiththecase
ofPapuaNewGuinea,nobodyleastofallajournalisthaseverbotheredtocheckouthowmanyofthese'homes'arehousingtheneedy,
andhowmanyarenuns'dwellings.Thepublicimageofa'MotherTeresaHome'isonewhererowsuponrowsoftheseverelyindigentlie
serenely,andareministeredatallhoursbyangelsinsarees.Therealityisdifferent.
Thefollowingisanincompletelistof'homes'whicharenothomes,i.e.,whichdonothavethepoorortheneedylivinginthem.(Ihave
mentionedsomeofthecloseddownhomesastheyareincludedintheorganisation'sofficialstatistics.):
Calcutta
1.MotherHouse:Purelyadministrativeandreligiouscentre.Hasalargehostel
2.fornunsandnovices.Fourstoreyshigh.MotherTeresalivedhere(inaSpartanroom)whenshewasinCalcutta.
3.308UpperCircularRoadapurelycontemplativecentreinthemidstofSealdah,oneofCalcutta'smostcongestedparts.
Averylargehouse(valuec.$800,000)withextensivelawnsandgardenstheonlysuchhouseinSealdah.Thenunshere
areinuttercontemplation,andshutthemselvesawayfromoutsideworld.
4.90ParkStreet,Calcuttareligiouscentre,calleda'formationcentre'fornovices.Thislargegreyfourstoreyedbuilding
hasamarketvalueof$180,000andisusedexclusivelyfornoncharitablepurposes.
5.16HariMohanDattaRoad,Calcuttanunneryonly
6.Chinsurah(Calcuttasuburb)anothercontemplativehomefornuns.Chinsurahisanareawithmanyproblemswherea
charitablecentrewouldhavebeenwelcome.Until1991,theChinsurahcontemplativenunsusedtoliveandprayinthe
spaciousArmenianChurchinthetownship,butasArmenianandCatholicChristianfaithsarenotquitecompatible,she
movedhernunstoabrandnewthreestoreyedhouse(marketvalue$100,000).NocharityundertakenbytheChinsurah
centre.
6.Twoflats(costing$50,000each)inUdayanCondovilleontheEasternBypassinCalcutta.Theseweregiventothe
MissionariesofCharitybytheWestBengalgovernmentasagoodwillgestureamonthafterMotherTeresa'sdeath,but
whenIcheckedthemlast,theywerelyinglockedupandunused.Verylikely,theyaremeanttobenuns'dwellings.
7and8.ThecentresonPipeRoadnos.12and51.AccordingtoMother'sbiographerKathrynSpink,'atthePipeRoad
centrefiveprofessedBrotherssharetheupbringingofnolessthan35boys'.No.12PipeRoadisnowpurelyaBrothers'
house.No.51hasbeensold.
Darjeeling(latest,2002centre)contemplativenunnery
Pokhara,Nepalcontemplativenunnery
London

1.BravingtonRoadnunneryonly2.Southallnunneryonly3.EastEndthishouseonEdwinStreetcloseddown7yearsback.Itwas
rentedfromtheSpringboardcharityin1977suchisMother'scloutthatshemanagedtorentahousefromacharitythathousestheneedy,
tohousehernuns.Iamtoldthatthenunsleftrentarrears.ManchesterBrothers'houseattachedtoStMalachi'sPresbyteryinaseverelyrun
downareaofManchester.Nocharitablefunction.LiverpoolnunneryonlyGlasgownunneryonlyLivingston(Scotland)nunneryonly
Cardiffnunneryonly.Nunsvisittheelderlysometimes.
Rome
1.ViaCassilinanunneryonly.MotherusuallystayedherewheninRome.2.TorDelFiscalehousestraineepriestscalledthe
MissionariesFathersofCharityanorderquietlyfoundedafewyearsback.AlotoftheMissionariesofCharity'sfundsarenowspenton
trainingpriests.3.ViaSanAgapitocontemplativeBrothers'home.Grosetto,ItalycontemplativehomeSicilynunneriesonly
1.Palermo2.Vittoria3.CataniaSardinianunneryonlyAmsterdamnunneryonly
Belgium
1.Brusselsnunneryonly2.Ghentnunneryonly
Germany
1.Berlinnunneryonly2.Mannheimnunneryonly3.EasternBerlinthishouseclosedimmediatelyafterreunification.
Sweden
1.Forsacontemplativenunnery,inanareawhichsawalotofItalianimmigrationinthelastcentury.2.Stockholmnunneryonly,inaflat
inalowermiddleclasssuburb(Fisksatra)ofthecity.OccasionallythenunsmighthelptheCatholiccharity'Caritas'intheirsoupkitchen,
whichwouldgivetheSwedestheimpressionthatthenunsthemselvesarehelpingthepoor.Barcelona(central),Spainnunneryonly(hasa
decentsoupkitchen)Maltanunneryonly.Thenunsdoprisonvisits,takingthecatechism.
UnitedStates
1.NewYorkUnionStreet,Bronxcontemplativehome2.NewYorkBrooklyncontemplativehome3.Dallas2704Harlandale
Avenuenunneryonly4.Lafayette,Louisiananunneryonly5.SanFrancisco29thStreetFormationHousefornovices6.Chicago
(SouthAlport)contemplativehome7.ManahoyCity,Pennsylvaniacontemplativehome8.Alhambra(suburbofLosAngeles)
contemplativehome9.WashingtonD.C.5thStreetSEcontemplativehome10.SanDiegocontemplativehome11.Plainfield,New
Jerseycontemplativehome
Vancouver,CanadanunneryonlyStPaul,Canadanunneryonly.StPaul,atownofsome5000soulsinoilrichAlberta,boastsofa
"UFOlandingpad"theonlypovertyitknowsisthedearthofalienspaceships.Thenuns'onlyactivityhereistakingreligiontonative
Canadians(conversationwithSrMariosaon5January1999)i.e.,preachingandconversion.Copenhagennunneryonly,opened1996
Reykjavik,Icelandnunneryonly,opened1997
Thelistaboveisseverelyincomplete.Inmyestimateabout150ofthesocalled'567homes'haveresidentsstayinginthem.Someofthe
homeslistedabove(noneoftheCalcuttaones)havesmallsoupkitchensthatrun3to6daysaweek.
IhopepeoplewhosendMotherTeresamoneyrealisethatmuch(most)ofthemoneyisspentintheupkeepofnunsandBrothers,andinthe
trainingofpriests.Theboardmaycomefree,butitisnotcheaptomaintainfivenunsinIceland.Takingthecatechismtopeoplewas
charitableinMother'sdefinition,butisnotsoaccordingtothevastmajorityoftheworld'spopulation.
MostpeopletheworldoverthinkthatMotherTeresa,thoughadevoutCatholicherself,firstandforemostsawherselfasafriendofthepoor
andneverbroughtreligionintotheequationwhentherewascharitableworktobedonewiththeneedy.Herownrepetitivestatementshave
reinforcedthisimageofher.
Evidencehowevertellsusotherwise.Sheneverevercompromisedreligionforthesakeofcharity.Intheearly1980sshemetupwiththe
QueenofBhutantoaskpermissiontoopenaleprosariumintheHimalayankingdom.TheBhutanesearefiercelyprotectiveoftheir
Buddhismandareworriedthatmoneyandtemptationfromotherreligionswouldsweepthemaway.Wedonotknowwhatexactly
happenedinthemeetingbutTeresawasdeclinedpermissiontoopenherhome.TherecanbenodoubtthatshewantedastrongCatholic
elementinthehomewhichworriedthequeenenoughforpermissiontobedeclinedtosuchacelebrity.AfewyearslatertheChristian
(Anglican)charity,TheLeprosyMission(TLM),openedtheGidacom(leprosy)HospitalinBhutanandissuccessfulandpopular.Yes,
theytreadcarefullywithreligionandkeeptheirChristianityonalowprofile.Onewonders,ifMotherlovedleperssomuchwouldshenot
goandhelpthematanycost?Itistruethatshehadaspecialplaceinherheartforlepersandsheindeeddidhelpmanyofthem,butshedid
notlovethemmorethanshelovedherfaith.
InColombo,SriLanka,herhomeclosedafterashorttime,afterflaringreligioustensions.ThesamethinghappenedinVietnam,whereshe

wasaskedtoleave.(TheVietnamesewerebythennolongeropposedtoforeignaidworkersandreadersmighthaveheardoftheIrish
CatholicwomanChristinaNoble,whorunsahighlypublicisedorphanagethere.)ShearrivedinBelfastin1972amidstmuchfanfareto
openaconvent.HerfriendsproclaimedshewouldbridgethegapbetweenthewarringCatholicandProtestantcommunities.Inrealityshe
causedmoretensionandafewmonthslaterwasasked(bychurchauthorities)toshutshopandleave.
AcoupleofyearsafterherNobelMothermettheKingofNepalandaskedhimaveryspecialfavourthistimeherwishwasgranted.She
gotuniquepermissiontoopenahomefordestituteswithintheprecinctsofPashupatinathTemple,oneoftheholiestofHindutemples.The
'home'consistsoftwodark,smallandbarelylittunnels,eachhousingabout25destitutes.Thetunnelsaredire,claustrophobicandsolow
thattheresidentscanhardlysitupstraight.Interestingly,herorderhasalovely,cleanandspacioushomefordestituteshardlyhalfamile
fromthetemple.Soonemightaskwhyshechosetoholetheseunfortunatesoulsinthedanktunnelsratherthanputtheminherotherproper
home.ThereasonissimplesheabsolutelyadoredtheideaofCatholiconeupmanship.Shedelightedinthefactthatshehadencroached
intotheboundariesofaflagshipHindutemple.Thatshewasusingtheunfortunatepoormenandwomenaspawnsinherpowergamewas
immaterialtoher.ForthesamereasonsherefusedtomovefromKalighatTempleinCalcutta,despitetheofferofbetterpremises.
In1991PeterDalglish,theCanadianfounderofStreetKidsInternationalmetMotherTeresainKhartoum.Heshowedthenunwhohe
fawneduponhisprojectswiththecity'sstreetchildren,'andexplainedhowthekidswereacquiringskillsthatwouldallowthemtogeta
job.'Herresponsewas,'ButareyouteachingthemtheBible?'43
Recently,ithasbeenacknowledgedbyasmallsectionofthemediathatMotherTeresa'sworklacksorganisationalinfrastructure,basic
medicalinputandskillstraining.MotherTeresaherselfturnedthecriticismaroundtoheradvantage,andbetween1994andherdeaththe
messagecomingoutofMotherHousewasthisokay,wedonothavesurgicalspirit,butwehavethedivinespirit.Whatwelackin
bandages,wemakeupinbucketfulsoflove.TheotherimplicationwasWhatmoredoesaplacelikeCalcuttadeserve?
Yes,Calcuttadoesdeservelove,lotsofit.
But,
Notholdingsomebody'shandwhentheyaredyingisNOTlove.Withholdingcheapandpowerfulpainkillerstodying
peopleisNOTlove.Shavingwomen'sheadsastheycomeinisNOTlove.Notprovidingadequatewashinguppowderis
NOTlove.TellingpeopletodefaecatecommunallyinviewofeachotherisNOTlove.Disposingofinfectedchildren's
stoolsinhouseholddrainageisNOTlove.PassingthesamebottleandthesamespoonfromchildtochildisNOTlove.
PuttingeightbabiesinthesamecotisNOTlove.PhysicallykickingpeopleoutofthefrontdoorisNOTlove.Usingthe
sameneedleforthehundredthtimeinapopulationriddledwithHepatitisBandC(andHIV)isNOTlove.Feeding
vulnerablebabieswithadangerousformulationisNOTlove.

NOTESTOCHAPTER7
1.EileenEgan,SuchAVisionoftheStreet,p.1
2.TraceyLeonard,TheFullCatastrophe(HodderHeadlineAustralia,1990),p.26
3.TheTimes,4February1986
4.TheDailyTelegraph,4February1986
5.TheFullCatastrophe,p.27
6.Ibid.,p.38
7.MalcolmMuggeridge,SomethingBeautifulforGod,p.23
8.TheFullCatastrophe,p.43
9.JeremyJoseph,DrJackCalcutta'sPavementDoctor(Bloomsbury1991)p.1412
10.Letters,16October1996
11.Taperecordedinterviewwithauthor,1November1996
12.ChristopherHitchens,MissionaryPosition(Verso,1995),p.48
13.KenWharfe,Diana,CloselyGuardedSecret(MicahelO'MaraBooks,2002),pp.1478
14.TheFullCatastrophe,pp.41,589

15.Taperecordedinterviewwithauthor,November1996
16.TheFullCatastrophe,p.60
17.CalcuttaSkyline,December1990
18.Taperecordedinterviewwithauthor,1996
19.Letters,16October1996
20.MotherTeresa:TimeforChange?,FrontlineTelevision,London,dir.TonySmith,1996.
21.KathrynSpink,MotherTeresaAnAuthorisedBiography(HarperCollins1997),p.69
22.Hell'sAngel,Channel4,UK,8November1994
23.TheTablet,8December1979
24.PaulChetcuti(SocietyofJesus),ChoosingtoServethePoor(IrishMessengerPress,1992),p.11
25.Jesuits&Friends,London,Easter1997
26.TheSundayTelegraph,London,1December1996
27.TheDailyTelegraph,London,2November1996
28,29.www.wfu.edu/~stg/coj/fs.htm
30.www.wfu.edu/~stg/coj/reflections.htm
31.InterviewwithauthorinLondon,6May1999
32.Letters,21November1994
33.Lettertoauthor
34.Commonweal,NewYork,19December1997
35.StandardTimes,Massachusetts,13June1995
36.emaildated21May1999
37.EveningStandard,London,3January1992
38.Letters,16November1996
39.29March1996
40,41.TheGuardian,14October1996
42.SundayIndependent,Dublin,1October1995
43.PeterDalglish,TheCourageofChildren(HarperCollinsToronto,1998),p.289

CHAPTER8
VATICANASKSITSGREATFRIENDTOWRITEATOME
(TheStoryofTheCityofJoy)
And
HOLLYWOODINCALCUTTA
AfilmhasbeenmadeonMotherTeresa'slifethisisnotthefirstsuchfilm,asshehasappearedinahostofpromotionalfilmsmadeby
variousreligiousandsecularorganisations.ButthislatestfilmisdifferentinbeingaHollywoodproductionquitepossiblythefirstofa
seriesofsuchfilms.ThefilmisalsodifferentinbeingafeaturefilmwitharealstarplayingtheroleofMotherTeresa.Thefilmwasmade
whenMotherwasalive,whichputsherinanexclusive'club',asveryfewpeopleinhistoryhavehadthehonourofhavinghadafulllength
featurefilmmadeaboutthemwithanactorplayingthem,duringtheirlifetimes.
ThefilmisalsouniqueinanotherrespectitwasshotentirelyoutsideCalcutta,orevenIndia.Thefilmwasshot'onlocation'inSriLanka
duringAprilMay1997withouthoweverMother'sapprovalandblessing,thereasonforwhichIamcomingtolater.GeraldineChaplin,
playingthetitlerole,hadneverbeentoCalcutta,norhadanymemberofthefilmcrew.Almostallthecharactersspeakwithastrong
Ceyloneseaccent.
ThefilmisanobsceneattackonCalcuttainvintagestyleofDominiqueLapierre,whowrotethescript.ThisdevoutCatholicFrenchmanhas
avendettaagainstthecity.TeresaisshowninthefilmasanangelwalkingthedistastefulandunfriendlystreetsofCalcutta.Apartfromthe
awfulguttersandsewersthatsheencounters,thepeopleinthecityareshownasalmostsatanicwhoputconstantimpedimentsinherpath.
Rollsofcelluloidarespentshowingherpleadingwithfoldedhandsbeforeanunsympatheticpolicecommissionershepleadswithhimnot
toremovegarbagefromMotiJhilslum,asthatwouldrobtheragpickersoftheirliving.Thenshegoesontopicketapublichospitalsothey
wouldacceptadyingwomanfortreatment.Bothincidentsareentirelymadeup.Shealsocomesupagainstinnumerablebureaucratichurdles
putupbythemunicipality,governmentetc.
BureaucratichurdlesaretrueforotherpeopletryingtogoodworkinIndia,butMotherTeresaneverhadtofacethem,eveninherearlier
days.Indeed,whenshehadfacedreligiousoppositionwhiletryingtoopenaCatholicmission(herhomeforthedying)inaHindutemple,
thetwopeoplethatinstantlycametoheraidandgavehereverypossiblehelp,includingfinancialassistance,wereWestBengal'sthenChief
MinisterB.C.RoyandCalcutta'sthenPoliceCommissioner.ThemaintoneofthefilmistoshowHinduCalcuttansinamean,ungrateful
lightTeresaisshowntobemistrustedandalmostmistreatedinthecity,despitetheangelicworkthatsheisdoing.Thisisnottrueshe
wastreatedwithindifferenceyes,butnevermistreated.
AlthoughaFrenchman,LapierrelikestodepicthiswhitesavioursasAmericansnodoubtasacrudefeelertoHollywoodforafilm
adaptation.HerethesaviourisoneHarryHarper,a(fictitious)Americanjournalist,playedbyWilliamKatt.HehelpsMothersetupa
mobileclinic.ThefilmendsratherabruptlyonMother'sbeingawardedtheNobelPeacePrizein1979.
Now,whydidtheproducersdecidenevertocometoCalcuttaforafilmonMotherTeresaofCalcutta?Iamsurepeopleallovertheworld,
especiallyinAmericawillpresumetheobviousthatCalcuttaisnotthesortofplacethatyouwouldexpectafilmcrewfromHollywoodto
goandstay.Afterall,theplaceisallslums,andmaynotevenhaveahotel,orrunningwaterorelectricity.Onesurelywouldnotexpect
GeraldineChaplintostayinashack,and,quiteconceivably,shootinginCalcuttacouldbeheldupbecauseofapileofrottingcorpses
blockingthewayofthecameratrolley.ThemakersofMotherTeresa,InTheNameofGod'sPoormaynotbethebestinformedpeoplein
theworld,buttheywerefullyawarethatCalcuttatherealitydidnotcorrespondwithCalcuttatheimage.TheywereawareofCalcutta'sfilm
andculturaltraditionswhichistheveryreasontheydecidedtoshootCalcuttainSriLanka.
Calcutta,asithappens,hasaactivefilmindustry.ItistinycomparedtoBombay'svastcommercialcinematicworld(thesocalled
'Bollywood)butitisoneoftheworld'smajorcentresfor'arty'films.FilmsfromCalcuttahavebroughtbacksuchrareawardssuchasThe
GoldenBearfromBerlinorTheGoldenLionfromVenice.AfilmshotentirelyonlocationinCalcuttabyaCalcuttangotperhapsthemost
prestigiousfilmawardofalltheSpecialJuryPrizeatCannes.Andohyes,Calcuttahasproduced(inSatyajitRay)theonlyOscarwinner
ofthesubcontinent.
Calcutta'salternativefilmcultureisunfortunately,onthewane.Producersherearemoreandmorereluctanttotakerisks,andare
increasinglyadoptingthe'Bollywoodformula'thatappealstotheIndianmasses.NonethelesstheWestBengalgovernmentremains
committedtofilmproductionandindeed,isonetheworld'smajorproducersofoffbeatfilms.
ThemakersofMotherTeresa,InTheNameofGod'sPoorwereawareofallthat.ThereasontheychosetofilmoutsideCalcuttaisbecause
theywantedtoshowCalcuttaastheywishedandnotasitis.TheyknewthatinSriLankatheycould,withimpunity,degradeCalcuttaas
muchastheywished.
ThatwasnottheonlyreasonthattheyavoidedCalcuttafortheyalsodidnotwanttobehumiliatedandharanguedastheircolleagueshad
beensixyearsearlier,duringthefilmingofCityofJoy,whenHollywoodattemptedsuchadistortionofthetruthaboutCalcuttainCalcutta

itself.
Hollywooddidmanagetoexecutetheir1991CityofJoyproject,butonlyaftersufferingathoroughbruising,andonlybyusingits
enormousinternationalcloutandfinancialprowess.BeforetheycametoCalcutta,theyhadexpectedasubhumancityfullofdeadordying
creatures.HollywoodwastaughtaveryseverelessoninCalcutta.
ThefilmCityofJoystartedoffasabookofthesamenamebyDominiqueLapierre.MLapierrehashadaninterestinIndiaforanumberof
years.HehasalsodisplayedanoverwhelminginterestinMotherTeresa,whohewascloseto.Likewise,heisunusuallyclosetothePope
himselfandtotheuppermostechelonsoftheCatholicChurch.
BeforeheeverwrotehisCityofJoy(published1985),Lapierrewantedtowriteandscriptacelluloid'epic'onMotherTeresa.Theproject
receivedtheblessingsofbothMotherandtheVatican.Thiswasinthelate1970searly1980s,andbuoyedbythesuccessofGandhi,
HollywoodwasdeterminedtomakeasuccessofasimilarventureonMotherTeresa.TheactorsEdwardFoxandMartinSheen(Catholics
both)agreedtowriteofftheirfeesinfavourofMotherTeresa,andMerylStreepandJaneFondawereapproachedtoplaythebigrolelater
MsFondapubliclydeclinedtherole.RichardAttenborough,thedirectorofGandhi,hadagreedtodirectthefilm.
MotherTeresahasalwaysbeenthedarlingofHollywood,andenjoyedapersonalrelationshipwithmanystars.Indeed,MartinSheen
himselfdescribes1meetingherinRomeinearly1991whenhewas(unsuccessfully)tryingtomeetthePope.Motherquicklyhadthe
meetingokayed.IcannotrememberhereverhelpinganypoorpersongetaprivateaudiencewiththePope.
Eventuallythewholeprojectoftheblockbusterepicwasmothballedreasonshavenotbeenmadeentirelyclear.
Possiblyoutoffrustrationthatthefilmcouldnotbemade,LapierrewrotehismagnumopusTheCityofJoythebook'ssuccesscrossed
hiswildestexpectations.
ButLapierrehadbeenwellandtrulybittenbythebugofaCecilBDeMillestylemoviepartfact,butmostlyfictiononMotherTeresa's
life.Hedrewupyetanotherproposal,andnowdecidedtoplayitdifferentlyheknewthatthistime,ifhehadhadthescriptokayedbythe
livingsaintfirst,Hollywoodwouldbedesperatelykeentomakethemovie.HisstratagemworkedhetookthescripttobothMotherTeresa
andthePope,andhaditapprovedbyboth.ThePopegavehimaprivateaudienceoverthescript,duringwhichLapierrefoundhim'fullof
encouragement'.Mother,normallyknowntobeintenselypublicityshy,gavetheHollywoodmegaprojectherwholeheartedblessing,and
LapierreissuedthisstatementfromhisStTropezhome:'MotherTeresagavemetheexclusivepermissiontowritethefilmofherlifeand
work.'2
Notonlythat,itemergedthatMotherhadalsoovercomeherintenseaversiontopublicitytopersonallywritetoRajivGandhiwhenhewas
PrimeMinister(198489)askingpermissionthatthefilmonherlifecouldbemadepermissionisrequiredinIndiaforforeignfilmstobe
shotinthatcountry,althoughPrimeMinistershadneverbeforebeenapproachedforthepurpose.ConsideringthecloserapportMother
enjoyswithIndia'sunofficialroyalfamily,gettingafavourable(andfast)answertoherhumblerequestwasnotaproblem.Itisnotthat
Lapierrewouldhavebeenrefusedpermissioninthenormalcourse,butbureaucracywouldhavestretchedtheprocesstoafewmonths.
LapierrenowcametoLondon(aroundJanuary1991)totalktoGlendaJacksonaboutthetitlerole.MsJacksondidnotlikethescript,but
saidshewouldconsidertheroleifitwasrevised.Butthen,thewholeprojectofabigHollywoodventurewassuddenlyscuppered.
Lapierrehasnevermadeitpublicwhytheprojectfellthrough,whichisunderstandable,asweknowthatbyMarch1991,hislimbwasstake
inCalcutta.Inhisownwords:'OnenighttheFrenchConsulGeneralcalledtourgemeandmywifetomovequicklyoutofourresidence.
Thechiefofpolicehadjustinformedhimthatabigdemonstrationwasgoingtotakeplacethenextmorninginfrontofourguesthouse,and
that"thingsmightgetnasty."'3
InFebruary1991,CityofJoyhadstartedfilminginCalcutta,andinthewordsofJakeEberts,theproducer:'Thesixyearsspentingetting
thefilmtothispointbegintoseemlikepicniccomparedtowhatweencounterinCalcutta.Thecastandthecrewarefacedwithriots,
firebombs,governmentprotests,lawsuitsandcrowdsmarchinginthestreets.'4
No,Calcuttansdidnottakethedegradationoftheircitysittingdown.SensingthatherfriendLapierrehadbecomepersonanongratain
CalcuttaoverCityofJoy,MotherTeresanowquicklywithdrewconsentfromthefilmonherownlife.Ostensiblythereasongivenwasthat
shehadallofasuddendiscoveredthatthefilmwouldbe'toocommercial'.Thismusthavecomeasoneofthosesuddenrevelationsthat
religioussoulsarepronetoget,asMotherhadbeenawareofthescriptforagoodfewyearsandhadpersonallygonethroughit.
MotherTeresahasalwaysbeenacutelysensitivetohostilesentimentsinCalcutta,andhasplayedhercardsaccordinglyshehasneverbeen
totallycomfortableinthecity,whichiswhyshehasnever,inCalcutta,spokenoutagainstcontraceptionandonlyrarelyagainstabortion.
Lapierre,whenaskedwhyMotherhadsuddenlywithdrawnherconsentfromthefilm,said,'...TherealreasonIjustdon'tknow.It'sdifficult
tounderstand.'5
NotaleofMotherTeresa,ofCalcutta,ofWesternvilificationofthecity,ofthecity'sagonyandhelplessnessinthefaceofthemightofthe

West'sandtheVatican'spropagandamachinerycanbetoldwithoutthesagasurroundingthebookandthefilmofthebookTheCityofJoy.
Thebookisdiscussedhereinsomedetail,asitoccupiesacentralplaceinthecultofliesthathasbecomecentraltothepropagationofthe
Teresamyth.
Lapierrehasweavedhistalearoundsomerealandsomeunrealcharacters,givinghisfictionaverisimilitudeofreality.Therearerealpeople,
suchasMotherTeresa,whomakesnumerous(butfleeting)appearances.Therearehernunssomeofwhomappearundertheirownnames.
Andtherearenumerouslandmarks,streetsandsquaresofCalcutta.Onlytheslum(whichisthe'city'inTheCityofJoy)appearsundera
fictitiousname,althoughLapierrehassaidthatitisbasedonthePilkhanaslumofHowrah.AlthoughonthebackcoverLapierresaysthat
theCityofJoyisonlya'sectorofCalcutta',hemakesitveryclearinthebookitselfthathisdescriptionsofdepravityappliestoCalcuttaasa
whole.Flittingskilfullybetweenrealityandfiction,hehasbeenentirelysuccessfulingivinghisgrotesquedistortionthesemblanceof
reality.HehasconvincedtheworldthathehasportrayedtherealCalcutta.
HisheroisoneStephanKovalski,aPolishCatholicpriest,whohedescribesasa'whiteapostlewhohadcomefromtheWesttoliveamong
theworld'smostdisinheritedpeople.'6TheKovalskicharacterisbasednottoolooselyonMotherTeresaherself,althoughIamtoldbysome
CatholicsthataCatholicpriestofthatnamedidreallydidexist,butnotnecessarilyinCalcutta.
Nodegradationislowenoughforthe'CityofJoy',where'corpsesofdogs,rats,scorpions,andthousandsofcockroaches...floataroundin
thefoulsludge.Peopleevensawseveralgoatsandabuffalodriftingthroughthealleywayswithbelliesinflatedlikeaballoon.'7Lapierrehas
successfullycreatedtheimageofacityunparalleledinwretchednessandwickedness,acombinationofHell,SodomandGomorra.He
describesascenewhereoneofhismaincharacters,theyoungidealisticAmericansurgeonMaxLoeb,amputatesthearmofaleper,dutifully
assistedbyaMotherTeresaSister:'NeitherKovalskinorSisterGabriellehadtimetocatchit[thearm]beforeitfellontotheground...Itwas
thenthathewitnessedascenethatwouldhaunthimfortherestofhislife:"amangydogcarryingoffinitsmouthahumanarm."'8
InLapierre'staleallthegoodiesarewhiteandthebaddiesareallCalcuttans.ThereareofcoursegoodiesamongsttheIndians,suchasthe
'beautifulBandona'fromAssam,andotherpoorpeoplelivinginthecityofjoy,foremostamongstthemHasariPaltherickshawpuller,the
book'sparallelhero.Interestingly,allIndiansthataregoodaddressStephanKovalskias'StephanBigBrother'.IndianChristian(Anglican,
notCatholic)priestswhoarenotpreparedtobedeferentialtowardsKovalskiareportrayedascorpulent,callousandheartless.
LandownersinCalcuttaarerepeatedlyreferredtoasthe'fatBengalilandlords'.TheonlyBengaliwhoisgoodhas'ajobasaninstructorin
oneofMotherTeresa'strainingcentresforhandicappedchildren.'9althoughIwouldliketoknowwheresuchatrainingcentreis.
CalcuttansaresoevilthattheyevenquestionedMotherTeresaaboutheraccountsthesewereintheearlydays(the1950s)whensheused
togetagrantfromthegovernmenttowardsherhomeforthedyingandherorphanage:'...ameetingwasheldinthegovernmentbuilding.A
dozenbureaucratsindhotis[typicalBengaliattire]examinedthenun'saccountbooks.Theyaskedquestions,quibbledoverdetailsand
criticised.'10Apparentlywhatthegovernmentwasrecommendingwasthatshespentahighersumofmoneyonherorphansthanshewas.
Motherwasoutraged:'"YouthinkyoucandemandthatIspendthirtythreerupeesonthechildrenyousponsor,"sheexclaimedindignantly,
"whenIcanspendonlyseventeenonourchildrenwhoarebyfarthemorenumerous...Thankyougentlemen,butIwilldowithoutyour
money."Andshelefttheroom.'11
LapierretellsthestoryofafictionalleperwomancalledMeeta,who'waspickedupbyaBengaliwhosoldhertoabrothelnearCalcutta.
Whentheproprietordiscoveredthathisnewlodgerwasaleper,however,hebeatherblackandblueandthrewherout.Shewassalvaged
bysomeragpickers,takentoMotherTeresa'shomeforthedying,andsavedjustintime.'12 IamnotsurprisedthatinLapierre'sworld,the
saviourshouldbeMotherTeresa,butwhatIfinddisturbingisthattheoffendercanonlybeaBengali.
Inthebook,Calcuttaishabituallycalled'theinhumancity',ora'damnedcity',andonceeven'anogress'.MotherTeresaherselfisquotedin
thebookassaying,'Inthiscityeventhedogsaretreatedbetterthanhumanbeings.'13NeitherLapierrenorhisheroineexplainswhyCalcutta
shouldbesingledoutinthisfashiontheyshouldknowthat,ofallIndiancities,Calcutta(untilveryrecently)hasbeenmostwelcoming
towardsdestitutesfromeverypartofthecountryindeed,allthedestitutesinhisbookaremigrants.
MaxLoeb,thesurgeoninFloridalivingin'aparadiselikeMiami'14 readsaboutKovalski'snobleworkinCalcuttaanddecidestoflyout
thereonawhim.Heisdulywarnedbyhismultimillionairefather,whose'dislike[forIndia]turnedintorevulsionwhenitcametoCalcutta,
acitysynonymous...withmisery,beggars,andpeopledyingonthecity'spavements.'15Nonetheless,DrLoebarrivesinCalcutta,shacksup
intheCityofJoy,andbeingthe'greatwhitedaktar[doctor]'16soonfindshimselftreating'cancer,severeheartconditions,madmen,blind
men,themute,theparalysed,thedeformed',nottomentionarmiesoflepersthathewasasuperspecialistthoracicsurgeonbackinMiami
isonlyasmalldetailtheillnessesofuselementalpeopleareelementary.
Predictably,Lapierre'sCityofJoyslumhasitsownlepercolony,althoughthePilkhanaslumhasnosuchcolony.Lapierre'scolony'wasnot
somuchalepercolonyasakindofossuary.'Kovalskiwonderedashelookedatthelepers,'Werethoseskeletonsconsumedwithgangrene,
whoseclosedeyeswerecoveredwithmushrooms,reallyhumanbeings?Thosebreathingcorpseswhosecrackledskinoozedouta
yellowishliquid?Evenso,thesightwasnothingincomparisonwiththestench.'17

Lapierre,likeMotherTeresa,isasmuchobsessedwithfetusesasheiswithleprosyCalcutta,beingthegodlessdepravedplacethatitis,
doesaflourishingtradeinhumanfetuses.LapierretellsusthattoutsinCalcuttapaypoorwomentohaveabortionssothat'theembryosand
fetuses[maybeused]eitherforscientificworkorinthemanufactureofrejuvenatingproductsforaclienteleofprivilegedpeoplein
specialisedestablishmentsinEuropeandAmerica.'HeinformsusthatthefetusesleaveCalcutta'forEuropeortheUSA,viaMoscowonthe
Sovietairline,Aeroflot'sregularflight.'18 Thisisaslipup,asitcontradictsMotherTeresa'sfamousstatement:'Amongtheverypoorwomen
inCalcutta,Idonotknowofone,asingleone,whohashadanabortion.'
Lapierredescribesaheartrendingscenewhereawomanwhoissevenmonthspregnant,decidestosellherfetusfortwothousandrupees,
anddiesintheprocess.Thepersonarrangingthetransaction,amiddleagedMuslimwoman(andaCalcuttantoboot),isshownsnatching
themoneyawayfromherfingersaftershedies.
IamnotclaimingthattheunderworldinCalcuttaisaboveatradeinfetuses,butitsimplydoesnothappen.Thoseofusthathaveany
knowledgeofMuslimswouldknowthataMuslimwomanwouldratherstarvetodeaththantoutasevenmontholdfetus.Also,itis
technicallynotpossibletoputfetusesinglassjarsandsendthemascargoinnormalcratesviaMoscowonAeroflot,andhavemeaningful
useoutofthemattheotherend.
ThereisawholechapterinthebookdevotedtoMotherTeresa,whereheralteregoKovalskimeetsherinperson.Sheisportrayedas
inhabitingacompletelydifferent,elevatedworldLapierrehasunwittinglystrucktruthhere,asshedidkeepherselfdetachedfromsuffering
inCalcutta.Theauthortellsblatantliesaboutherhomeforthedying,suchas'Thereisnodoorintheimposingsculptedporch.Anyonecan
enteratanytime.'19 Thisisanextremelyblatantlieasthehomeforthedyinghasalwaysoperatedonacloseddoorpolicy.Alsothereisno
porch,sculptedorotherwise,andthesmalldoorisalwayskepttightlyshut.GatekeeperAnthonyusedtobeinattendanceduringMother's
lifetimeoftenbeatingawaydestituteswithastick.Surprisingly,Lapierredoesnotwildlyexaggeratethenumberofresidentshegivesitas
'onehundredandten'.MotherTeresaisdescribedasdespatching'commandosofIndianSistersoutintothecity,theirmissionbeingtoopen
sevenmoredispensaries.OneofthemsetherselfupintheslumwhereMotherTeresahadfirsttendedthepoor.Lepersflockedtherein
hordes.'20Explainingwhythisdispensarynolongerexists,LapierredoestheobviousheblamesCalcuttansforbeingunsympatheticto
sufferingitwastheywhoforcedhertocloseitdown,hesays.Inanycase,MotherTeresaneverhadsevendispensariesinCalcutta.
Aftermostofherdispensarieswerecloseddown,MotherTeresadecided(accordingtoLapierre)that'Severalsmallwhitevansbearingthe
symboloftheMissionariesofCharitywouldonedaypatroltheenormouscitytobringtreatmentintothemostneglectedareas.'21Noble
intentionsnodoubt,butthatdayneverarrived.Imustadmitthough,thatoneslumwheretheMissionariesofCharityhavebeenseentending
tothepoorisLapierre'sCityofJoyslum,Pilkhana.
Throughoutthebook,LapierremakesjibesatCalcutta'smainbusinesscommunity,theMarwaris,whoalsohappentobeorthodoxHindus.
HasariPal,therickshawpuller,describesanencounterwithaMarwaripassengerthus:'HewasaMarwari...intheabsenceofawhip,he
bombardedmyribswithkicksthatwereparticularlypainfulbecausehewaswearingslipperswithhardpointedtoes.'22aphysically
impossibleacttoperforminamovingrickshaw.
TheangryandoutragedLapierrealsopoursscornonIndia'sbiggesttycoon,thelateG.D.Birla(aMarwari):'...asfatasthatofG.D.Birla,
Calcutta'scelebratedmultimillionaire.'23 IcanappreciatethattheCatholicestablishmentconsidersthewealthoftheBirlasrepugnant,butcan
theytellmewhytheirgreatesticonMotherTeresahasbeenconstantlybeholdentotheBirlafamily?TheBirlaHeartInstitutehasnotonly
savedherlifemorethatonce,ithasalsodoneitforfree.Itdoesnotevenchargeherfortheinnumerabletestsandcheckupssheregularly
had,thecostofeachofwhichwouldbankruptavillageofrickshawpullers.TheBirlas,orthodoxHindusthemselves,endeavourtobeseen
abovepettyreligiousdivides(owingtotheirpreeminentstatusnodoubt),andhavealwaysbeengeneroustoMotherTeresainvariousways
indeed,herfirsttripabroadin1960wasfundedbytheBirlas.G.D.BirlahimselfwasthebiggestfinancialbenefactorofGandhiinhis
freedommovement.HealsohelpedTagorefoundhisuniversity.
LapierrehasridiculedthelavishnessofCalcutta'sBelleVueClinic,ownedbytheBirlas.Whathedoesnottellusishowmanyscans(gratis
ofcourse)MotherTeresahashadatBelleVue.MotherTeresahasnotstayedatBelleVueduringherillnesses,becauseshepreferredthe
colonialstyleWoodlandsClinicagain,forfree.Oneofhermostmemorablepicturesfrom1996wasonewhereshewasbeingtransported,
withoxygenprongsinhernostrils,fromWoodlandstoBelleVueforaspecialisedscan.Thiswasthetimethatshewassaidtobepossessed
bytheDevilandneededtobeexorcised.
Inhisbook,Lapierrehasalongscenariowhere'StephanBigBrother'contractscholeraandispleadedwithbyfriendstogototheBelleVue
theFrenchconsulevenagreestofundhisstay.Butherefuses,optinginsteadtogoadiabolical'hospitalforeverybody'.Thankfully,the
fleshandbloodMotherTeresahadmoresensethanourfictionalandfictitioussaviours.
ThelampooningofprosperityandmodernityinCalcuttaisanoldthemeofMotherTeresaandherfriends.TheywantCalcuttatobea
primitivepreBiblicalcity,wheresimplethemesexist,suchasgoodandevil,andaboveall,sufferingandcharity.Thepoorareshownas
wretchedbutholy:'"Theymaynothaveanythingtoeat,butthey'vemanagedtogetholdofbreadandwinefortheEucharist."He[Stephan]
thoughtofthefirstChristiansofRome'scatacombs.'24WinewearenottalkingspiritshereisanutterlyunknownentityinIndianslums,
evenamongstChristians.

AmajorthemeinLapierre'sbookisCalcutta'swickednessandevillargetractsofthebookconcernsitselfwithapowerfullocalMafia
family,whichalsohappenstobedevoutlyHindu.Indeed,virtuallytheonlyruleshowntoexistinCalcuttaistheruleoftheMafia,who
meticulouslybisectagirl'sfacefromeartoearfordefyingthegodfathertouchinglyreproducedinthefilm.Lapierrehascontradicted
himselfhere,aselsewherehehassaid:'FearisbyandlargeastrangertoCalcutta'sstreets.Ayounggirlcanwalkalong...anyofthemain
thoroughfaresinthemiddleofthenightwithouttheslightestfearofbeingattacked.'25Nicescenario,butnottrue,Iamsorrytosay.
IncaseWesternersgoingtoCalcuttaeverwonderedwhy,contrarytothepublicity,MotherTeresawassolowprofileinthecity,Lapierre
hasgotasimpleexplanationitisduetotheinnatewickednessofthecitizenswhodonotletherblossom.Hereproducestheincident
where,manyyearsback,MotherTeresawasturnedawaybysomepeoplewhenshewantedtostartasmallhomefordestitutesinthemiddle
ofaresidentialareaIamnotexactlysureofthetimeandtheplaceasthesehavenotbeenclarifiedbyherbiographers,exceptthatithad
happened'inacitynortheastofCalcutta'.26 Therewasviolence'AwallwaserectedtoblockMotherTeresaandtheSisters...When
supportersofMotherTeresa'sworktriedtoremovethebarrier,therewerebeatings.'Motherwasveryupsetshesaid,'"Iamsorryforyou
people.Lateronyouwillregretit."...Onecouldpicturehershakingthedustofthatlocalityfromhersandals.'27
Lapierreofcourse,hastransposedtheincidenttotheCalcuttaslum,whereanalmightyfightbrokeoutbetweentheCalcuttaMafiaandthe
goodslumdwellerswhowantedaleperclinic:
'[Kovalski]himselfwentatdawntoMotherTeresa'shousetocollectthreeSisterswhoweretonursethelepers.'Inthethicknessofthe
bloodyandholybattle,'atKovalski'sside,MotherTeresa'sSistersbegantorecitetherosaryaloud.'Scenesaredescribedwherea'childof
fourorfive'hashishandblownaway,anda'teenageboyplunge[s]aknifeintoawoman'sstomach.'28Needlesstosay,nobattlehasever
beenwagedinCalcuttaoverthefoundingofalepercolonyinvolvingTeresa'sSistersoranyoneelse.Frustratedthatthelepercolonycould
notbebuilt,KovalskiapproachedMotherTeresafora'leperbus'whichshereadilyagreedto,organisingabustobesenteveryWednesday
totheCityofJoybringwithitthreeofherSisters29sadly,inreallife,nobuscomestoPilkhanaortoanyothersluminCalcutta.
ThereareotherexamplesinthebookofIndiansstoppinggenerousWesternersfromchangingtheirwretchedlives,suchaswhenMax
Loeb'sfatherarrivesfromMiamiwishingtobuytheCityofJoyslumandconvertitintoamodernhousingestate.Maxpointsoutthat,alas,
inIndia,foreignnationalsarenotallowedtodosuchnoblethings.MotherTeresa,itneedstobepointedout,wasanIndiancitizen,although
shealsosomehowcarrieda(nonhonorary)Vaticanpassport,despitedualnationalitynotbeingallowedinIndia.
AccordingtoLapierre,thewickednessofCalcuttansknowsnobounds,forthisis'acitywhich,accordingtoconnoisseursofsuchmatters,
practisedamultitudeofracketswithadegreeofartandimaginationthatwouldturnNaples,MarseillesorNewYorkgreenwithenvy.'30It
isnotsurprisingtherefore,thatCalcutta'sbiggestcharitytheRamakrishnaMission,isaracket.Intheaftermathofamassivecyclonethathe
describes,monksfromthatcharityarrivedinthestrickenareas.Parentsentrustedtheirlittlechildrentothesemonkstotakeawayandlook
aftertheyneversawtheirchildrenagain,as'thesepurportedmonkswerepimps.'31Withacleverplayofwords,Lapierrehascoveredhis
legaltrackswellhere,ashesays,'ThepeopleinquestionworetheochrerobesofthemonksbelongingtothemissionofRamakrishna,the
BengalisaintwhointhelastcenturypreachedmutualaidandlovebetweenHindusandothercommunities.'32Hisdefencewasthathemeant
thesepeoplewereonlymasqueradingasHindumonksthisisdepthtowhichMotherTeresa'sfriendswouldstoop,inordertorevile
anythingdecentaboutCalcutta.
IamnotclaimingthatHindumonksareaboveprocuringchildrenforprostitution,butthereisnobasisinrealitythatRamakrishnaMission
monkswereeverinvolvedinsuchascandal.ThelowslanderoftheRamakrishnaMissionwasdonewithVaticansanction.
TheRamakrishnaMissiondidprotestandgotatwopagegrovellingletterofapologyfromLapierrehesaidtheusualthings,i.e.,how
muchherespectedRamakrishnaandVivekananda,andhowmuchhevaluedtheworkoftheMission.Healsohadthetemeritytoenclosea
chequeforRs100,000,whichwasreturned.
TheworkofRamakrishnaMissionandtheotherHinducharityBharatSevashramSangha,particularlyduringdisasters,hasalwaysirked
MotherTeresaandherfriends,especiallyastheMissionariesofCharityarerarelyseenincrisesinCalcutta.Interestingly,inLapierre's
descriptionofthemammothreliefoperationsfollowingthecyclonehedescribesinhisbook,theMissionariesofCharitydonotmakeany
appearance.
IhopebothLapierreandMotherTeresawereaware,thatwhencametochildsexabuse,itistheCatholicChurchwhichleadsinIndia,
despiteitstinysizeinthatcountry.IpresumetheyknewofthedoingsofFreddiePeat,theCatholicpriestwhokepta'pornographicfarm'in
Goa,where2,500childrenhadbeenritualisticallyabusedandvideod,someofthemasyoungasayearold.
TheCityofJoyhassoldsevenmillioncopies.Eloquentlywritten,ithastouchedthelivesandinfluencedthethinkingofmanymanymore.
PeopleallovertheworldforgenerationstocomewillcontinuetolearnaboutCalcuttafromthisbookindeed,theLonelyPlanettravel
guiderecommendsitasamustinitsreadinglistonCalcutta.Thebookclassesitselfasfictionbutmakesitobviousthatitisnarratingfacts
underathinveiloffictionitiscleverlycrafted,owingtoLapierre'sconsiderablewritingskills.
Thebook(andthefilmafterit)havedealtamortalblowtoCalcutta'sreputation.Perniciousanddivisive,theyhavereviledeverything

CalcuttaandWestBengaleverstoodfor.
ThisbookwasconceivedatthehighestlevelsoftheCatholicchurch,soonafterthepresentPopecameintopower.Thetitleisofcoursea
directliftfromStAugustine'sTheCityofGod,andthebookwastranslatedfromtheoriginalFrenchtoEnglishbyKathrynSpink,who
describesMotherTeresaasher'friendandmentorformanyyears'(personalcommunication)andhaswrittenthreebiographiesofher(the
lastbeingtheonlyposthumousonetobeauthorised).
Withhighestsanction,LapierrehasdepictedHinduisminhisbookasmorebizarrethanitalreadyis:'...traditiondemandedthatmany
bodies...shouldbecommittedtotheriverratherthancremated.'33
Inthe1980s,theCatholicchurchbegantogetworriedthatbooksonMotherTeresaandonthechurch'sactivitiesinCalcuttaneversoldvery
wellapartfromMuggeridge'sbookandthemorerecent(andonlymodestlysuccessful)LucindaVardey'sbookmostofthescoresofother
bookshavehadnosalesamongstmainstreampublic.Amasterstorytellerwasthereforecalledupontoweaveatale.
Lapierreisindeedaspecialpersoninhavinghisbookemblazonedbyablurbbythepopehimselfcanweimaginethesupremeheadofa
religiousorder,suchasAyatollahKhomeiniortheDalaiLamalendingablurbtoaworkoffiction?ThepopehascalledTheCityofJoy'A
LessonofHopeandFaithfortheWorld'(backcoverblurb).ButthatisnotallMotherTeresaherself,despitethebookcontaininga
passagewherethegood'DrMaxBigBrother'isshownfornicating,hascalledthebook'AMagnificentHomage...'34Theonlyotherbook
shehaspubliclyendorsedisLetterstoGabriel,writtenbyKarenSantorum,wifeofthefiercelyantiabortionandprogunRepublican
SenatorRickSantorum.Evenwhenseriouslyillin1996,shewrotetheforewordforthisantiabortiontreatise.Herwellpublicisedhumility
andmodestywerenotoffendedbythefollowingpassageaboutherinTheCityofJoy:
'BlessyouCalcutta,forinyourwretchedness,youhavegivenbirthtosaints."
Kovalski'sthoughtsafterameetingwithher.'35
ItisasadcommentaryonCalcuttans'regardfortheirowncity'sesteemthatthemayorofCalcuttaatthetime(19851990)KamalBasudid
notreadthebookuntil1990,fiveyearsafteritwaspublished.Itisunfortunatetosaytheleastthatabookwhichwas(stillis)araging
controversyinternationallyontheircityhasnotbeenreadbytheerstwhilemayorormostofthecitizens.Basutoldme36thathehad
presumedthatthetitlewasacomplimentaryoneandwasahomagetothecitymany,ifnotmostCalcuttansstillthinkthat!HesaidLapierre
usedto'shadowmeandmywifeandonceIrememberhimsittingbesideheratGovernor'sHouseIpresumehehadcadgedaninvitation
fromtheFrenchConsulandtryingtooilhiswayintoourgoodbooks.'BasusaidheremembersLapierre'pressurising'thethen
CorporationCommissionerR.K.Prassannatoawardhimacivicreception.FinallyBasuwasalertedtothederogatorynatureofthebook'by
someofmyfriends'andhemanagedtoread'excerptswhileIwasawayinWashington.'
Inthefilm,theshootingofwhichhasbeenetchedforeverinthehistoriesofCalcuttaandHollywood,theKovalskicharacterwaschanged
intoawoman(PaulineCollins),andMaxLoebwasplayedbyPatrickSwayze.WhenSwayzeandthedirectorRolandJoffalongwiththe
castandcrewarrivedinCalcuttainFebruary1991,theywereexpectingacityasdescribedinthebookprimitiveandwailing,andsupinein
disbeliefthatthegodshadarrivedfromtheheavens.Buttheygotarudeshock.TheSundayTimes(London),reportingundertheheadline
'FilmTurnsCalcuttaIntoCityofHate'said,'...whenHollywoodcametoCalcuttarecentlytostartshootingamovieabouttheslums,the
producershadlittlereasontoexpectanythingotherthanaredcarpetwelcome.Instead,theyarefacingabattleworthyofanycelluloid
drama.'Inarareconfessional,thenewspaperalsosaid,'...CalcuttaisaculturalbeaconmisrepresentedbytheWesternmedia'sobsession
withMotherTeresa,...'37
Largesectionsofthepopulationroseupinprotestagainstthedepictionoftheircityshootingwasheldupalmosteverydaydueto
picketing,barricadesandbrickbatsbeingthrownintothesets.ACalcuttaactor,BiplabChatterjee(norelation),duetoplayoneofthemajor
supportingroles,resignedinprotestatthedepictionofhiscity.
TheproducersemployedanarmyoftoughsconscriptedfromtheranksoftheMafiathatthebookandthefilmsotellinglydepict.Things
tookaseriousturnwhenayoungjournalistcalledSaumitraGhoshdied,allegedlyafterbeingbeatenupbythebouncers.RolandJoff,who
IbelieveisBritish,soughtdiplomaticinterventionfromtheBritishDeputyHighCommissioner,AnthonyAbbott.TheWestBengal
governmentwhichwasinprincipleagainstthefilm,butwhichwouldnotstopitonaccountoffreespeech,founditselfinadifficult
situation.
ItbeingCalcutta,thecitysoongotdividedalongpoliticallines,withtheleftopposingtheshootingandtheCongress(RajivGandhi'sparty)
supportingit.TheproducersalsodistributedcashlikeconfettianddividedtheCalcuttaintelligentsia.SunilGanguly,apopularBengali
writerandselfstyledintellectual,wasappointedbyJoffasconsultantforafee.
Theshootingdidproceed,amidsttightsecurity,andinduecoursethefilmwasmade.Calcuttansmanagedtoforcetheproducerstocut25
scenes,andprobablytherebythefilmhasnotplumbedthesamedepthsasthebookdid.ButnoCalcuttaslumwasslumenoughforthefilm
aparticularlyodiouspurposebuiltslumwaserectedbyHollywoodfortheshoot.NickAllder,ofAliensandStarWarstrilogyfame,was
ropedintoproducespecialeffectsofsqualorandhorror.MusicwasrecordedinRome.

Whileshootingwasproceedingamongdisruptionandprotests,inanactofunsurpassedinsensitivityandinsult,JoffwenttomeetSatyajit
Ray,whowasthecity'sultimateculturaliconatthetime,inordertogethisblessingsinessencetobuyhimoffwithHollywoodcash.The
uncomfortablemeetingisrecordedbyJoffwiththinlyveiledderogatoryremarksaboutRay:
Isitratheruncomfortablyinamuchlowerchairtohisleft,looking
upathim...RayhasjustannouncedthatonlyaCalcuttan,oratleast
anIndian,canmakeafilmaboutCalcutta.Furtheritisquiteimpossible,
hesays,foralowcastefarmertoformanykindofrelationshipwitha
European...butmyconclusionsweredifferentfromRay's.Onlythat
morningI'dinterviewedavolunteerofDrJack'swhohadformedavery
closerelationshipwithapatient,andhadheardsimilarstoriesfromother
volunteers.ItellthistoRay,whonodsdismissivelyandsays,'Alsoyour
filmisaboutlepers.Iseenolepersonthestreetsofthecity.'Thisisabit
ofastunner...Later,afterourpleasantrieshavebeenexchanged,Ray
saysominously,'Youwon'tbeabletoshootonthestreetsofCalcutta,
youknow.Itcan'tbedone.EvenIhaveextremedifficulty.'AsIgroped
downthemurkystairwell,itseemedprettycleartomethatRaydoesn't
muchwantthefilmtobemade.Thequestionis,whynot?38
Whynot,indeed!Howdareabrownskinnedman,andaCalcuttantoboot,beprotectiveaboutthehonourofhisbirthplace!Andhowdare
hewouldrejecttheadvancesofasahibfromHollywood.
JoffobviouslyclaimedtoknowCalcuttamoreinaweekthanpeoplewhohadspenttheirlivesthere,hencehewassostunnedaboutRay's
commentaboutlepers.Thereareadozenorsomigrantlepersinthecitycentrewhotendtoflockaroundandbegnearthehostelswhere
MotherTeresa'svolunteerstendtoshackup.ThesefewfamiliarfacesareseennearthemuseumintheSudderStreetareatrailing
Westerners.ButLapierre'sbookandJoff'sfilmdepictthecityasbeingoverrunwitheverydescriptionoflepersaBiblicalscenario.
(Incidentally,JoffeisalsoachampionofmuscularChristianity.)
IfindJoff'stendentiouspassageaboutRaydeeplyoffensive.TheimplicitmenaceinhisdepictionofRaywouldupsetanybodywhohad
anyknowledgeofhim.Hewasadeeplyculturedmanwhoseplacidityandpatiencewerelegendary.Hewasneverknowneventoraisehis
voice.Itwasnotthathewasreluctanttoshowpoverty.Indeed,hewascriticisedevenintheIndianparliamentbytheMPandformer
BollywoodstarNargisDuttforshowingtoomuchpovertyandnotenoughofthecountry'sprogressessuchashydroelectricdams!Inhis
filmSadgatiRaymadeavisceralattackontheHinducastesystem.Hewashowever,deeplyemotionallyandpassionatelyfondofCalcutta
somethingJoffeorLapierrewouldnotforgivehimfor.
Avividaccount(givingbothsidesoftheargument)ofCalcutta'svainstruggleagainstthemightofHollywoodandtheVaticanduringthe
makingofthefilmCityofJoycanbeseeninthehourlongdocumentary(calledPhantomofJoy)whichwascommissionedbyChannel4.I
thinkthefilmwasshownonBritishtelevisioninlate1991.
CalcuttalostthebattleofCityofJoy,justasithaslostthebattlesagainstalltheslandersithashadtoendureoverthelasthalfacentury.
PartlyresponsibleforthehumiliationisIndians'lackofselfesteemandbeliefinthemselves.Thereisalsoaninnatereluctancetoriseup
againstthewhiteman.Inordertomakethebestofabadjob,advertisersinCalcuttahaveturnedtheabuseonitsheadandwouldoftencall
theircity'cityofjoy''WelcometotheCityofJoy'isaprominenthoardingonthewayfromtheairport.
OneresultoftheturbulencefollowingCityofJoyisthatHollywoodwillnotnowcometoCalcuttaforalonglongtimeamegabucksfilm
onMotherTeresashortlyafterherdeathisputonhold.TherearenoplansasofyettodoaGandhistylefilmonMotherTeresa.Butsome
IndiandirectorsaretryingtocashinontheTeresanameRajivNath,ayoungandmodestlysuccessfuldirector,sentoutpressreleasesin
June2001statingthathehadfinalisedplansforaepiconthedeadnunandthatKateWinslethadagreedtodotheplaythelead.Winslet's
agentsquicklydeniedthereport.
EvenafterthetraumaoverthefilmingofCityofJoy,Lapierre,forashortwhile,continuedtotoywiththeideaofafilmonMotherTeresa,

withorwithoutherpublicbacking.Hewasawareofthefinancialrewardsofsuchafilm.TheVaticanwasalsoegginghimonhesaid,'If
theVaticansaysitissomethingwhichshouldbedone,thenwhynot?'39 TheVaticancontinuedtoendorsehimintheproject,saying,'We
knowDominiqueLapierreverywellindeed.HeisagreatfriendoftheVatican...'40Unfortunately,Vatican'sgreatfriend,evenwiththe
livingsaintbehindhim,wasnotabletosummonupenoughcouragetobringmegabucksHollywoodbacktoCalcutta.
MotherTeresaIntheNameofGod'sPoorwasasmallbudgetcompromise.
IhavelostcounthowmanytimesIhavewrittentoDominiqueLapierreaskingforaninterview.Iwishedtoaskhimabouttheliesand
slandersinhisbookandalsoaboutthemoneythatwasbeingsentbyreadersofTheCityofJoyto'ActionAidfortheChildrenofLepersof
Calcutta'.Lapierreandhiswifefoundedthisorganisationandeverycopyofhisbookasksthereadertosendmoneytoanaddresson
AvenueKleberinParis.Lapierrepromisesthatdonations'gotowardsupportingahomefor250childrenoflepers,inCalcutta.'Healso
declaresthathedonateshalftheroyaltyfromhisbooktotheCityofJoy(Pilkhanaslum).IwroteanumberofletterstothisParisaddress
butdidnotreceiveanyreplydespitesending(French)stampedaddressedenvelopes.Iwascurioustoknowaboutthemoneythatwasbeing
senttothisoffice.Ioncesenttendollarsincashtothisaddressandalsoaskedforareceiptthemoneynevercamebackneitherdidany
receipt,soobviouslythemoneywasgoingsomewherebutwasitgoingtothepoorinCalcuttathough?Aftermysixthorseventhletterto
Lapierre,IgaveupandwrotetohisEnglishtranslatorKathrynSpink,whohastheraredistinctionofbeingtheauthorofthreebiographies
ofMotherTeresa.Sherepliedthatshehadforwardedmylettertohimandthatshewas'sureyouwillnowreceivearesponsetoyour
query...'41 Iamstillwaiting.
AroundthetimeofMotherTeresa'sdeathLapierrewasinCalcutta,forsomeundisclosedreasonsomesayhewasfilmingafeatureora
documentary.HewashoweverhidinginGrandHotelandtherewerestrictinstructionstohotelstaffnottodivulgeanyinformationabout
him.HoweverAlakanandaBandopadhyay,ajournalistfromthemagazineAnandalokwaitedoutsidethehotelforthebestpartoftwodays
andfinallymanagedtocatchupwithhim.ShechallengedhimthatthereweredoubtsabouthisassertionsthathehadlivedinPilkhanaslum
fortwomonthsbeforehewrotehisbook.Sheaskedifhecouldhavegatheredhisinformationformdocumentariesandbooks,towhichhe
replied,'Maybe.'Shealsoaskedhimwhyhishero,theAmericanMaxwasoblivioustoexploitationsinhisowncountry,andwhyhehadto
beinCalcuttatobetheultimateblackman'ssaviour,towhichhisreplieswerefudged(perhapsdeliberately).42IthastobesaidaboutM
LapierrethathemakesnoapologiesforportrayingthewhiteCatholicasthesupremelysuperiorgroupwhohavethe(divine)rightto
determinethelivesandvaluesofallothers.Factscanbethrowntothewindsinordertoexercisethisright.
Lapierre,oncetheblueeyedboy,isnowsaidtobepersonanongratawiththeMissionariesofCharity.Indeed,shortlybeforeshediedhe
becamethechiefthorninTeresa'sflesh.ThiswastodowiththefilmMotherTeresa:IntheNameofGod'sPoor.MotherTeresaalthough
formerlykeen,wantedtheprojectscupperedasitwasbeingmade(199697).Lapierrerefused,insistingthatshecouldnotgobackanearlier
'permission'givenbyher.Motherhadsignedacontractwithhimin1982whichgavehimtheexclusiverightstomakeafilmonherlife.In
1984,herfriendssayshewithdrewfromthecontract(perhapsnotlegally)asshedidnotliketheexclusivityclause.(Forsomereason,she
wantedlotsofpeopletomakefilmsonherlife.)In1988,Lapierreshowedherascript,whichherfriendssayshedidnotapproveof.
However,hedoespossessahandwrittenletterbyher(dated13October,1988)whichindeedgavehimpermission.Buttherewasnolegal
contract,astheMissionariesofCharityinsist.
Itisunclearwhatthewranglewasaboutbutitcouldwellbeaboutroyaltiesandmoney.OfficiallyMother'sstatement(whichtheworld
mediaboughtwholeheartedly)wasthatshewasupsetthathervaluesonpovertyandhumilityetc.werenotproperlyupheld.Shealsoasked
herFloridaattorneyJamesToweytogetinvolved.Letterswereexchangedbutafullblowncourtbattlewasavoided,butonlyjust.Allsaid
anddone,itseemsMotherTeresadidnotwanttheLapierrefilmonherlifetobemadeafterall.Shewashopingasanoldfriendanda
VaticaninsiderLapierrewoulddothedecentthinganddroptheproject.ButLapierreisnotonetoabidebydecencyorethicswhere
publicityandmoneyareatstake.Thefilm,producedbyHallmarkEntertainment,waspremieredonAmericanTVshortlyafterTeresa's
death.
SomescepticsinCalcuttamaintainthattheTeresaLapierrebustupwasashowtoappeasethoseCalcuttanswhoareangryathisrepeated
denigrationoftheircitybypubliclydistancingherselffromhim,MotherTeresawantedtoremaininthegoodbooksofsomeinfluential
Calcuttans.Scepticssaythetworemainedclosefriendstilltheendandthatshewasalwaysthankfultohimforthetremendouspublicityhe
hadgeneratedforherandforherchurch.Indeed,LapierretoldtheCalcuttapressafterherdeaththathehad'lostmymother.'
InboththebookandthefilmCityofJoythemainIndiancharacterisHasariPal,arickshawpuller.Calcuttahasthedubiousdistinctionof
beingtheonlycityintheworldtoretainhandpulledrickshaws,whichtheBritishintroducedviaChinainthe1930s.On15July1996,West
Bengal'sMinisterforTransportSubhashChakrabortyannouncedatameetingorganisedbyAutomobileAssociationthatasfrom1January
1997handpulledrickshawswouldbebannedfromthecity,andthatthepullerswouldbeaskedtoreturntoBihar,theirhomestate.Hesaid
thatthedecisionhadnothingtodowithethicsorconscience,butwasadrasticefforttoboostthecity'sabysmaltrafficspeed.
Chakraborty'scommentscausedasmallbutverysignificantstirininternationalmedia.Thesamejournalistswhowerecontinuallyberating
Calcuttaanditsrulersandcitizensfortheabominablepracticeoftherickshawandwhocanblamethemforthatwerenowtearingtheir
heartsout,grievingoverthepullers'fate.Calcuttacannotjustwin.NodoubtiftherickshawweretobebannedtheWestwouldloseone
heavyammunitiontobeatthecitywith.Westernjournalistssuddenlyshoweddeepestconcernaboutthelivelihoodsofthe75,000Bihari

menthatpulled25,000rickshawsbetweenthem.Aboutadozenhacksfromaroundtheworld,wearingtheirheartsontheirlaptops,arrived
inCalcuttainthelatterpartof1996tocovertherickshaw'story'.Rickshawpullersthemselveshadtheirmomentsofglory,asmanywere
interviewedonworldmedia.IhaveheretwoaccountsfrombothsidesoftheAtlanticwhichportraythedepthofpessimismandfatalismof
theseunfortunatemen.
JohnThorDahlburgwroteinLosAngelesTimes:
Everyday,for12hoursonanaverage,Ayodhya,aCalcuttaslumdweller,turnshimselfintoabeastofburdentofeed
himself,hiswifeandthreechildren...OnagooddaytheilliterateeconomicmigrantfromBihar,India'spooreststate,clears
around$2...WestBengal'sgovernmentisdesperatetoluremoreforeigninvestment,toimproveCalcutta'sluridimageandto
makeitaneasierplacetodobusiness.Ironically,riddingthecityofrickshawsisanactplannedbytheCommunistPartyof
IndiaMarxist,whichrulesinthenameoftheworkingclass...However,sincemostpullers,likeAyodhya,arefromthe
neighboringstateofBihar,WestBengal'sleadersignorethem.
AtapublicmeetinginJuly,Chakrabortysuggestedthepullerssimply
'gobackhome.''Godwillhelpus,'saidAyodhya,withoutgreatconviction.43
Britain'sSundayTelegraphsentitsmanJulianWesttoCalcutta.Hewrote:
'IfIgohomenowwherewillIgetmoneyfrom?'askedMohammedIzarul,49,wholikemostrickshawpullers,earnsbarely
3adaytofeedhisfamilyofninechildrenbackinBihar....Aschemeisinplacetorehabilitatetherickshawpullersswept
awaybythecity'sbrisknewplansformodernity.Butitwillbenefitonly5000rickshawslicensedbeforethepolicestopped
issuingpermitsin1935.'Ifthegovernment
bansrickshawswe'llbeunemployed,'saysMrIzarul.'Asitisweareverypoor.Nowmaybesomeofuswilldiefrom
hunger.'44
Inthemidstofallthis,MotherTeresa,whowouldtravelthousandsofmilestopreventasingleabortion,remainedsilent.Western
journalistsneverremarkedontheanomalythatwhendesperatelypoormenalongwiththeirchildrenwerepushedtowardstarvationinthe
purportedcityofMotherTeresa,shenevercameintotheequation.Alsosurprisingwasthesilenceofherfriend,Lapierre,forhereisaman
whohasrepeatedlyshamedCalcuttanotentirelywronglyforthepracticeofthehumanrickshaw.Hehasforyearsposturedasthepullers'
greatestchampion,andintheprocessamassedaverysubstantialfortunefromthebookandfilmaboutthem.Heoncesaidthathewasso
movedbytheirmisery,thatasapermanentreminderofit,healwayscarriedwithhim.,whereverhewent,thebrassbellofaCalcutta
rickshawwallah.InhisbookhealmostexhortsthepullerstoriseagainstCalcuttansinabloodyrevolution,andsympatheticallydescribesa
(fictitious)episodewherethetheyfightaviolentbattleagainsttheauthoritiesamancalledScarfacesetshimselfonfire,andapoliceman
hashiseyeballpuncturedbynail.
Butatthepullers'hourofperilhedidnotofferanyassistance,financialorotherwise.Thankfully,heneversetupanyrelieffundsforthem
atAvenueKleber.

NOTESTOCHAPTER8
1.CatholicLife,Manchester,NovDec.1999
2.SundayExpress,London,27January1991
3.RolandJoff,R.,MarkMedoff,JakeEberts,CityofJoy,IllustratedStoryoftheFilm,NewmarketPress,1992,p.155
4.Ibid.,p.20
5.SundayExpress,London,27January1991
6.DominiqueLapierre,trans.KathrynSpink,TheCityofJoy(WarnerBooks,1985),p.272
7.Ibid.,p.3228.Ibid.,p.38
89.Ibid.,p.164
10,11.Ibid.,p.253
12.Ibid.,p.284
13.Ibid.,p.250

14.Ibid.,p.417
15.Ibid.,p.269
16.Ibid.,p.344
17.Ibid.,p.243
18.Ibid.,p.187
19.Ibid.,p.248
20,21.Ibid.,p.254
22.Ibid.,p.159
23.Ibid.,p.163
24.Ibid.,p.91
25.Ibid.,p.267
26,27.EileenEgan,KathleenEgan,PrayertimeswithMotherTeresa,ANewAdventureinPrayer(ImageBooks,1985),p.88
28.TheCityofJoy,pp.3048
29.Ibid.,p.385
30.Ibid.,p.58
31,32.Ibid.,p.498
33.Ibid.,p.431
34.Ibid.,PromotionalMaterialinUS(WarnerBooks)edition(DoesnotappearinBritishArrowBooksedition)
35.Ibid.,p.256
36.Interviewed30November2000atMrBasu'shouse
37.TheSundayTimes,London,24February1991
38.CityofJoy,IllustratedStoryoftheFilm,p.11
39,40.SundayExpress,London,27January1991
41.PersonalCommunicationdated2November1996
42.Anandalok,Calcutta,29November1997
43.LosAngelesTimes,7September199644.TheSundayTelegraph,London,1September1996

CHAPTER9
MOTHER'STERESA'SACCOUNTS
Thischapterisbrief,becauseMotherTeresa'sorderdoesnotkeepany(public)accounts,exceptinBritain,wherethelawsarestrict,anddo
notconsidersaintsbeyondtheirreach.
MotherTeresaoncesaidtoHello!magazine,describingherCalcuttaoperations,'WespendRs100,000everymonthonricealone.The
moneyismostlymadeupofsmalldonationsratherthanlargesums...WhatissobeautifulisthateveryonegivesHindus,Muslims,
Christians.It'slikethebirdsandtheflowersmoneyjustcomestousquitenaturally...Wedeclareeverythingwegettothegovernmentit's
betterthatwaybecauseitmeanswehavenothingtohide!'1
Thelastsentenceisacleverdoublespeakandnotquitetrue.MotherTeresaneverpublishedheraccountsdespitenumerousrequestsfrom
herfriendsandfoestodoso.InIndiacharitiesarenotobligedtopublishaccounts,butIdonotknowofanotheronewhichdoesnot.Ithas
beensaidagainandagainthattheMissionariesofCharitysurelyhavesomethingtohideforthemtobesosecretive.Thatmayormaynotbe
true.Shedeclaredasmuchasshehadto(Idonotknowabout'everything')totherelevantgovernmentdepartmentsintheknowledgethatthe
publicwouldnothaveaccesstoheraccounts.
IfeelsheerarrogancestoppedMotherfrompublishingheraccounts.Shesincerelybelievedthatshewasabovethelawasshewas'doingit
forJesus.'Shesaidmanytimes,'IfGodwantsmetodosomething,hegivesmethemoney...MoneyIdon'tthinkaboutit.Italwayscomes.
TheLordsendsit...'
AsMother'sbiggestbackerswerecorruptfinanciersanddubiousdictators,thescepticmightarguethatshewasapplyingdivinitytothe
corrupt.Shewasloyaltoherbackerssheneverrevealedtheiridentities.Sherealisedthatthebestwaytokeepthedonors'identitiessecret
wastosaythatthemoneywascomingfromGodhimselfpeoplewouldbeeitheramazedorputoffbyit.Surelynobodywoulddreamof
furtherquizzingthegreatTeresasheknewthat.
Bylaw,allIndiancharitiesmustsendtheiraccountsoftheirforeignearningstotheMinistryofHomeAffairsinDelhi.Ihaveobtained
informationabouttheMissionariesofCharityaccountsviaAccountAidIndia,acharteredaccountancyfirmwhichdealswithcharities
particularly,andwhichobtains(anddisseminates)informationaboutcharities'monetaryactivities,especiallyrelatedtoforeignearnings.
Officially,theMissionariesofCharityarenotamongstthemajorreceiversofforeigndonationsamongstregisteredcharitiesinIndia.In
mostyearstheydonotevenfeatureinthetopten.TheirIndianaccountsshowthattheyreceivedfromabroadRs292(about$7)millionin
199899,Rs173(about$4)millionin199798andRs148($3.5)millionin199697.
Theorder'smainbankisthe'Vaticanbank',formallyknownastheInstituteforReligiousWorks(IOR).Mother'sbankinghabitsremaineda
secretuntiltheIORbecameinvolvedinamajorscandalin198182.
In1981,theMotherTeresa'sownorderbecamethesubjectofinvestigationsbyItalianauthoritiesforcurrencyirregularitiestheywereone
ofonly15organisationsbelongingtotheVaticanBanktobeinvestigated.Theinvestigationsweretodowithseriousirregularitiesinvolving
conversionofforeigncurrencyintolire,orconversionintoanothercurrencybypassingthelire.Somepeoplemightcallitmoney
laundering.Indeed,on12May1981anunnamedwoman,whosehusbandwasahighrankingVaticanemployee,wasarrestedatRome
airportwithalargeamountofcashonher.
Motherhadtobeformallyinformed(inNovember1981)byanItalianmagistratethatshewasunderinvestigation.Nothingisknownofthe
outcomeoftheinvestigations,andMotherTeresawasexemptedfromappearingpersonallyinanycase,theVaticanBankdoesnotcome
underItalianjurisdiction,hencetheprobebecameafacesavingexerciseforbothRomeandtheVatican.SomemagistratesinItalyhadbeen
waitingfortheopportunitytoinvestigatethesecretiveIORbuttherewaslittleenthusiasminmostinfluentialquartersforaseriousprobe.
MotherTeresa'spresenceamongstthelistofsuspectsmadeitalmostimpossibleforaseriousinvestigationtotakeplace.Vaticanbreatheda
sighofrelief.Journalists,keentorakemudwhenthereisnone,showednointerestinfindingoutmore.Mediareportsatthetimewere
entirelycriticalofItalianauthoritiesfordaringtoquestiontheSaintoftheGutters.Iwouldstronglysuggestthattheinvestigationisre
openedandthefindingsmadepublic.
TheyearaftertheVaticanbank'probe',inJune1982,thePresidentofBancoAmbrosianoofMilan(willtheMissionariesofCharitydeny
thatMotherTeresakeptaccountstheretoo?)RobertoCalviknowninCatholiccirclesas'God'sbanker'forhisclosetieswiththeVatican
wasfoundhangingfromBlackfriarsBridgeinLondon.Hisfamilyalwaysinsistedthathewasmurdered,althoughinitiallya'suicide'verdict
wasgiven.Fifteenyearslater,amurderinvestigationwasopenedintothecaseandthebodywasexhumed.
Shortlybeforehewasmurdered,Calviwhohadbeenfined$12million(in1981)andsentencedtofouryearsinprisonforcurrencyfraud
hadreceivedofficial'lettersofpatronage'fromArchbishopMarcinkus,PresidentoftheVaticanbank.
AccordingtotheBritishCatholicweeklyTheUniverse,theVaticanbankhelda'significantstake'inthecollapsedBancoAmbrosiano.It

alsoconceded,'MafiasupergrasseshavesaidCalviwaskilledbecauseheknewtoomuchaboutMafiamoneylaunderingschemesandits
linkstotheVatican.'2
ManyrespectableCatholiccharitieswithdrewtheiraccountsfromtheVaticanbankafteritsMafialinksbecameapparent,butnotsothe
MissionariesofCharity.
WhyMotherTeresaofCalcuttadecidedtokeephermoneywiththescandalriddenVaticanbankwasforhertosay.Shemightnothave
likedthesafeandslothIndianbankingsystem,butthereareexcellentforeignbanksinCalcutta.IndeedMissionariesofCharitydomaintain
asmallaccountwiththeStandardChartered(formerlyGrindlays)Bank.
Overthelastfewyears,oneoftheCatholicweekliesinBritain,CatholicTimes,hastakenupcudgelsagainstinvestmentsbyCatholic
charitiesanddiocesesincompanieswhichdealinarms.ThepaperhasnamedandshamedvariousCatholiccharitiessuchasSistersofSt
Paul,CatholicForeignMissions,SistersofCharityandChristianInstruction,StPatrick'sMissionarySocietyetc.3Worthycampaignno
doubt,butwillthesamenewspapereverdreamofquestioningMotherTeresa'smoralswhensheacceptsmoneyfromtyrantsanddictators
moneywhichisstolenfromtheirhungrycountrymen.LetalonetheCatholicmedia,willthesecularmediaeverquestionwhyMother
acceptedlargesseafterlargessefromtheDuvaliersofHaiti,andgaveMadameDuvalier(BabyDoc'cwife)thefollowingcertificate:
MadamePresidentissomeonewhofeels,whoknows,whowishestodemonstrateherlovenotonlybywords,butalsoby
concreteandtangibleactions.MadamePresident,thecountryvibrateswithyourlifework...Ihaveneverseenthepoor
peoplesofamiliarwiththeirheadofstateastheywerewithher.Itwasabeautifullessonforme.4
Shortlyafterwards,theDuvalierswereforcedtofleeHaitiinthemiddleofthenight,becausethepoorfinallyhadenoughandwereoutto
lynchtheirmasters.
Mother'sspecialrelationshipwithCharlesKeating,oneofhistory'sbiggestswindlers,andthebiggestthiefinthehistoryoftheUnited
States,iswellknown.ItisnotknownhowmuchMotherreallygotfromKeatingalthoughshedidnotdenythatshereceivedatleast
$1,250,000butitisknownthathestole(atleast)$253million,whichwerethemoneysofsmallinvestors.KeatingalsogaveMotherthe
freeuseofhispersonaljetandinreturnhereceivedherblessingsandapersonalisedcrucifix,whichhecarrieseverywhere.
InJanuary1992,whenKeating'sfraudtrialwasstillgoingoninaLosAngelescourt,hegotmorebackfromhisspecialfriend.Shewrotea
lettertothetrialjudgeLanceIto(wholaterbecameahouseholdnameforsittingattheO.J.Simpsontrial):
DearHonorableLanceIto,WedonotmixupinBusinessorPoliticsorcourts...IdonotknowanythingaboutMrCharles
Keating'sworkorhisbusinessorthemattersyouaredealingwith....
IonlyknowthathehasalwaysbeenkindandgeneroustoGod'spoor,andalwaysreadytohelpwhenevertherewasaneed.
Wheneversomeoneasksmetospeaktoatrialjudge,Ialwaystellthemthesamething.Iaskthemtopray,tolookintotheir
heart,andtodowhatJesuswoulddointhatcircumstance.AndthatiswhatisIamaskingofyou,yourHonor.
Mygratitudetoyouismyprayerforyou,andyourwork,yourfamilyandthepeopleyouaredealingwith.GodBlessYou
M.Teresa,M.C.5
AfterKeating'sconvictionandimprisonment,PaulWTurley,thethenDeputyDistrictAttorneyofLosAngelesCountywrotethefollowing
lettertoMotherTeresa:
DearMotherTeresa...ThevictimsofMrKeating'sfraudcomefromawidespectrumofsociety.Somewerewealthyand
welleducated.Mostwerepeopleofmodestmeansandunfamiliarwithhighfinance.Onewas,indeedapoorcarpenterwho
didnotspeakEnglishandhadhislife'ssavingsstolenbyMrKeating'sfraud.
TheBiblicalsloganofyourorganisationis'AslongasyoudidittooneofMyleastbrethren.YoudidittoMe.'The'least'of
thebrethrenareamongthosewhomMrKeatingfleecedwithoutflinching...Itisnotuncommonfor'con'mentobegenerous
withfamily,friendsandcharities...Nochurch,nocharity,noorganisationshouldallowitselftobeusedassalveforthe
conscienceofthecriminal.
YouurgeJudgeItotolookintohisheartashesentencesCharlesKeatinganddowhatJesuswoulddo.Isubmitthesame
challengetoyou.AskyourselfwhatJesuswoulddoifgiventhefruitsofacrimewhatJesuswoulddoifhewerein
possessionofmoneythathadbeenstolen...
IsubmitthatJesuswouldpromptlyandunhesitatinglyreturnthestolenpropertytoitsrightfulowners.Youshoulddothe
same.YouhavebeengivenmoneybyMrKeatingthathehasbeenconvictedofstealingbyfraud.Donotpermithimthe
'indulgence'hedesires.Donotkeepthemoney.Returnittothosewhoworkedforitandearnedit!

IfyoucontactmeIwillputyouindirectcontactwiththerightfulownersofthepropertynowinyourpossession.
SincerelyPaulW.Turley6
Interestingly,thisistheonlyoccasionthatMotherTeresaeverwrotetoatrialjudge.Shewasurgedmanytimestouseherinfluencein
humanrightsviolationcases,butshealwaysmaintainedthatshesteeredclearofpoliticsandmattersnotdirectlyconnectedwithJesus.
Needlesstosay,MrTurleyneverreceivedareplytohisletter.Givingbackevenpartofthestolenmoneywasbeyondthewildestdreamof
thelivingsaint.
EvenmuchmalignedpoliticianslikeHillaryClintonreturned$22,000(inApril2000)thathercampaignhadreceivedfromadrugtrafficker
whenthedruglinkwasexposed.
ThefactthatsinnershavepresumedthatgivingtoMotherTeresawouldsomehowabsolveorreducetheirsinshelpedMotherTeresa
throughtheyears.RecentlyithascometolightthatformerFBIagentandKGBspyRobertHanssen,adevoutCatholic,whoreceivedat
least1millionfromtheKGB,gavealargepartofhisproceedstoMotherTeresa.HewaspromptedtodosobyhispriestRobert
Bucciarelli.7Availablerecordsdonotdeclarethisdonation.
IthasbeensaidbyMother'sapologiststhatwhenitcomestomoneyandthelivingsaint,theendjustifiedthemeans.Butwhatifthemeans
ismurkyandhaspauperisedmanyanilliteratecarpenter?Themediaaresilentonthis.
Moreimportantly,whatabouttheend?Most,ifnotallofthemoneywouldbespentonreligiousactivities,unlessspecificallyclarifiedby
thedonorthatitbeusedforcharity.Buthowmanydonorswoulddothat?WouldtheynotassumethatMotherTeresawouldspend101%
ofhermoneyonherpoorestofthepoor?
Mother'sattitudetomoneyreceivedindonationisexemplifiedbyMuggeridge'smemorablestatement:
DespitethischronicfinancialstringencyoftheMissionariesofCharity[hewastalkingoftheearlydayshere],whenIwas
instrumentalinsteeringafewhundredpounds[aconsiderablesuminthelate1960s]inMotherTeresa'sdirection,she
astonished,andImustsayenchanted,mebyexpendingitonthechaliceandciboriumforhernewnoviciate.8
NothingisknownastowhathappenstotheendlessdonationsandprizemoneysMotherreceived.AfterherNobelceremonyin1979,she
saidthatshewouldputher130,000orso(whichincluded91,000prizemoney)shebroughtbackfromOslotowardsgoodworkin
Calcutta.Wehavenotseentheresultsbetween1979andherdeath,theorderbuilttheirTangrahomeforthementallyilldestitutein
Calcuttathebuildingwasdonated(builtforher)byalocalbusinessmanBimalJain.Motherdidnotevenpayforthepumpinghouseforthe
homethatwasdonatedbyanotherbusinessman,NavinKhilani.Thelandwasgivenrentfreebythegovernment.MothertoldSudebRoy
Chaudhuri,aCalcuttajournalist,shortlybeforesheleftforOslotogetherNobel,'Ishallspendthis[Nobel]moneyforlepersandfor
housingforthepoor.'9Wehavenotseenanyhousingforthepoorexceptfor50CatholicfamiliesinHatgachia,andasfarasIamawareno
newleprosyfacilitieshavebeenbuiltinIndiaeither.InJune1981,MotherTeresagottheDiscoveryMedalofMarquetteUniversity(a
Jesuitinstitution)inMilwaukee,whichcamewithapublicdonationof$150,000.IdoubtifasinglecentofthatmoneycametoIndia.In
June1982,aCalcuttabornwomanlefther$165,000inherwillinTorontoeventhatmoneydidnotcometoCalcutta.Inthesamemonth
thepeopleonAlberta,Canadagotheradonationof$925,000howmuchofitcametoIndia?
Whathappenedtothe$50,000YasserArafatgaveherinCalcuttain1990?Wewillneverknow.
TheamountsMotherreceivedintheUnitedStatesorelsewhereIdidnotexpecttotraveltoCalcutta,althoughmostofthedonorsharbour
theillusionthattheywould.Inthelastfewyears,onesourceofincomethattheMissionariesofCharityenjoyedinthe1960sand70shas
drieduptheunofficialadoption'fee'theyusedtochargepreviouslyhashadtobereappraised,becauseofnewIndiangovernmentruleson
adoption.PreviouslytheywerequiteopenaboutplacingtheirchildrenwithCatholicfamilies,ofteninexchangeoflargedonations.In1967,
theaccountsof'MotherTeresaCommittee'aUKregisteredfundraisingvehiclefortheMissionariesofCharity,showed1444collected
towards'AdoptionFeesOrphans'.Presently,askingformoneyinexchangeofadoptionhasbeenmadedifficult,butdonationsfrom
adoptingcouplesremainalargesourceofincomefortheorganisation.
ThescrutinyofMother'sUnitedKingdomaccountsmakesdisappointingreading.Ifwetakearandomyear1990,thetotalfloatingcashin
handwas2,930,898.IthastoberememberedthatatthetimeMotherhadeightconventsscatteredacrosstheUK,ofwhichonlyonehada
tenbeddedwomen'shomeattachedtoit.Thelion'sshareoftheorganisation'sUKexpenditurethereforewentontheupkeepofthenunsand
Brothers.
In1990Calcuttadidgetsomesliceofthe2.9millioncake,butweshallnotknowhowmuch,asasumof130,958wasallocatedto
'Calcutta,Rome,Mozambique,HollandandBelgium'bundledtogether.IshallnotbesurprisedifCalcuttagottheleastshareofallthese
places.1990wasaparticularlyluckyyearforCalcutta,forinthepreviousyearthesamegroupoffivereceivedasumtotalof31,185.

In1990,nunsandBrothersinBritainspent6,660towardstravellingdoesnotquitefitwith'TheSisterstravelasthepoordo'image.The
followingyeartravellingcostswentupto15,539,when894wasspenton'AlmsgivingandClothing'.
In1991,thecashassetsintheUKshowedarecordannualjumpof56%andreached4,581,897.Butthatyear'Calcutta,Rome,
Mozambique,HollandandBelgium'received20,703,adropof84%.
In1995theorderspent247,586morethanitearnedasittransferredthebulkof1,876,836toRome.Outofthatmoneysomewasspent
on'shipmentstoIndia,RomaniaandAfrica'buthowmuchitisnotstated.Thereshouldbelittledoubtthatalmostallthemoneywassentto
Rome.1995againsawalarge'travellingexpenses'12,172.(Similarly,in1993,thebulkof2.05millionhadbeentransferredtoRome.)
Iamhappytosaythatin1971,theyearoftherefugeecrisisinCalcuttaduringthecivilwarinBangladesh,8,000wasallocatedspecially
for'RefugeeRelief'.Howeverthatyearsawjust5allocatedforthehomeforthedyinginCalcutta,whereas1370.15wasspentonair
fares.
In1974,theMissionariesofCharity(UK)received117,394indonations.Ofthatamount,80,000(68%)theysentto'H.Q.Rome'
another650wassentto'BedaCollege(ReligiousTraining)Rome'.ChildwelfareinIndiagot334andhomeforthedying(inCalcutta)
45.
ThatMotherTeresawouldusethelion'sshareofherfundsforreligiouspurposesmaycomeasasurprisetohersecularadmirers,butsofar
asshewasconcerned,thereneverwasanyconflictastowhichsidewouldwinwheneveraconflictofinterestbetweenreligionandcharity
arose.The5or45wassenttotheKalighathomeonlybecauseadonormadeaspecificrequest.Otherwisetheinsultwouldhavebeen
spared.
1975wasMissionariesofCharity'ssilverjubileeyear.ThatyeardonationsintheUKamountedto148,388.Buttheysent170,000,or
114%to'H.Q.Rome'thetopupwasmadeupwithrollovercashfrompreviousyears.Homeforthedying(Calcutta)got238,and
'EducationofSisters'(religious)received2,000thismoneywasalsosentto'H.Q.Rome'.4,000wasearmarkedthisyearfor'World
WideWelfareChildren'butthewholesumwassentto'H.Q.Rome'.AsfarasIamawaretheVaticandoesnothaveanywomenand
childrenamongitscitizens.Moredisturbingly,the'ChildWelfareScheme'wasasponsorshipschemeMotherhadsetupinthe1970s
whereby'donorsagreedtosponsoroneoftheorphanedorabandonedchildreninthecareoftheSisters.'10
In1975,theMissionariesofCharityinBritaingotabitcarriedawaywiththeirmunificencetoRome,andmanagedtocreateabudgetdeficit
of62,284.
In1976,thedeficitincreasedto75,571,asthetransferto'H.Q.Rome'alsoincreasedto225,364.
Itneedstoberememberedthatallthismoneythatweknowofthatisbeingsentto'H.Q.Rome'isfromtheUnitedKingdomonly.Ifwetake
allthemoniescollectedfromallovertheWesternworldandsenttoRomethetotalwouldcometomanymillions.Thisunknownbut
substantialsumwas(is)beingdepositedwiththeVaticanbankwithitsdubiousconnections.Thebank'spastisequallymurkyithelped
numerousNazishidetheirplunderedmoneyandgold.Someofthegoldwasstolen,somewasextractedfromthemoltenteethofkilled
concentrationcampvictims.JonathanLevy,aCalifornialawyer,issuingthebank(andtheVaticanitself)onbehalfofJewishandother
victimsofWorldWarII.
TobefairtoMotherTeresa,therewasapracticalreasonfornottransferringmoniestoCalcuttabecauseitisnotpossibletoconvertfrom
therupeetoanothercurrency,shouldthemoneybeneededinanyotherpartoftheworld.Butthemaindepositioncentreshouldhavebeena
respectableinstitutioninLondon,NewYork,orFrankfurt,nottheVatican.
InFebruary1985,asolicitors'firmfromPlymouth(UK)calledBondPearcewrotetotheCharitiesCommission,informingthemthatoneof
theirclientsintendedtoleaveMotherTeresa'asubstantialsumofmoney'.Wedonotknowhowmuchwasleft,asnoaccountshavebeen
filedfor1985.Accountsarealsonotavailablefortheyears1986to1989.ThisisinseriousbreachofBritishlaw.CharitiesCommission
wouldpossiblycatchupwiththeordereventually.BeingMotherTeresa'scompanywouldnotsparethemintheUK.
1999and2000accountsshowsomethingunusualtwonunswerepaidoffonleavingtheorder'exgratiapayments'.In1999oneMary
LouisePaynewaspaid6,129wasthisprecisefigureacompensationpayment?In200010,000waspaidtoanunnamednun'in
recognitionofherservicesasaSisterintheSociety.'ManyhundredsofTeresanunshaveleftoverthedecades.Idonotknowofothers
receivingsubstantialgoldengoodbyes.NunshavebeenmurderedinAfrica,YemenresidentshavebeenburnttodeathinLondoninthe
Kilburnhomewheretheycameforsafety.In1986Teresa'sprivateplaneskiddedinDodoma,Africaandkilledtwoboysandanun.
Compensationorreparationpaymentswerenotmadeintheseinstances.Asforpayingnunsonleaving,Teresawasutterlyopposedtothe
waywardreligious.Considerablemysterythereforeremainsoverthesetwopayments.Maybe,afterTeresa'sdeaththeorderisbecoming
morehumaneandwishestogivewomenabandoningitahelpinghandtoestablishthemselves.Maybe,thereisanotherreason.
SusanShields,aformerMotherTeresanunwholefttheorderinMay1989afternearly10years,workedmainlyintheUS.IntheUS
religiouscharitiesarenotobliged(butexpected)todeclaretheiraccountspubliclysoaccountsoftheorderarenotopenforscrutiny.Thus,
MissionariesofCharityhaveaconvenientgetoutclauseintheUS,wheretheycollecttheirbiggestdonations.MsShieldswritesabouther

workwiththeorder:
AsaMissionaryofCharity,Iwasassignedtorecorddonationsandwritethankyouletters.Themoneyarrivedatafrantic
rate.Themailcarrieroftendeliveredthelettersinsacks.Wewrotereceiptsforchecksof$50,000ormoreonaregularbasis.
Sometimesadonorwouldcallupandaskifwehadreceivedhischeck,expectingustorememberitbecauseitwassolarge.
Howcouldwesaythatwecouldnotrecallitbecausewehadreceivedsomanythatwereevenlarger?...Wereceivedtouching
lettersfrompeople,sometimesapparentlypoorthemselves,whoweremakingsacrificestosendusalittlemoneyforthe
starvingpeopleinAfrica,thefloodvictimsinBangladesh,orthepoorchildreninIndia.Mostofthemoneysatinourbank
accounts.ThefloodofdonationswasconsideredtobeasignofGod'sapprovalofMotherTeresa'scongregation.Wewere
toldbyoursuperiorsthatwereceivedmoregiftsthanotherreligiouscongregationsbecauseGodwaspleasedwithMother,
andbecausetheMissionariesofCharitywerethesisterswhowerefaithfultothetruespiritofthereligiouslife.Mostofthe
sisterswerenotawarehowmuchmoneythecongregationwasamassing.Afterall,weweretoldnottocollectanything.One
summerthesisterslivingintheoutskirtsofRomeweregivenmorecratesoftomatoesthantheycoulddistribute.Noneof
theirneighborswantedthembecausethecrophadbeensoprolificthatyear.Thesistersdecidedtocanthetomatoesrather
thanletthemspoil,butwhenMotherfoundoutshewasverydispleased.StoringthingsshowedalackoftrustinDivine
Providence.Thedonationsrolledinandweredepositedinthebank,buttheyhadnoeffectonourasceticlivesandverylittle
effectonthelivesofthepoorweweretryingtohelp...Theneverendingpilesofsheetsandtowelsfromournightshelterfor
thehomelesswewashedbyhand,too.Ourbathingwasaccomplishedwithonlyonebucketofwater.Dentalandmedical
checkupswereseenasunnecessaryluxury.Motherwasveryconcernedthatwepreserveourspiritofpoverty.Spending
moneywouldspoilthatspiritofpoverty.Sheseemedobsessedwithusingonlythesimplestmeansforourwork.Wasthis
inthebestinterestofthepeopleweweretryingtohelp,orwereweinfactusingthemasatooltoadvanceourown
'sanctity'?InHaiti,tokeepthespiritofpoverty,thesistersreusedneedlesuntiltheybecameblunt.Seeingthepaincausedby
bluntneedles,someofthevolunteersofferedtoprocuremoreneedles,butthesistersrefused....Webeggedforfoodand
suppliesfromlocalmerchantsasthoughwehadnoresources.Ononeoftherareoccasionsweranoutofdonatedbread,we
wentbeggingatthelocalstore.Whenourrequestwasturneddownoursuperiordecreedthatthesoupkitchencoulddo
withoutbreadfortheday.Itwasnotonlymerchantswhowereofferedthechancetobegenerous.Airlineswererequestedto
flysistersandaircargofreeofcharge.Hospitalsanddoctorswereexpectedtoabsorbthecostsofmedicaltreatmentforthe
sistersordrawonfundsdesignatedforthereligious.Workmenwereencouragedtolaborwithoutpaymentorworkat
reducedrates.Wereliedheavilyonvolunteerswhoworkedlonghoursinsoupkitchens,sheltersanddaycamps.Ahard
workingfarmerdevotedmanyofhiswakinghourstocollectinganddeliveringfoodforoursoupkitchensandshelters.'IfI
didn'tcome,whatwouldyoueat?'heasked....OurConstitutionforbadeustobegformorethanweneeded,butwhenit
cametobegging,themillionsofdollarsaccumulatinginthebankweretreatedasiftheydidnotexist.ForyearsIhadto
writethousandsofletterstothedonorstellingthemtheirentiregiftwouldbeusedtobringGod'slovingcompassiontothe
poorestofthepoor.IwasabletokeepmycomplainingconscienceincheckbecauseweweretaughtthattheHolySpiritwas
guidingMother....IshelvedmyobjectionsandhopedthatonedayIwouldunderstandwhyMotherwantedtogatherso
muchmoney,whensheherselftaughtusthatevenstoringtomatosauceshowedlackoftrustinDivineProvidence.11
MotherTeresadidfileheraccountsinCalcuttawiththerelevantauthoritiesasshewasobligedtodosobylaw.ShortlyafterherdeathImet
(on23December1997)hercharteredaccountant,S.M.RoyChaudhuri,whowasthenhislateseventies.MrRoyChaudhuriwasa
charmingandhonestmanfreeofguile,ararityinIndiatodayinanywalkoflife,letaloneinaccounting.HehadbeenkeepingMother's
accountssince1952.Althoughnotwealthyhimself,hehaddoneitforfreeallhislife.Asarewardhewasallowedtherareprivilegebeing
theonlynonCatholictobepresentwhenMother'scoffinwasloweredinitsgrave.Hetoldmethattheorderkeptitsaccountsattwocity
banks,StateBankofIndiaandtheStandardCharteredBank.HesaidthattheamountcollectedinIndiainthemidandlate1990samounted
toaboutRs230($5.2)millionannually.OfthisRs200($4.5)millionwasdonatedfromabroadandRs30million(about13%)was
donatedbyIndians.MrRoyChaudhuriwaskindenoughtobrieflyglanceatacopyoftheaccountsfiledforoneofthepreviousyears.I
couldnotseethatMotherTeresawastransferringanysubstantialmoneyfromtheaccountsabroadtohelpthepoorinIndia.Theforeign
donationssenttoIndiafromabroadshewasspendingentirelyherenanycaseitisnotpossibletodivertmoneyoutofIndiathroughnormal
means.
Nowcomesthecrunchhowmuchmoneydidthe'angelofCalcutta'spendinhereponymouscity?AmereRs20million,orlessthanhalfa
milliondollarperannum!Evenifallofitweretobespentonthepoor,itwouldtranslateto12centsperslumdwellerperyear.Andthattoo
inherheyday.So,forallthefrenzy,allthenotionintheworldthatshebroughtenormoussuccourandfundsintoadesperatecity,forallthe
badpublicityshegeneratedagainstthecity,shespentlessthanhertopdrawerchangeinCalcutta.Aseriousactofbetrayal,inmyopinion.
Needlesstosay,mostoftheRs20millionwasspentonupkeepofthereligiouscommunityandasmallportionreachedthepoor.
On14December2001ImetAtanuSashanMukherjee,theRegistrarofTrusts,SocietiesandNontradingCorporationinhis10thfloor
officeinCalcutta'sIndiaExchangePlace,forthisiswheretheMissionariesofCharityfiletheiraccounts.IwroteanapplicationinIndian
bureaucrateseEnglishinhispresence,askingtoseetheirfiles.Thefilesaremeanttobepublicandcanbeinspectedbyanymemberofthe
public(intheory).ButthisbeingIndia,therearealwayswheelswithinwheels.Itookwithmeanacquaintance(orevenfriend)ofMr
Mukherjee'swhorereinforcedmyapplication.ThatistheIndianwayofworking.MrMukherjee,whohadbeenverballyapprisedtwo
weekspreviouslyofmyinterestintheMissionariesofCharityfiles,lookedatmyapplicationandgravelynoddedafewtimes.Hesaid,'This

isnotgoingtobeeasy.TheMissionariesofCharityarenotjustanyorganisation.Theyareinternationallyfamouswithalotofclout.They
wieldalotofinfluencewithinthepoliticalestablishments.Iamamerebureaucrat.InprincipleIagreewithyourrequestbutmyhandsare
tied.Thereasonisquitesimple.WhenshewasaliveMotherTeresaoncecameuphereandcausedahugerumpus.'
Iwassurprised.MotherTeresacameuphere,Iasked?MrMukherjeecarriedon,'Yesshedid.ItwasaboutfouryearsbeforeIjoinedhere,
soitwouldbetheearly1990s.Somewomanjournalistobtainedheraccountsfromthisofficeandpublishedit.Idon'tthinkitcarriedany
startlingrevelationsbutMotherTeresadidnotlikeit.Iamtoldshedidn'tlikeitabit.'
TheoctogenarianlivingsaintdroveuptoIndiaExchangePlace,tookthelifttothe10thfloor,burstintotheRegistrar'sglasscageofficeand
gavehimhell.Nothingisknownastowhatwordswereexchangedbetweenthetwobutsubsequentlyshehadwordswithherfriendsinthe
politicalestablishment.ThefollowingdaythethenRegistrargotaphonecallfromsomeunnamedbigwigsaskinghimineffecttomakethe
filesunavailabletothepublic.MotherTeresabreaksthelawagain!
ThoughanIndianbureaucrat,MrMukherjeewassufferingsomepangsofconscience,Icouldsee.'LookthisisIndia.Yesintheorythefiles
arepublicbutthisisIndiaafterall.WhatIcandotohelpyouisseekpermissionfromSisterNirmalaIwillshowyouthefilesonlyifthey
agreetoit.'
InFebruary2002MrMukherjeeverballytoldhisfriend(myconduittohim)thatNirmalahassaidnoto'thatChatterjeewhohascausedusa
lotoftrouble.'IwrotetheRegistraranotherletter,andsentitbyregisteredpost(asyoudoinIndia)remindinghim(respectfully)ofthe
publicnatureoftheaccounts.InMarchcamealettersignedbyhim,sent'undercertificateofposting'tomyCalcuttaaddress.Itwasmoreof
amemothanaletter(Iwasbeinginformedratherthanaddressed):
Inreplytohisletterdated040302inrelationtoinspectionofaccountsofMissionariesofCharity,theexcerptsoftheletter
receivedfromMissionariesofCharityarereproducedbelow:'Dr(Arup)Chatterjeehaswrittencriticalarticlestryingto
discreditourMotherandtheworkoftheMissionariesofCharity,whichhemakesavailablethroughtheComputernetwork.
Wefeelthatheislikelytomisuseanyinformationthathemaygainaboutouraccountstofurtherhiscauseagainstus.We
wouldthereforebegratefulifyouwoulddeclinehisrequest.'
[Signed]
RegistrarofFirms,Societies&NonTradingCorpns,W.Bengal
TheRegistrardidnotaddressmeatall.Hesimplyintimated'his'decision.ItwasobviousthatSisterNirmalawastheonlyonemakingthe
decisionandhewassimplypassingitontome.AfterquotingNirmala'sexcerpt,Iwouldhaveappreciatedifhewrotehisowncomment
suchashewassorrythatIcouldnotseetherecords,orthathewashappytoagreewithherandwasexercisinghisdiscretion(Iamnotsure
ifhehasany).
AsanethnicIndian,IampainedbytheRegistrar'sbehaviour.Butheoughtnottobesingledout.Theentirecountryissufferingwithsevere
lackofintegrity.Pusillanimitybeforethewhitemanisthenorm.OntheotherhandIndiansocietyisbecomingmoreaggressiveandruthless
towardsitsown,especiallyitsowndispossessedandneedy.Indianstakeenormousprideintheirnucleararsenal,buthavenoprideofmind
andspirit.MorethanfiftyyearsafterindependencetheIndianspirithasbecomemoretwistedandparanoidthanever.Indiansoftenseefear
whenthereisnone.Theyaremastersatmakingastraightforwardissuetwistedandconvoluted.WesternvulgaritiessuchasMTVhave
reachedremotevillagesbutWesterntransparencyhasnottouchedthebiggestinstitutions.
IwantedtoseeTeresa'sCalcuttaaccountsasamatterofcuriosityandcompleteness.Iwasexpectingnogreatrevelationstherein.Iwas
curioustoseeiftheknownlargermoniesweredepositedhere,suchastheNobelPrizecheque,theTempletonPrizecheque,theAlberta
collectionmoney,theArafatcheque,themoneygivenbyPenelopeCruz(shegavetheentireearningsofoneofherfilms).
TheIndianairlinecompanyJetAirwaysgaveher1%oftheirrevenueatonetime.TataTeagaveherRs2million(c.$50,000).TataTeaalso
gaveherRs1perkiloofteasoldinCalcuttabetweenJanuaryandMarch1994butwithoutanyreferencebeingmadeinthecompany's
accounts.12IwascurioustofindoutifTeresa'saccountsmentionedtheseearnings.TataTearanintotroubleattheirAGMon19September
1994whenashareholderobjectedtodonationstoTeresa,especiallyastheyhadnotbeenapprovedbyshareholders.Thecompanyjustified
thedonationsas'promotion'hencetheyneedednoapprovalorspecificmention,theysaid.13
Thoughnotbyfaroneofthelargersums,IhadaparticularinterestintheNobelmoneyastherewassuchalotoffuroreaboutitatthetime
theIndiangovernmentwantedtotaxthemoney,causingloftyeditorialaftereditorialallovertheWesternworld.Thegovernmentsoon
agreedtoletherbringinthemoneytaxfreeifshewantedtobutdidshe?Orwasitsentto'H.Q.Rome'?

NOTESTOCHAPTER9
1.Hello!,1October1994

2.TheUniverse,20February1998
3.CatholicTimes,18May1997
4.ChristopherHitchens,TheMissionaryPosition(Verso,1995),p.4
5.Ibid.,p.67
6.Ibid.,p.70
7.TheUniverse,16June2001
8.SomethingBeautifulforGod,p.36
9.AnandaBazaarPatrika,19October1979
10.KathrynSpink,FortheBrotherhoodofmanunderFatherhoodofGod,p.126
11.FreeInquiryMagazine,UnitedStates,12January1998
12,13.AnneSebba,MotherTeresaBeyondtheImage(Weidenfeld&Nicolson),1997,p.

CHAPTER10
THEPOLITICSOFMOTHERTERESA
MotherTeresaissuedthousandsofdisclaimersaboutanyknowledgeofpolitics,butevenacasuallookathercareerwouldmakeone
wonderifshe'dothprotesttoomuch.'
Iwishtomakeitclearthat,unlikemanyontheleftofthepoliticalspectrum,IamnotjudgingMotherTeresafromaleftistangle.According
tomanypeopleonthehardleft,MotherTeresawasbadbecauseshedidnotsharetheirpolitics.IamafraidIhavenotimeforsuchaview,
notleastbecauseIhavenodefinedpoliticsmyself.
Onaninternationallevel,MotherTeresa'spoliticalagendawerenarrowthe'politics'ofhumanreproductiveinterventionandCatholicism.
InIndiahowever,sheofteninvolvedherselfwithlesssubtleandmorerawpolitics.
Ontheissuesofabortion,contraceptionandCatholicism,shefoundherpoliticalalliesinaparticularspectruminthepoliticalarena,whoare
mostvociferousintheUnitedStates.Indeed,herbiggestpoliticalallieswerealsointhiscountry,aswerehermostpowerfulfinancial
backers.NotallherpoliticalfriendswereCatholics,andsomelikeRonaldReaganaresturdyChristiansfromotherdenominations.
WithoutactuallygivinganovertcalltotheAmericanpeopletovoteRepublican,shemadeitveryclearespeciallybymeetingRepublican
hopefulsbeforeelectionswhoshesupported.WhentheRepublicanpresidentialnomineeBobDolewasoncechallengedbyhisownparty
overhisantiabortioncredentials,heinvokedtheTeresacard,sayingthathehadbeenendorsedbyMotherTeresa.
ManyofMotherTeresa'spoliticalfriendswereracistsandantiSemites,althoughsheherselfwasneither.Butsheshowedremarkable
expediencyinallyingherselfwithanybodywhowouldpropagatehercauses.ThiswasespeciallyevidentintheIndiancontext,whichIshall
cometolater.
MotherTeresa'sinternationalpoliticaldiktatcamefromtheVatican.ThefriendshipbetweenMotherTeresaandPopeJohnPaulIIwasmore
specialthanwhichexistedbetweenReaganandThatcher.Motherneversaweyetoeyewiththepreviouspopes,whowereallsittingonthe
fenceontheissueofcontraception.Thecurrentpope,byunequivocallydeclaringcontraception'antilife'immediatelybecameherdarling.He
hasalsoruledoutanydiscussiononthematterofwomenpriestsindeed,whentheChurchofEnglandvotedinfavourofwomenpriestshe
sentamidnighttelegramofprotest.MotherTeresaherselfremainedirrevocablyopposedtowomenpriests.Explainingwhywomenshould
notbepriests,sheonce(in1984)toldanIndianjournalist,'NobodycanbeabetterpriestthanOurLady,andsheremainedonlythe
handmaidenoftheLord.'TheHindujournalistmisinterpreted'OurLady'as'ourladies'andsentamessagethroughtheinternational
newswiresthatMotherTeresaapprovedofwomenpriests.Motherwasnotamusedmanydisclaimersfollowed,includingonethat
emphasisedthatshestoodbywhatthepopehadsaidontheissue.1In1983,TheNationalAssociationofReligiousWomenintheUSthe
nuns'unionasitwererebelledagainstthepopeontheissueofwomenpriests.Itpassedaresolutionatitsannualconventiondeterminedto
'standtogetherandnotbebroken.'Howdidthepopedealwiththesituation?afewwordsinTeresa'sears(shewasattheVaticanatthe
time)wereallthatwasnecessary.
MotherTeresafrequentlystatedthatthe'happiestdayofmylifeiswhentheHolyFathercametoCalcutta.'Itwasuponherinsistencethat
thepopedecidedtovisitthisheathenMarxistcitywithavirtuallynonexistentCatholicpopulation.ItisnoteworthythatMother'shappiest
daywasnotwhenshegotthedivinerevelationthatshemustleavehercloisters,orwhenshefoundedherorder,orherfirsthome,ortreated
herfirstresident,butwhenshemanagedtobringtheheadofanalienorderintoanIndiancity.
AfterMotherTeresa'sdeath,thereremainedinthesmallcoterieofthepope'sclosestcircleotherultraorthodoxstalwartslikeCardinal
O'ConnorofNewYork(nowdeceased),CardinalSinofPhilippinesandCardinalRatzinger.Ratzinger,whowasalsoclosetoMother
Teresa,cannottolerateotherreligionsherecentlycalledBuddhism'autoerotic'.Healsoexcommunicatedhisownpriest,TissaBalasuriya
ofSriLanka,whosecrimeitwastoportraytheVirginMaryinarobust,unorthodoxlight.(Balasuriyahasrecentlybeenacceptedbackin
foldafterasustainedworldwideprotestamongstliberalCatholics.)RatzingerheadstheCongregationfortheDoctrineofFaith(CDF),the
successortotheHolyOfficeoftheInquisition.Inthisallmale,chauvinistic,womenunfriendlyclubMotherTeresawasmadewelcome,
becauseherviewswereidenticaltothoseofthemalemembers.Shewastheirmosteffectiveambassador.Indeed,thissupremelyfeminine
wispynuncladinasareewasregardedanhonorarymanbytheVaticaninnercircle.
Everyreligiousorderwishestohavefootholdsinterritoriesruledoverbyotherfaiths,buttheVaticanfounditdifficult,ifnotimpossible,to
breakintotheMuslimandSocialistblocks.BoththeVaticanpoliticalmachineryandMotherknewthatshewastheonepersonwhowould
beallowedinterritorieshostileonpoliticalandreligiousgrounds.Anygovernmentintheworldwhowouldrejectheradvanceswoulddoso
attheirownperil.
RegimeswhichwouldnotnormallyallowthepossessionoftheBible,hadtoaccedetoherrequesttobeletin.ShewenttoEthiopia,Libya,
TunisiaandIraq.Thesefootholdswereostensibly(inpressbriefingsetc.)forcharitablepurposes,butinrealitytheyweretoflytheloneflag
ofCatholicism.InTunisforinstance,herorderhasaconventbutnohomeinLibya,theywouldnotbeallowedtofoundahomeevenif
theywantedto.

FidelCastrofounditimpossibletosaynotoher,asheknewhewouldalienatemanyofhissupportersaroundtheworldifhedidso.Under
Vaticandiktat,Motherflewin(byprivatejet)toHavanafromFortLauderdale,Floridaon9July1986tomeetCastro.Castrowasobligedto
agreetohercomingintoCuba,assayingnotoMotherTeresawouldhavemeantcommittingapublicrelationssuicide.Oncethepermission
hadbeengiven,MotherTeresadeclaredquitefranklythathermissioninCubawouldbe'involvedinspiritualwork.'
Duringthe1980sMotherbecameobsessedwithgettingintoSovietUnion,andwroteGorbachevmanyalettertobeletin.Oneremembers
thefamousphotographofheraddressingapressconferenceinMoscowon21August1987beneathaportraitofKarlMarx.Herlast
obsessionwasChina.Shewasknowntomuttereveninthemidstofhersevereillnesses,'LetuspraythatwegetintoChina.'Itissaidthat
evenonthedayshediedtheChinesefrustrationwasbotheringher.
Inavideorecordedspeech(publiclyavailable)givenafterherheartsurgerytodoctorsandnursesattheScrippsClinic,Californiaon14
January1992,shetalkedatlengthofherpoliticalsuccessesinsocialistblockcountries:
RememberwhenIwenttoCuba.Iwasinvitedtocomethere.[Sheinvitedherself.]Castroaskedme'Whydoyouwantto
cometoCuba?'Asyouknowthechurchwascompletelyclosedthennopriests,nonuns.Wehave5housestherenow.In
Russiawehave10houses...WehaveopenedhousesinAlbania.Albaniawaslegallyatheist,legallyatheist...Thelatestgood
newsforwhichIwantIveryspeciallywantyoutoprayisChina.ThegovernmentofChinahasaskedmetoopenhouses
there.Iwantyoutoprayveryhard.AssoonasI'mbetterandabletotravel,I'llgothere.Thisismiracleno.1,arealmiracle
hascomefromthem,Ididnotask.IamgoingtoChina,allright,I'mnotjoking.Chinaisyours,allright[putsherrighthand
upandthrustsforward].Turkeyhasaskedusalsoit'samiracleofGod...
ItisuntruethattheChinesegovernmentaskedhertoopenestablishments.Shemadenumerousrepresentationthroughvariouschannelsto
theChinesegovernmentandmadeatleasttwosecretivetripsthere.Inthealmostsixyearsafterthespeechwasmadeuntilherdeath,she
wasnotallowedtoopenplacesinChina,whichgivesthelietoherclaimthattheChinesegovernmentwaskeenforhertostartupthere.
LatinAmericawasaspecialcaseforboththepopeandMother.Herethetwotooktakenonthestrategyoffightingsocialismwith
Catholicism.BothMotherandJohnPaulIIwereespeciallyworriedabout'LiberationTheology',whichtheyconsideredaperniciousMarxist
corruptionofChristianteaching.MotherTeresahadgreatcontemptfordogooderpriestswhoengageincommunitywork:'Isaytoall
priests:Youhavenotbecomeprieststobesocialworkers.'2TheVaticanhassingledoutNicaraguaaspecialcasebecauseofthepopularity
thereoftheSandinistas,andMotherTeresapredictablywentinwiththecrossherorder'snewestestablishmentinNicaragua(founded
1997)isacontemplativehouse,whenwhatthiscountryneedsismorecharitableinstitutions.
Becauseofherassociationwiththepope,MotherTeresaisnotuniversallypopularinSouthAmerica.Manyoftheprieststheretreather
withsuspicionandcontempt.OnceinBrazil,Brothersbelongingtoherorderwhohadcometosetupamission,wereaskedbylocalpriests
to'moveon'.3
SouthAmericanpriestshavenotforgiventhepope'streatmentofArchbishopRomeroofElSalvadorwhowasmurderedin1980bythe
country'sCIAsponsoreddeathsquadwhileconductingmass.Tenmonthsbeforehewaskilled,RomerohadtravelledtotheVaticantotell
thepopeabouttherelentlessmurderofcitizensandCatholicpriestswhowerestandinguptothemilitaryjuntathesamepope,whowas
bringingtheworlddownwithhisprotestationsabouthumanrightsviolationsinEasternEurope,keptRomerowaitingforsixweeksbefore
meetinghimalthoughnormallyArchbishopshaveimmediateaccesstothepontiff.WhenJohnPaulfinallymetRomerobriefly,hesenthim
awaywithadvicetomendhisways.
Vatican'ssupportofHaiti'smilitary(andfascistCatholic)dictatorshipswasequallybizarre,andheretooMotherTeresavociferouslyechoed
theVaticanline.WhenHaiti'smilitaryoverthrewthedemocraticallyelected(socialistCatholic)priestJeanBertrandAristidein1991,the
Vaticanwastheonlystatetoformallyrecognisethejunta.EvenaccordingtoJohnPaulII'shagiographerTadSzulc:
Strangeasitmaysound,therewerenoVaticanprotestsagainstmassivehumanrightsviolations,includingnumerous
killings,duringthejunta'srule,andnotasinglepublicwordofsupportforAristide'srestorationtooffice.Subsequently,
AristideappliedtotheHolySeetoallowhimtoleavepriesthoodaltogether.4
MotherTeresaofcourse,wasanoldfriendoftheHaitimilitia.SheandthenotoriousDuvalierfamilywhousedto'rule'withthehelpof
theirprivatearmy,theTontonMacouteshadtremendousmutualattraction.WhenshevisitedHaitiastheguestoftheDuvaliers(toreceive
theHaitianLegiond'Honneur)sheheapedpaeansonMadameDuvalierwhonotonlyhadmilkedmillionsoffthestatecoffers,butwasalso
aninstrumentoftorture.MothersaidtoMicheleDuvalier,'MadamePresident,thecountryvibrateswithyourlifework.'Shealsoaddedthat
shehadneverseen'thepoorpeoplesofamiliarwiththeirheadofstateastheywerewithher.Itwasabeautifullessonforme.'
IamawarethatMother'sapologistssaythatshewasjustbeingnicetoherhostspartofdiplomaticprotocol.Aftergoingthroughafew
hundredspeechesshemadeinherlifetimeinallpossiblecornersoftheearthtoallmannerofhosts,IamafraidIcannotagreewiththisline
ofargument.Shehardlyeverspokeaboutherhostsinherspeeches,evenwhenacceptingawardsherspeecheswereusuallyquiteprolix,
startingoffwiththepovertytheme(ofbothbodyandmind)andthenlaunchingintoalongdiatribeagainstabortion.

ThepraiseheapedontheDuvalierswasaspecialcertificatethatshereservedfortheveryselect,whoselifeviewsheendorsed.Icanthinkof
onlyReaganwhoreceivedsimilarendorsement.EvenRome'smayorRutellihewhosaidhewantedtoridthecityofgypsiesby20005
whoshewasparticularlyfondof,hadnotreceivedsuchpraise.
ItisnotthatMotherTeresacondonedindiscriminatekillingbyruthlessdictators,butherlinewasifyouaredoingallrightinreligionand
abortion,thenwhateverelseyoumightdoIshalloverlookmoreoverifyouarefinanciallygeneroustomyorderyouareatoningforwhat
thewiderworldseesascrimes.
MotherhadaparticularlycloserelationshipwithRonaldandNancyReaganandwasanhonouredguestinWhiteHousemanyatime.Her
loveforReaganarosefromthelatter'svariousattemptstooutlawabortionintheUS.Sheoverlookedthefactsthathewasunforgiving,was
aproponentofbloodthirstymilitaryactionsandtheStarWarsinitiativeandwasprogunandprohanging.Heneverwishedtobeknownas
afriendofthepoor.IthasbeensaidthattheReagans,whowereawareoftheirowncolduncompassionatenatures,gaveherastronomical
amountsofmoneyinordertoassuagetheirconscience.InJune1981shevisitedWhiteHouseanddeliveredahomilytoReagan,whichleft
Ronaldspeechless(MrPresident,notaquickthinker,wasoftenlostforwords)andNancyintears:
Youhavesufferedthepassionofthecrossandhavereceivedgrace.Thereisapurposetothis.Becauseofyoursuffering
andpainyouwillnowunderstandthesufferingandpainoftheworld.Thishashappenedtoyouatthistimebecauseyour
countryandtheworldneedyou.6
WhatshemeantwasyourcountryandtheworldneedyoutobebraveandbanabortionintheUSandsetandexampleintheWestern
world.By'sufferingandpain'shemeantabortion,notthesufferingofpovertyordisease.
ItsimplyisnottruethattheVaticanisinterestedinLatinAmericaforreasonsofcharity.Ithasnointerestincharitythereitsonlyobjective
istounderminetheleftmovementandtodestabiliseCuba.TheCatholicchurch'strueintentionsstarklycametolightduringtheprotracted
ElinGonzlezsagainthefirsthalfof2000.ElinwasasixyearoldwhofloatedinfromCubatoMiamiinaboathismotherhadperished
inthejourney.Hisfather(whohadbeendivorcedfromher)wasinCubaandwantedhimtoreturn.TheUSchildandlegalexpertswanted
himtoreturn.Mostimportantly,thechildwantedtoreturn.TheonlypeoplewhowishedhimtoremaininFloridaandgrowupwithhis
(devoutlyCatholic)distantuncles(mostofwhomhadseriouscriminalrecords)werethoseformtheCatholicchurch.Thechurchwhichis
sofondofflaunting'familyvalues'wasnowdesperatetowrenchsonfromfather.Indeed,evenbackinPresidentEisenhower'stimetheUS
governmentandthecountry'sCatholicchurchundertookthesecretiveOperationPeterPan,whichorphanedCubanchildrenbytakingthem
awayfromtheirparentsandbringingthemupinCatholicfamiliesintheUS.
Mother'smostusefulpoliticalrolecameintheyearsleadingtothedemolitionoftheSocialistblock.Itisnowknown(acceptedbythe
Vatican)thatthepopeworkedcloselywiththeCIAtobringaboutthejustdeathofEasternEurope.HeandMotherworkedtirelesslytobe
letintooneEasternBloccountryafteranother,yearsbeforetheBerlinwallcamedown.Againthesolepurposewaspoliticaldestabilisation,
ratherthancharitythecaseofMother'sEastBerlinhomeisanexample.ShecametoEastBerlininJune1980,andledaprocessionof
20,000Catholicsshecalleditan'outdoormass',althoughIcannotrememberherhavingheldanoutdoormassanywhereelsethatwasnot
herstyle.SheopenedherhomeinEastBerlinin1981attheheightofthecoldwartwoyearsafterherNobeleventheEastGerman
authoritiescouldnotsaynotoher.ButwithindaysoftheBerlinwallcomingdown,thehomewasclosedwheninfact,suchahome
wouldhavebeendirelyneededtogivesuccourtoeasternBerlinwithitsnewandmanifoldproblems.
ThroughoutherlifeMotherTeresasatinhundredsofsecretmeetingswithdifferentpopessoCatholicismcouldreturntohernativeAlbania.
ShewasfortunateenoughtoseeinherownlifetimethedemiseoftheStalinistAlbanianregime.Itwasnocoincidencehoweverthetoppling
bycrowdsofthestatueofformerdictatorEnverHoxhaon21February1991,andTeresaarrivinginTiranaon2March.Shewaslyingin
waitinRomeallthroughFebruarywaitingforanopportunemomenttoarriveabrilliantpoliticalmoveinordertorereinforcethearrivalof
Catholicism.Purepoliticsfromawomanwhounderstooditwell.Indeed,tokeepherwhereaboutssecretfromheropponents,shetravelled
incognitofromIndiatoRome.HernamedidnotappearintheAirIndiapassengers'listafactacknowledgedinherofficialbiography.7
Ostensiblyhowever,MotherTeresamaintaineddistancefromColdWarpolitics,eveninsituationswhereherintervention(ormere
association)wouldhavebeengreatlybeneficialtodetaineesanddissenterswhenallthewinnersofthe1979NobelPrizesdecidedtosenda
lettertoBrezhnevprotestingatthedetentionofayoungRussianscientist,thelonelaureatewhowouldnotsigntheletterwasMotherTeresa
itwouldbe(look)too'political'beforetheworld.Again,inIndiashebehaveddifferently.InJuly1997,whenadevelopmentworkercalled
SanjoyGhosewaskidnappedbyseparatistguerrillasinAssam,MotherTeresa(tohercredit)sentafaxedappealfromtheVatican(shewas
thereonherverylastvisit)askingtheterroriststoreleasehim.(Ghosewaslaterfoundmurdered.)
MotherTeresawasinstrumentalintrivialisingtheCairoPopulationConferenceof1994.Asasovereignstate,theVaticanwasinvitedto
participateintheconference,althoughIfinditoddthata'state'withoutanywomenandchildrenamongitspopulationwouldbeinvitedatall
butthen,whoamItoquibbleatthecloutoftheVatican.
TheCatholicestablishmentfoughttoothandnailtowrecktheconferenceandsucceededtoalargeextent.Amongtheploysitemployedwas
apersonallysignedsugaryletteraddressedtotheconferencebyMotherTeresaitcontainedherusualwords:'Ifamothercankillherown
child,whatistheretostopyouandmefromkillingeachother?'Shealsomadeitquiteclearthatshehadthecapacitytolookafterallthe

millionsofunwantedchildrenintheworld:'Ifthereisachildthatyoudon'twantorcan'tfeedoreducate,givethatchildtome.Iwilllook
afterthatchild.'Nodoubt,mostoftheevennonCatholicdelegatesbelievedherMotherTeresadidnottelllies!AftertheConferencewas
over,theVaticanheldittoransombyrefusingtosignthecommondeclarationunlessthewordingwaschangedthepopeandMother
Teresarefusedtoaccedethatartificialcontraceptionshouldbeavailabletowomenunderanycircumstance,includingmarriageorevenafter
rape.In1996,theVaticancancelledtheirtoken$2,500annualcontributiontoUNICEFbecauseitwasofferingthe'morningafterpill'to
womenwhohadbeenrapedincentralAfricanrefugeecamps.
AftertheCairoconferencecamethe1995FourthConferenceonWomeninBeijing.HereMotherTeresawentonestepfurther.Sheropedin
MercedesWilsonfromtherightwingultraorthodoxFamilyoftheAmericasFoundationtocarryherletter(thatshehadwrittenunsolicited)
andreadittotheconference.Mother'sletterwastrenchant,andattackedtheconceptoftheindependentwoman:
Nojobs,noplans,nopossessions,noideaof'freedom'cantaketheplaceoflove...Yetwecandestroythisgiftof
motherhood,especiallybytheevilofabortion,butalsobythinkingthatthingslikejobsorpositionsaremoreimportant...
ThelettermadeheadlinenewsaroundtheworldthattheConferencealsoreceivedasignatureandpostercampaignfromathousandpoor
womenofCalcuttasupportingitswork(sentthroughtheFamilyPlanningAssociationofIndia)neverbecameknown.
ManyofMother'smosthighprofileadmirersareindependentwomen,andindeedsomeofthemmighteventhinkthatcareerismore
importantthanchildrearingIhopepeoplelikeJoanCollins,JuliaRoberts,GinaLollobrigida,ElizabethTaylor,ElizabethHurley,Penelope
Cruznottomentionthousandsofmediawomenfromaroundtheworldrealiseinwhatcontempttheywereheldbytheirheroine.
Inherowncase,MotherTeresadidnotdeemherselfacareerwoman,asshewas'doingitforJesus'.
Ihatetoacknowledgethis,butIthinkthatwhenitcomestosocialissues,eventhepresentpopeismuchmoreliberalthanMotherTeresa
thepope,inhislettertotheBeijingconferencedidnotmentionthe'handmaiden'role,butsaidthatmenandwomenareequalbutdifferent
'uniduality'.Healsosaidunequivocally,'Thankyou,womenwhowork!'MotherTeresa'sprotestationsthatshedidnotpersonallyattend
internationalconferencesbecausethatwouldbetoopolitical,donotstanduptoscrutinybecauseshewasanofficialVaticandelegateinthe
1975UNInternationalWomen'sConferenceinMexicoCitytheVaticandidnothoweverallowhertoheadthedelegationthathonour
wenttoamanBishopRamonTorrellaCascante.
Sofarasabortionisconcerned,itwasMotherTeresawhochangeditfromapersonaltopoliticalissueoverthelastfewdecades.Leftto
themselves,theoldmenattheVatican,onesuspects,wouldhavebeenignoredasabunchofoutoftouchfogies.
ItwasastonishingthattheworldmediareportedwithgreatdeferenceMotherTeresa'scalltothethousandsofwomeninBangladeshwho
hadbecomepregnantafterbeingrapedbyPakistanisoldiersduringthecountry'sindependencewarin1971,togoonandhavethebabies.
ThesolevoicecriticalofherwasthatofGermaineGreer,whowasdismissedasa'loonyfeminist'byjournalists.Thebarbarictorture
unleashedonthesecaptivewomenwasdescribedbyJoyceGoldmanwritingfortheAmericanmagazineMs.8Goldmanwroteaboutthe
womenbeingheldinbarracksandusedas'cigarettemachines'bysoldiers,andoneofthelatterwasquotedassaying,'Weusedthegirls
untiltheydied.'Shedescribedthecaseofaneightyearoldgirlwhowasfoundtobetoosmallforthesoldiers'needsandwasslitto
accommodatethemandthenrapeduntilshedied.
ItisinterestingthatMotherTeresadidnotutterawordofcondemnationaboutthesoldiers'actionsorevenawordofsympathyforthe
women.Herentireobsessionwasthattherapedwomenifpregnantmustnothaveabortions.Shecouldhaveextendedassistancetowardall
thetorturedandabusedwomen,butinsteadshechosetoofferhelpandthattooonlyuntilchildbirthtoonlythoserapedwomenwho
wouldhavetheirbabies.WhatisnotgenerallyknownishowmuchheedwaspaidtoMother'sfranticcallsfewerthanfiftywomenactually
hadthebabies,thattooforvariousreasonsunconnectedwithMother'splea.
OutsidetheIndiansubcontinent,MotherTeresawouldmovetheearthtopreventasingleabortion.Indeed,sheoftentravelledtheearthto
stopanabortion,orforthecauseofabortion.BackinMay1981sheheardthatherfriendtheantiabortionRepublicansenatorMark
HatfieldhadvotedagainsttheHydeamendmentwhichsoughttoprohibitfederalfundingofabortionforpoorwomenwhohadbeensubject
torapeorincesthediditforatechnicalreason,butthatdidnotstopMotherTeresatotraveltoCapitolHilltoquizherfriendfortwohours
(inthecompanyoftwomilitantantiabortionactivists)aboutwhathewasupto'She...madeaveryheavypitchontheabortionquestion,'
hesaid.TheantiabortionlobbymadeHatfield'slifesomiserablethathewasforcedtoadmit,
Theyhavejustasmean,uncompromising,unlovingspiritasanyoneI'vefacedonVietnamorPanamaCanaloranyother
controversialissue.YouhearaboutthepoweroftheNationalRifleAssociationanditscommunicationssysteminreaching
Congress,...wellletmetellyou,they'repikerscomparedtotheseoutfits.
AlthoughMotherTeresawasatthehelmofthis'mean,uncompromising,unloving'pack,Hatfieldsparedher,sayingshewasanaiveold
ladywhowasbeingmanipulatedshewasalwayslikewisesparedwhatevershedid.Later,shemetHatfieldinthecompanyofPresident
Reagan(whowasinfavouroftheHydeamendment)andmadeitveryclearthatlettingthesidedown(forwhateverreason)wasnot
somethingshetooktoverykindly.Ifthisisnotactivepolitics,Iwouldliketoknowwhatis.

In1981MotherTeresatravelledtoJapantoaddressantiabortionmeetingsfundedbyJapaneseCatholics.Shemadesureshehadthewidest
televisionexposure.Notcontentwiththeresultachieved,ayearlatershewentthereagain,thistimefiercelylobbying230MPsintheHilton
Hotel.(on24April1982).ShealmostsucceededhavingthelawonabortionchangedinJapan.DuringthesametripshevisitedtheHome
forAtomBombVictimsinNagasaki.Shesaidnotawordaboutthevictims'sufferingandthehorrorofthebombsheblithelytoldthem,of
allpeople,thatthegreatestdestroyerofpeaceintheworldwasabortion.
MotherTeresahadactivelycampaignedagainstGeraldineFerraro(aCatholicwhodidnothaveanabsoluteobjectiontoabortion)duringthe
USpresidentialelectionsof1984,whenshewastheDemocraticvicepresidentialnominee.On15October,NewYork'sCardinalO'Connor
launchedabitterpublicattackagainstFerraroatameetinginCathedralHighSchoolMotherTeresasuddenly'appearedunannounced'on
thedaisandstoodbyO'Connorthroughoutthelengthofthespeech.ThreedayslaterFerrarowassuddenlytoldthatshewasnotwelcomeat
theCatholicPoliticalDinnerMeetingthatshewassupposedtospeakatitiswellknownthatMotherTeresahadbeeninfluentialinmaking
theorganiserstakethatdecision.Atalaterdate,O'Connorhadthehonestytoadmitthathiscriticsfoundhim'meddleinpoliticstomuch.'9
SuchastatementwouldneverpassMotherTeresa'slipshonestywasnotoneofherfortes.
InFebruary1994,MotherTeresaespeciallycametoWashingtonD.C.tofileanamicuscuriaeinfavourofAlexanderLoce(seealso
Chapter1)whowasbeingprosecutedbythestateofNewJerseyforvandalisinghisformergirlfriend'sabortionclinic.Herlettertothe
SupremeCourtwasinherusualveinlongwindedand(humbly)describingalltheworkshewasdoingwithpoor.Ibelieveanamicus
curiaecanbefiledintheUSonlybyanAmericancitizen,soshesaid,
Likethat[unborn]child,Icanbeconsideredanoutsider.IamnotanAmericancitizen...InmanysensesIknowwhatitis
liketobewithoutacountry.Ialsoknowwhatisliketobeanadoptedcitizenofotherlands.
ShewentontoheappraiseonUScivilisation('...inauniquelycourageousandinspiringway,Americahaskeptfaith.'etc.)beforecomingto
theadremshesaid,
Yet,therehasbeenoneinfinitelytragicanddestructivedeparturefromthoseAmericanidealsinrecentmemory.Itwasthis
court'sowndecisioninRoev.Wade(1973)toexcludetheunbornchildfromthehumanfamily.Youruledthatamother,in
consultationwithherdoctor,hasbroaddiscretion,guaranteedagainstinfringementbytheUnitedStatesConstitution,to
choosetodestroyherunbornchild...AmericaneedsnowordfrommetoseehowyourdecisioninRoev.Wadehas
deformedagreatnation.TheConstitutionalCourtoftheFederalRepublicofGermanyrecentlyruledthat'theunbornchildis
entitledtoitsrightstolifeindependentlyofacceptancebyitsmother...'Americans...mustweepthatyourowngovernment,at
present,seemsblindtothistruth.
Ithinkpeoplewillagreewithmethatthesearenotthewordsofanotherworldlynun.EightmonthspriortoLocev.NewJersey(Iam
afraidIamnotawareoftheoutcomeofthecase)
MotherTeresahadfoundherselfinDublinstokingupthealreadyboilingpoliticalpassionsoveranabortionthathasgoneintoIrishhistory
thatofthe14yearoldgirlwhoisknownas'X',whofellpregnantasresultofrapebyanoldermarriedman.InJune1993MotherTeresa
wasinterviewedonthe98FMradiotalkshowhostedbythepopularpriestMichaelClearywheresheruledoutabortionfor'X'saying,
'Abortioncanneverbenecessarybecauseitispurekilling.'10FrCleary(whowaslaterdiscoveredtohavehadawifefor26yearsandtwo
grownupchildren),andwhomaintainedthatthe'X'casewasaconspiracybyliberalstochangethelaw,askedMotherifshewouldever
acceptabortionincasesofrape.'No,never,'11 shereplied.Asithappened,'X'hadhadamiscarriagebythen.
IrelandhadhadanabortionreferenduminNovember1992,which,despitenonstopprayersbyMotherTeresa,gavewomentherightto
traveltoanothercountryforabortion.In1990,shehadlostanothermarathonprayerbattle(backedupbyrepresentationstoPrimeMinister
ThatcherandvariousMPs)tohavetheUKabortionbillquashed.IhopethesecircumstancescentraltoMother'slifeviewandbeingare
broughtupduringbeatification,when'successful'miracleswillbeinvokedsuchastheonewhenshewasprayingforfundsforaproperty
inLondon,onlytoopenapurseandfindtheexactamountincash!
MotherTeresaseemedtohavefeltsomekindofobligationtointerfereinIreland'ssocialandpoliticalprocesses.InAugust1982,sheflew
toDublinandmadeaseriesofinflammatoryspeechesinfavourofPrimeMinisterCharlesHaughey'sbilltobanabortionabsolutely.She
wasfanningthealreadybitterfeudbetweenthesupportersandopponentsofabortioninIrelandwhocametoblowsonnumerousoccasions.
Beforethe1995referendumondivorce,shewrotealetteraddressingtheIrishnationaskingthepopulationtovoteagainstlegalisingdivorce.
Thepopealsoissuedasimilarstatement.ThisledtheIrishcolumnistGeneKerrigantoremarkthat'peoplewhokeepsilentwhenchildren
arerapedbypriestsarenowfullofchat.'12Motherwasalsofullofprayers,whichfailedagainthe'Yes'votewon.
SomepeoplehavealwaysbeenmoreequalintheeyesoftheVaticantopbrassitwasnotthereforesurprisingwhenMotherTeresamade
anexceptionwhenitcametoPrincessDiana'sdivorce.Commentingonhermarriage,shetoldanAmericanjournalist,'Itisgoodthatit[the
royalmarriage]isover...IknowIshouldbepreachingfamilyloveandunity,butintheircase...'13Shewouldofcoursetellmillionsof
ordinarywomentoliveinaviolentandabusivemarriage.SimilarlytheVaticanhasalwaysbeenonlytookeentoallowtheMonacoroyal
familytodivorce,whenordinaryCatholicsaredeniedannulments.

MotherwasconfrontedontheissueofpaedophilepriestsbytheIrishjournalistKathyWard.Shereplied,'Pray,prayandmakesacrifices
forthosewhoaregoingthroughsuchterribletemptations.'14Itisnotthatshewasagainstcustodialsentencingperse:afewtimesshesaid
thatshewantedtoopenaspecialjailfordoctorswhoperformedabortions.15
ContraceptionwasanotherpoliticalbattlegroundforMother,althoughshekeptutterlyquietontheissueinIndia.Inatelevisionaddressto
theAmericannation,shedeclared,
Oncethatlivingloveisdestroyedbycontraception,abortionfollowsveryeasily...letusneverbringintheworstproblemof
all,thatistodestroylove.Thisiswhathappenswhenwetellpeopletopractisecontraceptionandabortion.16
Inhereyes,abortionandcontraceptionweretwosidesofthesamecoinIwishhermillionsofcontraceptionlovingdevoteestheworld
overrealisethat.
MotherTeresawassilentoncontraceptioninIndiabecausehereoppositiontocontraceptionisconsideredakintoterrorismagainstthestate,
bygovernmentsofallpoliticalpersuasions.MotheroncegotslightlyunstuckinMexicoonthegrievouschargeofviolationofnational
constitutionalprinciplesthenewspaperDiariodelPacificochargedherwithcontemptofthecountry'sconstitutionwhensheopposedbirth
controlataconferenceinAcapulcoinAugust1982shequicklyleftforHondurasleavingthecontroversybehindher.
ItisnotentirelytruethatshesaidnothingagainstcontraceptioninIndia.Unabletotakeapoliticalstanceontheissue,shepartfundeda
'medical'studyonnaturalcontraceptiontoprovehercase.Incidentallythis(substantiallyexpensive)studyistheonlymedicalorparamedical
activitythatsheevercontributedto.Thereareenormousopportunitiesforsomebodywithherleveloffundstocontributetomedicalresearch
inCalcutta,becausehereliesIndia'sSchoolofTropicalMedicine,aninternationallyrenownedcentrefortropicaldiseasesthemalaria
parasitewasdiscoveredhere,earningRonaldRossaNobelPrizein1902.The'TropicalSchool'undertakesoriginalresearchintuberculosis,
leprosy,malaria(arealscourgeofIndia),malnutrition,specifichealthproblemsofchildlabourersallofwhichweresupposedtobe
projectsdeartoMotherTeresa'sheart,butnoneofwhichsheeverassistedinanyway.
Mother'snaturalcontraceptionstudy,entitled'SymptothermiaVisaVisFertilityControl'washeadedbyherowngynaecologistProfessor
AjayGhosh.They'studied'17,000slumwomenofCalcuttaandshowedthatnaturalcontraception,withthehelpofathermometer,a
temperaturechartandanabilitytocheckthecharacterofcervicalmucus,worked.
Thestudyisstatisticallyheavilyflawed,buteventuallyitwaspublishedintheJournalofObstetricsandGynaecologyofIndia(198232:
443447),withwhichProfessorGhoshhascloselinks.ItisnowquotedadnauseumbytheCatholicanticontraceptionbrigadeasavalid
study.Iknowitforafactthatmanyofthewomeninthestudywhobecamepregnantwentontohaveabortions.
ProfessorGhosh,whousedtoperformabortionswithgustointhepast,hasnowgiventhemup.Heisprobablytheonlygynaecologistin
CalcuttanottodothemMother'ssinglesuccessstoryinCalcutta.HeisalsotheBillingsnaturalcontraceptionrepresentativeforIndia.
DrKakoliGhoshDastidar,whowasacoauthorofthe'study'remainedclosetoMothertillherdeath.Whensheopenedupafertilitycentre,
MotherTeresagaveheraglowingtestimonial:'Everymarriedcoupledeservestohaveanormalchild.IfullysupportDrGhoshDastidar's
effortsinhelpingcouples...'etc.ThetestimonialhungforalongtimeoutsidetheclinicinRashBehariAvenue.Interestingly,thereisan
absoluteideologicalbanonfertilitytreatmentsintheTeresabrandofCatholicism.TheVaticanunequivocallydisallowsthem.ButMother
overlookedthatinordertoappeaseDrGhoshDastidarIfyouhelpme,Iwillhelpyou,let'sforgetprincipleshere.Moreover,Ghosh
Dastidarwasbecomingpoliticallyquiteprominentatthetime.Sheranforparliamentin1998(asanallyoftheHindunationalistparty)and
forthestateassemblyin2001,albeitbothtimesunsuccessfully.
MotherTeresawasconvincedthatnaturalcontraceptionshouldbethenormratherthanamatterofchoice.Shetalkedaboutitatlengthinher
Nobelspeech:
AndinCalcuttaaloneinsixyearsitisallinCalcuttawehavehad61,273babieslessfromthefamilieswhowouldhave
had,butbecausetheypractisethisnaturalwayofabstaining,ofselfcontrol,outofloveforeachother.Weteachthemthe
temperaturemethodwhichisverybeautiful,verysimple,andourpoorpeopleunderstand.Anddoyouknowwhattheyhave
toldme?Ourfamilyishealthy,ourfamilyisunited,andwecanhaveababywheneverwewant.Soclearthosepeoplein
thestreet,thosebeggars...
Well,beautifulitmaybe,butnaturalcontraceptionisanythingbutsimple.Justimaginethesceneabeggarwomanlyingonapavementin
Calcuttainhershack('walls'madeofgunnydrapings)gettingupinthemorningwith16wheelertrucksthunderingby,fillingher'room'
withdieselsmokethencoylycheckingifhercervicalmucushasturned'slipperymucoid',thenpickingupthefertilitythermometerfromthe
pavementtocheckherBBT(basalbodytemperature),andfinallyneatlyrecordingthetemperatureonabeautifulchartpinnedontoagunny
'wall'.
Ithinkitwouldnotbeanexaggerationtosaythatagoodfewmiddleclasswomenwouldfindnaturalcontraceptiontechniquesabittrying.
Butofcourse,MotherTeresa's'beautifulpoor'wouldanythingforher.Nomatter,lessthan2%offemalebeggarsandlessthan25%of

femaleslumdwellershaveanyreadingskillsatallbutIdoubtifanywouldabletoreadsmallthermometercalibrationsinEnglishandchart
themonagraph.Nomatter,fevers,especiallymalaria,arerifeinthispopulationandwouldmakeBBTsomewhatuntenable.
Andyet,whenMotherTeresawhowashedhypodermicneedlesincoldwaterbeforereusingthemfortheumpteenthtimeandwho
suppliedonebottlefortwentybabiesinherhomestoldher'beautiful'taleofnaturalcontraceptiontotheworld,everybodybelievedher.A
saintdoesnottellliesifshesaysshesuppliesthousandsoffertilitythermometerstoCalcutta'sslumwomen,thensupplythemshemust!It
isscientificallyimpossibletocalculateexactlyhowmanylesschildrenwereborntocertainnumberofcouplespractisingacertainmethodof
birthcontroloneonlyhazardaveryroughguess.InthatcontextMother'sNobelPrizefigureof'61,273'isparticularlydisingenuous,and
wasquotedtomisleadtheworlddeliberately.
Empoweredwomen,whohaveeverythinggoingforthem,whoareinanequalrelationship,whoareabletosaynototheirpartnersnatural
contraceptionisforthem(maybe).Itisbizarretoproposesuchamethodtoslumwomenthisisyetanotherexampleofhowoutoftouch
MotherTeresawaswithIndianslumwomen.
A(veryarticulate)IrishCatholicwomancalledMaireMullarneyoncewroteinaCatholicweekly17 howshefinishedupwith11children
throughpractisingnaturalcontraception.'Thegreatestdamagewasdonebytheauthoritieswhopersistentlylinkedabortionand
contraception,'shewrote.Sheimplicatedthepopesinthesufferingcausedtowomenthroughthismethod.HoweverMotherTeresaisnever
includedinthe'authorities',althoughshehadbeenthemosthighprofilepersonintheworldwhousedtopropoundthatsuchalink
irrevocablyexisteditwaspartlyduetoherimprimaturthattheVaticangotitscouragetogooutandtelltheworldofthevirtuesofnatural
familyplanning.
In1984,twoyearsafterMother's'scientific'paperwaspublished,thelate17thDukeofNorfolk,thehighestrankinglayCatholicinBritain,
toldaconferenceofCatholicteachers,'Howcanyouaskamarriedcoupletodoitbythermometersandwhatnot?MywifeandIdidthat.It
didn'tbloodywork.Haseverybodygottohaveeightchildrenlikemymother?'18TheVaticanputpressureontheDuketowithdrawhis
statementbuthestucktoit.
RegardingMother'sstatisticofhowmanyfewerbabieswereborntothepoorinCalcuttaasaresultofnaturalcontraception,MarkTully,the
BBC'sformerIndiacorrespondentandoneofheradmirershasremarked,'Itisnotknownhowthefigurewasarrivedat.'19Nonetheless,
thefiguredoubleditselfeighteenmonthslater,whenMotherclaimedinJune1981inWashingtonD.C.thather'beautifulmethod'had
resultedin134,000fewerbabiesinCalcuttainsevenyears.20
In1982,duringaninterviewonScottishTelevision,MotherTeresaclaimedthathernaturalcontraceptionhadproduced'onemillionless
babiesin10yearsinCalcutta'21agrotesquelie.
HavinggivenuponcontraceptionandabortioninIndia,MotherchoseinsteadtoconcentrateherpoliticalbriefonCatholicism.Althoughher
comment'IhelpHindustobecomebetterHindus,MuslimsbetterMuslims...'isregularlyvauntedbythemedia,itiswellknowntothose
closetoherthatshehadan(entirelyunderstandable)senseofunfulfilmentowingtotheutterlackofimpactCatholicismhadmadeinIndia
duringherlifetime.OnceEdwardDesmondfromTime22 magazineaskedher,'Friendsofyourssayyouaredisappointedthatyourwork
hasnotbroughtaboutmoreconversationsinthisgreatHindunation.'Herreplyhadnotbeenveryconvincing.Desmondwentontoask,
'Andshouldthey[Hindus]loveJesustoo?',towhichshereplied,'Naturally,iftheywantpeace,iftheywantjoy,letthemfindJesus.'
MotherTeresatookakeeninterestinthecomplexpoliticalprocessesofIndiashealliedherselfwiththepoliticalpartywhichshefeltwas
friendliesttoCatholicism.ThisshefeltwastheCongressparty,oftheNehruGandhidynasty.Motherhadapersonalrelationshipwith
IndiraGandhi,andhertieswiththeGandhifamilybecamestrongerafterMrsGandhi'ssonRajivmarriedtheItalianCatholicSonia.Even
today,inallentrancesofMother'sDelhihomeslargeportraitsofIndiraandRajiv(formerPrimeMinistersboth)hangbesideherown
picture.
InIndia'svibrantdemocratichistorythedarkestperiodwasbetween1975and1977,whenMrsGandhiimposeda'StateofEmergency'on
thecountryafterbeingjudiciallyindictedofelectionmalpractices.TheperiodofEmergencyinIndiaisonedifficulttodescribetoanoutsider
fromapoliticallyopensociety,Indiaovernightbecameacountryofmidnight(andmidday)knocksonthedoor.Politicalcensorshipwas
imposedonnewspapers,television,radioandevencommercialproducersoffilmsandentertainmentwhenKishoreKumar,India'smost
popularsingerrefusedtosingatafundraisingpartyforCongress,MrsGandhi'ssonSanjayissuedtersenotestoalltherecordcompanies
(includingHMVIndia)toscrapallhiscontractsasaresulthewasbannedfromallbroadcastingsystems,publicorprivate,andshopshad
totakehisrecordsofftheirshelves.
AdraconiannewlawcalledtheMaintenanceofInternalSecurityActwaspassed,underwhichanybodycouldbeimprisoned(withouta
reasonbeinggiven)anddetainedindefinitely.Thejailswereatburstingpointwithpoliticalprisoners,amongthemMahatmaGandhi'sone
timeassociateJayaprakashNarayan,aleaderofthemassesandconsideredabovepartypoliticsitwaslaterrevealedthathehadbeenslow
poisonedinprisonbyarsenic,causinghiskidneystofail.
TherealrulerofIndiaduringEmergencywasMrsGandhi'slateyoungersonSanjay,whodidnotholdanyofficeofthestate,butissuedall
theorders.Sanjayhadapassionforpopulationcontrolandissuedmonthly'sterilisationtargets'.Asaconsequence,slumdwellers(mostly

men)wereroundedupandforciblysterilisedamongthemmanyyoungmenwhohadneverbeenmarried.
SanjayalsocareddeeplyforDelhi'sbeautification,andonefatefulnightbulldozersarrivedattheTurkmanGateslums,wherethe'poorestof
thepoor'amongDelhi'sMuslimshadlivedforgenerations.Bymorning,TurkmanGatebecameacleanexpanse.
ThepeopledeployedtokeeporderduringEmergencyweremainlyblackshirtcriminalsfromSanjay's'YouthWing',assistedbyuniformed
officersfromthecrypticallynamedResearchandAnalysisWing.Agroupoftenpeoplemillingatastreetcornerwasconsidereda'political
assembly'andarrested.Disappearancesbecamecommon.
ItismovingtoseethatMotherTeresaconsideredherfriendshipwithMrsGandhipreciousenoughtooverlookthesmallincidentatthe
Turkmanslums,andtheongoingprogrammesofforcedsterilisation.IssuinganapprovalcertificateforthestateofEmergency,shesaid,
'Peoplearehappier.Therearemorejobs.Therearenostrikes.'23
IdonotthinkitisgoodenoughtosaythatMotherwasnotawareofthegoingsonduringEmergencybecauseofcensorshiptheCatholic
establishmentwaswellawareoftheforcedsterilisationactivities.ShewasactuallycriticisedbytheCatholicpressforhercomments,evenin
theUnitedStates,wherealongleaderinAmericanCatholicChurchcriticisedherforignoringhumanrightsabuses.
WhenMrsGandhiwasoverthrownandallthehorrificdetailsofEmergencywereexposed,MotherTeresadidnotwithdrawhercomments.
IndeedherfriendshipwiththeGandhifamilywentfromstrengthtostrength.OneofthekeyplayersinMother'spoliticalactivitiesinIndia,
especiallyinherdealingswiththeGandhidynasty,wasNavinChawla,oneofherthreeofficialbiographers.Chawlaisatoprankingcivil
servantinDelhiwhowaswellknowntosmoothherwaysthroughIndianbureaucracy.DuringtheEmergency,Chawlawasespeciallyclose
tothetyrantSanjayGandhiafterSanjay'sdeath,hequicklyswitchedhisallegiancetoRajivandSonia(thebrothershadnotbeenthebest
offriends).
ItiswellknownthatMotherTeresadislikedMorarjiDesai,whobecamePrimeMinisterofIndiain1977followingIndiraGandhi'sdefeat.
HerlettertoDesaiprotestingatthecurbingofcertainbenefitsthatChristianmissionariesenjoyedismuchflauntedbyCatholiccirclesasan
exampleofhercourageandindeedcourageousitwas,beinguncharacteristicallystraightforwardandonlylightlychargedwithherusual
plangentecholalia.Butitcontainedapassagewhichbetraysadegreeofviciousnessnotgenerallydemonstratedaddressingthe82yearold
Desai,Mothersaid,'AreyounotafraidofGod?...MrDesai,youaresoclosetomeetingGodfacetoface.Iwonderwhatansweryouwill
give...'
ItiswidelyknownthatDesaiwashurtbyhercomments.Hehoweverwentontoliveanother17yearsanddiedin1995,aged99.
Inthelastfewyears,MotherTeresasuccessfullyavoideddirectpoliticalinvolvementinIndia,savefortheoneepisodeoverquotasfordalit
Christians.TheseareChristianswhoaregenealogicallylowercasteHindus,andaredemandinginclusioninthepositivediscrimination
quotasthatlowercasteHindusareentitledto.Thesequotasapplytomostjobsandcollegeanduniversityplaces,andinsomeareas80%of
placesmaybereserved.TheIndiangovernmentsaidthatChristiansbydefinitionarecastelessandrefusedtoaccedetothedalitChristians'
demands.
DuringNovember1995,allChristiandenominationsinIndiaorganisedmassiveprotestsoverthedalitissue,urgingthegovernmentto
rethinkitsdecisionon'lowercasteChristians'.TheyweredelightedwhenMotherTeresaagreedtojoinin,asitraisedtheprofilefroma
nationaltoaninternationallevel.On18November,MotherTeresaparticipatedinadharna(sitin)andfastinDelhidemandingreservations
fordalitChristians.
Thensuddenlycriticismofheractionsstartedfloodingin,especiallyfromtheIndianmedia,whoarenormallysympathetictoher(alotof
resentmentexistsinIndiaoverreservations).EvenherdearoldCalcuttaStatesman,publishedasarcasticcartoon,askingwhysheshouldbe
sparedwhenMuslimsarecalledcommunalanddivisiveiftheyaskforquotasforextremelypoormembersoftheircommunity.Naturally,
theHindupartytheBJP,wasquitescathing.SushmaSwarajoftheBJP,callinghersitin'apitifulevent'said,'MotherTeresa,insteadof
fightingthisevilpractice[ofcaste]wantstointroducetheevilinherownreligion.Heractionswilldonogoodtothesociety,thecountryor
toherownreligion.'
MotherTeresa,whomovedquiteexpertlyinresponsetopublicandmediaopinioninIndia,nowdidanuttervolteface.Shetookthe
unusualstepofcallingapressconference(on24November)atMotherHouseinCalcuttaanddeniedallknowledgeofthesitin!Shesaid
shethoughtitwasmerelyaprayersession.Herdenialwasemphatic:'Ihaveneverparticipatedinanysitindemonstrationsordemanded
reservationsfordalitChristians.'24Aprofessionalpoliticiancouldnothavedoneitbetter.
TheChristiancommunityinIndiawidelyaccusedherofa'letdown'.Askedtocommentonherdenial,BishopVincentConsessaosaid,
'Whenweinvitedher,wegavehertheentireprogrammebutitprobablydidnotregisterinhermind.'25 WhyMothersuddenlyandso
dramaticallyranawayfromthedalitissueisopentoconjectureonereasoncouldbethatshedidnotwanttoembarrasstheCongressparty,
whichwasinpowerinIndiaatthetime.IpersonallythinkMotherTeresawouldhaveenhancedherreputationinIndia(amongstboth
ChristiansandnonChristians)ifshehadshownintegrityovertheissueratherthantakeaUturnbutthen,shewasneverentirely
comfortableinheradoptedcountry.

SunandaKDattaRay,formerlyeditoroftheCalcuttaStatesmanandeditorialadvisertotheSingaporeStraitsTimes,whohadknownand
dealtwithMotherTeresa(inajournalisticcapacity)foryears,hasalwaysstronglycontestedMotherTeresa'snaiveandinnocentimage
whenitcomestomattersofintrigue.Hehastold26ofanincidentwhenhewasaskedtointerviewMotherTeresaforatelevision
programme.OntheeveoftheinterviewhedidapreparatoryvisitandaskedMothersomeeversoslightlyuncomfortablequestions,todo
withtheologicalissuesthenextdayhediscoveredthathehadbeenremovedastheintervieweratMother'sowninsistence,andDesmond
Doig(herbiographerandsycophant)hadbeeninstatedinstead'ItisDesmondornointerview,'MotherhadtoldDoordarshan(Indian
television).
DattaRayalsotalksofanincidentthathappenedduringaflightfromBangkoktoCalcuttawhereMothercamedownfromthefirstclass
cabintoaskhimifhecouldhelpgethernuns'whitepassports'thesearepassportsthataregiventomiddlerankingIndianofficialstomake
traveleasierforthem.
AnotheranecdoteDattaRaytellsisonewhentheheadoftheBritishCouncilinCalcuttatookatitledEnglishwomantoseeMotherTeresa,
butmentionedhertitleonlyinpassing.Sixmonthslater,MothertelephonedthearistocratinLondonfromRome,callingherbyhercorrect
title,andaskedherifshecoulduseoneofherhousesinaupmarketareaofLondontoputupsomeofhernuns.
DattaRaydescribesMotherTeresaasanythingbutpublicityshy.DuringhislongtenureastheeditorofTheStatesman,MotherTeresa
usedtosendhimregularmessengers(usuallyapairofhernuns)withlittlenotesaboutsomeprogrammeortheothershewasembarkingon.
DattaRayalsotoldmeofanincidentrecountedtohimbythe(late)SubrotoBasak,whousedtorepresentAssociatedPressinCalcutta.One
day,Calcutta'slocaljournalistswenttoseeMotherTeresaaboutsometopicalissue,butweretoldatthedoorthatnomeetingwouldbe
possiblebecauseshehadsuddenlytakenill.WhenBasaksentinhisAPcard,hewasimmediatelyusheredin.
ItmaycomeasurprisetopeopletoknowthatMotherTeresausedtovoteinelectionsinIndiainthe1960sand70s.Asthemainopponents
inWestBengalhavealwaysbeentheMarxistsandCongress,itisnotdifficulttosurmisewhoshevotedfor.Indeed,herofficialbiographer
EgandescribesanincidentwhereaMarxistinCalcutta,onnotingtheindelibleinkmarkonherfinger(thatisstampedonvotersinIndiaon
thecastingofthevotetopreventimpersonation)hadremarkedthatperhaps,asasaintlynun,sheshouldbeabovepartypolitics.27
Latterlysheherselfhadstoppedvoting,butmadeitabsolutelysurethateachandeveryoneofhernunsandnoviceswentouttocasthervote
onelectionday.Asrecentlyas1991,shewaswritingtoWestBengal'sChiefElectionCommissionertoprotestattheexclusionofanumber
ofhernunsinCalcutta'selectoralregister.28IwassomewhatsurprisedtoseetheBritishCatholicweeklyTheUniverse29printaphotograph
(withthecaption'NunSoCertain'!)ofalongcrocodileofMotherTeresa'snunspatientlywaitingtovoteoutsideanelectionboothin
CalcuttaduringtheIndianelectionsofMarch1998.
ItisnotthatthenunsaregivenafreechoiceinvotelikeineveryothermatterwithintheclosedandhierarchicalworldoftheMissionaries
ofCharity,instructionscamefromthetopastowhotovotefor.
IhavenoproblemswithMotherTeresa,anIndiancitizen,votinginanIndianelection.Thereisnothingunusualaboutnunsvotingin
countrieslikeIrelandorItalyitisafamiliarsighttofindlongqueuesofnunspatientlywaitingoutsidepollingstations.
ButMotherTeresa(andthemedia)shouldhavesparedusthewideeyedbewildermentwhenevertheword'politics'wasmentioned.Iam
afraidtheevidencedoesnotmatchtheaffectation.

NOTESTOCHAPTER10
1.EileenEgan,SuchAVisionOfTheStreet,p.406
2.JosLGonzalezBalado,LovingJesusMotherTeresa(Fount,1991),p.46
3.SuchAVisionOfTheStreet,p.345
4.TadSzulc,PopePaulIITheBiography,(Simon&Schuster,1995),p.479
5.CatholicNewsService(CNS),USA,30May1996
6.DineshD'Souza,RonaldReagan(Touchstone,1997),p.207
7.KathrynSpink,MotherTeresaAnAuthorisedBiography(HarperCollins,1997),p.238
8.Ms.,August1972,pp.84,88
9.CNS,September1998
10, 11.WendyHolden,UnlawfulCarnalKnowledgeTheTrueStoryoftheIrishXCase(HarperCollins,1994),p.114

12.SundayIndependent,Dublin,26November1995
13.LadiesHomeJournal,NewYork,1April1996
14.SundayIndependent,Dublin,1October1995
15.UnitedPressInternational,22October1984
16.NationalPrayerBreakfast,WashingtonD.C.,3February1994
17.TheTablet,12September1998
18.TheGuardian(Obituaries),26June2002
19.MarkTully,Mother(FormAsia,1992),p.91
20.NewYorkTimes,4June1981
21.MotherTeresa,ScottishTV,dir.HaldaneDuncan,1982
22.Time,4December,1989
23.SuchAVisionoftheStreet,p.405
24.AsianAge,London,25November1995
25.Ibid.,2December1995
26.Interviewwithauthor,14December1997.AlsovariousfeaturesinCalcuttapress
27.SuchAVisionoftheStreet,p.452
28.PrabashiAnandabazaar,Calcutta,4October1997
29.TheUniverse,8March1998

CHAPTER11
WHATOTHERCHARITIESAREDOINGINANDAROUND
CALCUTTA
ItisbeyondthescopeandrelevanceofthisbooktodiscussthethousandsofregisteredcharitiesofCalcutta(manyofthemexistonpaper
only),andIhaveattemptedtogiveanoverviewofthemoreprominentones.Comparisonsareodious,especiallyaseachcharityhas
formallyorinformallymarkedoutitsownterritoryofactivity.Icouldnothowever,avoidcomparisonsincertaininstances,especially
whendiscussingthebiggercharities,andwhencommentingonmajorissues,suchasprimaryeducation,orreliefworkduringamajor
disaster.ComparisonshavealsobeennecessaryasithasbeenrepeatedlypronouncedandimpliedbyMotherTeresaandherfriendsthatshe
alonelooksafterthephysicalandspiritualneedsofhereponymouscity.
Thestatistics,comparisonsanddatainthischapterpertainstotheperiodbeforeTeresa'sdeath.(SaberaFoundation,apost1997and
significantcharityhasbeenincluded.)TheoverallpicturehasnotchangedsinceSeptember1997,andthedifferencebetweentheworkof
MissionariesofCharityandthatoftheothercharitieshaswidened.Somequalitativeimprovementshoweverhavebeenmadeintheorder's
practices,suchaslettingorphansplaywithtoys.Duringdisasterstheorderhasbeenhabituallyinactive.Twomajordisastershavehappened
inIndiapost1997cycloneinOrissainOctober1999(8,000dead)andearthquakeinGujaratinJanuary2001(20,000dead).Intheformer
crisis,TeresanunsdidoperateasmallsoupkitchennearParadipbuttheywerenowheretobeseeninGujaratafteroneoftheworstnatural
disastersinthehistoryoftheworld.
ThemajorityofCalcutta'scharitiesarenonreligious,andIhavespecifiedthenotableexceptionsthatarenot.
Calcutta'slargestcharityistheRamakrishnaMission.WithitsheadquartersinCalcutta,itisalsothelargestcharityinIndia.Itwasfounded
in1897byaveryremarkableman,SwamiVivekananda,aproductofthehighnoonofBengalrenaissance.ItisaHinducharityandits
monksand'nuns'takethevowofcelibacy.
Vivekananda(18621902),thefollowerofRamakrishnathereligiousmystic,isoneoftheiconsofIndia.Anislandoffthesoutherntipof
Indiahasbeendedicatedtohim,whereamonumenthasbeenbuiltinhishonour.
ThesonofaprosperousCalcuttalawyer,VivekanandafoundthenarrownessandhierarchyofHinduismrepugnant,whichledhimtofound
hisownmovement.Hefreelyadmittedthathehadbeenimpressedbythezealofthe19thcenturyChristianmissionariesinIndiaand
borrowedfromthemmanyaspectsofhismovement,suchasorganisationalstructuring,communalworshipetc.InhisversionofHinduism,
apathyshowntowardstheunderdogfromthekarmicviewpointdoesnothaveaplace.
GandhiwasalifelongadmirerofVivekanandaandtheFrenchphilosopher,musicologist,author,pacifist(andNobellaureate)Romain
Rollandsaidofhim:'Vivekananda'swordsaregreatmusic,phrasesinthestyleofBeethoven,stirringrhythmslikethemarchofHandel
choruses.Icannottouchthesesayings...withoutreceivingathrillthroughmybodylikeanelectricshock.'
ThecharitablefunctionsofMotherTeresa'sorganisationandthoseoftheRamakrishnaMissioninIndiaaredifficulttocompare(becauseof
thegulfofdifferencebetweenthetwo)butIhaveattemptedithere,takingarandomyear199394:
MissionariesofCharity

NaturalCalamityOrganisationWhetherGivingAid

RamakrishnaMission

DroughtinBihar

yes

no

DroughtinGujarat

yes

no

FloodsinAssam(Karimganj)

yes

no

WestBengal(muchofitaroundCalcutta)Contai

yes

no

Jalpaiguri

yes

no

Garbeta

yes

no

Tamilnadu

yes

no

Pondicherry

yes

no

Gujarat

yes

no

FiresinAndhraPradesh(nearVishakhapatnam)

yes

no

Assam(nearKarimganj)

yes

no

WestBengal(MaldaandBarasat)

yes

no

TornadoinWestBengal(Sargachi,nearCalcutta)

yes

no

CycloneinTamilnadu

yes

no

Pondicherry

yes

no

EarthquakeinLatur

yes(amassiveoperation)

no

Duringthesameyear199394,theRamakrishnaMissionundertookthefollowinghousebuildingprogrammesfortheneedy:
1.InearthquakedevastatedLatur,161earthquakeresistanthouseswerebuiltandanother320wereintheprocessofconstruction.
2.InWestBengalthefollowinghouseswerebuilt:
55housesinPuruliadistrict100housesinJalpaiguridistrict143housesinJalpaiguridistrict108housesinSagarisland
underthe'buildyourownhouse'scheme
3.InTamilnadu(Kanyakumaridistrict)71houseswerebuiltTheMissionariesofCharitydonothaveahousebuildingprogrammeforthe
pooritisnotoneoftheirfunctions.Intheearly1990s,theyhoweverdidbuild48housesforthepoorinasuburbofCalcuttacalled
Hatgachiaondisusedgovernmentland.Theydidnotpayfortheland,whichcausedaprolongedwranglewiththemunicipality.Intheendit
relentedandletthemhavethelandforfree.Allverygood(althoughIfeelatokencontributiontothecashstrappedcivicbodywouldhave
beenanicegesture,especiallyasMotherTeresa'sordercanaffordtorunnumerousnunneriesinScandinavia)butitturnedoutthat43
(93%)ofthe48familiesthatmovedintothehouseswereCatholicaremarkablecoincidenceinacitywheretheCatholicpopulationisless
than1.5%.
ThefollowingisatablecomparingtheongoingactivitiesoftheRamakrishnaMissionandtheMissionariesofCharity(inCalcuttaonly):
Function

WhetherProvidedBy
RamakrishnaMission

MissionariesofCharity

Hospice

no

yes(one)

Orphanage

yes

yes(two,includingonein
Howrah)

HomeforDestituteMentallyIll

no

yes

HomeforConvictedMentallyIllDestitute

no

yes(two)

Leprosarium

no

yes(large)

Hospital

yes(largemodern)

nonotfreeforeverybody

SchoolofNursing

yes

no

CommunityHealthService

yes

no

Moderncharitabledispensary(havingxrayand
investigationsfacilities)

yes(treats500000yearly)

no

BasicCharitableDispensary

yes(treats100,000yearly)

yes(treats10,000yearly)

SpecialisedSchoolfortheHandicapped

yes

no

Formalschools

three(notfreeforeveryone)

no

VillageAdoptionSchemes

yes

no

SlumRedevelopmentSchemes

yes

no

AdultEducation

yes

no

Libraries

yes(ten)

no

HigherEducationalandCulturalActivities(suchasforeign
Yes(notfree)
languagetuition)

no

EcologicalProjects(PartFundedbytheFordFoundation)

Yes

no

Totalannualincome(fromCalcuttaandothersources)

c.Rs750million

undisclosed

Undertheir'VillageAdoptionScheme'theRamakrishnaMission,atanygiventimetakeontwentyvillagesnearCalcuttawhereanintegrated
methodisimplementedtoimproveallaspectsofrurallife,withparticularemphasisonchildren'sandadulteducation,provisionofbasic
healthandantenatalcares,andtheteachingofvocationalskillstoyoungpeople.Familyplanningisalsohighontheagenda.Till19979,000
villageswerehelpedunderthescheme.
Indeed,theruraldevelopmentprogrammeofRamakrishnaMissionissoextensivethataseparatesemiindependentarm(calledRamakrishna
MissionLokshikshaParishad)hasbeenentrustedtolookafterthatactivity.Manyofthevillagedevelopmentactivitiesaresophisticated,
suchassoiltesting,andartificialinseminationofcows.

ItisnotwithintheremitoftheMissionariesofCharitytoimproveconditionsinIndianvillages,asvillagerswithlandwouldnotbe
considered'poorestofthepoor'.(Thosewithoutlandhaveprobablycometothecities.)
ItshouldnotbeassumedthatIamtryingtopresenttheRamakrishnaMissionaspurerthanpure.Manyofthemonkshaveincreasingly
becomepompousandremoteandoftenhidebehinddesksunderpilesofpaper.Andforsomereason,theirwomen'swingneverreallytook
ofproperlyithadbeenstartedbythatremarkableIrishwomanMargaretNoble(18671911)whobecameafollowerofVivekananda(and
tooktheHindunameNivedita)andwhodevotedherlifetothecauseofIndianwomen,especiallytheireducation.Thereisprobablymore
(pentup)charityintheranksoftheMissionariesofCharitynunsthanwithinthecorridorsoftheRamakrishnaMission,butthelatterscores
onplanningandinfrastructure,and,mostimportantly,inhavingaclearvisionofhowmuchshouldbespentoncharityandhowmuchon
religion.
InanydiscussionoftheactivitiesoftheMissionariesofCharityinIndia,Vivekanandaandhisorganisationmeritspecialmentionasthey
remainthebaneofIndia'sCatholicestablishment.TheChristianmissionariesofIndiaareawarethatinthelastcenturylargesectionsofthe
population,especiallyintheeducatedmiddleclasses,wouldhaveconvertedintothemorehumaneandrationalChristianity,ifVivekananda
didnotcomealong.VivekanandashowedIndia(andtheworld)thatpracticalHinduismcouldbenobleandcharitableandstemmedthetide
ofconversionindeed,hecreatedarejuvenationofHinduismin19thcenturyIndiaCatholicshaveneverforgivenhimforthat,whichis
whytheRamakrishnaMissionisatthereceivingendofmurkyslanderbyDominiqueLapierreinhisVaticansanctionedbook(seechapter
onTheCityofJoy).CatholicsandtheRamakrishnaMissionregularlycometoblowsovertheconversionoftribals.TheMissionariesof
Charitytaketheconversionoftribalsveryseriously,andPopeJohnPaulIIduringhisbriefvisittoIndia,rightaftermeetingMotherTeresa
inCalcutta,flewofftoaremotetribalbeltinRanchitoaddresstribalconverts.
TheRamakrishnaMissionrunsafree160beddedmodernhospitalinatribalareaofArunachalPradeshsomethingtheMissionariesof
Charitywillnotevencontemplate.
The1978floodsinWestBengalaroundCalcuttaisoneoftheveryfewnaturaldisastersinwhichtheMissionariesofCharityhadcomeout
oftheircloisterstohelpthemagnitudeofthefloodswassuchthateventheycouldnotkeepinactive.MuchiswritteninMother's
biographiesabouthertremendousroleinthosefloods.Anyhelpinsuchsituations,howeversmall,iswelcome,butwhereasshefedroughly
300peopledailyduringtheaftermath,theRamakrishnaMissionfed12,000peopledailyforafortnightinonedistrictaloneHooghly.That
theycoulddoitwasthankstotheirinfrastructurethestudentsoftheschoolstheyruncametohelpwiththereliefservices.Ontheother
hand,theMissionariesofCharitylacktheinfrastructuretotakesubstantialhelpoutsidetheirdoorstep.Theextremelyshelteredlifethatthe
nunsleadandtheirobligationtoprayfrequentlyaccordingtoasetroutinemakethemunsuitableforgoingoutintoremotevillagesduring
criseswhenlifecouldbeunpredictabletheirothermajorhandicapislanguagehardlyanyofthemspeakBengali,whichmakesit
impossibleforthemtodoanysustainedreliefworkinWestBengal,especiallyintheruraloutreaches.
Apartfromthe1978floodsinWestBengal,theotherdisasterthattheMissionariesofCharityextendedhelpofsomekindwasfollowing
thecycloneandtidalwaveinthesouthernIndianstateofAndhraPradesh(19November1977)whichkilledmorethan15,000people.
MotherTeresapersonallyvisitedAndhraPradeshandstartedfeedingcamps.Herbiographerglowinglydescribesheractions:
SheandtheSistersjoinedthereliefforthesurvivors.ASisterwrote,'Hundredsofcorpseshadtobeburied.Motherwent
downonherkneesandprayedforthevictimsastheflamesconsumedthebodiesofcyclonevictims...'MotherTeresa
becameillandwroteme,'Ihadanattackofmalaria.ThatwasthegifttomefromAndhraPradesh.'1
WhatMotherTeresaandherbiographershavedeliberatelydoneistogivetheimpressionthattheMissionariesofCharityistheonly
organisationhelpinginsuchsituations.
TherewereafewhundredorganisationshelpinginAndhraPradeshin1977,andMotherTeresa'swasoneofthesmallest.TheRamakrishna
MissionnaturallyhelpedverysubstantiallywithimmediatereliefinAndhra,buttheyalsotookupanambitiousprojectofbuilding1,000
(basic)houses.Thishugeproject(onlythecementusedcameto60,000bags)wascompletedbyApril1979,whenthefamiliesmovedinto
theirnewestateRamakrishnapuram.Shortlyafterwards,MotherTeresareceivedherNobelPrizeforcharitableworkinIndia.
Inthesameyear,aroundthetimethatMother'sNobelawardwasannounced,acyclonecamebacktoAndhraPradesh,killingmorethan600
people.ThistimeinternationalmediadidnotcometoAndhra,andneitherdidtheMissionariesofCharity.
MajorcyclonesandtidalwavesrevisitedAndhraPradeshasrecentlyas7November1996,killing1,500peopleanddevastatinglivelihoods.
Wherethereusedtobevillagesnowbecameflatwasteland.Afewhundredthousandpeoplewereforcedtotakeupbeggingonlythere
werenotenoughpeopletobegfrom.AfewhundredAndhrawomencrossedovertoGoaandwereobligedtobecomeprostitutesinorderto
feedthemselvesandtheirfamily.ThePrimeMinisterdeclaredthesituation'anationalcalamity'.
Thereliefoperationsfollowingthe1996cyclonefollowedapredictablepatternthegovernmentcameinaconfusedfashion.Local
organisationsinAndhradidalot.ThebigboysRamakrishnaMissionandBharatSevashramSanghaalsodidalot.ManyCatholiccharities
alsohelped,butnotamongstthemtheMissionariesofCharity.Afewdayslater,GeorgePereira,theDeputySecretaryGeneralofthe
CatholicBishopsConferenceofIndia,asquotedinaBritishCatholicorgan,accusedthecentralandstategovernmentsofcausing'many

deaths'2whetherMotherTeresa,whohasoperationsinAndhraPradesh,shouldhavebeencalledupontobringherresourcestotheaidof
thecyclonevictims,didnotanybody'smind.
BHARATSEVASHRAMSANGHA
ThisistheothermajorcharityinCalcuttaandlooselytranslatesas'HelpIndiaSociety'.ItisalsooneofthebiggercharitiesinIndia.Itwas
foundedinCalcuttain1917,whenMotherTeresawassevenyearsold.Insofarasitisadeeplyreligious(Hindu)charityithassimilarities
withMotherTeresa'sorganisationthereareothersimilarities,suchaslackofsophistication,eschewaltechnologyintheirofficesetc.
WhereastheheadquartersoftheRamakrishnaMissioninsouthernCalcuttaisbuzzingwithcomputers,theofficesoftheSanghaafew
streetsawaymakedowithasingletelephoneaveryMotherTeresaapproach.Buttheresemblanceendsthere.TheSanghaisanorder
composedofcelibatemalemonksonly,whoplayamajorroleinreliefoperationsduringandafterdisasters.Indeed,thereisanelementof
healthycompetitionbetweentheRamakrishnaMissionandtheSangha.
WhenacalamitytakesplaceinIndia,naturalorotherwise,themonksoftheSanghaareoftenthefirsttobeseenatthescenedistributing
foodandsettingupfeedingcentres.Theyarewellknowntojumpinheadlongincrises,andareoccasionallycriticisedtolackaplanned
rationalapproach.TheyhoweverhaveshownplanningandvisioninmajorcrisessuchasinBhopalandLatur.
ThefollowingisasummaryofactivitiesundertakenbytheSanghainIndiaasawhole(1996statistics):
HighSchools7
JuniorSchools40
JuniorBasicSchools1
Students'HostelsforPoorStudents30
Orphanage1
Libraries12
Numberofscholarshipsandassistancestopoorstudents3600
RuralWelfareProgrammesOngoing(About10villagesperannum)
MobileMedicalUnits12
Dispensaries160
EyeHospital1
AcupunctureCentre1
MedicalCampsDuringCrisesabout200perannum
Interestingly,MotherTeresaneverthoughtofsettingupaneyehospitalforthepoorinIndia,wheremillionsloosetheireyesight
unnecessarilyduetopreventablecausessuchascataractsheisawareofthescaleoftheproblem,asshehaseloquentlyendorsedORBIS,
theCatholiccharitywhichoperatesaflyinghospital(runfromanaeroplane)takingitsservicestovariouspartsofthethirdworld.Indeed,
hersistheonlycharityinIndiawhichhasneversponsoredan'eyecamp'anincreasinglypopularmeansoftakingtheservicesofeye
surgeonstoremotepartsofthecountry,usuallyfortheday.Eyecampsaresponsoredbyvariouscharitiesandorganisationseveryyearin
WestBengalalone,aboutathousandeyecampsaresetup.
Inathetableabove,itwouldbeworthwhiletonotethattheBharatSevashramSangharuns5leprosaria,alloftheminBihar.Ifullyagree
thatthereisalottolearnfromChristianswhenitcomestoleprosy,butitisnottruewhatMother'sbiographershavealwaysmaintained
thatallHindusarebydefinitionincapableoflookingafterlepers.Itisalittleknownfactthatin1994,theMissionariesofCharityformally
requestedBharatSevashramSanghatotakeovertheirleprosariuminSidgorainBihar.Whythenunshadtoabandonthatinstitutionisnot
clearinanycase,itisnowbeingruneffectivelybytheSangha.TheSanghaalsoorganisesregularworkshopsandrefreshercourseson
leprosy.
TheSanghaplayedamajorroleaftertheearthquakeinLaturin1993,althoughbeingamuchsmallerorganisation,couldnotmatchthe
RamakrishnaMission.Itranamonthlongfeedingcamp,andalsobuiltnewhighschoolbuildingfromtherubble.
ThetotalannualincomeoftheSanghaisaboutRs50million.

CHILDINNEEDINSTITUTE(CINI)
Thebiggestchildren'scharityinCalcuttaisnottheMissionariesofCharity,butCINI.Itwasstartedin1974byaCalcuttadoctor,S.N.
Chaudhuri.Fromaoneroomoperationitgrewtohugeproportionsinlessthanaquarterofacentury.ItsheadquartersareinCalcutta,butits
operationsarebothinthecityandthesurroundingruralareas.CINIhasbeenaphenomenoninCalcuttaandthescaleofitssuccesshas
astonishedevenitsownfunctionaries.
ItwillbedifficulttosummarisethemultifariousactivitiesundertakenbyCINI,buthereisabriefdescription:
1.MotherandChildHealthEducationprogrammes
Healtheducationistakentothevillages,givingbasicinstructionsinantenatal,maternalandchildcare.MahilaMondols(Women'sGroups)
havebeensetuptotakehealtheducationtothevillagesthewomenaredrawnfromtheranksofthevillagersthemselves.
2.HomeVisitsandVillageHealthPosts
Servicesaretakentothesuburbsandruralareas,whereimmunisation,antenatalcare,childdevelopmentandbasictreatmentsareundertaken.
CurrentlyCINIhasabout200villagehealthposts.
CINIalsotrainstraditionalmidwivesoperatinginthevillages.
3.CINIOutpatientsClinicforWomenandChildren:
ThisrunseveryThursdayatCINI'sheadquartersinBehala,asuburbofCalcutta,whenabout700patientsandclientsareseen.Theyearly
attendanceisabout30,000.Folicacidsupplementationofpregnantmothersisanimportantfunction,asisvitaminAandothernutritional
supplementationofpoorchildren.Routineimmunisationsarecarriedout.
4.FamilyPlanningandFamilySpacingClinics
EveryyearCINIdistributesabout50,000condoms,fits300coils,andissues6,000months'worthoftheoralcontraceptivepill(1996
figures).
5.Hospital
ThepremisesinBehalahasasmall12beddedacuteunitwherebabiesandchildrenwithseriousillnesses,suchasseveregastroenteritisand
pneumonia(andoccasionallymeningitis)aretreated.
6.NutritionRehabilitationCentre(NRC)
Manyofthechildrenadmittedtotheacuteunitsufferwithmalnutrition,sotheyaretransferredtothe12beddedNRCbeforebeing
dischargedhome.
7.Distributionof'CININutrimix'
CINIhascreatedaninfantcerealbyroastingwheatandpulsesandabout8,000kilosofNutrimixaredistributedyearlytotheneedy.
8.PreSchoolEducation
30smallpreschoolnurserytypeschoolsarerun
9.ChildSponsorshipProgramme
SponsorsaresoughtinIndiaandabroadtoalleviatethepovertyofpoorfamilieswithchildrenabout1000childrenarecurrentlybeing
supportedbysponsorship.
10.'Shikshajyoti'Scheme
Olderchildrenreceivingsponsorshiparecalledupontoteachsmallgroupsof3to6yearoldchildrenfrompoorfamilies.
11.'TalentSearch'
Childrenwithaparticularaptitudeinanartisticareaareidentifiedandfundedtoreceivespecialisedteaching
12.'ChildtoChild'HealthProgramme
Olderchildrenarecalledupontoteachyoungchildrenpersonalhealthandhygieneissues,suchasenvironmentalandpersonalhygiene.

13.MotherSponsorshipProgramme
AsponsorshipprogrammehasbeensetupwherepregnantmothersinItalysponsortheircounterpartsamongstpoorwomeninCalcutta
duringpregnancy.
14.Training
isamajorfunctionofCINIthousandsofhealthandcommunityworkersinboththegovernmentandvoluntarysectorshavebeentrained.
12.CINIASHAProjects
Theseprojects,targetedatexploitedandparticularlyvulnerablechildren,werestartedin1989.Childlabourersandchildrenofprostitutesare
thebeneficiariesoftheseprojects.HundredsofchildrenhavebeensavedfromalifeofabuseandprostitutionthroughCINIASHA.The
workersofthisprojectgointoareaswhichTeresanunshavenotevenheardofandeveniftheydid,wouldrecoilinhorroratthethoughtof
workingthere.
13.RuralSTD/HIVProjects
Educationandawarenessprogrammesin5ruralredlightareasaroundCalcutta,alongwiththedistributionoffreecondomshasbeen
undertaken.
AllofCINI'sservicesarefree,exceptfortraining,whereachargeismadetothetrainee,andforNutrimix,whereatokenpriceislevied.
ItneedstobementionedherethatMotherTeresadoesnotprovideanimmunisationserviceforpoorchildrenofCalcutta,notevenforthose
intheslumsneartoherhomes.(Sheobviouslychildrenthatareinherorphanage.)Thegovernmentremainsthebiggestproviderof
immunisation,butthousandsoforganisationsinthevoluntarysectorhavecomeforwardtoassist.Inordertoeradicatepoliocompletely,the
Indiangovernmentdeclares'NationalPolioDay'sinthecountryfromtimetotime,whenaconcertedeffortismadetogiveallchildrenpolio
vaccinationsandboosters.Thisisdoneinconjunctionwiththevoluntarysector,withnumerouschildren'scharitiescomingforwardtohelp
withtheimplementationbutnotamongstthemtheMissionariesofCharity.
OneofthemajorproblemsencounteredbypoorwomeninIndiaisthelackofobstetriccare,especiallyifcomplicationsariseinthelastfew
monthsofpregnancy.AccordingtoCINI's1994report,'Oneofthemostseriousproblemsencounteredhasbeenthelackofaccessing
hospitalcareatalowcost,especiallyforwomenatrisk.Thegovernmenthospitalsofferingobstetriccare...areovercrowdedwithinadequate
staffandfacilities.Privatehospitalsareprohibitivelyexpensive.'WhatCINIdidwastonegotiateacomplicatedfinancialarrangementwitha
privatehospitalwherebypoorpregnantwomenwithobstetriccomplicationswouldreceivefreetreatmentmuchofthemoneyforthis
projectcamefromanorganisationcalled'AmicidiCINI'(FriendsofCINI)inVeronainItaly.
MotherTeresa'sorderdoesnothaveanyfacilitiesforpoorpregnantladiesofCalcutta.Although'Goforthandmultiply'wasoneofthe
majorinspirationsofherlife,anddespiteherobsessionwiththefetus,shedidnotsetupforCalcutta'spregnantwomenortheir(unborn)
childrenanyantenatalclinics,anymaternityclinics,anyobstetricunits,anymotherandbabyunitsoranychildhealthclinics.Incidentallyit
runsatleasttenmotherandbabycentresintheUnitedStatesandoneinRome.
CRY(ChildReliefandYou)
Intermsoforganisationalnetworkandannualbudget,thelargestchildren'scharityofIndiaisCRYChildReliefandYou.Itbeganin
Bombayin1979whensevenIndians(ledbyoneRippanKapur)pooledRs50tohelpasinglechild.CRYdoesnotrunanyhomes,butits
functionsareallocatingitsownfundstoothercharitiestoaidspecificprojects,sponsorshipofindividualchildren,andthetrainingofmen
andwomenworkingwithchildren.TheyhavetrainedMotherTeresa'sSistersinCalcuttaandelsewhere.
NARISEVASANGHA(translatesas'Women'sWelfareOrganisation')
Thischarity,targetedatwomen,especiallythe'lonewomen'ofCalcuttaandenvirons,wasfoundedin1944,afewyearsbeforeMother
Teresacameoutofhernunnery.ItwasconceivedbyagroupofAnglicisedBengaliwomeninthemiddleofthehorrific1943Bengalfamine
whichhappenedduringthesecondworldwararoundCalcuttaandwhichcausedtwoandahalfmilliontoperishstreamsofstarving
villagersfloodedintothecity,andthisistheonlytimeinthecity'shistorywhencorpsescouldbeseenlyingonthecity'sstreets.Millionsof
widowswerelefttofendforthemselves,andtheNSStriedinitssmallway,toaddressthisproblem.
CurrentlytheNSS'smainfocusisthetrainingofyoungwomenfromthedepressedsectionsofthesocietytobecomeselfreliant.Theyare
basedinspaciouspremises(donatedbytheWestBengalgovernment)insouthernCalcuttaandhasthefollowingfunctions:
1.HomeforDestituteWomen
(125places)thesewomenarerequiredtoattend'industrialtraining',whichteachesvariousvocationalskills.Ithinkmostofthesewomen
donotcomefromthe'poorestofthepoor'sectionofsocietytheyarepoorwomenwhoarehomelessforsocialreasons.

2.IndustrialTrainingDaySchool
Another200womenaregivennonresidentialtraining.'IndustrialTraining'asspecifiedbytheNSSismainlytraininginhandicraft,suchas
sareeprinting,tapestry,manufactureofjutebasedhouseholdproducts,embroidery,needleworketc.Asmallmechanicalprintingpressis
alsorun.
3.CookeryandCateringUnits
Weeklycookerylessonsaregivenandindeed,theNSSnowhasitsowncateringunitthatsellsitsservicestolocalbusinesses.Smallscale
manufactureofpickles,papadumsandcondimentsiscurrentlyamajorfunction(andearner)fortheNSS.
4.SudhaMemorialBalwadi
Apreprimaryschoolwhere50childrenfromthe'poorestofthepoor'sectionofsocietyattendplayschool.Itisalsoservesasanutrition
centrewherethesechildrenarefed.
5.ShorthandandTypingSchool(andComputerTraining)
ThetypingschoolwasfirststartedaftertheBangladeshwarin1971tohelpliteraterefugeewomen.Thisisnowopentooutsidersfora
nominalfee.Thecomputerschoolalsochargesasmallfee.
6.WorkingWomen'sHostel
Singlewomenworkinginclericaljobsinthecity,unabletoaffordtheexorbitantrentsdemandedbylandlords,findthemselveslivingin
desperateaccommodation,oftenworsethanslums.AsmallhostelforworkingwomenrunbytheNSSwhereanominalrentischarged,
goesasmallwayinaddressingthisproblem.
SAROJNALINIDUTTMEMORIALASSOCIATION(SNDMA)
Thischaritywasfoundedin1925(fouryearsbeforeMotherTeresaarrivedinCalcutta)byGurusadayDutt,oneofWestBengal'sminor
culturalheroes.Ittargetspoorwomen,bothurbanandrural,andhenceisrunfromtwocentres,oneinCalcutta,theotherinMirpur,a
village36kmsouthofthecity.Thecharityrunsonacomplicatedbutefficientsystemwherebyabout130subunitscalledMahilaSamitis
('women'sgroups')workundertheumbrellaoftheAssociation,buteachwithitssemiindependentagenda.
TheSNDMAheadquartersinCalcuttahasthefollowingactivities:
1.HandicraftTrainingSchool
Thisschoolismeanttoteachilliteratewomenausefulskill,sotheycanstrivetobeindependent.Theskillstaughtaretailoring,carpetand
handloomweaving,embroidery,tapestry,needlework,blockprinting(onfabric),brassengravingetc.Thetrainingprogrammesaregeared
towardsatwoorthreeyeardiplomacourse.
Womentraininginhandicraftarealsoencouraged,iftheywish,tostudyuptoClassVIIIstandard,whichtheycandointhesamepremises.
2.PrimaryTeachersTrainingInstitute
Poorwomenwhohavefinishedhighschooleducation,areofferedthiscourseaimedtowardsadiplomainteachingofpreschoolchildren.
3.PrimarySchool
Afreeprimaryschoolforchildrenfromverypoorfamilies,whosecurrentstudentstrengthisabout260.
4.AdultSchool
Thisfreenightschool,aimedattheverypoorilliteratewomen,hasarollstrengthofseventy.Adultliteracyisoneofthemajoraimsof
SNDMAandalltheaffiliatedwomen'sgroupshaveitasoneoftheirobjectives.
5.PrintingTechnologySchool
Meantforpoorwomenwithsomelevelofeducation
6.MarriageGuidanceandHelpforBatteredWomenThisservicewasstartedin1985eitherconciliationorseparationmaybe
recommended.Counsellingisprovidedforbothpartners.Legalhelpwithdivorceandalimonyisalsogiven.
7.CateringUnit

Thisunittrainswomenincookeryandalsohelpsthemrunacateringbusinessfromthepremisesthewomenareallowedtokeeppartof
theprofit.
8.MotherandBabyClinic
Thissmallclinicseesabout1,500caseseveryyear.
9.FamilyPlanningandChildVaccination
FamilyplanningismajorfunctionoftheSNDMA.Children'simmunisationandfamilyplanningareoftenrunconcurrently.Eachyearthe
charitycarriesoutabout2,000immunisations.Onthefamilyplanningside,itcarriesout300laparoscopicsterilisations,fits200coils,and
distributes5,000condoms.Italsosponsorsabout250terminationsofpregnancyyearly.
Therural(Mirpur)armoftheSNDMAserves100villagessurroundingMirpur.Ithasthefollowingfunctions:
1.LibraryandMedicalCentre
Thesearehousedinthelargevillagecommunityhallconstructedbythecharityforthevillagers.Asmalloperatingtheatreandapathology
laboratoryforbasicinvestigationsalsooperateweeklyfromthecommunityhall.
2.'IntensiveCareCreche'
Acrecheforchildrenfromthepoorestofthepoorcommunity,whichalsoservesasafeedingcentre.
3.FamilyPlanningDrive
AlargefamilyplanninginitiativeisundertakenfromMirpureveryyear10rurallaparoscopicsterilisationcampsareorganisedbythe
SNDMA.Italsohas42outletsfordistributionoffreecondoms.About300coilsarefittedyearly.
4.MotherandChildHealth
Antenatalclinicsandchildimmunisationprogrammesarerunyearlong.
5.'SaveSight'Project
Thisproject,targetedatthepoorestofthepoor,mainlyaimstopreventnutritionalblindness,andcarriesoutvitaminAsupplementationfor
childrenatrisk.
6.ChildandAdultEducationCentres
33primaryschoolsand4adultschoolsareruninthe100villages.
7.ChildSponsorship
isprovidedthroughtheChristianChildren'sFund,whichdoesnotseemtomind,giventheSNDMA'strenchantproabortionstance.About
1,000childrenarebeingsponsored.Familiesarealsosponsoredunderthescheme,wherebyhygienictoiletsareconstructed,orsafe
drinkingwaterisprovided.
8.HelptheAgedScheme
Amonthlyallowanceispaidtoabout30widowsfromthepoorestofthepoorsectionsotheycanlivetheirlastdaysathomeintheirown
villages.
9.WaterAid
DirectlyfundedbytheBritishcharity,WaterAid,thisprojecthasbroughtsafedrinkingwaterandbuilttoiletsfor50,000ruralpeopleover
theyears.
10.OldPeople'sHome
Thissmallhome,forthepoorestofthepoor,issituatedinavillagenorthofCalcutta.
TheSNDMAisfundedbybothlocalandinternationaldonations.IthasbeenparticularlysuccessfulingarneringfundsfromAustraliaand
Norway.BeingoneofthefoundermembersoftheAssociationofCountryWomenoftheWorld(ACWW),itisinanadvantageous
position.TheBritishHighCommissioninIndiaisoneofthe

SNDMA'smoreimportantdonors.
ALLBENGALWOMEN'SUNION(ABWU)
Thischaritywasfoundedin1932(predatingtheMissionariesofCharityby18years)bytwoCalcuttawomen,CharulataMukherjeeand
RomolaSinhathelatterdiedin2002attheageof94.Itstartedwith3rescuedprostitutesandhasnowgrowntoaninstitutionwith
impressivepremiseslargerinareainfactthanthoseoftheirneighbourstheMissionariesofCharityMotherHouseandShishuBhavan
beingfiveminutes'walkfromtheABWU'sheadquarters.Afewyearsafteritsinception,theABWUbecamecloselyassociatedwiththe
rescuingandhelpingofwomenduringthefamineof1943.
Currently,theorganisationhasthefollowingactivities:
1.Women'sHome
Ithas115placesfordestitutewomen,oftenprostitutesorpotentialprostitutes.
2.Children'sWelfareHome(GirlsOnly)
Ithas130places,forgirlsbetweentheagesof3and18.Mostofthegirlsareorphans.
3.PrimarySchool
Childrenandadultsintheabovehomesarerequiredattendprimaryschoolwhichisatthesamepremises.Thosewishingtogoontohigh
schoolcandosoatanearbyinstitutionforfree.
4.PrePrimarySchool(forbothboysandgirls)
Ithas350places,andisopentobothresidentsandtochildrenfromthenearbyslums.MotherTeresa,whoseoperationsarecloseby,does
nothaveasimilarfunctionforherneighbours.Shedoeshaveaprimaryschoolwithinherorphanage,meantforresidentsonly,wherethe
teachingisthoroughlyunstructured,andwheremuchofthetimeisspentinreciting(Catholic)prayers.
MotherTeresadidnotrunschoolsinCalcutta'sslumsdespiteherclaimstothecontrary,butpossiblyitwasnottoomuchtoexpectforher
tohaveaprimaryorpreprimaryschool(orboth)fortheverypoorchildrenfromtheareasurroundingMotherHouseandShishuBhavan.
Shecouldhave,withherfundsandcontacts,evenestablishedafullfledgedschool(bothprimaryandsecondary)inCalcuttaforher'poorest
ofthepoor'.
5.HandicraftSchool
TheoldergirlsfromtheorphanageandthewomeninthehomeareobligedtoattendtrainingattheABWU'shandicraftschoolwhichteaches
tailoring,sareeprinting,engravingetc.
6.Cookery,CateringandBakery
TheABWUrunsathrivingcookeryschoolforwomen.Indeed,itrunsarestaurant(Suruchi)fromitspremises,whichisaccessedbythe
publicfromR.A.KidwaiRoad,andwhichhadPrincessAnneamongstitsguests,whenshevisitedtheABWUaspresidentofSavethe
ChildrenFund.
Thecookeryschoolhasaproductionunit,makingpickles,popadums,breadetc.
7.Sponsorship
Orphansaresponsoredunderthisschemebyasponsorwhopaysamonthlysumtowardstheupkeepofthechild.AlthoughSavethe
Childrenisanimportantsponsor,themajorityofsponsorsarecurrentlyCalcuttans.
8.PsychologicalCounselling
Asmanyoftheorphansanddestitutewomencomeforseverelydisturbedbackgrounds,counsellingisoffered.Thereisalsoabefriending
schemewherebyalocalfamilywouldbefriendaparticulargirl,andwouldinviteherforspecialoccasionssuchasbirthdaysorfestivals.
Particularattentionispaidsothatthewomenwhohadpreviouslybeenprostitutesdonotslipbacktotheiroldlifestyle.Manymarriagesare
arrangedbytheABWUandthegirlsareoftenmarriedoffinacommunalceremony.
9.BataShoeandDuckbackProject
Twolocalmanufacturers,Duckback(makersofwaterproofclothing),andBataShoeCompanyhavecontractedtheresidentsofABWUto

produceacertainquantityoftheirproducts.Thisschemeprovidesvaluabletrainingforthewomenandanimportantconduittothejob
market.
MotherTeresadidnothaveanyindustrialpartnershipschemesinherhomes.ThemultinationalcompaniesofCalcuttaarefallingovereach
othertobeseentobeassociatedwithMotherTeresa.In1975,whentheMissionariesofCharitywerecelebratingtheir25thanniversaryan
eventunreportedinCalcutta'sBengalinewspapersafullpageadvertisementwastakenoutinTheStatesman3 byGEC,Dunlop,Brooke
Bond,BritishPaints,GuestKeenWilliamsandMetalBox:'CalcuttaThanksMotherTeresaAndTheMissionariesOfCharityFor25Years
OfDevotedWorkAmongstTheCity'sDeprived'.Apartfromthesecorporategiants,IndiaTobaccoCompany(partoftheBATgroup),the
Calcuttabasedmultimilliondollarcigarettemanufacturers,alsokeenlysupportedMotherTeresathroughtheyears.
ItwouldtakeonephonecallfromMotherTeresatoanyofthesecompaniestoarrangesomekindofpartnershipschemewherebyresidents
fromherhomeswouldbegiventrainingandhelpwithemployment.Butthatphonecallwasnevermade.
CATHEDRALRELIEFSERVICE(CRS)
Thisyoungandsmallcharityisdoingusefulworkoverthelastfewyears.StartedinthewakeoftheBangladeshwarin1971,itsmottoes
are'NottoConformButToTransform'and'NotReliefButRelease'.ItiscloselyaffiliatedtotheChurchofNorthIndiawhichisinturn
affiliatedtotheChurchofEngland.Itrunsapsychiatricunitforthepoor,developmentprogrammesin16slums,anartificiallimbcentre,a
youthtrainingcentreandahomefortheelderlypoor.ItisrunbythedynamicDrReetiBiswas,thesonofanAnglicanbishop.Bishop
Biswashaddiedsuddenlyleavingayoungfamilywhichwasplungedintopenury.DrBiswaswas,atithappens,broughtupinthefamous
Motijheelslum,whichaccordingtofolklore,hasbeentransformedbyMotherTeresa.Reetiovercameenormousoddsandwenttobecomea
doctor.HeisnotonetomincehiswordsonMotherTeresa(oronanyothertopic).PointingtoaportraitofMotherTeresainhisroom,he
toldme:
IrespectMotherTeresathepersonbutnotthecharityworker.Herentireagendahadbeenoneofshowandadvertisement
forherwork.Shehadthisfascinationaboutpeoplequeuingupforcrumbsoutsideherhomethisshedidsothatothers,
especiallyforeigners,couldseeandwow.OncewesentsomeofourpoorpeopletogetsomefoodfromtheMissionariesof
Charitytheywereorderedtoqueueupoutsidewhentheyreallydidn'tneedto.MotherTeresalovedtheimageofabeggar
withabowlwhichissodehumanisingforthepoor.Ithinktheywantpeopletoremainpoorandhelplesssothattheycan
comealongandthrowsomecrumbsandgathercredit.
PreviouslytheMissionariesofCharityusedtogiveawaysomeoftheirleftoverstoourpoor,buttheyhavenowstopped
noreasonsprovided.But,ontheotherhand,theyarealwayscomingtousforhelpIhavedozensoflettersfromSister
Shaanti[oneofMother'sclosestnuns]askingmyhelpindiagnosingTB,althoughourpeople(Iamtalkingofthepoorestof
thepoorhere)couldnotdreamofgoingtothemformedicines.TheydohavesomeTBpatientsontheirbooksbuttheyneed
tohavethesecardstogethelpIdon'tknowwhatthecriteriaaretogetcards,butIknowtheydon'tcomeeasy.
It'sallverysad.WithherresourcesMothercouldhavetransformedthelivesofCalcutta'spoor,butinsteadshechose
gimmicks.4
CALCUTTARESCUE
NodiscourseonCalcutta'scharitiesiscompletewithoutmentioningthisone,runbythefamousDrJackPreger(OBE),althoughthe
exposureitrecievesinWesternmediafaroutstripsitsactivities.TheSundayTimesoncequotedadestitutewomanofCalcuttaassaying,
'FunnythatanIngreswallah(Englishman)andnotoneofourownlooksafterus!DoctorJackasksfornothing.'5Concurrently,thepaper
alsoranafundraisingcampaignforhim,whichnetted30,000inamonth.ItdoespaytobeanIngreswallahifyouaredoingcharityinthe
thirdworld.
'DrJack'hadreceived(atleast)fourparanormalmessages6inhisearlylife.ThefirstonetoldhimtoforsakeJudaismforCatholicism,the
secondonetoldhimquiteplainly'BeADoctor'(hewasfarminginWalesatthetime,andinhisownwordshis'headwasopenedbythe
suddentouchoftheSpirit,thewordswereputinandthenitclosedagain'),thethirdwasanobtuseBiblicalmessagewhichsaid,'Iamthe
Paraclete',andthefourthwasstraightforward:'Youshouldworkforthepoor'.SoPregertrainedasdoctorandcametoBangladesh.In
Bangladeshheremainedforsevenyearsuntil1979,whenhispermitranout.SohecameacrossthebordertoCalcutta,whereheenrolledas
volunteerwithMotherTeresa.WhenhisvisaranoutinCalcutta,herefusedtobudgeandengagedinadoggedandprolongedbattlewiththe
WestBengalgovernmentthathasbecomefolkloreinmissionarycirclesmanytimesonthevergeofdeportation,hewonintheend.
Needlesstosay,hegottremendoussupportfromtheBritish(andasectionoftheIndian)mediaadocumentaryonhislifeandlegalbattle
wasshownonBritishtelevision.Criticismuponcriticismwaspouredonthe(Marxist)governmentnobodypausedtothinkthatanIndian,
howeverwellintentioned,ifrepeatedlyinbreachofimmigrationrulesintheUK,wouldbesimplygrabbedandputonaplane.
PregerisatrenchantsupporteroftherightsofBangladeshirefugeesinWestBengal,soIaskedhimabouttheacceptanceofBangladeshisin
Britain.Hesaid,7 'AreasinBritainarenowsaturated.HowmanypeoplecanBritainabsorbfromSylhet[areaofBangladesh]andother

places?Yougetghettos...inplaceslikeBrickLane[aconcentratedBangladeshiareaofLondon]...'Healsocommentedon'immigrants
buyingintotheclothtradeeveninDublin...causingresentmentthere.'
PregerhadoncewrittenintheCatholicweeklyTheTablet:
WhetherMotherTeresaiscorrectindiffusinghereffortsonaninternationalscale,orwhethershewouldhavedonebetterto
concentratehereffortswhereshebegan,isforhertodecide.Butclearly,shehasdecidedondiffusion.Perhaps,politically,
shehadnochoice.Perhaps,also,ifshehadconcentratedonCalcutta,shewouldhavebeenforcedtocompromiseonher
proselytisingactivitieswhichareinanycase,acontentiousmatter,evenwithinherpresentscopeofactivityinWest
Bengal.8
Thisisinteresting,asofficiallyproselytisingisnotacknowledgedtobeoneofMotherTeresa'sfunctionsinCalcutta.
PregerdecidedtoleaveMother'sfoldandstartonhisownprimarilybecausehegotdisillusionedwithhermedicalcare.Hesaid'perhaps
Mothershouldletsomeotherorganisation,suchastheMedicalMissionariesofMaryrunthemedicalsideofherorder,butunfortunately
theMissionariesofCharitywon'tworkwithanybodyelse.'9
Preger'scharity,despiteitsintenselypatronisingname,isanefficientone.Itreceivesagooddealofinternationalfundingandisrunasa
moderncharityshouldbe(ithasfourcomputersinitssmalloffice).Ithasabignetworkofinternationalvolunteers,morefromtheContinent
thatfromBritain.IbelieveinFrancecertainnursingcoursesofficiallyallowastintwithCalcuttaRescueaspartofthecurriculum.InBritain
itissemiofficial,andmanyoftheBritishvolunteerswhoworkforPregerdoasmuchfromcharityasfromcareerenhancementIknowof
nurseswhohavegotcovetedcommunitynursingjobsinEnglandonthebasisoffourmonthswithCalcuttaRescuetheideabeing,Calcutta
issuchanextraterrestrialplacethatifcouldhaverescueditforfourmonths,youcanmanageanychallengethatisthrownatyou.
CalcuttaRescue,liketheMissionariesofCharity,workswiththepoorestofthepoor.ThereisagooddealofmedicalemphasisinPreger's
work,andherunsclinicsalthoughhisbiggeststreetclinicinCossiporeinnorthCalcuttawascloseddownbylocalresidentsinJuly1996.
Healsohastwoprimaryschools,efficientlyrun.
Iknowofinstanceswhenhehaspaidforpoorpeopletohavepacemakersinsertedinprivatehospitals.Hehasdonatedwheelchairstomany
destitutesandbeggarsthethreebeggarsinwheelchairswhobeginfrontoftheIndianMuseuminCalcuttahaveallhadtheirwheelchairs
givenbyCalcuttaRescue.
THELEPROSYMISSION(TLM)
ThisBritishbasedChristian(Anglican)charityisthelargestproviderofleprosyreliefinthesubcontinent.Itrunstheonlyleprosyhospital
inCalcutta(PremanandaHospital).Italsohastwoexcellenthospitalsinruralareasofthestate.Countrywideitrunsamassiveoperationfor
thetreatmentofleprosypatientsandtheirrehabilitationandtraining.IthasaspacioushospitalinDelhiwhererecentlythenewDiana
PrincessofWalesHealthEducationandMediaCentrewasaddedTLMwasoneofthemajorrecipientsofDiana'smemorialfund,
althoughinnumerousnewspapersitwasdescribedas'MotherTeresa'sLeprosyMission',amisconceptionstemmingnodoubtfrom
Teresa'sfascinationforleprosyandDiana'sfascinationforTeresa.
Althoughleprosycasesarefallingworldwide(includingIndia)byabout1millionperyear,newcasesarestillbeingdiscoveredinIndia.
Indiacontinuestohavethelargestnumberofleprosypatientsintheworld.
MotherTeresa'sorder'sleprosyworkisonamuchsmallerscalethanthatofTLM.Alsoitisnotparticularlyinterestedinthevarious
extensiverehabilitationworkthatTLMundertakes.
IthashowevertobesaidthatamongallhercharitablefunctionsMotherTeresawasthemostsincereinherleprosywork.Theleprosarium
inTitagarhnearCalcuttaisalmostdecentandoffersalevelofdignitytoresidents.Residentsarealsoofferedthedignityofworkthrough
weavingthefamousblueborderedsaristhatthenunswearworldwide.ManyyearsbeforeshebecamefamousMotherTeresafoundedthe
leprosariumShaantiDaanabout200milesformCalcutta,wherelepersstayandreceivecareinidyllicruralsurroundings.Interestinglyinthe
lasttwentyyearsofherlife,whenshemadenumerousoutrageousclaimsabouthercharitableworks,shetalkedverylittleabouthergenuine
workwithlepers.
SOSVILLAGE
ApartoftheinternationalSOSvillagenetworkforneedychidden,thischarityhasextensiveleafygroundsinthecityandoperatesthea
systemofputtingchildreninseparatehouses(withinthegrounds)with'housemothers'.Thevillageisrunalongthesamelinesasitsother
internationalhomesandoffersdignity,spaceandopportunitytoitsresidents(numberingabout100).
MotherTeresa,despitehersocalleddevotiontothe'poorestofthepoor'alwaystreatedtheIndianpoordifferentlytotheWesternpoor.
FUTUREHOPE

AnEnglishmancalledTimGrandagecametoCalcuttaasmanagerofthecity'sHSBCBankandinthelate1980sfoundedthischaritywhich
hasamajoremphasisonsportsforstreetchildren.ItrunsahomefordestitutechildrenandMrGrandage,himselfanalumnusofRugby
School,trainstheminrugby.ThoughthesportisquitealientoIndia,ithasbeenwellrecievedbytheseyoungsters.ThefirstAllIndia
JuniorRugbysquadhadalmostsolelyFutureHopeplayers.HebroughtthemtoEnglandin2002toplayinamajorBritishtournament
SABERAFOUNDATION
Thisinterestingcharitywasfoundedin1999andhascomeupinleapsandbounds.OneofthefounderswasIgnacio(Nacho)Cano,the
Spanishpopstar,whocametoworkwithMotherTeresa.SoonafterwardshecofoundedSaberapossiblythroughdisillusionmentwith
agroupofothernotableSpaniards.PenelopeCruz,whocametovolunteerforTeresainCalcuttaaround1996andalsodonatedtoherthe
entireearningsfromoneofherfilmsTheHiLoCountry,subsequentlymovedovertoSabera.TheboardofdirectorsofSaberareadslikea
HollywoodWho'sWho.ApartfromCanoandCruz,MelanieGriffithisanactivefunctionarywhorunsnumerousfundraisingevents.Tom
Cruise,thoughnotformallyadirector,takesakeeninterest.SaberabroughtRickyMartintoCalcutta(sponsoredbyHello!)in2002.Itis
rumouredthatMartinbroughta$6millionchequewithhim.
Saberaprovidesanexcellentservicetothemainlygirlsitrescues,literallyfromthestreetsofCalcuttaessentiallytheserviceMotherTeresa
toldtheworldshecarriedout.Ithasa120beddedresidentialunitintheoutskirtsofthecity.Ithastheambitiousplanofbuildinga
swimmingpoolforthegirlsthere,andwhynot?Ithasa'microbusinessprogramme'wheregirlsaretaughtvocationalskills.EstherCanadas
thesultrySpanishmodelwhoisadirector,iskeenonsettingupanexclusiveSaberalabel.Thereisaboys'footballteamsponsoredbyReal
Madrid.
SaberaholdsgalacharitydinnersinLosAngeles(sometablesgofor$100,000)andwiththemoneyraisedithasplansforfoundinga
muchneededhospitalforpoorchildreninthecity.
Sabera'sactivitiesandfundutilisationareexemplary,butitsfundraisingeffortsareavidandquestionable.ItportraysCalcuttaasahopeless
unimaginableplaceinitsbrochuresandwebsite.Thelattermentionsthousandsofwomenabandonedinthestreetsbytheirfamiliesand
50,000fetuseskilledannually.TheyprobablymeannationallybutthereaderwouldgettheimpressionofCalcuttans'utterdepravity.In
realitywomeninCalcuttaenjoyabetterstatusthaninmostpartsofIndiaandthecityhasanalmostequalmalefemaleratio.Genderbased
feticideisexceptionallyrareinCalcutta.ThisisbecausemiddleclassandupwardsCalcuttansaremoreprogressive(thoughnotnecessarily
outwardlywesternised)thanmostotherIndians,andpoorCalcuttanswhomightoptforselectivefeticidethroughsheernecessitywouldnot
beabletoaffordtheservices.
SaberahaslaunchedaVisacardwhichhasPenelopeCruzonthecardface.Sheisshownclutchingafrightenedinfantagainstabackdropof
unimaginablesqualorthatlookslikeanadmixtureoffamineandawarzone.
DespiteSaberainjectinglotsoffundsintothepoorsectionsofCalcutta,mypersonalviewisthatthecharityisdoingmoreharmthangood
byitsgrotesqueportrayalofthecity.Ihavealwaysbelievedthatcharitywhichcomesatthecostofcalumnyandlossofdignityiscounter
productive.
ThereareanumberofsmallandlittleknowncharitieswhicharedoingexcellentworkinCalcutta.Allofthemarehomegrownandfinanced,
andmostarevirtuallyunknown,eveninCalcutta.NotmanyinCalcuttahaveheardofVoiceofWorld(VOW),acharitythatbeganonlyin
1992,butwhichhasgivenhopetothousandsofblindstudents.Itsmainthrustistoprovideblindstudentswithresourcessothattheycan
undertakeschoolandcollegeeducationandbecomeselfreliant.ThecharityproducesbooksinBraille,maintainsalibraryinBrailleand
audiocassettes,andprovidesreaderandwriterservicesforexamineesappearinginstandardexaminations.Italsoprovidesfinancial
assistancetohardupblindstudents.
TheBhowpaniporeJadavLaneSocietyofAdvancedEducationisanotherlittleknowncharitywhichhelpspoorchildren(manyofthem
fromslums)getacquaintedwithcomputers.Theyalsohaveprojectstrainingpooryouthsintechnicalskillstheyhaveopenedaretailoutlet
wherehandicraftmadebywomentrainedbythemcanbesolddirectlytothepublic.MuchoftheirworkisdoneinconjunctionwithLAMP,
acharitywhichisbecomingincreasinglyhighprofileoflateinCalcuttaforitsmultifariousactivitiesamongstthepoor.Sometimeback
LAMPconductedamasshealthscreeningprogrammefor1,600womenandchildrenlivingonthepavementsofCalcuttasomethingthe
MissionariesofCharityhaveneverundertaken.
Ifcharityisaboutlittlepeopledoingbigthings,thenCalcuttahasagoodnumberofsuchpeople.Theyareunknownmenandwomen,quite
oftenamongstCalcuttansthemselves.OneofthemostinterestingofsuchpeopleisabeardedeccentricbachelorcalledShyam
Bandyopadhyay,nicknamed'CrazyShyam'bythebeggarswhohehelps.Herunshis'BeggarResearchBureau'fromhishomeinHowrah,
wherehecollectsdataonCalcutta'sbeggars.Hehasbeenatitsince1966,evenbeforeheretiredasaclerkwiththeCalcuttaTransport
Corporation.HecompareshimselftoChitragupta,thekeeperofrecordsinHindumythology.
Butthatisnotall.Inhismodesthousehehasstartedthe'AurobindoNursingHome',arestinghomeforbeggars.Hegetshelpfromadoctor
friendtoassistwiththebeggars'medicalneeds.MrBandyopadhyaygetslittleoutsidefinancialhelp,andploughsallhisownmoneyintohis
passion.Heoftenhastoapproachotherorganisationsforhelpwithbeggars'children,who,heinsists,mustnotbeg,butneverhashehad
theoccasiontoapproachtheMissionariesofCharityforanything.HeusuallytakesthechildrentothelocalCorporationSchool,whichis

free.Muchofhistimeisspentinexhortinglocalshopsandbusinessestotakeononeofhisolderboysandgirls.
AlthoughMarkTully,thenoftheBBC,oncedida'story'onhim,MrBandyopadhyayneithergets(nordoesheseek)international(oreven
national)publicity.
ThefollowingarespecialisedcentresinandaroundCalcuttadealingwiththespecialneedsofthementallyhandicapped:
1.MonovikasKendra(translatesas'MindEnhancementCentre')EasternMetropolitanBypass,Calcutta
Thisinstitution,startedin1974bySaradaFatehpuria,alonewomanfromCalcutta'sconservativeMarwaricommunity,is
nowoneofthemodelcentresinthecountrytendingtotheneedsofthementallyhandicapped.Aroundthemillenniumit
movedtolargeandmodernpremisesbuiltonlanddonatedbythegovernmentonthecity'seasternoutskirts.Ihavenot
visitedtheorganisationsincethemove.MsFatehpuriaimpressedmeasapersonofdeterminationwhohadachievedalot,
butwasalwayslookingtoimproveherservices.In1996shewashopefulofsettingup'outreachcentres'thatwouldtake
servicesoftheKendraawayformcitytothevillages.
Itsactivitiesareextremelyhighlyregardedinthewholesubcontinent.Mentalhandicapisaparticularlydifficultareatowork
inIndia,becauseofthestigmaattachedespeciallyfromthekarmicviewpoint.Girlsfromafamilywithamentally
handicappedsiblingfinditextremelydifficulttofindahusband.
2.AlakenduBodhNiketanKakurgachi,Calcutta54
3.AshaNiketanUpperCircularRd.,Calcutta9
4.PratibandhiKalyanSamiti(translatesas"OrganisationfortheWelfareoftheHandicapped")Sonarpur,24Parganas
5.REACHCalcutta45(besidetheTelevisionCentre)
6.PrabartakSanghaHomefortheMRChildrenCalcutta91(Therearenospecialisedcentresforhandicappedchildrenrun
bytheMissionariesofCharityinCalcutta)
Thefollowingarecentresforsufferersofcerebralpalsy,spasticdeformities,andorthopaedicdeformities:
1.DrB.C.RoyPolioClinicBeleghata,Calcutta10
2.NationalInstituteofOrthopaedicHandicap(NIH)Calcutta94
3.LionsOrthopaedicHospitalCalcutta40
4.SpasticSocietyofEasternIndiaCalcutta44
5.RehabilitationCentreforChildrenCalcutta8
ThisistheorganisationstartedbyJaneWebb(MBE),theBritishnursewhocametoCalcuttain1972andstayedon.Itisbasedina
spacioushouse(donatedbyaCalcuttan)intheBehalaareaandspecialisesinthetreatmentoforthopaedicdeformitiesofpoorchildren.Ithas
aresidentialblockwith75bedsandanextensiveoutpatientfacility.Italsomanufacturescallipers,braces,andartificiallimbs.MissWebb
appearsundertheguiseofEstridDaneinLapierre'sTheCityofJoy.(ThereisnocentreinCalcuttarunbytheMissionariesofCharityfor
orthopaedicorspasticdeformities,eitherinadults,orinchildren)
ThefollowingarecentresforthevisuallyhandicappedinCalcutta:
1.ManishikshaCalcutta6
2.LighthousefortheBlindCalcutta26
3.CalcuttaBlindSchoolCalcutta34
4.RamakrishnaMissionBlindBoysAcademyNarendrapur,24Parganas
5.NaihatiApexBlindSchoolGaria,24Parganas
(TheMissionariesofCharitydonothaveanycentresforthevisuallyhandicapped)
ThefollowingarecentresinandaroundCalcuttaforthehardofhearingandforpeoplewithspeechimpediment:

1.NationalInstituteforHearingHandicapCalcutta90
2.OralSchoolfortheDeafCalcutta16
3.IchapurDeafandDumbSchoolIchapur,24Parganas
4.SouthSundarbanEducationalandCulturalInstituteBaradpur,24Parganas
5.PratibandhiKalyanKendraBandel,Hooghly
(TheMissionariesifCharitydonothaveanyfacilitiesforpeoplewithhearingandspeechimpediments)
Thefollowingarespecialisedvocationaltrainingcentres(teachinghandicraftandmachineryskills)formentallyandphysicallyhandicapped
childreninCalcutta:
1.CYSECBehala,Calcutta8
2.HandloomandHandicraftSocietyCalcutta36
3.SilenceCalcutta68
4.TCRCIndiaCalcutta46
(TheMissionariesofCharitydonotrunanyvocationaltrainingcentresforthehandicappedinCalcutta)
ItisquiteobviousfromthedescriptionsabovethatmostofthecharitiesofCalcuttastartedlongbeforeMotherTeresaarrivedonthescene.
Butwhatismoreinterestingishowmanyofthemespeciallyamongstthebiggeroneswerestartedbywomen.
EventheRamakrishnaMission,thoughostensiblystartedbyVivekananda,hadNiveditaasamajorinspirationbehinditsfoundation.The
homegrowncharitiesmanagewithoutpublicity,andsome,liketheRamakrishnaMission,havetofaceinternationaladversepublicity
sanctionedbytheCatholicestablishment.WesternmediahavenointerestinIndiancharitiesworkinginIndiathethemeofanIngreswallah
orasimilarlywhiteindividual,drivenbysomekindofinnerurge,comingtosavethenativesiswhattheyportrayagainandagain.No
featureshavebeenwritten,nodocumentariesmadeaboutSamirChaudhuri,RippanKapurorSaradaFatehpuriawho,withoutanysupport
fromWesternmedia,havebuiltupmassiveorganisationsfromonedeskoperations.Sadly,Nivedita,whoisahouseholdnameinWest
Bengal,andwhohashadstreets,institutionsandgenerationsofgirlsnamedafterherinCalcutta,isunknowninhernativeIreland.Itseems
thattheIngreswallahhastobeaChristianalso,togainrecognitionintheWest.ImaysoundasifIaminvokingageoldclichs,butafter
spendingmanyyearsstudyingthecharityscene,Ihavecometotheconclusionthatifyouarethewrongcolourandthewrongreligion,you
havepracticallynohopeofgettinginternationalrecognitionasanaidworker.Togiveanexample,Ishallmentiontheawardofthe
TempletonPrizein1990toBabaAmte,theHinducharityworkerwhorunsa2,000acreselfcontainedvillageforlepersincentralIndia.I
donotexpectthatpeopleintheWestwouldhaveheardofhim,butIhadexpectedhisawardtohavehadsomeminormentionintheLondon
pressespeciallyafterthefussmadeoverMotherTeresawhenshereceivedthesameprizein1973shehadbeengivenextensivecoverage
inpress,radioandtelevision,andmanynewspapersmadeitafrontpagenewsthiswasatimesixyearsbeforeherNobelwhenshewas
notexactlyahouseholdnameinBritain.
Indiancharities,thoughwellknownandrespectedininternationalcharitycircles,dosufferagreatdealfromthelackofrecognitionamongst
theWesternpublic.WhileCalcuttaRescueandtheMissionariesofCharityareawashwithWesternvolunteers,therearenoneworkingfor
theIndiancharitiestherewasatimeintheearly1980swhentherewerefrequentlymorevolunteersthanresidentsinthehomeforthedying
atKalighat.Evennow,theMissionariesofCharityroutinelyturnawayvolunteersinCalcuttaanacquaintanceofminewasadvisedtogoto
theirorphanageinRussiainstead.
Indiancharitiesmissoutonthehugewealthofhumanexperiencethatthevolunteersbringwiththemintermsofdedication,visionand
sheerenthusiasm,volunteersareunparalleled.Therehavebeen,amongstMotherTeresa'svolunteersinCalcutta,nurses,doctors,scientists,
socialworkers,architects,athletes,Hollywoodstars,princesses,Americansenatorsandgovernors.Ahumanresourcesexpertoncetoldme
thatinpurefinancialtermsalone,theamountofmoneyMotherTeresasavedeveryyearthroughhervolunteersinCalcuttaamountedto
millionsofdollars.
Withthatkindofhelp,anyothercharitywouldhavedonemiraclesoratleastmadeavisibledifference.
ManyWesternerswhogotoCalcuttaandgetdisappointedorappalledbyMotherTeresa'sactivities,thenmakeeitherofthesetwovital
mistakestheypresumethata)atleastsheisdoingsomethingwhiletheothersarenot,or,b)eveniftheothersaredoingmuchmorethan
her,itwasshewhostarteditall.Bothpresumptionscomenotsomuchfromracism,asfromignorance.HardlyanyWesternervisiting
MotherTeresainCalcuttawouldhaveheardofeventheRamakrishnaMission,thecountry'sbiggestcharity.OnlyanothercharityCalcutta
Rescueiswidelyknown,nodoubtbecauseitisalsorunbyaWesterner.ThereisalsoareluctancetofindoutIhavemetmanya

WesternerwhohasspentmonthsworkingasavolunteeratMother'sorphanage,buthasnothadtheoccasiontovisitthenearbyABWU
homesmaybetheyarefrightenedaboutevenmorerevelationsabouttheiricon.Ignoranceapart,thesecondpresumptionhasmostly
stemmedfromMother'srepeatedcommentsandinnuendoesthatitwasshewhotaughtcharitytoIndians.Shesaid,'Agreatchangeis
comingaboutnow.Thericharecomingtowashandfeedthepoor.Theyaredoingagreatdealofwork.Beforenowwe,asChristians,had
nevergiventhemthechance.WethoughtcharitywasforChristiansonly.'10
MotherTeresa'sparticularroleinthealleviationofsufferinginCalcutta,andinotherIndiancitiesshouldbetakenintheproperperspective.
Itwassmall,butbynomeansunimportant.MotherTeresa'swasaspecialbrandofcharity,whichstemmedfromadeeplyCatholic
viewpoint.Sheaddressesaparticularsectionofthepoor,namelythe'poorestofthepoor'.Fortunately,inCalcuttaatleast,thatcategoryis
shrinking,duetofallingmigrationfromthevillages.(ThefallingadmissionanddeathratesinMother'shomeforthedyingisalsoanindirect
indicationofthediminutioninthenumberofthedestitutesinCalcutta.)Inmyopinionhowever,povertyinIndiahasincreasedoverthelast
quartercentury.Absolutepovertyandstarvationmayhavediminished,butthenumbersintheunderclasseshaveswelled,especiallyinthe
cities.Citiesstillremaintheeconomicmagnetsforthecountry'spopulation,withtheresultthatrentinggonefarbeyondthereachofthelow
orevenaverageearner.ManyofthepeoplesleepinginthestreetsofIndiancitiestodayarenotthe'poorestofthepoor',butsinglepeoplein
lowpaidjobs.Ifandwhenhiswifeandchildrenarriveformthevillagetojoinhim,thefamilymovesintoaslumthelowermiddleclass
familywhoatthetimeofIndia'sindependencefiftyyearsbackcouldaffordatworoomapartmentinthecityhasnowmovedtotheslum.
Thislowermiddleclassfamilyneedshelpotherwiseitisonlyamatteroftimebeforetheyslidedowntobecomethe'poorestofthepoor'.
HelpingthepoorfamilyinIndiawhoarepotentialdestitutesiscomplexissuetheywouldnotbeseendeadqueuingupatasoupkitchen,
buttheywouldexpecttobuycheapNutrimixfortheirchild.
InCalcuttatheoverallliteracyisabout68%,andsincetheslumpopulationis33%,asubstantialnumberofslumdwellerscanreadand
write.Slumdwellerswhocanreadandwritewantalittlesomethingmorefortheirchildren,suchasskillstraining,oracquaintancewitha
computer.Poorvillagerswithapatchoflandandacowwouldwantabetterbreedofanimalandcoulddowithabovineartificial
inseminationprogramme.
MotherTeresahasutterlyfailedindeliveringthis'littlesomethingmore'forthepoorofCalcuttaandenvirons.Shehasalsonotdelivered
thatmuchatabasicleveleitherwithherfundsshecouldlookafteralltheneedsofalltheverypoorofCalcutta,suchasrunningamassive
soupkitchen,oraprimaryschoolineach(ormost)ofCalcutta'sworstslums.
OnereasonwhysheandherfriendshaveportrayedCalcuttaasastoneageplaceisbecausetheyknowthathercharityfunctionsonapre
historicleveltheworldshouldthereforebegiventheimpressionthatthisisbestCalcuttashouldgetordeserve.Anditservesherpurpose
evenbetterasCalcuttaslipsfurtherintosqualor,bothintermsofrealityandmythology.
TherewerethreeoccasionsinCalcutta'shistorywhentherehadbeenaneedofMotherTeresa'sparticularbrandofcharityworkthefamine
of1943,thecrisisoverthepartitionofIndiain1947withtheinfluxofrefugees,andagainduringthecreationofBangladeshin1971with
moreinfluxofrefugees.Onthefirsttwooccasions,theMissionariesofCharitywerenotaround,andin1971theywerenotquitethestar
performerswhereasmostoftheotherorganisationswerehelpingattheborderwithBangladeshwheretheactionwas,Mother'srefugee
campwasinCalcutta'soutskirtsbytheairport.Thisobviouslyimmenselyhelpedthecauseofherpublicity(andeventuallyherNobelprize)
AmericanSenators,internationaljournalists,dignitariesfromtheUNortheWHOmadehercampacompulsory(sometimestheonly)stop
whencomingtoappraisethecivilwarinBangladesh.Herpicturefromthattimeclutchingarefugeeorphanisprobablyoneofthemost
memorableimagesofthiscentury.
Mother'sfinesthoursinCalcutawereherfirst19years(195069),whenwithlittlefundsandrecognition,shewasachievingagooddealof
alleviationofsufferinginhertargetpopulation.Inthe1970s,asherinternationalreputationwasclimbingspectacularly,thequalityand
quantityofherworkinCalcuttabegantodeteriorate.Itwasinthisdecadethatpovertyanditsalleviationbecamemorecomplexmatters,
especiallyinCalcuttawithafreshinfluxofrefugeesnotallofthempoorestofthepoorwhosettleddowninthecity.Itwasalsointhis
decadethattheIndiangovernmenttookonanextremeproabortionstance,whichmadeitimpossibleforMotherTeresatocooperatewith
thegovernmentonwelfareprogrammes(althoughshecontinuestoreceivefreelandfromgovernment).Itwasalsointhe1970sthatMother
beganspendingmoreandmoretimeabroad,andtookonamassiveinternationalexpansionprogrammeCalcuttadidnotfeatureinthat
programme.Muchofherinternationaltravelwasforreligious,ratherthancharitablereasons.
Ifwetakearandomyear1985,MotherTeresawenttothefollowingcountriesinthatyearaloneJapan,SouthKorea,Taiwan,HongKong,
China,Australia,PapuaNewGuinea,Switzerland,USA,Thailand,Egypt,Ethiopia,NorthYemen,Tanzania,Kenya,Italy,VaticanCity,
Poland,France,ItalyandVaticanCity(again),USA(again).Inbetweenhertravels,shefittedinaquickcataractoperationatNewYork'sSt
Vincent'sHospitalthishadtobedoneratherquietly,asonlyayearbackshehad,amidstgreatpublicity,saidnotoanofferfromtheSt
FrancisMedicalCenterinPittsburghtooperateonhercataractsforfreehumblydecliningtheoffer,shehadsaidthatshecouldnotaccept
the$5000treatmentwhenshecouldhavethesameoperationinIndiathemediahadwowed.
Shespentalloffallandwinterof1985intheUSAgoingbacktoIndiaonlytoprepareforthePope'svisitthereinFebruary1986.Allher
1985internationalvisits,bartheonetoEthiopia,wereforreligiousanddiplomaticreasons.Canthegentlemenandladiesofthemediatell
mewhenamidstallthiswhirlwindwhiz,MotherTeresa(ofCalcutta)couldfitinthetimeto'workintheslumsofCalcutta'?And,1985was

notanatypicalyearvisavishertravels.Interestingly,inherlasttwentyfiveyears,shemadenotmorethanthreetripstoBangladesh,the
world'ssecondpoorestcountry,whichistwentyminutesflighttimeawayfromCalcutta.
ItneedstobepointedoutthatalltheoldercharitiesofIndiastartedoffintheMotherTeresaway,i.e.,symptomaticreliefgiveadollopof
khichuritoahandfulamongstthehungry.TheyhaveallmovedontomoreandmorecomplicatedarrangementsbutMotherhasremainedin
herBiblicalapproach.Sheknowsthatthisistheapproachthatproducesthemostmovingimagesofpublicity,andcreatesthemostvivid
sentimentsinthemajorityoftheworld'spopulation.ThisisalsotheapproachthatappealstoglamorouscelebritiessuchasPrincessDiana,
ElizabethTaylororGinaLollobrigida.WhetherIama17yearoldbackpackingWesternyouthoraHollywoodmegastarwantingtochange
thelivesofthepoorinIndiaintwoweeks,Iwouldmuchratherworkinasoupkitchenthansitbehindadeskgoingthroughthe
sponsorshipdocumentofachildfromapoorIndianfamily.
OtherCatholiccharitiesinIndiahavechangedtheirwayofworking.ManyofthemareopenlycriticalofMotherTeresa'sapproach,and,
neitherCAFODnorChristianAid(aCatholiccharity)wouldconsiderfundingherwork.LeoBaysham,theIndianCatholicattheheadof
ChristianAid'ssouthernAsiaoperations,said,'...shemakesnoattemptatcommunityhealthprogrammesforexample.Butpeopleinthe
Westcarryongivinghermoney...Thelongtermcaretheyofferchildrenhavenovision,noplan,nostimulationoreducation...11
MotherTeresa'sargumentthattacklingcausesofpovertyisbydefinitionapoliticalapproachsimplydoesnotholdwateritisacopout.
Nobodyshouldclaimthatprimaryeducationispolitics.
NothinghoweverdetractedfromMotherTeresa'simage,andtoher,imagewasimportantor,assomewouldsay,itwaseverything.
Thereisalsoanotherissue,probablyrathermundane.CharitiesinCalcuttacomplainaboutitalottheysaythatMotherTeresaisan
obstacleforothercharitiesinthecityingettingfundsfromabroad.WhenitcomestoCalcutta,donorsabroadwouldoftensay'Calcuttadoes
notneedanyfunding,asMotherTeresaisdoingeverythingforthecity,ormorethaneverything',or,'IfwegivemoneytoaCalcuttacharity,
we'llsendittoMotherTeresa.'
Therewasanotherissue,perhapsmoreimportantthatofMotherTeresa'sexploiting(struggling)institutionsinCalcuttatofurtherherown
namealthoughclaimingnevertousegovernmentfacilities,sheroutinelysentherresidentsfromPremDaantoCalcutta'sNationalMedical
CollegeandthePavlovHospitalforantiTBmedication.Although,thereversewillneverhappenshewillneverevendreamofproviding
medicationforresidentsinanotherinstitution.But,shouldshenotbringherenormousresourcestotheaidofthesestrugglingstatehospitals
inCalcuttaratherthantakefromthem?
Thatisnotall.MotheralsotakesfromothercharitiesofCalcutta.HerSistersweretrainedforfreebythechildren'scharityCRYsome
(empty)cardboardboxesweregiveninsteadofmoney.
MotherusedthementalhandicapcharityMonovikasKendrarathermercilessly.Asherorderdoesnothaveanytrainingorrehabilitation
facilitiesinherorphanage,shesentsomeofherchargestotheKendraforthedayeveryday.Atokencontributionwouldhavebeen
welcome,especiallyasthefinancialstrengthsofthesetwocharitiesareratherdifferent.Butnomoneyhaseverbeengivenbutthatisnot
all.ThechildrenwerebroughttoandfromShishuBhavanintheKendra's(sole)ambulance,whenMother'sambulanceswerebeingusedto
ferrynunstotheAuxiliumChurch.
WhenitcametoreceivingmoneyfromCalcutta'sothercharities,MotherwasnotonetooverlookanopportunityIknowofaninstancein
1994whentheorphanageNavJeevanhadtopaytheMissionariesofCharitytoacceptoneoftheirolderchildrenwhocouldnotbeadopted.
FinallytothestrangecaseofMother'spleaformoneytoAnandalok,thefledgingcharitythatprovides,amongotherservices,cardiac
intensivecaretothepoorforanominalcharge.OnedayinJuly1992,D.K.Saraf,Anandalok'sfactotum,wassurprisedtoreceivethis
letter:
DearSir
MayIrefertoyouthecaseofDebasishPal,whoisinVellore
[aspecialisthospitalnearMadrasrunbyChristians]undergoing
treatmentforleukaemia.Heisunabletopaythehighcostof
treatment,duetopoorfinancialpositions.Kindlygivehim
substantialhelpfromyourtrusteeboard.
Iwouldbeverygratefulifyouwouldhelphim.
Godblessyou

M.TeresaM.C.12
MrSarafwassurprisednotsomuchbecauseMotherTeresawasaskinghimformoney,butmorebecauseshehadevenheardofAnadalok
(averyyoungcharity),andwasawareofthetypeofhelptheyprovided.Inanycase,withinaweek,abankdraftforRs10025(no.Cal
1677drawnonStateBankofBikanerandJaipur)wassentdirectlytothehospital.
GratitudeishowevernotoneofMother'smoreabidingemotions(nowondershehastreatedCalcuttarathershabbily)foronlyayearlater
thesameD.K.Sarafwassnubbedrudely(andthenadmonishedinaletter)seeChapterbyMotherovertheincidentofhernotturningup
atthelastmomentatAnandalok'sartificiallimbdonationceremony.
MrSaraftoldmeinaninterview,'IbearnogrudgesagainstMotherTeresa.IfanythingIamslightlyamusedthatsheaskeduswhocould
beclassed"poorestofthepoor"comparedtoherfinancialstrengthformoney.ButIamquitebitterthattheWest(andsomanyIndians)
makesuchafussabouther.Canyoutellmewhatexactlysheisdoing?'MrSaraftoldmeofanincidentinFebruary1996whenalarge
numberofshacksadjoiningMother'sPremDaanhomeburntdown.Theslumdwellersdidnoteventhinkofgoingtotheirillustrious
neighbourforassistanceinsteadtheycametoAnandalok,whichundertooktherebuildingoftheshacksandalsoboughtpotsandpansetc.
forthem.'Thenunswatchedonbemusedlyasourpeopleworkedthroughthedayrebuildingthericketystructures,'saidMrSaraf.'ButI
mustadmit,weweregivenglassesofwaterwheneverweaskedforthem.'

NOTESTOCHAPTER11
1.EileenEgan,SuchAVisionOfTheStreet(Sidgwick&Jackson,1985)p.320
2.TheUniverse,17November1996
3.TheStatesman,Calcutta,7October1975
4.Interviewwithauthor,18December1997
5.TheSundayTimes,London,25July1993
6.FrancesMeigh,TheJackPregerStory(TabbHouse,1988),passim
7.Author'staperecordedinterviewwithDrJackPreger,21August1996
8.TheTablet,23January1982
9.As7above
10.GeorgesGore&JeanBarbier,FortheLoveofGodMotherTeresaofCalcutta(T.ShandAlbaPublications),1974,1977,p.58
11.TheGuardian,14October1996
12.Anandalok,CK44SaltLake,Calcutta700091:Chairman'sReport,31March

CHAPTER12
CALCUTTA'SRELATIONSHIPWITHMOTHERTERESA
On12January1997,Calcutta'slargestsellingdaily,AnandaBazaarPatrika,didalightheartedpieceoninfluentialoctogenariansofWest
Bengal,withatitlethatlooselytranslatesas'Youareasoldasyoufeel!'.Thefeaturegavebrieflifesketchesandcurrentworkingschedules
oftwentyorsoelderlybutactivepeoplewhowereinanywayassociatedwithWestBengal.MotherTeresawastheonlycharityworkerin
thepantheonIcannotthinkofanyotheroctogenariancharityworker,atleastinCalcuttatheothersbeingmostlypeoplefromthearts.
And,therewasofcourse,JyotiBasu,the82yearoldChiefMinister.
MotherTeresawasmentionedverybrieflyinthearticle,whichalsocarriedtwentyorsolittlephotographicportraitsofthe'youngatheart'
MotherTeresadidfeatureinthepictorialgallery,butagain,verymuchasoneamongstmany,andnotastheoneabovethemall.
Thiswasthesamenewspaperthat,lessthantwomonthspreviously,on17November1996,hadcarriedonitsfrontpageahugepictureof
MotherTeresareceivingherhonoraryAmericancitizenshipfromtheUSambassadortoIndia,FrankWisner.Thepictureanditscaption
werequitedeferential.
IampersonallyintriguedandevenbewilderedbyMotherTeresa'sstatusorstandinginCalcuttatoday.
WhatisthestateoftherelationshipbetweenMotherTeresaandCalcutta?Itisactuallyverycivilised.Itisnotanintenserelationshipand
hence,ithasnotgonethroughmanyupsanddowns.Asamatteroffact,ithasmovedonlyupwardsafteraverylongplateaubetween1952
andthemid1980s.
CurrentlyMotherTeresahasbeenacceptedbythecity'smiddleclasses.Theangliciseduppermiddleclassadoresher.Therichloveher,but
theveryrich,whousuallycomeformtheMarwaricommunity(veryoftenorthodoxHindusorJains)generallydistrusther.Ithowever
remainsafactthattheveryvastmajorityofthepoorinthecityareunawareofher,andatanyonetimelessthan10%ofthepoorinthecity
wouldhavegotanykindofhelpfromher.
Inmychildhoodandyouthinthe1960sand70s,MotherTeresawasatbestaperipheralfigureinthecity.Imayhavebeenparticularly
ignorantoruninquisitive,butIfirstheardhernamementioned(thattoobriefly)in1973IrememberapictureinTheStatesmanofher
returningfromEnglandwithTheTempletonAward.ThenextIheardofherwasin1979,whenshegottheNobelprize.Idonotthinkit
wouldbeanexaggerationtosaythatbackinmyhighschooldays,inthemid1970s,hardlyanyschoolchildinCalcuttawouldhaveheardof
MotherTeresathisdoesnothoweverincludethosewhowenttothechurchrunsocalled'missionaryschools',runbytheAnglicanor
CatholicchurchestheseareexpensiveinstitutionswhicharesaidtoimpartanEnglishpublicschooltypeeducation.IamtoldthatMother
Teresahadbeenknowntothosewhowenttothese'missionaryschools'forinstancerightthroughthe1960s,sheusedtoappearalmost
monthlyattheJesuitrunexpensiveDonBoscoSchoolinCalcutta,totalkaboutthescripturesandtoaskfordonations,whichsheusedto
collectinlieuoflittlepamphletscalled'SoldiersofGod',whichcarriedstoriesfromtheBible.
Currently,everymiddleclassschoolchildinCalcutta,fromagesevenupwards,whetherina'missionaryschool'ornot,hasheardofMother
Teresaandwouldbeabletoidentifyherfromapicture.Again,thechildrenoftheverypoor,whodonotgotoschool,cannotbeincludedin
thiscategory.Slumchildrenwhoattendcorporationrunslumschoolswouldalsobeobliviousofher.ItneedstobereiteratedthatTeresa's
orderdoesnotrunaslumschoolnetworkasbelievedbytheworld.
MotherTeresa'sstatusinCalcuttahaschangedfromindifferencetoacceptanceandsubsequentlytofleetingadulation.Theturnaroundpoint
washerNobelprize.Byandlarge,theIndianlogicis,'IftheWestissayingsheisgood,shemustbegood.'Indiansblindlyacceptthe
verdictoftheWest,andtheyhaveamostenormousfaithintheimpartialityofWesternmedia,andoftheWestingeneral.Thoseamongst
readerswhohavelivedinIndia,orhaveIndianfriendslivinginIndia,wouldbeabletoappreciatethissentiment.
MotherTeresa'sNobelPrizedidnotmakewavesinCalcutta.Iwasanimpressionable21yearoldatthetimeandtheonlythingIremember
arethebannerheadlinesinthenewspapers,especiallyinTheStatesman.Whenitwasannouncedtherewerenomajorpublicuproaror
furore.TheonlythingthathappenedwasacivicreceptiongivenherbytheCalcuttaCorporationbeforesheleftforOslothiswasalsonota
majoreventIhappenedtodiscoveritinmyarchivalsearch.
IhardlywatchedtelevisioninthosedaysahabitwhichhasnotchangedovertheyearssoIcannotcommentatallonthetelevision
coverageoftheevent.
Therewerenocrowdstomeetherattheairportwhenshereturnedwithhermedal.(ShelefttheprizemoneyattheVaticanBank,despitea
numberofstatementstojournalistsinOslothatshewasgoingtobuildthisthatandtheotherwithitinCalcutta.)ThetraditionalCalcutta
waytowelcomeareturningheroistomakeahugefussandpandemoniumattheairporthappensallthetimewithsportingheroes.
RecentlyithappenedwithLeanderPaes,anunknownunseededtennisplayerfromCalcutta,whowonthebronzemedalattheAtlanta
Olympicsin1996,givingAndreAgassiarunforhismoneythefusswasespeciallybecausetherestofthe300strongIndiancontingent
returnedemptyhanded.ThecityalmostcametoastandstillwhenhecamebackfromtheOlympics.WhenAmartyaSengotcametothecity

followinghis1998EconomicsNobel,therewasamoderatefussatDumDum,withhordesofjournalistsandagoodnumberofthepublic.
MotherTeresa,onherreturnfromOslo(viaRomeandDelhi)wasmetattheairportbyaclutchoflocaljournalists,andbymembersofthe
city'sCatholicestablishmentnumerousphotographsofhertakenatthetimeattheairportwillbearthisout.
AnEnglishmancalledDaveParry,aformerworkerforFordatDagenham,happenedtobeinCalcuttathroughoutDecember1979
(Mother'sNobelwasannouncedinOctoberandformallyawardedinDecember).HestayedattheYMCAhostel,afavouritehauntof
Teresavolunteers.Hetoldme1thattherewashardlyanytalkofMotherTeresaorherNobeloutsidethevolunteergroups.Heremembers
practicallyallthecity'sattentionbeinggrippedbytheSovietinvasionofAfghanistan.HehadalottodowiththeChristians(notnecessarily
Catholics)inCalcuttaashisexwifewasAngloIndian,buteventhereMotherwasrarelymentioned.And,asforthepoor,hedidnotsee
anynunworkingwiththem.HedidseeacoupleofTeresahomesonhistravelsbuttheydidnotappearparticularlyinvitingoractive.
Ihastentoaddthatbyandlarge,therewerenowidespreadcriticismsinCalcuttaofMotherTeresaonherNobelthemoodwasmainly
congratulatory,butthereweresmallbutsignificantsectionswhichwerescathingintheircriticism,andthesewerenottheorthodoxHindu
religiousgroups,whichwerefurious,andwhichIshallignore.
IfIweretoquotedirectlyfromtheCalcuttapresstoillustrateoppositiontoherfollowingherNobelprize,Icouldbeaccusedofbiasor
selectivequoting.IhavethereforequotedexclusivelyfromtheUKbasedCatholicweeklyTheTabletwhichreportedonthemediaand
publicreactioninCalcuttaatthetime.On8December1979,TheTabletranthefollowingfeature:
InthecorrespondencecolumnsoftheCalcuttapress,'DelightedCalcutta'hasbeencrossingswordswith'DisgustedCalcutta'
overMotherTeresa'sNobelPeacePrizeaward.Itwillcertainlyappearfromabroadthattheseexchangesarelackingin
reverencewhichisherdue.
S.K.Ghoshin'MotherTeresa:ARevaluation'(AmritabazaarPatrika[Calcuttadaily,nowextinct]),writes:'Inarecent
controversyonthesubjectontheconversiontoChristianity,MotherTeresawassadlyfoundonthewrongside,liningup
withahandfulofmissionariesagainstthecountryofheradoption...ButMotherTeresaalsohasreasonstobegratefulto
CalcuttaandIndia.Noothercountryandnoothercitywouldhaveofferedhersomanyfacilitiesandtoleratedheropen
supportoffraudulentproselytisation.'
Indianjournalists,whoaredeficientneitherinintelligencenorincourage,havegottheirteethintoMother'srepeated
condemnationofabortionandherrefusaltoaccept'artificial'methodsofbirthcontrol.Sheoffersadoptionasanalternativeto
abortionand'safeperiod'asanalternativetosterilisation,annovulantsandsoon.Inasocietyinwhichoverpopulationnow
killsonalargescale,herinterestintheunbornfetusappearstothemexcessive.Herviewsonfamilyplanningarenot
universallysharedbytheIndianChristiancommunity.
TheStatesman(10November)describesthedissentofreporters:'Forthewomenshewasaddressingshehadapparently
outdatedadviceabouttheplaceofwomenbeingwiththeirchildren,butthenagainbasedonherpeculiarreasoningand
conceptionofservice.'
TheFarEasternReview(2November)wasnottoofarbehindinitsCalcuttaLetter:'Itwouldbelessthanfairnottomention
someofthecontroversiesthathavecomeherway.PerhapsthenoisiestofthemtouchesahighlysensitiveissueinIndianlife
religiousconversion.Therehavebeenallegationsdeniedthatthosewhocomeunderthewingsofherorderalmost
alwaysbecomeCatholics...sheremainscommittedtoRomanCatholicismandallthatitdemandsofher...'
HerNobelawardhascertainlynotcutacrossalllocalreligiousboundaries...
ItcouldappearfromtheforegoingaccountthatreligiousconversionpersewasthepivotalissueofMotherTeresa'scriticsatthetimeof
Nobel,andthathercriticswerefundamentalistHindus.Notso.S.K.Ghoshforinstance,wasaHinduliberal.Hismaincriticismandthatof
manyothersatthetimewasaboutMotherTeresa'sexceptionallyvirulent,public(andinternational)oppositiontoIndia'sFreedomof
ReligionBill1978whichattemptedtocheckconversionbyforceorinducementbyChristianmissionaries,whooftencommanded
phenomenalfinancialresources.Mostcolumnistsviewedherstanceasmeddlinginpolitics,whichshehadalwaysclaimedsheeschewed.
Moreover,herattemptstobringinternationalpressureontheIndiangovernmentbyutilisingherinternationalpositionwasviewedas
meddlinginthedemocraticprocessofthecountry.
The(then)mainarbiterofmiddleclassopinioninCalcutta,theEnglishdailyTheStatesman(Muggeridge'soldpaper),despitethesmall
murmurofcriticismabouther'outdatedadvice'towomen,wentgagaovertheNobel.Icanremembertheheadline:'JoySweepsCalcutta'.
Mother'simageinthecitybegantoclimbaroundthemid1980sandreachedapeakin1994.IthastakenacertaindentfollowingourHell's
AngeldocumentaryinNovember1994.Thisbringsustothequestionwhy,comparedwithherpreNobelperiod,hercurrentimagein
Calcuttaissomuchmoreimproved,giventhatherworkhasessentiallyremainedthesame?TheanswertothatIdonotknow.Icanonly
postulatecertaintheories:satellitetelevisionisone.ManymiddleclassCalcuttansnowgettheirnews(andviews)abouttheircountryfrom
varioussatellitenetworksaroundtheworld,allofwhichshallwesay,showacertainbiastowardsTeresa.

Indiansessentiallytendtobelievewhattheysee,hearandreadinforeignmedia.Indiansinonepartofthecountryarenowbeginningto
dependmoreandmoreonforeignbroadcastingservicestoobtaininformationonanotherpart.Indiabeingalargecountrywithoutafast
communicationandtransportnetwork,anIndiansay,inAssamwouldbemorealientosomebodyinGoathanaNorwegianwouldbetoa
Hungarian.Inthissituation,theprejudiceshownbytheinternationalmediawithrespecttoCalcuttaandMotherTeresaislikelytohavea
seriouseffect.Evenso,untilnow,MotherTeresaisnowherenearbecomingsynonymouswithCalcuttaintherestofIndia.Forinstance,
merelyfivemonthsbeforeherdeath,anarticleintheDelhibasedmagazineIndiaToday2onthepoliticalsituationinWestBengalstartedoff
thus:'InCalcutta,acityfullofsucheverlastingiconssuchasRabindranathTagore,SatyajitRayandUttamKumar,...'Thisdespitethefact
thatIndiaTodayisoneofMotherTeresa'skeensupportersamongIndianmedia.Iamsure,aWesternerreadingtheopeninglinemightthink
thatthecorrespondentwastalkingofadifferentCalcutta.
TherecanbenodenyingthefactthattherehasbeenasevereculturaldeclineinWestBengal,althoughCalcuttansstillcroakthattheircity
remains'theculturalcapitalofIndia'.Eventhirtyyearsback,Calcuttahadadistinctivecultureliberal,humanist,rathereffete,butaboveall
confidentwhichsetitapartfromtherestofIndia.Today,Calcutta'sculturaldeclineisallbutcompleteithasnowmergedwiththelowest
commondenominatorintherestofIndia.Today,ateenagerinamiddleclassCalcuttahouseholdisgluedtoMichaelJacksontapes,whereas
inourdaysweweredraggedbyourparentstowatchBengalitranslationsofBrecht'splays.
ItwouldbeoutrageoustosuggestthatMotherTeresaisinanywayresponsibleforCalcutta'sculturaldecline,buttheconstantlampooning
ofthecitybytheworldmediacouldnothavedonethecitymuchgood.
Whenapeoplebecomesculturallybereft,itlosesselfrespect,andtendstostakeclaimsforspuriousachievements.Today,majorityopinion
inCalcuttaclaimsMotherTeresaastheirown,andalsolookuponherNobelassomekindofrewardearnedbythecity!Interestingly,
CalcuttahadneverreallyclaimedRaman's1930NobelprizeforphysicsasitsveryownthisisbecauseRaman,thoughhespentmostof
hisworkinglifeinCalcutta,andallhisworkthatearnedhimtheawardwasdoneinCalcutta,wasnotahomegrownCalcuttan.
IfIhavegiventheimpressionthattoday,MotherTeresaisagiganticinfluenceinCalcuttaafterdecadesofwilderness,thatisalsountrue.
True,sheismuchbiggertodaythansheeverwas,butherstandinginthecityisinfinitelysmallerthantheworldthinksitis.Forinstance,in
1995,justbeforeWestBengal'sautumnalfestivaltheDurgaPujo,theCalcuttaTelegraph'seditorRudrangshuMukherjeewrotealarge
feature3inhispaperaboutthe'stateofthecityandthestate'(takingacuefromthePope'sannualUrbietOrbiperhaps)anannualstock
takingandselfflagellationifyouwill.
HewrotewhateveryCalcuttanbemoansconstantly:
Thereisnodenyingthatatonetime,WestBengalenjoyedacertainpreeminentpositioninIndia...ItwasherethattheBritish
begantheirfirstexperimentsregardingtheintroductionofEnglisheducation,Westernscienceandsocialengineering.Toall
these,therewereenthusiasticnativecomplements...
MukherjeesaidthatBengalhaddeclinedfromitsheadypositionandgavereasonsoldhatagaindiscussedathousandtimesadayat
Calcuttateashops.Hewentontosay:'Leftwithnothingbutapasttolookforwardto,Bengalishavebeenbusymakingiconsoftheirgreat',
butheregrettedthatalthoughmadeintoicons,thesepeoplewerenotproperlyrememberedorrespected.Henowgaveusthelistofthose
'greaticons':
Wethushavetwopioneeringsocialreformers[RammohunRoyandIshwarchandraVidyasagar],largelyforgotten.Two
outstandingcreativewriters[BankimChandraChatterjeeandTagore]largelyunread.Addtothesesomeofthe20thcentury
achievers:onecharismaticpoliticalleader[SubhashChandraBose]whodiedonforeignsoil(or,ifyoupreferthemore
popularversion,isstillaliveandwillcomeonedaytodeliverhismotherland)onebrilliantandsomewhatselfindulgent
physicist[SatyenBoseoftheBoseEinsteintheory]whowroteapathbreakingpaperinquantumstatisticsandlittleelseafter
thatonegreatfilmmaker[SatyajitRay]whoisonhiswaytobecominganotherTagorelikeicontwomaestrosofIndian
classicalmusic[RaviShankarandAliAkbarKhan]bothofwhomliveabroadandtwotalentedstageactorsanddirectors,
oneofwhomdiedinpenuryandtheotherofwhomgaveupstagebeforehewas60andhasbecomeafulltimepontificator.
ThisaboutsumsupthemuchvauntedBengaliachievement.Outsidethesenames,Bengalinthesecondhalfofthe20th
centuryhashardlyproducedanamewhichcanbedescribedapacesetterinanygivenfield...Atapinch,Bengaliscanboast
ofaneconomist[AmartyaSen](livingabroad)whohasbeenamongthealsoransfortheNobelprizeforanumberofyears.
MukherjeealsochidedBengalisfortheirirrationalattitudetowardsTagore:'Thisneglect[ofnotreallyreadinghim]iscomplementedby
extremetouchinessaboutanythingthatisremotelycriticalofTagore.'AviewIwhollyendorse.
TheprecedingfeatureisalmosttypicaloftheselfcriticalanalysisthatBengalisdoofthemselves,andhowtrueitis.Almostidentical
sentimentshaveechoedinthesittingrooms,commonroomsandwithinthemediainCalcuttamillionsoftimes.
WhatiscuriousinthepassageaboveistheabsenceofTeresaasaBengaliicon,orasanearlyorlate20thcentury'achiever'.Iamsurethisis
notdeliberate,forasfarasIamaware,MukherjeeisnotilldisposedtowardsherIthinkifsomebodyhadpointedouttohimherabsence,
hewouldhavemadegoodtheomission.But,toaCalcuttan,MotherTeresaisnotsomebodywhocomesnaturallywhentheythinkofpeople

theyassociatewiththeircity,especiallyiftheyhadnotlivedabroadforagoodlengthoftime.
DespiteherratherstrangepositioninnotbeinganautomaticchoiceasaCalcuttaninalistmadebyCalcuttans,sheisnolongeraremote
figureinthecityasshewas,say,25yearsback.However,shehasnoplacewhatsoeverinthecultureofCalcutta.Evenherbiggestadmirer
inCalcuttawouldnotsaythatsheisinanywayevenminutelyassociatedwiththecultureofCalcuttaorofBengal.Herbiographieshowever
tellusadifferentstory.Toemphasisehowshehadidentifiedwiththecity,herbiographerstellusthatevenbackinthe1940s(whenshe
wasateacher)shehadbeencalled'BengaliTeresa'bytheothernuns.
Tobefair,MotherTeresaherselfneverclaimedthatsheunderstoodBengal'scultureshenevershowedanyinterestinit,shamorreal.Iam
suremanyWesternerswouldsaythatisacceptableafterall,shewasareligiouswoman,acharityworkerwhoisinterestedinherwork.
ButIamsurethesameWesternerswouldbecriticalofimmigrantsfromtheThirdWorldlivingintheWestwhohavenounderstandingof
thecultureoftheiradoptedcountryorarudimentaryunderstandingofthelanguageatbest.
Mother'spublicitymachinerymakesmuchofthefactthatshespokeBengalithatshespoke,albeitinastiltedandhighlyaccentedmanner.
Butaftera68yearassociationisthattoomuchtoexpect?Indeed,shewasmorefluentinHindithanshewasinBengali.Andnothing
whatsoeverexistsgiventhatshewasaprolificletterwriterofherhavingeverwrittenanythinginBengali.
Calcuttans,indeedIndiansgenerally,haveapenchantforheroworship.On28August1996,whenMotherTeresawasonthevergeof
death,thecolumnistSumirLalwritinginTheTelegraph,examinedherstatusinthecityinthecontextofCalcuttans'needforpersonalities
foradulation.Hewasnotentirelyhappythatshehadachievedstarstatusandexaminedherpositionvisavisanothercontemporaryhero,
JyotiBasu:
MotherTeresaisadifferentcase[thanJyotiBasu].Sincesheisnotadaughterofthesoil,shewillbegivenmoreofan
honorarystatusamongthedeities.Butshewillbetherenevertheless,eventhoughthecriticismshefacesismoresubstantial
thanthatwhichgreetsBasu.TheemotionsCalcuttansfeeltowardsherare,inthemain,stronglypositive...Calcuttanstendto
beveryproudofanyonewhoattainfameandrecognitionoutside,andthatisanotherreasonMotherTeresaissuchastar
herstardomfuelsherstardom...
TheAlbaniannunhas,ofcourse,beenatthereceivingendofsomeverystrongcriticisminrecenttimes.Sheisaccusedof
beingamoralandunscrupulousinherquestforfundsdictatorialapublicitymonger.Butthesecanbejustifiedwiththeline
thattheendjustifiesthemeans.Themoreseriouscriticismisofherspiritualethic.Shehasbeenquotedassayingthat
sufferingisameansofattainingChristtosufferalongwiththesufferinghelpsonecomeclosertogod.Inotherwordsthe
pooranddyingaretoheronlyameansofattainingsalvationforherself.Theirsuffering,whichisareplayofthesufferingof
Christ,givesherspiritualsuccour.Hencethetremendousfundsatherdisposalhaveneverbeenusedtosetupastateofthe
arthospitalwheremuchofthesufferingcouldbealleviatedorpreemptedtoestablishschoolswhichwouldrescue
generationsfrompovertytorenewtheslumsofCalcuttaandeliminatediseaseandcrime.For,shehasavestedinterestin
theperpetuationofpovertyandsicknessanddeath.Therearealsowhispersofbaptismsandconversionsoftradingcharity
forChrist.
And,thereisthematterofherfameconveyingaonedimensionalimageofCalcuttatotheworldasonlyacityofpoverty
anddisease.TheworldisnolongerawareofCalcutta'sculturalandsportingtraditions.Thesecriticismsdohavevalidityand
considerablydimMotherTeresa'shalo.Butnomatter.Thepeopleatlargeseeherasanoblesoulwhohasdevotedalifetime
doinggoodwork.SheisalsoaNobelsoulandadarlingoftheWest.Sointothepantheonsherises.
OnecannotdiscussCalcuttaanditsiconswithoutadiscussionofTagore.Itisimpossibletoconveytoanoutsidertheinfluence
RabindranathTagorewieldsoverCalcuttaandWestBengalmorethanhalfacenturyafterhisdeath.
RabindranathTagore(18611941)wasaproductoftheIndianrenaissanceofthe19thcentury,whichlargelyhappenedinBengal,and
thereforeknownastheBengalrenaissance.ThereasonwhyithappenedinandaroundCalcuttaisnotbecausesomekindofinnatecultural
superiorityofCalcuttans,astheywouldliketothinktheyposses,butbecausetheCalcuttawas,inthe18thand19thcentury,theportal
throughwhichWesternliberalthoughtsandideascametoIndia,makingitafertilegroundwherenewideascouldtakeshape.Thisis
particularlytrueforsocialreformersofthe18thand19thcenturies,suchasRammohunRoy,who(amongsthisotherreforms)outlawedthe
burningofwidows(thesuttee),andIshwarchandraVidyasagar,wholegalisedwidowremarriageandchampionedtheeducationofwomen.
RenaissanceBengalisinspiredthewholesubcontinentandbeyondandcreatedawatershedofknowledgeandintellectualactivitythat
permeatedthewholeofAsia.TheBurmeseleaderAungSanSuuKyiinherwritingshavedescribedhowherfatherhermaininspiration
andotherBurmeseintellectualsofhisgenerationwerefuelledbyCalcuttaintellectuals.(Indeed,Burmesecollegesatthetimewereunderthe
aegisofCalcuttaUniversity.)
TagorewasbornintoarichlandowningfamilyinCalcuttawhentheBengalrenaissancewasatitsprime.Hewasprimarilyapoet,butinthe
truetraditionoftherenaissanceman,healsowrotenovels,plays,dancedramas,shortstoriesandessays.Hewasalsoaproficientpainter.
HewroteexclusivelyinBengali,andisverydifficulttotranslate,thereasonwhyheistodayforgottenintheworldatlarge.

Tagore'sothermajorcontributionisinthefieldofeducation,forheneverforgothisownemotionaltraumaasachildwhenforcedthrougha
cold,unimaginativeeducationsystem.HeusedallofhisNobelprizemoney(whichonlymadeupafractionofthetotalcost)tofoundan
educationalestablishmentaboutahundredmilesfromCalcuttainruralsurroundings,wherepupilsweretaughtfromnurserygradeupto
universitylevel.DisenchantedwiththeIndians'obsessionwiththeoreticallearningandtheirmistrustofmanuallabour,healsofounded
India'sfirstvocationaltrainingcollege.
Tagorehadaparticulardislikefortheteachingofchildrenindarkcelllikeclassrooms,andhestartedthepracticeofopenair'classrooms'
surroundedbynature,atraditionmaintainedtothisdayinShantiniketan.ItisnotgenerallyknownthatthefamousDartingtonHallin
England,aschoolrunonsimilarprinciples,wasfoundedonTagoreanideals.
Tagore'sinfluenceisateverylevel,consciousorotherwise,ofaBengali,especiallyaCalcuttan.EverysinglechildinCalcutta(notcounting
theverypoor)hastolearnalargemeasureofTagoreaspartofhisorhergrowingup.EveryschoolinCalcutta,hasaspartitscurriculum,a
numbersofTagoresongsnotcounting,ofcourse,thefewslumclassroomsrunbyMotherTeresa,whereonlysongstaughtarecrude
BengaliorHinditranslationsofCatholichymns.
Thereare,ofcourse,thoseinCalcuttawhoarenotpassionateaboutTagore,andIincludemyselfinthatcategory.Therearealsothosewho
dislikehim.ButnomatterhowyoufeelaboutTagore,itisimpossibletoignorehiminCalcutta.Despitemyself,Ioftenfindmyself
hummingoneofhissongsinoneofmymoodshehadarticulatedtheemotionsandthoughtsofaBengalilikenoother.Afewyearsback,
TheIndependent'sIndiacorrespondent,onavisittoCalcutta,wantedtotestthegenuinenessofthecity'spassionforTagore:
Indeed,inmyrandomandtotallyinconclusivesurvey,Iaskedapetrolstationpumper,abureaucrat'swifeandapolicemanif
theycouldrecitealineortwofromtherenaissance'smostfamouspoet,RabindranathTagore.Theyallcould,andthe
bureaucrat'swifehadtobegentlystoppedaftershehadsungthreeofTagore'sepiclongpoems.4
TheSmithsonianInstitutionhasremarked,'It'shardtoescapeTagore'sinfluenceinCalcutta,...'5
MotherTeresa'ofCalcutta'neverutteredtheword'Tagore'inherentirelifetimeyes,inher68yearsinthecity,shehadnotonce,even
utteredhisname,noteveninthecontextofherNobelprize.Mostofherbiographershavementionedhim,particularlywhencommentingon
herNobel.HillaryClinton,whenshecametoattendTeresa'sfuneral,saidshewasdelightedtocometothecityofTagoreandTeresa
obviouslyshehadbeenbriefedwellbyadvisors.
MotherTeresahadreasonstobesuspiciousofTagore,forthisdeeplyspiritualmanwasnotaChristian.Asfarasshewasconcerned,he
wasaHindu.ButhewasnotaHinduhebelongedtoanoffshootofHinduism(theBrahmoSamaj)ofwhichhisfatherwasoneofthe
foundersandwhichcomestheclosestthatanonJudeoChristianreligioncangettoChristianity.TheBrahmoSamajeschewsidolatryand
pantheism(andofcourse,thecastesystem)andincorporatesmanyChristianpracticessuchascommunalworshipinaprayerhall.The
Samajisinitslastthroesandhasafewthousandadherentsleft,mainlyinCalcutta.AlthoughTagore'soutlookwasliberalhumanistand
mightnothavepassedtheTeresatestsofmodestyorholiness,itwasindeedeeriethewayMotherTeresaavoided,inhersevendecadesin
Calcutta,anymentionofTagore.
UnfortunatelyforTeresa,shecouldnotescapeTagoreafterall.Onecannot,inCalcutta.HerfuneralproceedingsstartedoffwiththeTagore
song,AgunerParashmani.
ItissaidthatMotherTeresaveneratedGandhisheherselfhadsaidso.ShealsonamedherleprosariumnearCalcutta'GandhijiPrem
Niwas'.ItwouldappearthatTeresa'spublicendorsementofGandhiisanactofexpediency.IfinditdifficulttobelievethatMotherTeresa
didnotknowthatGandhiwasadyedinthewoolHinduidolatryandallalthoughhedidnotagreewithadiscriminatorycastesystem.I
alsofinditdifficulttobelievethatMother'sadvisersdonotknowthatGandhideeplydetestedChristianmissionaries.Hewasnotactually
thatfondofChristiansingeneral,whiteorotherwise,inIndia,aboutwhomhehadthistosay,'Itisafirstclasshumantragedythatpeople
onearthwhoclaimtobelieveinthemessageofJesus,whotheydescribeasthePrinceofPeace,showlittleofthatbeliefinactualpractice.'
Ofmissionarieshesaid,'Themotiveofmassproselytisationlurkinginthebackgroundvitiatesmissionaryeffort.'Althoughhehadgreat
respectforJesus,hesaid,'IdonotaccepttheorthodoxteachingthatJesuswasorisGodincarnateintheacceptedsenseorthathewasoris
theonlysonofGod.'ItispossiblethatMotherTeresawasnotawareofthelaststatement,asthisstrikesagainsttheveryessenceofher
belief.ButMother'sapprovalofGandhiwasmainlycosmeticheradvisersadoptedtheproGandhistancetoincreasetheiracceptancein
Indiaatlarge.However,therearesomebroadstrandswhereGandhiandTeresameet,suchasinthematterofcontraception,although,
unlikeher,heneverputartificialcontraceptioninthesinfulevilcategory,hewasaproponentofsexualcontinence.Heconsideredlusta
greatevil.Tagore,ontheotherhand,regardedsexualmoralityamatterofpersonalchoice,althoughheprobablyregardedsublimation
superiortogratification.Oncontraception,Tagorewasfirmlyliberal,andbelievedthatwomenshouldmaketheopportunityofpractising
contraceptionthisisofcourse,anathematoeveryfibreofTeresa'sbeing.
ItisafactwellknowninIndiathatGandhihasneverbeenadarlinginCalcutta.Inanutshell,thereasonsforthisaretwofoldfirst,when
Gandhiwaspursuinghisnonviolentmovement,thenationaliststruggleinBengalwasanarmedone,whichGandhidenouncedand
undermined.HealsofelloutwithSubhashChandraBose(affectionatelycalled,bythewholecountry,Netajitheleader),Bengal's
legendaryhero,whorathernaivelyraisedanarmytofighttheBritish.Secondly,GandhiwasnotacceptedbyCalcutta'schatteringclasses

becauseofhistotalrejectionofeverythingWestern,includingscienceandtechnology,andespeciallyWesternmedicine.Calcutta,whichhad
adistinctcultureatthetimethatfloweredbecauseofWesterninfluence,byandlargerejectedGandhi'sstance.Gandhiwasagainstthe
teachingofhumanities,artsandfineartsatcollegelevel.
ThereisarecordofanencounterthattookplacebetweenTagoreandGandhiinthe1930sGandhihadcometoCalcuttatoenlistTagore's
supportforhiscalltoescheweverythingWesterninthosedays,TagorewasthesageofIndia,bothnationallyandinternationally(although
heneverattainedthestarstatusthatGandhihas)andpeoplefromallovercametohimforadviceandtoaskhimtoendorsetheircauses.
TagoredeclinedtoendorseGandhi'spositionofrejectionofanythingandeverythingthatbelongedtotheWest,saying,
Gandhiji,thewholeworldissufferingfromshortsightednationalism...IhavecometobelievethatweinIndiastillhave
muchtolearnfromtheWestanditsscience,andwestill,througheducation,havetolearntocollaborateamongourselves.
Finally,whenGandhipleadedwiththepoettotakeupspinning,asanexampletotherestofthecountry,thelattersmiledandsaid,'PoemsI
canspin,songsIcanspin,butwhatamessIwouldmake,Gandhiji,ofyourpreciouscotton.'
ItshouldnotbehoweversupposedthatTagorewasaspinelessAnglophilehewasthefirstpersontorenounceknighthoodhesentinback
inthepostinprotestagainsttheBritishmassacreofinnocentwomenandchildreninAmritsarin1919.TheBritishneverforgavehimfor
that.
So,thiswasCalcutta'sculturedefinitelyproWest,butextremelyambivalenttowardstheBritish,anarchicandeffeteatthesametime,but
aboveallproud,distinctiveandselfconfident.ThiswastheCalcuttaMotherTeresawouldhavelivedinduringheryouth.Thiswasthe
culturetherestofIndiausedtolookupto.
Calcutta'sdistinctiveculturalidentitymaybepast,butwhatremainstoanextentisthecity'straditionoftolerancetowardsallreligion
MotherTeresaexploitedthattolerancetothehilt.
CalcuttahassteadfastlyrefusedtobedrawnintothecasteandreligionbasedpoliticsoftherestofIndiaithasalwaysbeena'redcitadel',
althoughpresentlytherediswatereddowntosuchanextentastobeunrecognisable.Inthe1996electionsinIndia,theHindupartythe
BharatiyaJanataParty(BJP)emergedasthebiggestsinglepartyintherestofIndia,butinCalcuttaandWestBengalitcouldnotmanagea
singleseat.Insubsequentparliamentaryelections,BJPhascontinuedtodominateIndianpoliticsbutinWestBengalithasjustabout
managedtoobtainatoehold.
WestBengalhasbeenruledbythesinistersoundingCommunistPartyofIndia(Marxist)continuouslysince1977arecordinIndiawhere
stategovernmentsdonotlastverylong.WestBengal'sformerchiefminister,octogenarianoldJyotiBasu,maybeanunknownnameinthe
west,buthasbecomeahouseholdnameinIndiawherehehasassumedastatesmanlikestature,andstillwieldsenormousinfluenceover
subcontinentalpolitics.HewouldhavebecomethePrimeMinisterofIndiain1996hadhispartynotpulledhimoutatthelastmoment,for
inexplicablereasonsBasuhimselfhascalledthedecisionhis'party'sgreatestmistake'.
MotherTeresaandJyotiBasukneweachotherfordecades.Therelationshipwasawarmone.However,Basudidnotsay,atthetimeofthe
announcementoftheNobelprize'YouhavebeentheMotherofBengal,nowyouaretheMotherofIndia'.Hehasbeenattributedthis
remarkbynumerousbiographersofhers,includingtheofficialones.TheimplicationisobviousMotherTeresawassuchanessentialpart
ofCalcuttathatdespiteherbeingafundamentalistCatholic,shewasfetedbytheMarxistchiefminister.WhatBasusaidatthetimewas,
'MotherTeresaisaveryworthychoiceintheworldtodaytoreceivethisaward.'Iwouldhavethoughtthiswasgoodenough,butitwas
obviouslythemythmakingmachinedidnotthinkso.
InJyotiBasu'sauthorisedbiography6MotherTeresadoesnotgetasinglementioninthetext.Inthebook'spicturegalleywhereheis
shownwithanumberofinternationaldignitariesrangingfromNelsonMandelatoPrinceCharles,thereisaphotoofhimwithMother
Teresa.Inaway,thissumsupCalcuttans'attitudetowardsMotherTeresashewasessentiallyaninternationalcelebritywhohadsome
associationwiththeircity.
TheproTeresaBritishauthorGeoffreyMoorhouse,inhisbiographyofthecity,calledTagoreandBasu'thetwomenwhohavehelpedto
makeCalcuttawhatitis.'7MotherTeresaisnotportrayedasafactorindeterminingthecity'sfortuneorfate.
BasuhasaHimalayanego,andisawarehowmuchTeresawasfetedintheworld.Thathewasofteninapositiontodoherfavoursandthat
sheregularlycametohimtoaskforsuchmassagedhisegonoend.
ApartfromBasu,MotherhadnotmanyfriendsintherulingWestBengalpoliticalestablishmentsheisdislikedonaccountofdrawing
internationalattentiontoonlythecity'snegatives,butnotdoingmuchtoredressthesenegatives.AfterBasu'sretirementfrompoliticshe
hadtobegentlyforcedoutbyhispartyTeresa'sorderisfindingitdifficulttogetspecialfavours,suchasthegrantoffreegovernment
land.Theyretainpowerfulalliesinthebureaucraticsystem,bothatstateandcentrelevels.Thereisdefinitereluctanceandfearinruffling
them,becauseoftheirinternationalconnections.Bureaucratsespeciallyarenotpreparedtoaskthemuncomfortablequestions,forinstance
abouttheirfunds,astheyarefearfuloftheirpoliticalconnections.TheorderhasmanypowerfulfriendswithintheCongressparty,which,

thoughoutofpowerinWestBengal,stillmaintainsvariouschannelsofinfluenceinthecountry.
MotherTeresahadastableandcordialrelationshipwithCalcuttaCorporation.Sheoftenexploitedthecashstrappedandoverstretched
Corporationtofurtherherownname.Occasionallyshemightalsohelpthemout.
DespiteherfairlycloseassociationwithCalcuttaCorporationovertheyears,IwassurprisedtofindthatinCalcuttaIs,abook(publishedby
CalcuttaCorporationin1978)bySivaprasadSamaddarwhowasAdministrator(apostcreatedwhenthepostofmayorwastemporarily
abolished)from1978to1983,shedidnotgetasinglementionwithinits324pagephilosophicalandfactualmusingsonCalcutta'sproblems
andprospects.Again,Idonotthinkitwasanintentionalomissionshewassuchaninfinitesimallysmallplayerinthecity'surbanlife!
WhenthePopecametoCalcuttainFebruary1986,theCatholicestablishmentinvitedthemayorofCalcuttatowriteawelcomingaddressin
theirspecialsouvenirthatwaspublishedfortheoccasion.ThisiswhatKamalBasuwrotetothechairmanofthewelcomingcommittee:
DearFatherColussi
Thepope'svisitshouldencouragealargenumberfromtheaffluentcommunities,bothCatholicandotherwise,tocontribute
towardsthedevelopmentofCalcutta,andfortheupliftmentofthedowntroddensectionslivinginslums,andforthespread
ofeducationandhealthservices.WeexpecttheCatholicinstitutionstomoveinthismatterandajointprogrammewiththe
CalcuttaMunicipalCorporationwillbeappreciated.Wehopeyourpublicationwouldhighlightthisaspect.
Youareawareoftheproblemsofthecitywhichhasdevelopedwithoutaplan,compoundedbytheunusualoutburstof
peopleinthelast30years,particularlyafterthepartitionofBengalandtheinfluxofalargenumberofpeoplefromthe
weakersectionsfromtheadjoiningstatesthecityserviceshavebeenstretchedbeyonditscapacitytoprovidetheamenities
required.
Itisurgentlyrequiredthatacontributionofassistanceshouldbeobtainedfromtheorganisationsandinstitutionswhoare
preparedtodosomeservicetothesociety,andmoreparticularly,tothecitizensofCalcuttaintheareaswheresuch
assistanceismosturgentlyrequired.
WehopeandtrustthatthevisitofHisHolinessPopePaulIIwillbeabletoraiseconsciousnessamongstpersonswhoarein
apositiontocontributeandgetinvolvedinsuchprojects.
Anyfurtherpointsmaybediscussed,ifrequired.
Interestinglyinthemayor'slettertherewasnomentionofMotherTeresaorhercontributiontothecity.Therewasalsoathinlyveiled
criticismofCatholicgroupswhichpromisealotbutdeliverlittle.The'jointprogramme'or'contributionofassistance'whichthemayor
askedfornevermaterialised.'Personswhoareinapositiontocontributeorgetinvolved'didnotcomeforward.Insteadthecorporationand
thegovernmentendeduppayingmillionsforthePope'ssecurity.
ComingbacktoCalcutta'sreligioustolerance,itwasatitspeakinthe1950sand60s.Asthecity'sproblemshavemultiplied,thistolerance
hasbeenattenuated,andpresently,IcannotsaythatthecityisimmunefromtheHindufervourthatissweepingtherestofIndia.TheHindu
animosityofCalcutta,suchasitexists,isdirectedagainsttheMuslimstheChristiansaretootiny(comprising1.4%ofthecity'spopulation
againstanationalaverageof2.6%)andtoounimportantacommunitytobebotheredwith.ButintherestofIndia,authoritiesaregetting
moreandmorepunitiveagainstChristianswhoareconvertingunderdeception.InMarch1995,nineAmericanevangelistswerejailedin
Orissaforconvertingtribalswiththelureof'miraculoushealing'.InJanuary1996,LouisBirje,an82yearoldBelgianpriestwasgivena
prisonsentenceforconverting94tribalsinaremoteareaofMadhyaPradesh.
TheHindumajoritypopulationofIndiahaslatelybecomeintolerantandoftenviolenttowardsChristians.During2000and2001church
afterchurchwasburntinGujarat,Gandhi'sstate.On22January1999theAustralianmissionaryGrahamStainesandhistwosons(merely
10and8yearsold)wereburntaliveinOrissa.Beforethat,inBihar,on2September1997,Christudas,aCatholicpriest,wasparadednaked
throughthestreetsofDumkaitwasallegedthathehadsexuallyassaultedaboy.SixweekslatertheArchbishopofCalcuttawrotetoChief
MinsterJyotiBasu,pleadingthattheperpetratorsbebroughttobook:
IthasbeenourgratefulexperienceinWestBengalthatyourgovernmenthastakenadequatestepstopreventdiscrimination
againstweakerandminoritycommunities.ThefuneralofMotherTeresawasaclearexampleofthatrespectforreligion.I
hadalsotheexperienceofgenerousstatesupportin1986...
ThisisyetanotherexampleofhowCalcuttasustainedTeresaandherorder,notviceversa.ItalsoshowshowmuchtheIndianCatholic
establishmentispreparedtogroveltogetthingsdone.Interestingly,BiharwasoutsideBasu'sjurisdiction,buttheArchbishopwas
appealingtoBasuasamanofwidepoliticalinfluenceinthesubcontinent.
WhenMotherTeresafoundedherhomeforthedyingin1952,thecity'sCorporationgavehertheabandonedbuildingadjoiningtheKali
temple,theholiesttempleinthecityandoneoftheholiestofHindutemplesinIndia.Therewasalotofoppositionamongthepriestsand

orthodoxHindus,butthemajorityofliberalmindedHindusatthetimesawnothingwronginaChristianmissionaryrunningahomealong
Catholiclinesbesidetheirtemple.ThethenchiefministerofWestBengal,B.C.Roy,whowas,likeTagore,anadherentoftheBrahmo
Samaj,brushedasideanyfinalopposition.ThiswouldnothavehappenedinanyothercityinIndia.
Asamatteroffact,itwillnothappeninCalcuttatoday.CalcuttaremainsthemosttolerantcityinIndia,butreligiousharmonyhasundergone
alotoferosiontoday,ifMotherTeresawantedtobuildahomebesideanyHindutemple(letaloneaveryspecialoneliketheKalitemple)
inCalcutta,shewouldnotbeabletodoit.
Sadly,Mother'sKalighathomeNirmalHridayhasnotdoneagreatdealforinterreligiousrelationsinCalcutta.MotherTeresahasnot,over
theyears,maintainedanykindofrelationshipwiththetemplepriests.Thatdoesnotsurpriseme,asinBiblicalterms,paganpriests(along
withscribesandPharisees)arethelowestofthelow:'Nowthechiefpriests,andeldersandallthecouncil,soughtfalsewitnessagainst
Jesustoputhimtodeath'(Matthew26:59)
TheKalighatpriestsdonotliketheMissionariesofCharity.Theyfeelresentfulofthemandbetrayedbythem.Oneoftheirmaincomplaints
isthatpeoplefromallovertheworldcometoseeNirmalHriday,whereashardlyanystepinsidetheirtemple,whichisliterallynextdoor.
Theirmaingrudgeisaboutthelossofthepotentialearningswhichcouldbetheirs.Theyalsopointoutthat,unlikeotherHindutemples,
KalighatallowsnonHindustopassthroughitsportals.
Kalighatisafilthydirtytemple,inthetraditionofalloldIndiantemples,suchastheonesinVaranasi,theholiestcityoftheHindusdoes
notsayalotaboutthereligion.WhenItoldtheprieststhatperhapsiftheymadetheirtempleabitcleanerandslightlymoreaesthetic,they
couldincreasetheirrevenuefromtourists,theypointedoutthatMotherTeresa'shomeisequallygruesomeanddire.
ThereisaTeresaparable,repeatedumpteentimes,aboutaKalighatpriestwhowasdyingofcholera,andwhowasrejectedbyallhisfriends
andcolleagues,andwhowasfinallytakeninbyMotherTeresainherhomeforthedyinghegotbetterandfromthenon,andonlyfromthat
pointonwards,shebecameadarlingofthepriestsofKalighat.Priortothispoint,theytreatedherwithgreatsuspicion.
InthemannerofallTeresaparables,nodetailsaresupplied,i.e.,nameordate,butitissaidthatithadhappenedinMother'searlydays.
CholeradidbreakoutinCalcuttain1958inabigway,soitcouldhavehappenedinthatyear,whichwassixyearsafterthehomeopened.I
haveinterviewedatleasttwodozenKalighatpriests(ofallgenerations)onvideobutnooneisawareoftheincident.Thisdidsurprise
me,asaccordingtothepublicitymachinery(andthemediaatlarge)thisepisodehasbeenetchedforgenerationsinthemindsoftheKalighat
priests.Accordingtotheolderpriests,itisimpossiblethataBrahminpriestfromthetempleofKaliwouldagreetolieinaCatholichome
theyalsosaidthathimbeingrejectedbyhisfriendsandcolleaguessoundedoutlandish,asinHinduterms,cholera(ordiarrhoea)arenot
'unclean'conditions.WhenIsaidtothemthatthestorysoundedentirelyplausibleandthattheycouldnotbesosure,theychallengedmeto
giverealevidenceofanyHindupriestwhohasevenpassedthroughthedoorsofNirmalHridayinits46yearsofexistence.
Ipersonallythinkthattheincidentcouldhavehappened,butobviouslyithasnotbecomethefolkloreinKalighatthatMotherTeresahadus
believe.Assumingithadhappened,itisindeedremarkablethatinalltheseyearsnootherpriestcouldbefoundinthehome.
TherehasbeenanotheroutbreakofcholerainCalcutta,asrecentlyasMay1993.Kalighatwasparticularlybadlyaffected,beingadirtyand
crowdedarea.Thistimeitwasthevaccineresistantstrain0139ofthecholeragerm.TheInfectiousDiseasesHospitalinCalcuttagot
swamped,andatonetimehadtorefusepatientsthathospitalalonetreated22,000patientsjustinthemonthofMay1993,mostlyasout
patients.Afewhundreddied.WHOissuedaninternationalalarm.Thankfully,theepidemicwascontainedbeforeitgotoutofcontrol.Now,
whatdidMotherTeresaofCalcuttadoduringthecrisis?SheprobablydidnotknowaboutitasshewasintheVatican,asshewouldbe
duringanysummer.ShemighthaveprayedforthecholeravictimsinthePope'sprivatechapel.
InJuly1996,cholerabrokeoutinthesouthernIndianstateofKerala,wheretheMissionariesofCharityrunnumerousoperations,and
whichwasoneofherfavouriteplaces,asithasoneofthelargestChristianconcentrationsamongtheIndianstates.Acoupleofhundred
peoplediedinthatoutbreaktheMissionariesofCharitywerenotamongthepeopleseentohelpwiththecholeravictims.
IamsorrytosaythatMotherTeresahasnotbeenabletobuildanybridgesbetweenherownestablishmentandthatofthetempleofKali
theyjusttolerateeachother.Youjusthavetoscratchthesurfacetosensethehostilitythatthepriestsfeelagainstthenuns.AsIhave
mentionedbefore,thereasoncouldbepartlyenvyoflucre,asthesepriestsareparticularlyvenalandunspiritual.Butthebottomlineis,
MotherTeresahasbeensingularlyunsuccessfulinspreadinghermessageofloveintheimmediatevicinityofherworldfamoushomefor
thedyinginKalighat,whichisprobablyoneofmostfamousandadoredbuildingsintheworld,andhasbeendescribedbytheworldmedia
insuchtermsas'anorchardoflove','afountainheadofpeace','theworld'spurestplace','heaven'swaitingroom'etc.,etc.,etc.
Imanagedtointerviewoneofseniorpriests,MohitChattopadhyay,butIcouldnotgethimtotalkaboutMotherTeresa,whetheronoroff
therecord.Hesaidaboutherwork,'Herwork,thoughonasmallscale,isuseful.'WhenIaskedhimtodiscussthegeneralprinciplesofher
workanditsimpact,hesaid,'MotherTeresaisaninternationalcelebrity.Comparedtoher,Iamlessthanriffraff.Itwouldbeimprudentof
metodiscussher.'
ItisverydifficultindeedtoconveytoanonCalcuttanhowmuchofanunseenandunheardofentityMotherTeresawasinCalcuttainthe
1970s,whenshewasasuperstarintheUnitedStatesas'MotherTeresaofCalcutta'.AsfarasIcangather,shewasalsoastarintherestof

thewesternworld.ShehadalreadygotherTempletonAward,MagassasayAward,AlbertSchweitzerPrizeand,ofcoursethePopePaul
XIIIaward,andshesawthedecadeoffwithherNobel.ShehadalsobeenfeaturedonthecoverofTIMEmagazine.Itwouldbetruetosay
thatwe(themiddleclasses)wereawareofherexistence,butjustabout.ConsideringthatonlyaverysmallfractionofthepoorinCalcutta
aretodayawareofher,Ipresumethesituationwassimilarinthe1970s.
DrHilaryStanding,theBritishsociologist(ofUniversityofSussex,andTavistockInstitute,London),authorofDependenceand
Autonomy,Women'sEmploymentandtheFamilyinCalcutta(Routledge,1991)visitedCalcuttanumeroustimesthroughthe1980s.She
hadalsolivedtherecontinuouslyfor18months.Shesays:
IheardmoreaboutherinBritainthanIdidoverthere.Inevercameacrossanyevidenceofherwork.CertainlyIdidnotsee
hernunsworkingwiththepoorinthestreets,orelsewhere.[MuchofDrStanding'sworkwasdonewithpoorandslum
women.]I'dsayshedoesnotcrossthepathsof99.9%ofCalcuttans.Iheardherbeingdiscussedonlyonceoverthere,
whichwaswhenmyfriendMandirawasthinkingofadoptingachildMotherTeresa'sorphanagewasoneofthefewshe
visitedbutwasn'tquiteimpressed.MotherTeresaandCityofJoyservetorereinforcethefearsandfantasiesoftheWest,
andCalcuttafulfilsaparticularroleinmaintainingtheoldfantasyofthewhiteman'sburden.Althoughsheisnota
significantfigureinrealterms,shehasforsomepeoplebecomeanhonoraryBengali.Bengalisdolikeheroesandforsome
peopleshefulfilsthatneed.I'dsaysheisparticularlypopularwiththeclubbingclasses.8
DrWilliamRadice,professorofBengaliattheinternationallyfamousSchoolofOrientalandAfricanStudiesinLondon,hasbeento
Calcuttanumeroustimes,startingfromthe1960s.HesaidthatonlyoncehadheheardMotherTeresabeingmentionedovertherebythe
motherofanacademicfriendofhis.And,itwasinthecontextofattemptstofindapoorahometodieorliein.Hewasnotawareofthe
outcomeoftheattempt.HesaidhewasnotparticularlyilldisposedtowardsMotherTeresabuthediddespairatthehorrorthatstruckhis
audiencewhenheinformedthemthathewasgoingtoCalcutta.Hehashadonlyonedirectexperiencewiththeorderinallhistimesin
Calcuttawhenhehandedoversomemoney(toMotherpersonally)thatanIrishacquaintancehadgivenhimtopasson.
TogiveanideaofhowmuchMotherTeresawasconsideredapartofthecity'slifeinthe1970s,IhaveconsultedtheWho'sWhosofthat
decade.InIndia,thevariousyearlyWho'sWhopublicationsaretakenveryseriouslyindeed,bothbythepublishersandthepopulation.
Theyareabigindustryandtheysellintheirmillions.ThisismainlybecausepersonalitycultandheroworshipareessentialtoIndian
culture,whichthesebooksomehowsatisfy.
ThereareabouthalfadozenmajoryearlyWho'sWhosinIndia,andthetwobiggestsellersaretheTimesofIndiaWho'sWhopublished
fromBombay(since1913)bytheTimesofIndianewspapergroup,andTheYearBookandWho'sWhopublishedfromCalcuttabythe
publishersM.C.SarkarandSons.Thelatter,whichwasfirstpublishedin1932,isthebiggestsellingWho'sWhoinCalcutta.
MotherTeresamakesherfirstappearanceintheTimesofIndiaWho'sWho(whichcarriesabout450entries)in1978,thepreNobelyear
shegetsasmallmentionas'MotherTeresaBojaxhiu'.Thefollowingyearshetakesoffinabigway.
Now,totheCalcuttapublicationthisbookusuallycarries80famousnamesofthewholenation,andMotherTeresadoesnotappearuntil
1981,twoyearsafterherNobelawardshethengetsanicesubstantialparagraph.
ComingtootherWho'sWhos,IhavetracedanotherpublicationWho'sWhoinIndia9publishedfromCalcuttain1973andcarrying1,700
illustriousnamesofIndia.ItdoesnothaveMotherTeresaasoneofthe1,700.
FamousIndia,Nation'sWho'sWho10(1,250names),publishedfromDelhialsodoesnothaveheruntil1979.
Abookpublishedin1970(theyearafterSomethingBeautifulforGodwasshowninBritain,andinmanyotherpartsoftheworld)called
CalcuttaToday,AComprehensiveSurvey(Sales&DisplayPublications,Calcutta)notonlydoesnothavenomentionofMotherTeresain
itstext(despitethefactthatthebookdealsprimarilywithCalcutta'surbanproblems)butalsodoesnotfeatureherinitslistof'Who'sWhoin
CalcuttaToday'thelistrunsto239names,andincludesanatomistsandglassblowers.
Theonlypublicationfromthemid1970sthatgivesMotherTeresaamentionistheDirectoryofIndianWomenToday11publishedfrom
Delhiin1976.MotherTeresa,appearingasoneof4,500notablewomenofIndia,hasnicethingssaidabouther.Thisbookalsogivesa
statewiselistof'SocialWelfareOrganisations'surprisingly,theMissionariesofCharitydoesnotappearunderWestBengal(orunderany
otherstate).
MotherTeresa'somissionfromIndianWho'sWhosisnoteworthyinsofarasshehadbecomeafixtureinsimilarpublicationsinmost
Westernnationsfrom1972onwardsintheUnitedStateshadalreadybecomewidelyknownasthe'livingsaint'.Heromissionfromthe
Calcuttabasedpublicationuntil1981isalsosignificant,ifweconsiderthatWesternmediawereconstantlyreportinginthemid1970sthat
peopleinCalcutta'kissherfeet'whenshewalkedalongthestreets.Incidentally,kissingsomebody'sfeetisacustomtotallyalientoIndian
culture,ratherlikewhatsquattingonthefloorwouldbeforaWesterner.
MotherTeresa'somissionfromtheCalcuttapublicationthroughoutthe1970sandearly80sfitsinwithmyownperceptionofherworkand

theawarenessofherpresenceinCalcuttaduringthatperiod.Today,herworkhasremainedthesame,butheracceptanceinthecityhas
increasedmanifold.
Between1978and1985,IusedtotraveldailyonmymopedfrommyhomeinsouthernCalcuttatoCalcuttaMedicalCollegeintheheartof
thecity.IusedtotakeashortcutwhichtookmepastMother'sorphanage,ShishuBhavanallthatIsawoftheorphanagewasthemassive
irongateswhichremainedsecurelyshut.Sometimes,whenIpassedthebuildingaroundmidday,Iwouldseebetweenfiftyandhundred
peoplequeuingupfortheirmealatthesoupkitchenwheneverIsawthissight,IwouldfeelthankfultowardstheMissionariesofCharity
forprovidingausefulfunctionforthepoor.IthoughtnothingmoreaboutitoraboutMotherTeresaorherorder,untilIcametotheWest.
Uponcominghere,IrealisedthatMotherTeresahadbeenfeedingentireCalcuttasinglehanded!Asamatteroffact,whereaspreviously
theyusedtoopentheirsoupkitchenatmidday,nowtheyhavechangedthetimetomidmorning,withtheresultthatevenfewerpeopleare
abletoavailoftheservice.
SinceMotherTeresaissomuchmorepopularwiththemiddleclassesinCalcuttatoday,Ihavedonenumeroussurveysamongschooland
collegestudentsinthecity.OnesuchsurveywasdoneatKalighatWomen'sChristianCollege,andwasdoneformebyafriendwho
teachesEnglishthere,in1996ayearbeforeMother'sdeath.Itwasdonewithonlythirteenstudents(randomlypicked),allofthemin2nd
yearEng.Lit.Thewomenonlycollegehasatotalof400students.Eachstudentwasaskedtonametwopersons,livingordead,whoshe
thoughtwerethetwogreatestpeopleassociatedwithCalcuttainthecity'shistory.
Hereistheresult:
StudentNo.TwoGreatestPeopleInThatOrder
1.SatyajitRay,SukantaBhattacharya(socialistpoet)
2.RabindranathTagore,SaratChandraChatterji(writer)
3.UttamKumar(matineeidol),JibananandaDas(poet)
4.RabindranathTagore,JyotiBasu
5.MithunChakraborty(filmstar),SwamiVivekananda(Hinduspiritualleader)
6.MotherTeresa,AnnadaSankarRoy(writer)
7.KishoreKumar(singer),RamakrishnaParamhansadev(Hindumystic)
8.RammohunRoy(socialreformer),NazrulIslam(poet)
9.RabindranathTagore,SatyajitRay
10.Vidyasagar(socialreformer),SwamiVivekananda
11.RabindranathTagore,SatyajitRay
12.SatyajitRay,UttamKumar
13.NetajiSubhashChandraBose,SirJagadishChandraBose(scientist)
Myfriendalsoaskedfiveofherteachercolleagues(fromamixofdisciplines)tonamethegreatestpair,andMotherTeresadidnotfeature
amongstthetennames.
IhavedecidedtoreproduceherethesurveyinKalighatWomen'sChristianCollegebecauseoftworeasons:first,ithappenstobein
Kalighat,abouthalfamileformMother'shomeforthedying,andsecondly,becauseithasabout15%Christiansamongitsstudents,which
istentimesasmuchastheproportioninCalcutta'spopulationingeneral.ThereisalsoahigherthanusualpercentageofChristiansamong
theteachers.Itisagovernmentcollege,butwasfounded(intheearlypartofthe20thcentury)bytwoBengaliChristianwomen.
IhaveundertakensimilarsurveysinfourothercollegesinCalcuttawithslightlylargernumberofstudents(bothmaleandfemale)butin
noneofthemdidMotherTeresaoncefeatureTagore,Ray,VivekanandaandNetajiwerethemostpopularchoices.Iwasactuallyquite
relievedwhenMotherTeresacameupintheKalighatCollegesurvey.IamnotawareifthestudentwhonamedMotherTeresaasherfirst
choicewasaChristian.
Iamnotforonceclaimingthatmysurveyswerescientificorthattheywouldstanduptostatisticalscrutiny,buttheyare,Ithink,
representativeofpublicopinioningeneral.
IhavealsodonesimilarsurveysamongsthighschoolstudentsinCalcutta'sschools,andtheresultsarequiteinteresting.Inthepooror

lowermiddleclassschools,MotherTeresadidnotcomeupatall,whereasthemoreaffluenttheschool,themoreshewasrecognisedasan
icon.ThisisnotonlytruefortheexpensivechurchrunschoolsshewascitedbyacoupleofgirlsfromModernHighSchool,aschoolfor
thewealthyrunonHindusecularprinciples.However,innoschoolsurveywasshementionedbymorethan15%oftherespondents.
ThereisrecordofonepublishedsurveyinIndiawhichwasofasimilarnaturebutithadbeencarriedoutoutsideofCalcutta.Itwas
sponsoredbythemagazineBusinessToday,andwascarriedoutontheirbehalfinthecitiesofBombay,DelhiandBangalore,bythemarket
researchcompanyMudraCommunications.Theyasked302subjects,betweentheagesof10and20,tonametheirideal'rolemodel'inlife.
MahatmaGandhiandJawaharlalNehru(India'sfirstprimeminister)cameuptops.AccordingtoBusinessToday,MotherTeresaandIndira
Gandhiwerequotedbya'minisculepercentage'12.Inthe10to13agegroupMotherTeresadidnotoccuratall.
Inmyothersurveywhichasked200highschoolstudents(acrossacrosssectionofsociety)thequestion,'IsMotherTeresagoodorbadfor
Calcutta?',92%saidshewasgood.ImustagainemphasisethatmysurveyexcludedMotherTeresa's'poorestofthepoor',hardlyanyof
whomwouldhaveheardofher.
OneofthereasonswhyCalcuttanshavecurrentlydevelopedadefinitefondnessforMotherTeresaisthattheyarebyandlargeunaware
howtheircityisviewedintheworld.Evenifafewareawarethatthecityhasanimageproblem,theydonotconsiderMotherTeresaaspart
oftheequation.CalcuttansonthewholeareconvincedthatMotherTeresahasenhancedthecity'sreputationintheworld!Theytellmethat
shehasdonesobyportrayingthecityasacaringandcompassionateplace.ManyareawarethatMotherwascalled'saintofthegutters'buta
denialmechanismworksifyoutrytellingthemthatthegutterinquestionisCalcutta,asviewedbytheworld.Theywilltellyouthatthe
phrasesignifiesthatCalcuttamakesroomforcharitablepeoplewhoarepreparedtoworkinthegutters.
CalcuttansalsohavethedelusionthattheBritishstillhaveaspecialplaceintheirheartsfortheircityastheepicentreoftheRajitisfutile
tellingthemthateventothemajorityBritish,whoshouldknowbetter,CalcuttaissimplysynonymouswithuttersqualorandMotherTeresa.
Inthiscontext,Icannothelpmentionahugebillboardadvertisement(firstappearingin1994)putuponthemainroadfromtheairporttothe
citybytheCalcuttabasedUnitedBank,probablyaimedatthehandfulinternationalvisitorstothecity.Itran:'WelcometoCalcutta,TheCity
ofTagore,TeresaandRay'.ThetextwasembellishedbyalittlepicturebesideeachnameTagoreandRaygettingaquillpenandacine
camerarespectively,andTeresabeingcarriedoffwithadove!Thehoardingstayedforalmostsevenyears,despiteoccasionalmurmursof
protestaboutthementionofTeresa.(UnitedBank,interestingly,isoneofIndia's'sickliest'banks.)
EducatedCalcuttansrefusetobelievethattheirtwogreatesticons,namelyRabindranathTagoreandSatyajitRayareunknownnamesinthe
Westevenmyownfamilywouldnotacceptit.TheyhavethisnotionthatTagoremaynotbewidelyreadinternationally,butheisa
householdname.ItisfutiletryingtellingthemthatRay'sfilmshavenotbeenshownanywhereinthewestinmainstreamcinemasforthelast
twentyyears.
Calcuttanssimplywillnotacceptthattheworldhasaunidimensionalviewoftheircity'What,peopleinthewestthinkthatCalcuttaisall
aboutslumsandsqualor,andnothingelse?ButourcityisnodifferentfromanyothercityinIndia!Surelythewestshouldknowthat!
Surely,theWestcannotbethatillinformed!'
Themainproblemis,Calcuttans(andIndians)havetremendousfaithintheWest'saccessto,andfondnessfor,impartialandunbiased
information.Particularly,CalcuttansareconvincedthattheBritishknowallabouttheirrenaissance,theirliberalhumanistideologyetc.,and
thattheyhavethehistoricalperspectivetoputMotherTeresaincontext.
AnotherreasonwhymanyCalcuttansnowadoreMotherTeresaisbecausealargesectionofthecity'spopulation,especiallyfromthesemi
literatelowermiddleclass,hasdevelopedtheideathatshebecameaHindu.ShecertainlyhadmanyofthemannerismsofaHinduholy
womanmoreover,herphilosophyofabjectacceptanceofpovertywouldalsomakeherappearaHindutothenotsowellinformed.
Furthermore,intheHindutradition,holymenandwomenfromallfaithsarereveredthispracticebecomesstarklyevidentwhenorthodox
Hindus(whomaybefanaticallyantiIslam)goandpayhomagetoasceticMuslimsages(calledpiirs).
DuringApril1996,TheAsianAgenewspaperinviteditsreaderstocontributeonthethemeof'MotherTeresaSaintorSinner?'The
majorityofthepeoplewritinginsaidthatshewasagood,holyandhelpfulwomansomeevensaidshewasasaint.
Iamquotingfromoneoftheletters13thatportrayedMotherTeresainapositivelight:
OnmywaybacktoCalcuttathenextday[20February1996],Icameacrossacouplewithafourmontholdbabywhowere
sharingthe[train]compartmentwithme.WestartedtalkingandIaskedthemthereasonfortheirvisittoCalcutta.The
answerwassimple,butsurprisedmetheywantedMothertoblessthechild,whowassufferingfromaheartdisease.The
parentshadbeeninformedthattheinfanthadtwoholesinhisheartwhichneededanoperationthatwouldcostRs1.2lakh.
TheycouldnotaffordthatamountandsaidthattheironlyhopewasMotherTeresa'sblessing.What,Iwouldaskyou,does
asufferingpersonneed?Strongantibiotics,orbloodtransfusions,asMother'scriticswouldsuggest,orcompassionwhich
parentsoftheailingchildhopedfor?DoesMotherTeresanotspellhopebeyondmedicine?Arethoseeyesnotblindthat
cannotseebeyondantibioticsandmedicaltests?

Thestorysoundedplausible,andsomeHindufamilies(IamassumingthatthefamilyinquestionwasHindu)wouldindeeddoatourofall
thevariousshrinesandofthenumerousholymenandwomenofdifferentfaithswhenfacedwithanincurablediseaseinoneoftheirown.
Butwhatisnoticeablehereisthetriumphofsuperstitionoverrationality,andthecondonationofsuchbytheauthor,whoisobviously
educated.TheotherextraordinarypointistheacceptancethatMotherTeresa'sdutyinrespecttoanillchildshouldbeconfinedtoblessing.
ThisconceptmaybeextraordinaryintheWest,butnotinIndia,forhere,Motheriscannyenoughnottogiveherclarioncalls,'Bringmethat
child.Wedonotrefuseanybody.'InIndia,sheislookeduponbymanyasaverypiousladywhohassomecharitablefunctionsalso.Most
ordinaryIndians(andCalcuttans)areunawareofherextraordinaryfinancialprowessindeedtheyareverymuchimpressedwithher
impoverishedaffectations.WhenshefacedcriticismsamongstcertainsectionsinCalcuttaonaccountofherthecostofhertreatments
(amountingtoamillionrupees)in199697beingwaivedbytheWoodlandsClinicandtheBirlaHeartResearchInstitute,thechattering
classesmainlycametoherdefence,arguingthatafterall,shewasa'poor,holywoman'.Iamthereforenotsurprisedthattheauthorofthe
letterdidnotquestionwhetherMotherTeresashouldbecalledupontopayforthechild'sheartoperationafterallRs120,000waspeanuts
toherthecostofshufflinghernunsaroundeverymonthfortheirretreatscomestoamuchlargeramount.
MotherhadacomfortablerelationshipwithCalcuttamedia.PankajSaha,oneofthekingpinsofCalcuttaTelevision,wasafan.Hedidthe
Bengalinarrationofherfuneralandfrequentlybrokeintopoetry,pseudospiritualgibberishandfondreminiscences.TheStatesman,which
wasvirtuallythecity'sonlyEnglishlanguagenewspaperbeforeTheTelegraphappeared(inthe1970s),hasbeenslavishinitssupport.On
16September1997,elevendaysafterherdeath,Statesman'seditorinchiefandvirtualownerCRIraniwroteafeature(oneofhisprecious
'Caveat's)entitled'LeadKindlyLight!'whereinhecalledher'loveable',butdespitethetitletheentirethrustofhisargumentwastolaunchan
attackonhercritics.Hegentlychidedherdentistfordisclosingherloveofchocolatesthenretractinghisstatement,butthenmadeapology
afterapologyforherassociationwiththedubious.Shewas'notasocialreformer'neithera'socialworker'hesaid.'Everycrooked
businessmanmakesanofferingtoatemple...'soitwasokayforhertotakemoneyfromwhosoeverofferedher.Thenhemadeanapology
onherbehalfwhichisuniqueinIndiaIhavenotcomeacrossittherebeforeorsince.Hesaidsowhatifshewasagainstcontraceptionand
abortion,butshedidnotharassthebirthcontrolclinicsthatwereonthesamestreetasMotherHouse!
OneofthemostoutspokencriticsofMotherTeresainCalcutta'ssecularmediatodayisSunandaKDattaRay,paradoxicallyaformereditor
ofTheStatesman,andalsoaformereditorialadvisortoTheStraitsTimesofSingapore.WritinginTheTelegraph14atthetimeofthe
electionstochooseMotherTeresa'ssuccessor,hesaid:
ForCalcutta,thisoughttobeatimeofsoberstocktaking.Thebond[betweentheMissionariesofCharityandCalcutta]
shouldbeforgedagainsothatthecitycanderivemorevisiblytangiblebenefitsfromthedrivingzealandfirmglobalreachof
thestoopedAlbanianbornwomanintheblueborderedsari,withherstrongfeaturesandintensestare,whoselife'sworkhas
madeCalcuttathemetaphorofdeprivation,destitutionanddegradationinmuchthesamewayasearliergenerationslinked
thecitywiththeblackholeofimaginedinfamy.Internationally,MotherTeresaisthesymbolofCalcutta.Buthowmuch
reasondoesthecityreallyhavetobegratefultoher?Whatpublicworks,institutionsandgeneralcharitiesdoweowetoher
devotion?Thenewsuperior'scredentialswillbejudgedbywhatshedoestofillthisgapandredeemCalcutta'simageforits
peopleandposterity...[Thechallengeofthefuture]cannotbeshirkedinthenameoffaith.
ThetimehascometoaskhowmuchofanimpactMotherTeresareallymadeonpainandpovertyeveninthewastelandsof
TiljalaandMotijheel[slumsareasofCalcutta].Perhaps,withmissionsin105countries,excludingIndia,MotherTeresa
spreadherselfouttoothinlytoalleviatemiseryinanyoneplace...Theorder'snewheadcanensurethatthevastfortune
MotherTeresahasaccumulatedisrepatriatedtoIndia,andinvestedinCalcutta'sbustees[slums],inafeedingprogrammefor
theundernourished,incleanandcomfortablehomesfortheaged,and,aboveall,inafineandfullyequippedfreehospital
wherethepoorareguaranteedworldclassdoctors,nurses,medicinesandtreatment.Oratleast,ofWoodlandsstandard!
[ThisistheclinicMotherTeresaherselfwenttowhenunwell]Itwouldbeasmallpriceforahalo.
Calcuttadeservescompensation.
AvariationofthesamefeatureappearedinTheTelegraphafterMother'sdeath.Andthatwasthesolestronglycriticalviewofherinlocal
media(includingTheTelegraph)intheweeksfollowingherdeath.
ManyoftheinternationaljournalistswhohadtravelledtoCalcuttaduringMotherTeresa'sseriousillnesseshaveprivatelyexpressedtheir
astonishmentatthelackofpublicconcernatthetimeofherverygraveillnesses.Theyhadbeenespeciallysenttorecordthepublicreaction
andtheyweretoldtoexpectwailingcrowdsalloverCalcutta,especiallyoutsidetheclinicwherethemoribundsaintlayfightingforherlife.
Whattheysawandwhattheyhadexpectedwasquitedifferent,buttheywerecarefulthattheydidnottelltheworldwhattheysaw.Some,
predictably,havebeenkeentogivetheimpressionthatwheneverMotherTeresaisonthevergeofdeath,Calcuttabecomesstrickenwith
griefandcomestoanearstandstilltheyhavementioned'hundredspraying'forMotherTeresa.Ichallengethesejournaliststoshowmea
singlephotographofevenhalfadozenpeopleprayingonthestreetsofCalcutta,includinginfrontoftheplushWoodlandsClinic,or,of
MotherHouse.DuringMother'sAugustSeptember1996illness,myassistantandIkeptaroundtheclockvigil(whichisentirelyrecorded
onvideo)outsidethesetwobuildingsneverdidweseeasingleordinaryCalcuttancomingtoenquireafterMother'scondition,letalone
pray.
Theonlypublicprayerthathappened(duringeachepisodeofillness)wasoneorganisedbytheCatholicchurchinCalcutta'sMahajatiSadan

(apublichall)whereprayersforherrecoveryweresaidbyleadersofthevariousreligiousfaiths.ItwasattendedmainlybytheCatholic
populationofthecity,somepoliticiansandpeoplefromthemedia.
AflurryofactivitywasalwaysshownbyCalcutta'sfewdiplomaticmissionsduringMother'sillnesses.On26August1996,representatives
fromtheFrench,German,RussianandAmericanconsulatesinCalcuttajoinedaspecialprayermeetingatMotherHousetoprayforher
recovery.
InthelastfouryearsofherlifewheneverWhenMotherTeresatookgravelyill,theonlychangeseenoutsideMotherHousewasthe
deploymentofpolicemen.PolicewerealsodeployedoutsideeithertheWoodlands,ortheBirlaHeartInstitute,whereverMotherhappened
tobeatthetimethiswasfortheunendingstreamofVIPsthatcametopaytheirrespectsmuchofthisrespectwasgenuine,butformany,
Teresaofferedaquickmeanstogetonthefrontpagesofnational(andinternational)media.
Onlyduring28,29and30August1996,IrecordedthefollowingVIPscometoWoodlandstowishMotherTeresaaspeedyrecovery:The
GovernorofWestBengal(thetitularheadofthestategovernment)ArjunSingh,leaderoftheobscure'Tiwarifaction'oftheCongressparty
TheChiefJusticeofCalcuttaHighCourtCalcutta'sCommissionerofPoliceTheConsulGeneraloftheUnitedStatesto
Calcutta,CherylJSim
Forsomestrangereason,anumberofthejudgesofCalcuttaHighCourtdecidedtocomealso.ChiefMinisterBasupaidquiteanintimate
visit,spendingabouthalfanhourwiththenuns,askingaboutMother'sstateofhealth.
TherewasnosignofthepopulaceofCalcuttamillingaroundtheclinicinlargeorsmallgroups.Bythistimealargevelvetbannerwith
shinygoldenletteringhadappearedoutsidethemaindooroftheWoodlands'TheRotaryClubofDowntown&EastCalcuttaWishes
MotherTeresaASpeedyRecovery'.
PrimeMinisterDeveGowdasentherabouquetofroses.InDecemberwhenshetookillagainandwastreatedatBirlaHeartResearch
Institute,hespeciallymadetimetocomeandseeherduringavisittoCalcutta.
On24August1996,whenmuchoftheworld'smediawereleadingwithMotherTeresa'sdeterioratingcondition,the9a.m.fifteenminute
BengalinewsonCalcutta'smainradiostationdidnotmentionheratall.TheeveningtelevisionnewsinBengalionthesameday,mentioned
herasthe6thheadline.ThemajornewsonthatdayinCalcuttawasthecelebrationsforthecity'sofficial306thbirthday.Adaylong
celebrationhadbeenorganised,withfairs,tableaux,speeches,songsanddramas,andenactmentofscenesfromthepast,suchasrolling
downinahorsedrawntramcardownthecity'smainstreet.Inthenumerouscelebrationsthattookplacethroughoutthedayalloverthecity,
MotherTeresa'ofCalcutta'wasnotmentionedonce.Iamsurprisedthatthenonefromtheforeignmediawhowerepresentinthecitypicked
uponthat.Again,todoit,wouldbeagainsttheirpresetagenda.TheyhadcometoCalcuttatoreportonacityshroudedincollectivegrief,
bangingitscommunalchestthepersonwhowassupposedtobethecity'ssolephysicalandspiritualproviderwasafteralldying.(She
recoveredandlivedanotheryear,todierathersuddenly).Tolettheworldknowthatthecitywashavingajollybirthdaybashwouldnotgo
downnicelywitheditorsbackhome.
IdonotthinkthatheromissionfromnewswasdeliberateitwasbecausesheisnotinpublicimaginationinCalcutta,andsheneverwillbe.
Sheissomewhereinthepublicmind(excludingthatofthepoor)whereshewillremainforadecadeorso.Thenshewillgraduallyfade.
OnMother's86thbirthdayon26August1996(bysomecoincidenceCalcutta'sofficialbirthdayprecedesMother'sbyjusttwodays)a
statementwentoutinhernameexpressing'mygratitudetoCalcuttaforallowingmetobehere.'Itisunlikelythatshepersonallyissuedthe
statement,asshewasriggeduptoaventilatoratthetimeitwasalmostcertainlyissuedbyheroffice.Manythoughtitwouldbeherlast
officialstatement.Itwasthefirsttimeshe(albeitbyproxy)hadmanagedtothankthecitydirectly,insteadofsayinginherusualwaythat
shewastherebecauseChristwantedhertobethere.
MotherTeresa'sclosestfriendsandassociatesinIndiawerenotdrawnformtheranksofthepoor.Theyweretherichandpowerful.Oneof
themistheredoubtableNavinChawla,oneofthemostprominentbureaucratsinDelhi.ChawlaisalsotheonlyIndiantohavebeenallowed
byhertowriteanauthorisedbiography.Besides,hehasmadeasmallfortunefromwritingotherpictorialcoffeetablebooksonher.Now
whatsortofmanisNavinChawla?Heisthesubjectofnumeroushumanrightsinvestigations.DuringtheStateofEmergencyinIndiahe
wasSecretarytoDelhi'sLieutenantGovernorandwasahenchmantothethugSanjayGandhi,whounleashedareignofterroroverIndia.
Afterpublicuprising(throughtheballotbox)overthrewEmergency,aspecialcommissionofenquirywassetuptoinvestigatehumanrights
abusesoftheperiod.GiventheextraordinarilycomplexIndianlegalprocesses,thecommissionmanagedtoindictonlytwentysixpeople
thebiggestculpritsandChawlawasoneofthem.ChawlaspentafewmonthsinthewildernessbutwasbackathisdeskassoonasMrs
Gandhicamebacktopower.
TheKumarsofCalcuttawereveryclosetoTeresaduringherlifetimeandremainstaunchalliesoftheorder.Sincerelationsoftheorderwith
UshaUthupthesingerhavecooled,SunitaKumarremainstheirstrongestconduittotheoutsideworldinIndia.SheusedtobeTeresa's
personalspokesperson.TheKumarsaresecularHindusandaregenuinelymodestpeople.Thefamilyhappenstobeverywealthy,owninga
largetractofRussellStreet,oneofthemostexpensiverealestateareasinIndia.NareshKumarhadrepresentedIndiamanytimesat
WimbledonandtheDavisCup.SunitaKumarhasdesignedsareesfortheFrenchfashionhouseHermes.WhileIwassittingandchattingin

theirlivingroom15surroundedbyoriginalpaintingsworthatleast$1,000,000,hekeptontellingmethattheywere'simplemiddleclass
peoplewhojustwantedtohelpMotherTeresa.'MrKumarhasunfortunatelypickedupsomestockphrasesfromhisheroineandinformed
me,'PovertyintheWestspiritualpovertyismuchmoredevastatingthanpovertyhere.'ItoldhimIbeggedtodisagreeparticularlyasI
didnotthinktheEastwasspirituallyquiterichwhichhetookingoodhumour.WhenIaskedthemiftheythoughtMotherTeresahaddone
moreharmthangoodtoCalcuttathroughbadpublicity,thecouplelookedgenuinelysurprised.MrKumarsaid,'Idon'tknowwhatsortof
peopleyouaremixingwithDrChatterjee,butwehavespentalloursummersinEnglandforaslongaswecanremember,andhonestly
nobodybeforeyouhassaidanythingofthatnature.'
AnothercloseassociateMotherTeresahadduringherlifetimewasUshaUthup.Sheisaversatilesingerandisparticularlyknownfor
singingWesternstylepopsongsinIndianlanguages.ShehasarecordingstudioinCalcuttacalledVibrations,whichTeresaherself
inaugurated.SheisacharmingladywhowasborninMadras,broughtupinBombayandsettledinCalcutta.Sheispassionateabouther
adoptedcityandoftenwearsabindionherforeheadintheshapeoftheBengaliletterkaw,signifyingCalcutta.SheisawarethatCalcutta
hasanegativeinternationalimagebutisreluctanttoblameTeresaforit.BecausetheIndianperceptionofCalcuttaissoverydifferent,and
becauseTeresawasneverthatmuchofanentityinthecity,itisgenuinelyeasyforpeoplenottoseetheconnection.
UthuphasseenvariouscrisesinherpersonallifeandlookeduponTeresaasafriendandcounsellor.Sheranintoseriousprofessional
difficultyin1983whenapowerfulministerofthestategovernmentbannedherfromusingthecity'sgovernmentauditoriabecausehe
accusedherofspreading'culturaldecadence'.Teresawasagreatsolacetoherduringthathourofcrisisandsaid,'Godislookingdownon
youandprotectingyou.'
Uthupadmitted16shehadgivenlargesumsofmoney(andmaterials)toTeresaovertheyears.Thesingerisassociatedwithanumberof
charitableorganisations,theAidsanddrugscharitySPADAbeingoneofthem.ShewenttoTeresashortlybeforeherdeathtogeta
messageforSPADA.Mothertoldher,'InsteadofgivingsomuchmoneytoAidsanddrugscharity,giveittome.'UthupmaintainsTeresa
wasnot'quitewithit'atthetime.Thesingerhadagoldchain,whichshehandedovertoMother.
Uthupsaid,'Motherwasneveraversetopublicity.Ifshewas,thenhowisitthatsheisthebestknownwomanintheworldtoday?'
Towardstheendofourinterview,Uthupagreedthat'MotherneverprotestedattheonedimensionalviewofCalcuttathatupsetsme.No
othercitywouldhaveallowedhertofunctioninthewayshedid.'
Uthuphoweversaw'noconfusionorconflict'betweenherextremeregardforTeresaandherloveforCalcutta.
HerrelationswithMother'ssuccessorandtheorderingeneralhavebecomecoolsince5September1997.AcoupleofdaysafterMother's
death,whenherbodywaslyinginStThomas'sChurch,UthupexpressedthewishtosingthehymnRaghupatiRaghavaRajaRam,written
byGandhi.HerrequestwassummarilydismissedbytheMissionariesofCharityasthehymnwasnotCatholicbutmultifaith.Uthup
remainsdeeplyresentfulabouttheincidentandentirelyblamesthenunsfortheirnarrowminedness.Iremindedherthattheywerejust
followingtheirfounder'sphilosophy.
AfterherdeathMotherTeresaisabetterknownnameinCalcuttathanshewasduringherlifetime,butIamnotsureifpeoplearemoreor
lessfavourablydisposedtowardsher.Hergravedrawsbetweentwentyandfiftyvisitorsdaily,almostallofthemvisitorstothecity.On15
October2000,despitefairamountofadvancepublicity,the50thanniversarycelebrationsofherorderdrewabout100membersofthe
public.Therewasnotasingle'poorestofthepoor'.Mostwereuppermiddleclasspeople,and50cars(includingaMercedes)couldbeseen
linedupoutsideMotherHouse.Representativesfromthevariousfaithswereinvited,mostofwhommadelengthyspeeches.Mohammed
KarimtheMuslimrepresentativerecitedtwosonorousandlongwindedodes,onededicatedtoMotherTeresa,theothertohersuccessor.
NotmanyCalcuttansareawarethatTeresahasdoneseriousandprobablylongtermdamagetotheircity'sreputationandprospects.Even
thosethatare,arereluctanttoairtheirviewspublicly.ItisverydifficulttoconveytoanordinarymiddleclassCalcuttanthatMotherTeresa's
associationhasbeenterriblyunfortunatefortheircity.ThemainreasonforthatisIndians'slavishfascinationfortheWest.Calcuttansare
deeplyimpressedbyheraccesstoEuropeanheadsofstate,andparticularlyUSpresidents.TeresaisdefinitelyseenasaWesternicon,and
hencealmostbeyondreproach.TocriticiseTeresawouldimplytacitcriticismoftheWest,whichisunthinkableformanymiddleclass
Indians.InCalcuttathismindsetisevenmoresurprising,asitisacityofprotests,andisknowninIndiaasthe'cityofprocessions'.Calcutta
istheonlycityintheworldtohavebroughtoutprocessionsagainsttheTalibantreatmentofwomen,andthenagaintheUSattackon
Afghanistan.
IndianshaveapathetichankeringafterWesternawardsandrecognitions,howeverminor.Amongstthe'educated'urbanclassesitisalmosta
shametobeIndianandinmanyupmarketschoolsinIndia(includingCalcutta)speakinginthemothertongueisbannedandispunishable.
Indiaistheonlycountryintheworldwherethishappens.
Parentshankeraftersendingtheirchildrentosocalled'missionaryschools'runbytheCatholicChurch.Theseschoolsareoftenhugely
expensiveandnotofahighstandardbutareconsideredworthwhilebecausetheyteachgoodconversationalEnglish.Because'missionary
schools'aresomuchoversubscribedIndianshavestartedtheirown'missionaryschools'.DevoutHinduswouldfoundschoolswithnames
likeStSoldier,StChristmasorStEthelBurger.AschoolwithanIndianisednamewouldhaveproblemsattractingcustom.Assoonas

IndiansfindoutmywifeisIrish,manyofthemproudlydeclarehowheorshehadastrictIrishpriestornuninschoolwhowouldcane
themregularlyandtherebyhelpincharacterbuilding.BeatingsfromanIndianteacherwouldbeconsideredasluronthecharacter.
Until1967twentyyearsafterindependenceCalcuttaSwimmingClubusedtoadmitonlythewhiteskinned(therewaslargeEuropean
andAmericancommunityinthecityatthetime).Whenaleftistgovernmentministeronedaychargedintotheclubwithabandofpitch
blacktribalsandjumpedintothepool,thebiggestcriticismcamefromtheranksofchatteringIndians:'Isnothingsacred?...'etc.
TheIndianmarketisfloodedwithathousandandoneskinlighteningcreamswhicharejustoverpricedharmfulbleachesinatube.Pickup
anyIndiannewspaper,andyouwillfindhowallpotentialbridesare'fairandconventeducated'.
IndianshaveapathetichankeringafteranyWesternaward,howeverminor.Onthe50thyearofIndianindependenceoneoftheTV
channels(ZeeorStar)wasdoingamovingmontageofgreatandgloriousIndiansbutmostlytheywerefocusingonIndianswhohadbeen
recognisedintheWest.ThereisasadscrambleamongstIndianstogetintotheGuinnessBookofWorldRecordsgiventhattheycannot
usuallyqualifyonthebasisoftalentorskill,Indianshavetakentogrowingembarrassinglylongnailsorhairsorcookingthebiggestonion
bhaji.TheGuinnessrecordsforthelongestnailandthelongestearhairarebothheldbyIndianstheholdersaremajorcelebritiesintheir
townsanddistricts.EverydaytheGuinnesspublishersgetlettersfromremotecornersofIndiaaskingtobeincludedonthemostridiculous
ofgrounds.
IndianshaveastrangefascinationfortheNobelPrizeandmanyaredeeplyperturbedthatdespitethesizeofthepopulationthecountryhas
notproducedthatmanylaureates.ManyIndianhighschoolstudentscanparrotoffNobellaureatesofthelast10yearsorso.Minutiaeabout
theNobelprizesarestandardfareinvariousIndianquizcontests.WhenAmartyaSengottheNobel(Economics)Prizein1998,therewas
streetdancinginCalcutta.Overnighthewastransformedfromanotableacademictoapopstarlikecelebrity.Therewerepoliceguards
outsidehishouseandhehadtobeescortedbypoliceforfearofbeingmobbed.Plaqueshavebeenputupwhereverhedidanythingatall.
Notthatanybodycaresabouthiscontributiontoeconomics.WhenaskedaboutTagoreandwhathestoodfor,manyaCalcuttanwouldreply
onlythathegottheNobelprizeandwasthefirstAsiantodoso.HardlyanybodyisawarethatTagorewaspassionateaboutchangingthe
Indianeducationsystemthatproducessuchanunimaginativeservilemindset.
IndiansarealsoquicktoclaimanylaureatewhohasanyIndianconnectionatall.HargovindKhurana,wholeftIndiafortheUSneverto
returnandthenbecameachemistrylaureate,isclaimedbyIndiansastheirown.
InthiscontextIndiansareproudthatMotherTeresaaddedanotherticktothesmalllistofIndianlaureates.Theyarenotawarethatshewas
alsoaVaticancitizenandthehonourisnotanundilutedone.GiventheIndianmindset,Teresacouldhaveachievedgoddesslikeorsuper
divinestatureifshehadcontributedsubstantiallytoCalcutta.Intherunuptothemillenniuminanonlinepollforwww.calonline.comasto
whowere/arethebiggestoverallcontributorstoCalcuttaandWestBengal,Teresasecuredtwovotes,fewerthanmanypoliticians.Inthe
'mostcharitableperson'category,shecamefifth.Vidyasagartoppedthecategory.
TheOutlook2002poll:
IntheweeksleadinguptoIndia's55thindependenceinAugust2002,theEnglishmagazineOutlookinviteditsreaders(andothers,by
placingadvertisementsindifferentmedia)toelectthe'greatestpostindependenceIndian'.Respondents55,000eventuallyrepliedwere
askedtochooseformalistoftenselectedbyOutlook:JayaprakashNarayan,IndiraGandhi,AtalBehariVajpayee,J.R.D.Tata,B.R.
Ambedkar,MotherTeresa,VallabhbhaiPatel,SachinTendulkar,DhirubhaiAmbaniandJawaharlalNehru.Needlesstosay,the
respondentswouldhavebeenfromthemiddleandupperclassesofIndiansociety.
MotherTeresacameagallopingfirstinthepoll(althoughintheover45agegroupNehrutopped).
MostofthecandidateswouldbeunknownintheWestsimilarlytheywouldbelittleknowntopresentgenerationIndians,whoare
supremelyoblivioustotheircountry'sstrengthsandtraditions.WhateverlittletheyknowhavebeengatheredfromtitbitsinWesternmedia.
TheOutlookissue(19August)announcingthepollresulthadaninterviewwithayoung'educated'womaninDelhiwhowasaskedbya
journalistifsheknewwhyMahatmaGandhi(who,beingmainlypreindependence,wasnotacandidate)chosenottowearashirt.After
considerablethoughtsherepliedthatshecouldnotsayassheneverstudiedfashiondesign!
TheonlysectioninCalcuttathatisantiUSandtakesantiWesternstancefrequentlyaretheleftistgroups.Thesegroupsarenumerousinthe
cityandindeedthegovernmentcallsitselfMarxist.Howevertheleftwouldnevercriticiseanybodyfromaminorityreligionasthatwouldbe
classeda'communalact'.Forthelefttocommita'communalact'wouldbecommittingpoliticalsuicide.InIndiaindividualsaremorepartof
acommunitythanprivatecitizens,andtocriticiseMotherTeresawouldbeakintocriticisingtheentireCatholicindeedChristiancommunity.
WhenBBCtelevisionshowedadocumentarythatportrayedMaoTseTunginanegativelight,someleftiststudentsinCalcuttamarchedinto
BritishAirwaysofficeandransackedit.ButtheyareremarkablyreticentaboutviciousslandersontheircitybyvariousinternationalTV
channels.Whereastheyarevocalaboutwomen'srightsandabortion,theyarenotawareaboutTeresa'sinternationalcampaignagainstthem.
In2000PriyankaChoprafromDelhiwontheMissWorldtitle.Oneofherqualifyingquestionswas'Whichlivingwomandoyoumost
admireintheworldtoday?'SherepliedtoJerrySpringer,thecompere,'MotherTeresa',althoughthenunhadbeendeadmorethanthree

years.InterestinglythereplywasaverbatimrepeatoftheonegivenbySushmitaSen,theIndianwhohadwontheMissUniversetitlesome
yearspreviously.Despitethefauxpas(orbecauseofit)Choprawonhertitle.Shealsosaidthatherhobbywas'gospelsinging',although
evenIndianChristianshardlyeverengageinsuchapastime.Afterthecontestwhenjournalistsaskedhertorectifyheranswer,shereplied
HillaryClintonwasthelivingwomansheadmiredmost.Shecouldnotfindasinglewomanfromherowncountry,amongstthethousands
whoareworkinginthefieldofempoweringdispossessedIndians,toadmire.
TheaboveisanexampletoillustratehowmuchIndiansarereadytosacrificetheirdignityinordertoingratiatethemselvestotheWest.It
wouldhavebeenunthinkableforChopraandherilktoadmitforinstancethatherhobbywas,say,Assamesefolksinging,asMrSpringer
andhisfellowcountrymenmightfinditratherstrange.
SatishChandraDeyisanoctogenarianwhonevermarriedorhadchildren.Intheearly1990swhenheretiredasaschoolteacher(from
IchapurNorthlandHighSchoolnearCalcutta)hedecidedtobuyaplaceinaresidentialsupervisedtypeestablishment.Hedecidedtooptfor
MotherTeresa'sestablishmentinNimtalaGhatStreetinnorthernCalcutta.Itmightcomeasasurprisetomany,buttheMissionariesof
Charityrunasystemofofferingsupervisedplacesfortheelderlyinlieuofpayment.MrDeysaidhechoseMotherTeresa'sorderbecause
hehad'readsomuchabouther,especiallyintheinternationalmedia,andbecauseshewassomuchreveredintheworld.'MrDeyhadsaved
wellduringhislife(particularlyforhisoldage)andpaidtheorderalumpsumofRs400,000(about$10,000)afortuneinIndianterms.
Themoneywaspaidbychequeandheretainsthereceipt.
Hehoweverwasforcedtoleaveaftertwoyearsashefoundtheconditionsintolerable.Heisnonreligioussotheextremeandthe(sole)
Catholicbiasinthehomedidnotbotherhimabit,buthefoundhewasbeingtreatedasaservant.Despitehisagehewasaskedtowork,
especiallywasorderedtomanthegates.Atoddhourshewouldbewokenupfromhissiestasandslumberstogoandopenthegates.He
founditdemeaningandhard,especiallyforaretiredmaninhisseventies.
MrDeyhoweverrefusestocriticiseMotherTeresaoreventheorder.Hesayshefoundthenunssteepedonlyinreligionandignorant,but
nice.HemetMotherTeresafourtimesandfeltfascinatedandoveroverwhelmed.Hecallsheraninternationalsymbolofpeace,loveetc.etc.
Heevenrefusedtodivulgeifhegotpartofhismoneyback.HecontractedTBwhilstinthehomeandisgratefulthathewastreatedforfree.
Suchaman,ifmetedthesametreatmentbyanIndianorderwouldhavefilledthecorrespondencepagesofnewspaperswithlengthyletters.
WestBengal'scurrentChiefMinister,BuddhadebBhattacharjee,amanofimpeccableleftistandculturalcredentialsandanextremelyproud
Calcuttan,wouldnotdrawntocriticiseTeresapublicly,whateverhisprivatesentiments.InFebruary2002,Calcutta'smayorSubrata
Mukherjee,madeastartlingannouncement.Mukherjeebecamethecity'smayoracoupleofyearspreviouslyratherbydefaultafterdecades
inpoliticalwilderness.Apoliticalanimal(heisaprofessionalpoliticianandhasneverheldajoboutsidepolitics)fromhisearlyteenshehas
beenfighting(clumsily,unsuccessfullyandsometimesviolently)theleftinfluenceinWestBengalfromacentrerightplatform.Amannoted
neitherforhisintellectnorhisfinessehewaskeentoleavehisownstamponthecityofhisreign.Almostonassumingofficeheannounced
thathewishedtoturnthecity'scentrallylocatedracecourseintoafootballstadium.Calcuttahashalfadozenfootballstadiaincludingthe
largestoneinAsia.Ahugepublicoutcrystoppedhisplans.ThoughaproudmanusedtogettinghisownwayMukherjeewashumbledand
silenced.
InFebruary2002hesuddenlyannouncedhehadanotherwonderfulplanforthecity.HetoldcitizensthathehaddecidedtorenamePark
StreetafterMotherTeresa.Hefolloweditupwithaproposalofrenamingtherelevantundergroundstationafterheralso.Heannouncedthat
hehaddiscussedhisplanswithSisterNirmalawhowassaidtobedelighted.Hecouldnothaveforeseenthefurorethaterupted.
ParkStreetwasoneofthefirststreetsbuiltbytheBritishinIndiainthe18thcentury.Untilthemid20thcenturyitwasupmarketand
fashionableandexclusive,verymuchlikeaRegentStreetoftheeast.Nowitisdowdyandseedybutpeoplestillassociateitwithgenteel
(Western)charm.Propertyremainsprohibitivelyexpensive.AnotherunusualfeatureofParkStreetisthelargenumberofrestaurantshere
thatareallowedtoservealcohol,forthesaleandservingofalcoholisseverelycontrolledinIndiaingeneral.
CalcuttanswhoarenormallyindifferenttoanythingtodowithMotherTeresa,becameagitatedattherenamingproposal.ManysaidPark
StreetwasalreadynamedafterFannyParkaminorcolonisingmemsahibsoitwouldnotberighttorename.Mostobjectionscamefrom
theviewthatastheareahadaracyandlouchereputationitwouldnotbeasuitableassociationfora'holyandpiouslady'.Whenthedebate
wasreallyhottingup,duringMarch2002,oneofthelocalEnglishdailiesHindustanTimessetupaspecialsectioncalled'Platform'for
readerstoairtheirviewsontheissue.Itspeciallyinvitedprominentpeoplealsotogivetheirviews.Almostallthe'celebrities'supportedthe
renaming.P.C.SorcarJunior,amagicianofinternationalreputecalledTeresa'thegreatestsoulonearth'andaskedforimmediaterenaming.
MoonmoonSen,modelandactress,didnotwantParkStreetrenamedbecauseitwasParkStreet.MamataShankar,actressanddanseuse
(nieceofRaviShankarthesitarmaestro)thoroughlysupportedrenaming.ShesaidMotherhad'madethenameofourcityknowntothe
world'!ShethoughtParkStreetwasnotaproblembecause'whenpeopletroopdownforfunandentertainmentnexttimethenameof
MotherTeresawouldkindleaconsciousnessinthem.'(Evenaboringpersonlikemecannotseewhatfunandentertainmentcanbehadin
presentdayParkStreet.)TheeminentauthorMahashwetaDeviopposedrenamingbutdiplomaticallyavoidedanycriticismofTeresashe
saidshewastoooldremembernewnames.
ThepublicweremainlyopposedtotheideabutonlyafewcitedthereasonthatCalcuttahadlittletobegratefultoTeresafor.Acouplesaid
thatshewasantiprogressbeingagainstcontraceptionandabortionandwasunsuitableforacitylikeCalcutta.Manysaidwehavehad

enoughofrenamingsoleaveourstreetsalone.
Thelocalmediawerealsoopposedforamixtureofreasons.Intheendthemayorretreated.Hehadalsoratherflamboyantlyannounced,no
doubttowooChristianvotesforhisparty,thathewantedtoputupastatueofTeresaonParkStreetandwouldaskthePopecomeunveilit!
HewasobviouslyunawarethatthePopewassoillatthetimethathecouldbarelymoveandwashavingtocurtailhisplansevenwithin
VaticanCity.
TheTelegraph17putasealonthesagawithapompouseditorial:
Justabouteverybodyhasexpressedshockandindignationatthisperemptorydecision,...Themayorshouldnotonlyleave
ParkStreetandMotherTeresaalone,butalsomakedecisionswithinthemunicipalitymoredemocratically.
Thiswouldhavebeentheendoftherenamingsagabutthemayor,whosepridewasbadlyhurt,waswaitingforanopportunemomentit
seems.On19August2002,atinyadvertisementwaspalcedinlocalnewspapersbythecorporationaskingforobjectionsonrenamingPark
Street,orelsetheprocesswouldgoahead.Despitethesizeandlocationoftheadvertisement,anumberofprotestsweresentin,butinall
probabilitythemayorisdeterminedtohavehiswayheisboundtogainsubstantialpoliticalmileagethroughrenaming.
Calcuttaaboundsinpublicstatuesofthegreatandgood.Hugebronzemonumentstoheroesandheroinesaredottedalloverthecity,
testimoniesnodoubtofthecitizens'passionforfindingheroestoputonpedestals(literally).TagoreandNetajihavefewstatueseach.
Freedomfighters,writersandsocialreformersarethere.LeninstandsfourmetrehighatthetopofLeninSarani(Street)oneofthelast
uprightLeninsintheworld.GosthaPal,thelegendaryfootballerwhousedtobeatEuropeanteamswithoutfootballbootsstandsnimbly
poisedonafootball.
ButthecityhasnomonumenttoTeresa.(SumirLal'sapprehensionthatshewouldrisetothe'pantheon'seemstohavebeenpremature.)
Usuallythestategovernment(andnotthecitycorporation)financesCalcutta'spublicstatuesakindofstatepatronagetolocalartists,for
sculptingistraditionalarthere.ThegovernmentsofarhasnoplansforaTeresabronze.In1998,afewmonthsafterherdeathaChristian
dominatedorganisationcalledAllIndiaMinoritiesCommission(AIMC)decidedtoerectastatuetoTeresainanimportantintersection
calledParkCircus.AfamouscitysculptorcalledGautamPal(hisstatuesofGandhigracealltheworld'smajorcitiesincludingWashington
DC,whereitwasinauguratedbyPresidentClinton)wasaskedtogetcrackingonabronzedepictingMotherhuggingachild.Thestatuewas
finishedbutitwasnevermadetoitsdestination.AnemptyplinthpointsuptotheheavensatParkCircus.BecausetheMissionariesof
CharityandtheAIMCgotinvolvedinapublicmudslingingmatchtodowithcollectionoffundsandwhocanandwhocanandwho
cannoterectamonumenttoher.
ThenunssaidtheMinoritiesCommissionwasnotaCatholicorganisationandassuchwasnotauthorisedtocollectfundsinthenameof
Mother.ItisnotgenerallyknownthatMotherTeresaherselfhadstipulatedthatonlyorthodoxCatholicorganisationswhichfollowedher
brandoffaithwereentitledtousehername.(TheAIMChasasignificantMuslimpresence.)Theorderwenttocourtandobtainedan
injunction.
MrPalwasstuckwiththestatueinhisgarden.Hetoldmethatthiswasthefirsttimehehadworkedwithoutanadvanceashehadbeen
confidentthatsellingastatueofTeresawouldnotbeaproblem.ButnobodyinCalcuttawantedit.AftersometimeaCatholicorganisation
fromMadrasboughtthestatueandputitupinapublicplaceoverthere.

NOTESTOCHAPTER12
1.PersonalInterview,September2000
2.'HisMastersChoice',30April19973.TheTelegraph,Calcutta,1October1995
4.TheIndependent,London,24February1996
5.Smithsonian,USA,July1991
6.SurabhiBanerjee,JyotiBasuTheAuthorisedBiography(PenguinBooksIndia,1997)
7.GeoffreyMoorhouse,Calcutta(Penguin,1971,1983),textwithplates3,4
8.Interviewwithauthor,2August1995
9.H.Kothari,Ed.,KothariPublications
10.RaviBhusan,Ed.,FamousIndiaPublications
11.AjeetCour,Ed.,IndiaInternationalPublishers

12.BusinessToday,721February1995
13.TheAsianAge,IndiancitiesandLondon,17April1996
14.1February1997
15.On15August1998
16.Interviewon3August1998
17.15March2002

CHAPTER13
DeathandFuneral
MotherTeresadiedonFriday,5September1997from'leftventricularfailure',i.e.,heartfailureinlayman'sterms.Theofficialtimeofdeath
wasgivenas9.30p.m.(GMT5p.m.)butshehadbeenlifelessforatleast40minutesbeforehand.Herlastwordswere'Ican'tbreathe',
utteredinEnglish,whichhadbeenhernaturallanguage.UnlikethelastwordsofPrincessDiana(whohaddiedonlyfivedaysback,on31
August)therehasnotbeenamajorcontroversy(sofar)aboutMother'slastwords.ButasectionoftheCatholicestablishmenthasdecided
thatherfinalwordswererathermundaneandselfconcerned,notbefittingherimage.Thereisacertainpressurealreadytoalterthesewords
tosomethingmore'saintly'.HerchampionandspiritualadvisorFatherEdwardLeJolysaysinhisbookthatalthoughshesaid'Icannot
breathe'at9p.m.,a'Sisterheardhersaying:"Jesus,ItrustYou"herlastwordsasshesurrenderedhersoultoGod[at]930p.m.'1Thisis
patentlyuntrue.At9.30shewascompletelywithoutbreathandlife.
Itislikelythatinfuture,herfinalwordswouldbedistortedevenfurthertoimpartatremendousrapportwiththe'poorestofthepoor'who
shewasleavingbehind.
Thereisalsonocontroversyaboutthetime,modeandmannerofherdeath,andabouttheeventsofthateveningleadingtoit.IspoketoDr
AlfredWoodward2,thepersonalcardiologistwholastattendedherandhisaccountsmatchalmostidenticallythosethatwerereportedinthe
(local)media.
At7.30p.m.on5September,MotherTeresahadherfrugalsupperofbread,soupandbananaandpreparedtoretireforthenight,butat7.45
toldherSistersthatshewashavingbackpaincontrarytopublicperceptionMotherTeresanotinfrequentlycomplainedofpain.Thenature
butespeciallythesiteofherpainsetalarmbellsringingasherheartfailuresandattacksalmostalwaysstartedwithbackpain,andnotwith
thetypicalchestpain.Followingawellrehearsed(andnotinfrequentlyexecuted)contingencyplan,DrWoodwardwasimmediatelypaged
aslightcontroversyexistsregardingtheprecisetimehispagerwentoffaccordingtothelocalmediathiswasat8p.m.butDrWoodward
toldmethathisbleepwentoffaroundaquarterpasteight.DrWoodwardwasathisplaceofwork,theAssemblyofGodChurchHospital,
lessthanamileawayfromMotherHouse.Ittookhimlessthan10minutestodriveto54aAJCBoseRoadandarriveatMotherTeresa's
bedside.Hefoundherbreathless,blue(ish)andingreatpain.'Hersats[oxygensaturation]wasverylow,'hesaid.At8.30p.m.heintubated
her,i.e.,passedaplastictubethroughherwindpipeinordertopumpoxygendirectlyintoherlungs.Findingherpulselesshethengavehera
hostof'emergencydrugs'throughherveinsandthenstartedcardiacmassage.Professionaldelicacypreventedmefromaskingwhatthese
drugswerebutIhavenodoubttheywereappropriate.Hecarriedonwiththemassageandrepeatedsomeofthedrugs.Therewasa
defibrillatorintheroombutMotherTeresawasnot'shocked'.Woodwardtoldmethatthedefibrillatorhadbeenputtouseonlytenmonths
previouslywhenMotherTeresa'sheartwasinabnormalcardiacrhythm(atrialfibrillation)andithadtobeelectricallybroughtbackto
normalrhythm.
AfterninetyminutesofintensiveresuscitativeactivitiesDrWoodwardgaveupandfinallycameoutandfacedtheSisters.At10p.m.(or
slightlybefore)hepronouncedthe'livingsaint'asdeadthetimeofdeathwasgivenas9.30p.m.Thenewsspreadimmediately.Deathwas
formallyannouncedtothemediaaroundmidnightbySisterNirmala,hersuccessor:'OurbelovedMotherwenthometoJesussuddenlyat
9.30tonight.Thecauseofherdeathwasacuteleftventricularfailure.Weaskalltoprayforthereposeofhersoul.'
WhatissignificantintheabovedescriptionisthatDrWoodwarddidnothavetocarrywithhimasingleequipmentordrug.MotherTeresa's
bedroomhadbeenfittedwithtwopulseoxymeters(instrumentsthatindirectlymeasureoxygensaturationintheblood),adefibrillatorand
lastbutnottheleastaventilator(USrespirator).Thelastalonecosts$5000,theequivalentofabout7years'wagesofanIndiansecondary
schoolteacher.Acupboardintheroomhadawidearrayofthemostsophisticatedcardiac(andother)drugsoftheday.Alltogetherthetotal
equipmentanddrugsintheroomcostabout$15,000.Nothingwronginthat,butoneneedstocontrastitwithMother'sfrequentstatements
howshewishedtosufferlikeJesusanddielikethepoor.
PriortoherterminalheartfailureMotherTeresahadobtainedanundertakingfromthosearoundherthatshouldshesufferanother'event'
shewouldbesparedanothertriptothehospital.
NotmorethanahundredpeoplearrivedatMotherHouseasthenewsofherdeathwasannouncedonthelocalradioandtelevision(thefirst
announcementbeingat10o'clock).Howeverdignitariesstartedcomingrightaway,thefirstonthescenebeingWestBengal'sMinisterfor
SportandTransportSubhashChakrabortyhewasfollowedbyUshaUthup,thesingerofWesternstylepopsongsinIndianlanguages.
MotherTeresa'sfavouritenewspaperTheStatesmanannouncedherdeaththefollowingdaywithexpectedbannerheadlinesithowever
describedheras'Yugoslavianborn',adescriptionshehadalwaysdislikedalmosttothepointofresentmentshehadalwaysregarded
herselfAlbaniantheYugoslavconnectioncomesfromthefactthatherbirthplaceSkopje(currentlythecapitalofMacedonia)was
incorporatedinTito'sYugoslaviafollowingWorldWarII.Thedayfollowingthedeath,i.e.,onSaturdaythe6th,therewerenocrowdsat
MotherHouse.Somuchso,thattwoofthelocaldailieswhohappentobearchrivalsranthesamestoryontheirfrontpageonSunday
the6th.AnandaBazaarPatrikaundertheheadlineTHEWORLDMOURNSBUTCALCUTTAREMAINSINDIFFERENTsaidhow

itwasbusinessasusualonAJCBoseRoad,asifnothinghadhappened,althoughoneparticularaddress,no.54a,happens
atthemomenttobethemostfamousoneintheworld...True,MotherTeresawasnotastartothemultitudesinthestatureof
UttamKumarorHemantaMukherjee[singer],andnorcanoneexpecthertoenjoythelevelofpopularityasdidSatyajit
Ray,butevenso,...whenthewholeworldisfixingitsgazeonCalcutta,woulditbetoomuchtoaskofourcitizenstoshowa
bitmoreemotion?
At6.45p.m.onSaturday,whenMotherHousereopenedtoreadmitmoredignitariescomingtopaytheirrespects,one
couldevenseeanunstandingatthedoorstepandbeckoningatordinaryfolkinthestreettocomein.Inthesmallcrowd
however,therewerepresentsomepeoplewhohadbeenpersonallyhelpedbyMotherTeresa.OneofthemwasParesh
ChandraDasfromParkCircus,whohadsuppliedMotherwithrosarybeadsforyears.
EvidencesoftributestothedepartedhaveappearedincertainpartsofthecitysuchasCreekRoworKalighatwhereeffigies
havebeenerectedwithflowerofferings,butonehadtolookveryhardtofindsuchtributes.
NodoubtDiana'sfuneralkeptpeoplein.Perhapstheraintooistoblame.PerhapsMotherTeresawouldhavepreferredsuch
alowkeyresponsetoherdeath.
ThedailyAajkaalranthesamestorywiththeheadlineNUMBEDBYDIANA'SDEATH,CALCUTTAFAILSTOMOURNFOR
TERESA.Thearticledescribedascenewhereasmallcrowdofpeoplewerestandingoutsidethewindowofashopsellingtelevisionsets,
intentlywatchingDiana'sfuneralproceedings:
Thecamerafocusedonasmallcardinthemidstofwreathofwhiterosesitsimplyread'Mummy'.Amiddleagedman,
whowaswatchingtheproceedings,tookoffhisglasses,wipedhistearsandmuttered,'Unbearable,unwatchable.'
Thehifishopwheretheabovesceneunfoldedisbutafewhundredyardsfromthefirstfloorroomwherethemortal
remainsofMotherTeresaarelying.Bravingthedrizzle,afewhundredpeopledidassembleinfrontofMotherHouse,but
thecityasawholechosetostayindoors.PeoplewithTVsetswatchedDiana'sfuneralathome,whilethosewithout
throngedoutsideTVshopsinGariahat,Tollygunge,Dharmatala.
IaskedAmarSampui,acyclerickshawpullerinTollygungeaboutthediscrepancyingrievingforthetwowomeninthetwo
cities.Hissentimentsweretypicalofthecity'satlarge:'GrantedMotherTeresawasnearerhome,butshelivedtoaripeold
age.Dianaafterallwasayoungwomanintheprimeofherlife.'
InahousedirectlyoppositeMotherHouse,youngPinkywasshuttlingbetweenthelivingroomandtheveranda,alternately
watchingTVandthepeoplecomeandgoatno.54a.Afterawhileherpatiencegaveupandshefinallyranindoors,saying,
'No,betterwatchtheTVproperly.PrinceWilliam'scrying.'
OnewondersifthefewhundredpeoplecomingtodaytoMotherHouseweredrawnbythefilmstarsstruttingintoexpress
condolences.ThoughthecityasawholeturneditselfawayfromMotherTeresaonSaturday,Imetpeopletherewhohad
beendirectlyhelpedbyherandsomeofthemhadmadelongjourneysfromthesuburbstoseeherforonelasttime.Imet
BharatiBaagfromUluberia,ParbatiRoyfromAlipurandawomancalledMary.Allthreewereinfloodsoftears.MsBaag
toldmethatshehadbeenlookedafterbyMotherTeresasinceshewasatwomontholdorphan.
OnSundayat9a.m.,i.e.,36hoursafterherdeath,aconvoyofthreeMissionariesofCharity'ambulances'(i.e.,nuncarrierspaintedas
ambulances)andafourthvehiclemovedMotherTeresa'sbodytoStThomas'sChurchontheexclusiveMiddletonStreetnearthecitycentre.
StThomas'sisoneofthehandfulCatholicchurchesinCalcuttaandsharesgroundswiththeLoretoHouseschool.AlthoughMotherTeresa
firstcametoCalcuttaasaLoretonun,thisparticularLoreto,whichisoneofthemostexpensivegirls'dayschoolsinthecountry,neverhad
herasateacherthiswasnotbecauseshewouldnotteachrichpeoples'kidsbutbecauseinthe1930s,whenLoretoHousewasafavourite
hauntofthedaughtersofallAsia'sroyalfamilies,thisCatholicschoolcouldnotevencontemplatehavingagaucheAlbanianasateacher.
Mother'sremainswereplacedwithinarectangularglassboxinthemiddleofthechurch.Thebodywasinjectedwithchemicalstoprevent
rotting.Sixteengiantcoolingmachinesandfanswereplacedinthechurch.
Peoplewereurgedbymediatocomeandvisitthebodyandpayrespects.Extensivearrangementsweremadebythegovernmenttoprepare
forcrowdscomingandqueuingupatthechurch.
CrowdsdidpickuponSundaythe7thatStThomas's,althoughitwasnowherenearspectacular.YusakuUsanami,Indiacorrespondentof
theworld'sbiggestsellingdaily,Japan'sAshahiShimbun,wasseenonSundaystandingoutsidethechurchtakinginthevolumecrowds
hewasdoingitwiththehelpofastopwatchandanotebook!Heaskedlocaljournalistswhowerearoundhimwhatthepopulationof
Calcuttawas,andhavingcalculatedthepercentagethathadcometoseethe'MotherofCalcutta',noddedhisheadindisappointment.3In
Japan,MotherTeresaisverybigindeed,enjoyingastaturealmostequallingthatofhersintheUS.Shimbunhadactuallybroughtouta
specialmorningeditionannouncingherdeath.Interestingly,althoughtherewasahostofIndianphotographersalwaysmillingaround

MotherTeresa,takingherpicturesinordertoselltheminternationally,sheherselfbestowedthestatusof'official'photographerona
Japanese,MorihikoOki.ThismadePRsenseOki'stechnologywasobviouslyfarsuperior,sowerehisinternationalcontacts.
ACalcuttaphotographer,PranabMukherji,shadowedMotherforalmostthirtyyears,butstillwasnotconsideredworthyenoughtobe
called'official'.Shortlyafterherdeath,inanemotionalinterviewwithTheBostonGlobe,Mukherjisaid:
Sheisbeautiful,MotherTeresais.Shewasalsooneoftheworld'sgreatestpsychologists.Tycoonsoftheworldhaveless
practicalbusinesssense.4
OnSunday,thelistofworthiescomingtopayrespectsincludedIndia'sPrimeMinisterGujral,WestBengal'sgovernorReddy,andthe
actressandformerMissUniverse(1995)SushmitaSenforsomereasonSenhadbecomeoneofTeresa'smostardentsupporters.She
struckupcloserapportwithTeresashortlyaftershegainedtheMissUniversetitle(nottobeconfusedwiththebetterknownMissWorld)
andhaddroppedinatMotherHouseonafewoccasionstotalkaboutpersonalandotherproblems.Todaysheappeareddistraughtinthe
churchandwasphotographedwithtearsstreamingdownherface.Shetoldreportersshealways'feltrelatedtoherasatotalhumanbeing.'
ShortlyafterSen,arrivedanotherfilmstar(andcurrentlypolitician)SunilDutt.HesaidhecancelledatriptotheUSsohecouldcomeand
payrespects.HetoldreportershemetMotherTeresaonlyamonthpreviouslywhensheexpressedadesiretoopenanAIDShomein
Bombay.
AgreatmanyordinarypeoplecametoseeMother'sremainsinthechurchonTuesday9September,somuchsothattheopeninghourhadto
beextendedto8.30p.m.Hardlyany'poorestofthepoor',oreventhepoorcamehowever.Mostweresolidmiddleclass,andwereseento
waitpatientlywithbouquetsofflower.Someschools,whichhadnoconnectionwithTeresaorherorder,organisedaday'soutingwith
queuesofchildrenjoiningthecrowdtoviewthebodyintheglasscase.
AsMotherTeresadiedsosoonafterDianaindeedthedaybeforethelatter'sfuneralcomparisonsbetweenpublicbehaviouratthetwo
deathsbecameunavoidable.ThepublicexpressionofspontaneousgriefandemotionafterDiana'swassomuchmorethatacomparison
doesnotbearmuchdiscussion,butonecouldmakecomparisonsbetweenthereactionafterTeresa'sdeathinCalcuttaandthatafterthe
QueenMother'sdeathinLondoninMarch2002attheageof101.Peoplequeuedthroughoutthenight(infreezingcold)toseetheQueen
Mother'sremains,somuchsothattheopeninghourshadtobeextendedovernight.Andthefuneralroutewaslinedbydensecrowds,nota
sprinklingofspectators.
On10September1997,SumanChatterjee(norelation),thewellknownproTeresahackrananextensiveanalysisofCalcutta'smuted
responsetoherdeathinAnandaBazaarPatrika.Ina1200wordarticleentitledTWOPEOPLES,TWODEATHS,BUTWHY
UNCHARACTERISTICRESPONSES?hecontrastedthe'cycloneofemotion'amongstthenaturallyreservedBritishoverDiana'sdeath
withthephlegmaticattitudedisplayedbynormallyexcitableCalcuttans.Hesaid:
ThereasonsfortheindifferentreactionofCalcuttansoverthedeathofitsmostfamouscitizenarenotdifficulttodiscern.MotherTeresahad
unlikeDianalivedafullandlonglife.Andshehad,intherecentpast,beensomanytimessoclosetodeath,thatCalcuttanswereleft
unmovedwhendeathfinallycame.Secondly,howevermuchtheworldhadfetedthisEuropeannun,herworkhadalwaysleftHindu
Bengalislessthanimpressed.Despitehavinglivedinthiscityforseventyyears,sheremaineduntilherlastbreathanorthodoxRoman
Catholicineveryconceivableway.Thirdly,herstanceonanimportantissuesuchasabortion,herpenchantof(consciously)mixingreligion
withcharity,andherultraclosenesstosomeoftheworld'smostnotoriousdictatorshadallmadepeoplenotonlythoseofaleftist
persuasionscepticalaboutheridealsandmotives.Butmostimportantly,shehadbaredbeforetheworldthedarkestandlowestsidesofour
cityitisonlynaturalthatwewouldwantthoseaspectstobehidden.ItwasCalcuttathathadmadeMotherTeresathelegendshebecame,
butonewonderswhatthecitygotinreturn.Inotherwords,MotherTeresa'sneedforCalcuttawasmuchgreaterthanthecity'sneedforher.
AnotherproTeresajournalist,ShankarLalBhattacharya,whoalwayspridedhimselfonthefactthathegrewupinafirmlymiddleclass
householdinthevicinityoftheofficialresidenceoftheworld'smostfamouswoman,commentedonthelackofrecognitionMotherTeresa
hadinCalcuttawhetherinlifeorafterdeath.Hehowevergaveadifferentcauseforthe.InanarticleembellishedwithquotesbyT.S.Eliot
forthewomen'smagazineSananda,hedescribedhowshehadalwayspinedforrecognitionamongstCalcuttans:
Untilherlastdayssheusedtomillaroundus[heprobablymeantlocaljournalists]inorderthatshewererecognisedand
appreciatedmore...IhavenohesitationinadmittingthatweCalcuttansgotnowhereasclosetoherasshehadwishedforus
todo.AfterherNobelPrizein1979,shebecamelikea'monument'inthecitycelebritiesfromfarandwidecametoseeher.
ThemajorityofusCalcuttanshowevergotournewsaboutherfromnewspapersandtelevision.
ItisinterestingthattwoprominentlocaljournalistsbothcommentedonthelackofimpactMotherTeresahadmadeinCalcutta,but
Bhattacharya,whohasanextremeproTeresastandpoint,blamedCalcuttansforthephenomenon.Butevenhedidnotclaimthather
charitablefunctionsweresospectacularastooverwhelmthecitizens.IfindBhattacharya'sanalysisthatMotherTeresawassomewhat
resentfulthatshewasnotbetterrecognisedbyCalcuttanstypicallynaive.Itisalsocharacteristicofthewayshewasalwaysacceptedatface
valuebyeverybodyallovertheworld.ShedidnotcareajotforrecognitioninCalcutta,whetheramongstthepeopleoramongstjournalists.
Hersoleaimwastogetmoreandmoregloryforhercauses(abortionandherfaith)throughexploitationofthecity's(lackof)reputation.
Howevershewasevermindfulofthemultifariousreligious,ethnicandpoliticaltensionsthatwentonperpetuallyinIndiaandwasalways

eagertobeontherightsideofthecity'shackshencethe'millingaround'.
Mothergotastatefuneral.ItisofcourseasignofrespectbytheauthoritiestothedeceasedpersonandmuchismadeofitbytheCatholic
establishment.ProvidencehadbeenkindtoMotherTeresamanytimesduringherlifeandherdeathalsohappenedataveryconvenienttime.
FortheprimeministeratthetimewasIKGujral,apoliticalnonentity(andaformerCongressman)whoheadedabizarreandunlikely
coalitionthatdisintegratedineightmonths.GujralwassympathetictoTeresaandalsowantedtogiveasignalofsupporttoreligious
minorities.IfMotherhaddiedsevenmonthslaterwhentheBJPcametopower,thingscouldhavebeendifferent.HowevereventheBJP
mighthavegrantedherastatefuneral,giventheextraordinaryamountofinternationaldiplomaticinvolvement.InIndiastatefuneralsarenot
asesotericastheyareintheWestwhenthespeakerofthelowerhouseofIndianparliament,GMCBalayogidiedinahelicoptercrashhe
waspromptlygivenastatefuneral.
AstatefuneralmeantthattheentirecostwhichwassubstantialwasbornebytheIndiantaxpayer,bythecentralandstategovernments.
Thewishesoftheorderininvitationsandreligiousarrangementswererespected.ThedatewasfixedforSaturday,13September,aftersome
initialconfusion.ThenunsgotbusywithreceivingdignitarieswhoflockedtoCalcutta,bringinghugeandundiscloseddonations.Oneofthe
memorablephotographsfromtheweekwaspublishedinTheStatesman5captioned'CellPhoneinOneHand,RosaryinAnother'showinga
nunmakingacallonamobilephonewhilefingeringrosarybeads.ManyofthegreatandthegoodthatflockedtoCalcuttasuchasHillary
Clinton,MrsChrtien,QueenNoorweremeetingforthesecondtimeinthespaceofoneweek,fortheyhadrecentlyattendedDiana's
funeralinLondon.TheUSsentanexceptionallylargedelegation,numberingoverahundred,consistingofanumberofSenatorsand
membersofCongress.OnlytheVaticansentalargertroupe.
OneworldstatesmanwhodidnotoversentimentalisehisgriefatthedeathwasNelsonMandela.Hedescribedheras'uniqueperson'and
madenomentionofhercharity,loveforthepooretc.Mandelaactuallyknows(of)Calcuttaquitewell,althoughhasvisitedthecitybutonce.
JyotiBasuishispersonalfriendandthroughouttheapartheideratheANCandCalcuttaMarxistsmaintainedclosecontact.Alotofmoney
wassenttoSouthAfricafromCalcuttathroughpublicdonationstohelptheANC.
Oneofthemajorheadachesthattheauthoritiesfacedintheweekbetweenthedeathandthefuneralwasoverthestateofthebody.Even
whenitwasbeingremovedonSundayfromMotherHousetoStThomas'sChurch,adistinctgreenishhuewasnoticeable.Althoughthe
nunscontinuedtodenythattherewasaproblem.Theysaid,'Motheriswell.Shecanseeandheareverything.Can'tyouseeshedoesn'teven
requireicetostaywell?'HoweverVicarGeneralFrancisGomezsaid,'IknowtheSistersarespeakingformtheirhearts,butwehave
adoptedfulltechnicalmeasureswiththeblessingsofJesusofcoursetopreservetheremains.'Governmentpathologiststreatedthebody
withmorechemicalson9Septemberandaspecial'coolingjacket'wasplacedaroundit.The'coolingjacket'wasspeciallypurchasedand
flownoverbythegovernmentfromabroad.
Becauseitwasastatefuneral,herbodywasformally'handedover'tothearmyonThursday11Septemberinthemorning,andfromthenon
soldiersstoodguardbesidethedeadbody.ThelastpublicviewingwasonFridayafternoon,bywhichtimecrowdshadthinnedagain.
Asinherlifefrequently,soindeathMotherTeresaletCalcuttaanditsinhabitantsdown.OneexampleofthiswasthetreatmentofLeon
MadeiraatthehandsoftheMissionariesofCharity.TheMadeirasareoneofthethreePortugueseoriginfamiliesleftinthecitywhose
ancestorscametoCalcuttainthelate18thcentury.Theyhavebeencoffinmakerssince1836.MrMadeirahasmadecoffinsforthe
MissionariesofCharitynuns(andbrothers)exclusivelyforagoodfewyears.Henaturallyassumedthatthefinalglory,thatofmakingthe
coffinforthegreatMotherTeresawouldalsofallonhim.Indeed,hewaswellintoselectinghiswood(19thcentury)anddesign(simple
traditionalVictorian)whenhewasinformedthathisserviceswouldnotberequired.HewastoldthattheMissionariesofCharityhad
decidedtoacceptthegiftofacoffinfromtheBombayarchdiocese.Itwouldbeinconceivablethattheorganisationwouldspurnanoffer
fromthenumericallyandpoliticallypowerfulCatholicsofBombay.MrMadeiradidnotreceiveanyformalorinformalapologyor
explanationfromtheorganisation.
OnSaturdaythe13th.,thedayofthefuneral,thecoffinwasceremoniouslycarried500metresfromthechurchbyanumberofhandsome
Indiansoldiers,thentransferredtoamilitaryguncarrierat8.45a.m.,whichwasinturnjoinedtothebackofanarmytruck,calleda'tractor'.
Aboutfifteenarmytrucksandanumberofcarsfollowedthetractor.Ontheopentoptractorwereadozensoldiersinfineturbansandhalfa
dozenseniormostnunsandpriestsoftheorder.Nocrowdsfollowedthecortege.Thereweresupposedtobecrowdsalongtheroadsthere
wasasprinkleofpeople.
ThecortegedrovefivekilometrestoNetajiIndoorStadium,thefuneralvenue,arrivingat10a.m.TheceremonyofMass,wreathlayingand
speechestookthreehours.TheMissionariesofCharityweregivenafreehandastowhotoinvitefortheceremonyatthestadium,which
canseat12,000people.Therewerenotmorethanahundredpooranddisadvantagedpeopleinthestadium,whowerespeciallydrivenina
busfromMotherHouse.Whytheydidnotinvitemoreisamystery.Therewereprobablyabout6,000peopleinthestadium,abouthalfof
themnunsandotherreligious.TherewereIndianandforeignofficialsanddignitaries.Therewerealsoalargenumberofarmypersonnel
andsecuritypoliceinplainclothes.Andofcourse,alargenumberofmenandwomenfromthemediafromaroundtheworldwerepresent.
Giventhelengthandcomplexityofthewreathlayingceremony,itwasexecutedwithoutanymajorhiccups,exceptfortwominorincidents.
ThefirstwasthefailureoftheDeputyMinisterofTransportandCommunicationofKazakhstantoturnupwhenhisnamewascalled
(nobodyknewwhetherhehadarrivedinthecity),andthesecondwaswhenthesoldierscouldnotproduceawreathforBrazil's

representative.Thewreathlayingwasquiteacircus,withagoosesteppingsoldierhandingitovertothedignitaryinjerkyrobotic
movementsthenmarchingawaypompously.ManydignitariesrespectfullytouchedMother'sbodyafterlayingthewreath.TheColombian
representativecameinaminiskirt.
Howeverthefuneralwasmarredbycontinuousandinappropriateclappingbytheaudience.AssoonastheAlbanianpresidentlaidhis
wreathhewasoneofthefirstonestodosoasectionofthecrowdstartedclapping.Thisstartedatrend.Fromthenon,clappingbecame
infectiousandeverytimeawreathwaslaid,theaudience(mostofit)clappedloudly.Eventhenunsjoinedin.TheVaticandelegationcould
donothingbutshiftuncomfortablyintheirseats.Clappinggrewlouderandlouderandwhentowardstheend,theturncameforChief
MinisterJyotiBasutolayhiswreath,itbecamethunderousandalmostunstoppable.Thelastperson(beforetheIndianpresident)tolaya
wreathwasthe'supremearmycommanderoftheeasterntheatre'.PerhapsitwouldhavebeenagoodgesturetoaskanorphanfromMother's
orphanagetolaythelastwreath,orevenabouquetofflowers.
Whythecrowd(partofit)behavedinthisfashionisunknown.Itwasnotdonetocausedeliberateinsultorembarrassmentitwasjustone
ofthoseinexplicablewaysthatlargegroupsofpeoplesuddenlychoosetobehave.Howevertheclappingissuecausedalotof
embarrassmentandwasheavilycriticised.TheStatesmanwhichtooktheaudiencetotaskwiththenewsitem'JarringNoteMarsFuneral'
onitsfrontpageinboxedhighlight.
At1.20p.m.soldiersreemergedfromthestadiumwiththecoffinandaftercarryingitontheirshouldersfor500metres,replaceditonthe
guncarriage.Thecoffinlidwasopentoallowpeopletoseethedeadnunshewasnowcoveredwithaplasticsheetasithadstarted
raining.Duringbothlegsofthejourneythecortegedroveatabout5kmperhour.Thereturnroutewas6kmlongmakingthetotallength11
km.
Aliberalestimateofthecrowdsliningthe11kmlongfuneralprocessionrouteputsitat80,000,althoughitislikelytohavebeen60,000.
Whenmyfatherdied,5,000peopletookhisremains(athalfanhour'snotice)fromtheHighCourt(hehadbeenalawyerwhotookup
publicinterestcases)toCalcuttaMedicalCollegemyownalmamaterwherehehaddonatedhisbodytotheanatomydepartment.
(Anotherproof,ifapersonalone,thatthestreetsofCalcuttaarenotstrewnwithdeadbodies.)
At2.20pmthecortegestopped500metresfromMotherHouseandeightsoldierscarriedthecoffinalongAJCBoseRoad,thenturned
intothenarrowalleywaybesidenumber54a,finallyenteringthebuildingthroughitsfamoussideentrance.Soldiersreemergedat2.40
p.m.,havingformallyhandedoverthecoffintopriestsandnuns.Twelvesoldiersstandingonthetramtracksoutsidefiredthreeroundsof
riflevolleysintotheairat2.45p.m.ThegroundfloorofMotherHousehadbeenpreparedandconsecratedtobeMother'srestingplaceover
thepreviousweek.ThecoffinwasloweredintothenewlydugfloorofMotherHouseat2.55p.m.OnlyonenonCatholicwasallowedto
bepresentatthatpreciousmomentitwasheraccountantSMRoyChaudhuri.
Therewerehardlyanypooralongthefuneralroute.Peoplewhohadcome,didsopurelyfromcuriosity.Manyhadmistakenlyassumedthat
thethreequeens(ofSpain,BelgiumandJordan)andHillaryClintonwouldtravelwiththecortege.SomewantedtoseewhatImeldaMarcos
lookedlikeinreallife!
MichaelSheridanwritinginTheSundayTimes6(London)admittedthatamidstalltheceremonyandpomp'Onlythepoorwere
missing...fewofthesickpauperstowhomshedevotedherlifelinedthestreetsofCalcutta'butthenrationalisedbysayingthattheydidwant
tocomebutwere'frightenedaway'!Infact,thesmallnumberofpoorthatcamewereattractedmorebythepompthanbyTeresa.
TheBostonGlobe7said,'Aplantohaveagroupofthecity'smostdeprivedaccompanythebodyonitsfinalridewasscrappedatthelast
minute.'Whatitdidnotsaywaswhyitwasscrappedbecauseenoughofthemostdeprivedcouldnotbefoundtomakeanimpressive
sight.Theycouldrustleupaboutacoupleofhundredatthemost.Ifforeignjournalistshadbeensurprisedatthelackofthe'poorestofthe
poor'wailingatthepassingoftheirultimatepurportedkeeper,theykeptjudiciouslyquiet.
TheBritish(Welsh)poetStephenKnightfoundhimselfinCalcuttaduringMotherTeresa'sfuneral.Hereisthepublishedaccountofhis
experience:
13September:IarrivedinCalcuttaonthemorningofMotherTeresa'sfuneral,theroadsasquietastheaeroplane.Onthe
driveintothecity,wepassed...thebillboardsofenterprisingcompanies:TataSteelpayshomagetoMotherTeresa,orthe
unmistakableblueandwhitebandofherhabitbesidehersloganDoOrdinaryThingswithExtraordinaryLoveBerger
Paints.Myfavourite,acartoonofagriefstrickencaterpillarbesideapoorlikenessMotherTeresa,wascaptionedSecondto
Nun.ThemorningeditionofTheStatesmenwasfullofsimilargesturesOurReverendHomagetoMotherwhotaughtusto
lovemankindDeeplymournedbyDuckbillDrugsRegd.Office265JodhpurParkCalcutta68
Shopsshuttered,crowdcontrolbarriers,policeandthemilitaryineverycorner.Thedrivertoldmewhenwewerepassing
alongtheroutethefuneralprocessionwouldbetakingfromNetajiIndoorStadiumtoMotherHouse,onesectionfive
minuteswalkformtheOberoiGrand[Hotel],itsentrancepolicedbydarksuitedsecuritymenwithwalkietalkies(forJohn
Prescott[BritishDeputyPrimeMinister]andtheDuchessofKentIdiscoveredlater)...Afterunpacking,Iwalkedtothe
neareststreetwherethecortegewouldpass,throughanarcadeofshopsRAYMONDSUITING.AuthenticStockist.NU

FABpastoneman,lyingonanoilclothonthewetpavement,flappingthestumpofanarmlikeaflipper,pastanother
rattlingcoinsinatincup,...pastchildrensellingpaperbacksspreadoutonapalletinthestreet(thrillers,romances,Jeffrey
Archer'sFirstAmongEquals)totakeupapositionnearthebarriers,bythentwodeepwithspectators...Ahelicoptercircled
inthedistance,andbirdswerecirclingtoo,adozenorsointheovercastsky,ascenefromaWestern.Thechatterwasin
Bengali,thecrowdjostling,eyeingmeaskance,buttherewasnowailingnothinglikethefuneralofthePrincessofWales
theweekbeforejustajockeyingforposition.8
Interestingly,anAmericanmagazine,WorkersWorld9madethisdaringcomment:
Themediahadpredictedamillionpoormournerswouldlinethestreet.Whydidlessthat5%ofthatnumberactuallyturn
out?Aren'tpoorpeoplegrateful?
PeterPophamofTheIndependent(London)hadthistosayabouthisencounterwithpeoplewhowerequeuingtoseeMother'sbodyearlier
onatthechurch:
Peoplehadallsortsofexplanationswhytheyhadcome.'Icametoseetheline,'onemansaidsimply...'Wewanttoseeher
body,'saidateenager,'she'sfamous,that'swhywe'vecome.'Hecarriedahomemadeposterdeclaringinblockcapitals:
'DearestMotherTeresaandDiana,wewillnotforgetyou,wewillrememberyouaslongaswelive.'Sheerfamecertainly
hadalottodowithit.Anelegantladyinabrownsilkfloralpatternedsari,claspingumbrella,sketchpad,pensandacamera
foughtherwaywithflashingeyestothefrontofthecrowdoutsidethechurch.Shetooksnaps,thenopenedthesketchpad
anddasheddownthesceneofmilitaryjeepsandRajputpipers.Shesaid,'I'mwritingpoetryonthis,itstartedwithDiana
poemsandwentontoTeresapoems...InLondonyearsagoIwalkedandwalkedyourstreetstryingtocatchRexHarrison
andAudreyHepburn.I'vequeuedfordaystryingtoseeDukeEllington...'10
Onesectionofthecity'spopulationwhichexpressedthemostvolublegriefwasitssportsmen!Thereasonforthisisunclear,butitcouldbe
thattheyweremobilisedbythestate'spersonableandenergeticMinisterofSports(andTransport)SubhashChakraborty,himselfan
admirerofTeresa.Thougha(token)Marxist,ChakrabortyiswellknowninCalcuttaasnotbeingparticularlyfriendlytothepooror
dispossessed.Itwashewhodeclaredawaronhandpulledrickshawsandalsostakedhispersonalreputationonthebanishingofall
pavementstallsfromthecity'sstreets.Thedaybeforethefuneral,onFridaythe12th,Chakrabortyaskedthecity'ssportsmenandwomento
assembleatAllenPark,asmalltriangularpieceofgreenabouthalfamilefromStThomas'sChurch.Ordersweregiventocomeinwhite
(theHinducolourofmourning)andtobringabouqueteach.
AfterthefuneralMotherTeresa'sbirthplaceAlbaniabecameinvolvedinanembarrassingincident.TheAlbaniandelegationcomprisingof
thecountry'sPresidentandfourotherswereputupattheHindustanInternationalHotel.Thehotelhadbeenreassuredthatthebillwouldbe
metbyeitherthestateorthecentralgovernment,butwhenthetimecameforthedelegationtoleave,itrefusedtoletthemgounlessthey
settledtheirbill,whichtheyhadto.WestBengal'sfinanceministerlaterreimbursedtheAlbanians.
Now,howdoesCalcuttasayfarewelltoitsrealfavourites?The1941funeralprocessionofTagorewasattendedandwitnessedby2million
people,whenthepopulationofCalcuttawas4millionfewerthanitscurrent11.5million.ThepublicparticipationatTagore'sfuneralhasbut
oneparallelinhistorythatofVictorHugoinParisin1881,althoughHugo'sfuneralwasdistinguishedbythesomewhatorgiasticand
streetpartylikeatmospherewhichwentonforaweek.ComingtomorerecentdeathsinCalcutta,howdidthepopulationmournandbehave
atSatyajitRay'sfuneralon24April1992?ToconveytheideaIshallquotefromasourceasunlikelyasanyTheWallStreetJournal:
Howbigisacrowdofonemillionpeople?It'simpossibletoconveythesensationofbeinginsuchathrongofhumanity,but
that'showmanyofthecitizensofthecommunistruledstateofWestBengalgatheredhereforthefuneralofSatyajitRay...
[His]bodywaslyinginstateattheWestBengalFilmInstituteinasectionofCalcuttacalledNandan,andthesheernumber
ofmournersmadeitimpossibleforsometimetomanoeuvrethegarlandedopencoffinontotheguncarriage,...Thepolice
wereworriedthatthehalfamillionorsowhohadn'tsucceededinenteringNandanmightriot...
ItisdifficultforoutsiderstounderstandtheintensitywithwhichhewaslovedbyBengalis,whoaresaidtohavepoetryin
theirsoulaswellastheirlanguage.ToBengalisunder25,though,MrRayisrememberednotasafilmmakerbutaswriter,
especiallyofchildren'sbooks.HewasthebestsellingauthorintheBengalilanguageandthelargestroyaltyearnerinall
India...
Themoodwassombre.Calcuttawasmourningforitself.MrRayhadbeentheemblemofBengal'sselfesteem.11
TheWallStreetJournalofcourseextensivelycoveredMotherTeresa'sdeathandrantwolargefeatures12(oneofthembyPhilipLawler,
editorofCatholicWorldReport)extollinghergreatnessandgoodnessthisisnotsurprising,asitisinWallStreetthatmanyofMother
Teresa'sbiggestsupportersdotheirdailygrind.ThepaperhoweverconvenientlyforgottoreportonCalcuttans'reactiontoherdeath,
althoughitrannumerousarticlesonthephenomenoneruptinginLondonfollowingDiana'sdeath.

QuiteacontroversybrokeoutinthelocalpressimmediatelyfollowingMotherTeresa'sdeathitwasoveranarticlethatappearedtheday
afterherdeathinAnandaBazaarPatrika.ItwaswrittenbySwamiLokeshwarananda,theheadofRamakrishnaMission,theHinducharity
thatisalsoIndia'slargestone.Itappearedinthenewspaper'sfrontpagesqueezedunderneaththebannerheadlineMOTHEROF20TH
CENTURYPASSESAWAYandahugeportraitofthedeceased.TheSwami'spiecewasentitled'LetUsBowtoHer,AFriendofthe
Poor'.HesaidhowMotherTeresa,thoughnotanIndianbybirthhadadoptedIndiaashercountryandregardedIndiansasherown.He
retoldfondanecdotesofmeetingher,onceinthecourseofcharitableworkinthesameneighbourhood.Hesaid,'Sheworkedonbehalfof
thepooruntilshebreathedherlast.'Thenhesaid,
WhenIwitnessedtherapidhorizontalspreadofherwork,IbecameconcernedasIwonderedifqualitywouldbesacrificed
toachievequantity.
ButsheisrightfullycriticisedforapplyingsubtlepressureonthoseunderhercaretoconverttoCatholicism,butthatcharge
couldofcoursebeappliedtoallChristianmissionaryorganisations.
NowthequestionisoftenaskedwhatisthedifferencebetweenMotherTeresa'sworkandthatoftheRamakrishna
Mission.Thedifferencewasinherpenchantforpublicity.WhereastheRamakrishnaMissionworksinsilence,Mother
Teresaalwaysactivelysoughtpublicity.Manypeople,includingthosethatliveinthiscity,arenotfullyawareofthefull
extentoftheRamakrishnaMission'swork,asweworkinsilence.Gimmickswedonotseek.
Lokeshwarananda'sarticlecausedanuproarthatragedinthecorrespondencepageofthenewspaperforalmostamonth.Manysupported
him,butmanysaiditwasinbadtastetocriticisea'nobleEuropeanladythedayafterherdeath'.
Aminorcontroversyhappenedforastrangereasonon11SeptemberTheStatesmanpublishedaninterviewwithMother'sdentistBarin
Roy,who,whilereminiscingabouthismostfamouspatient,innocentlyremarkedthatshehadrottenteethandwasinordinatelyfondof
chocolates.ThefeaturewasdonetohighlightvariousinterestingvignettesaboutthewomantheworldmadesuchfussaboutbutCalcuttans
knewlittleabout.TheCatholicestablishmentwentintoadeepsulk,especiallyastheworld'smediawerepresentinthecityatthetimeand
mightreadaboutsomethingthatdidnotfittheimage.
Despitetheoverallpublicindifference,thecorporatesectormadeascrambletopostnoticesofcondolenceinnewspapersandpublic
billboardsasthepoetStephenKnightobserves.ForalmostaweekallthemajornewspapersinbothEnglishandBengalicarried
supplementswhereboxedcondolenceswereputinbyvariouscompanies,bigandsmall.CompanieslikeHaldiaPetrochemicals,Apollo
Tyres,SaharaGroup,IndiaTobacco,BSirkarJewellers,wereamongstthebiggestmourners.Oneofthecity'sbiggestadvertisingfirms
themselvesdidalargehoardingwith'MotherTeresa:1910Eternity'.AllofMonginisCakeShopsremainedshutonthedayoffuneralasa
markofrespect.
ThePopedidnotattendthefuneral,whichsurprisedmostpeople.Westernmediawerefaintlycritical.ABCsaid,'WhenMotherTeresais
laidtorestonSaturday,themournerswon'tincludethetemporalheadofthereligiontowhichshedevotedmostof87yearsPopeJohn
PaulII.'13
ThesemiofficialreasonthattheVaticangrapevinespreadwasthatitwasbecauseofhealthreasons.Thisdidnotquiteringtrueaslessthan
amonthlaterheembarkedonanarduoustourofBrazil.Officially,Vaticanstaunchlyandconsistentlyrefusedtoissueanystatementasto
thereasonofhisnonattendance.Ifanythingtheywerekeentostressthatalthough'hegetstiredmucheasierthanbefore,butwhenheis
rested,heislucidandhismindisreallysharp.'OnlythemonthbeforeVaticanhaddeflectedfreshconcernsaboutthePope'shealthandhad
saidhishealthwasnormal.
RankandfileCatholicsweresurprisedatthePope'sabsence,andwhenVaticansaidthatitwouldasktheIndianbornCardinal
Lourduswamytoofficiateatthefuneral,IndianCatholicstookitasaputdown.TheytoldtheVaticanthatastheIndiangovernmentwas
spendingsomuchmoneyandenergyitwouldbeimpolitenottoshowsomeappreciation.CatholicgroupsontheInternetstartedbuzzing
withrecriminationsandcriticisms.VaticanwithdrewLourduswamyatthelastmomentandinsteadsentthenumbertwointheVatican
'government'SecretaryofStateAngeloSodano.InsendingSodano,itstruckaclevercompromisehewashighupintheVatican,but
moresointheadministrativearmthanthereligious.
ThereasonforthePope'sabsenceremainssomethingofamysterybutitcouldbetodowithhisorthodoxyandfundamentalism.Verylikely
hedidnotwishtoconductamultifaithceremonyinnonconsecratedpremises.And,itwouldbeinconceivableforhimtoconductMass
therewithnonCatholicspresentindeedthembeingthemajority.
WhatisnotgenerallyknownbyordinaryCatholicsisthatMotherTeresawasawarethat'thetemporalheadofthereligiontowhichshe
devotedmostofher87years'wouldnotbecomingtoherfuneral.AshortwhilebeforeshediedshespentsevenweeksinRome(mostof
MayandJuneof1997)whenshemetthePopeonagoodfewoccasions.Shehadbeendiscussingherfuneralarrangementswithpeople
closetoherforacoupleofyearsofyearsbeforeherdeath.ShewouldhavebeenawarethatthePopewouldnotcometoherfuneral,andit
waspossiblyamutuallyagreeddecision.ForMotherherselfbelongedtothesamerigidorthodoxbrandofCatholicism.Itisoftendiscussed
whethershewasawarethatshewouldbeawardedastate(i.e.,military)funeral.ManyatimeIhavereadhowdisgustedMotherwouldhave

beenatthepompandceremonyandtheabsenceofthepoor.Thepoorchosetobeabsent,andastothestatefuneralandthepomp,shedid
knowitwouldhappenifanonBJPgovernmentwasinpowerwhenshedied.ShedecidedtoacceptitforsakeofCatholicisminIndia,forit
wouldmeanthatherfaithwasacceptedbytheIndianestablishment.Sheprobablydidnotknowthatshewouldbecarriedonthetopofan
actualcannon,butevenifshedidshewouldhavekeptquietasshewouldnotwishtobedifficultwiththeIndiangovernment.
TheroutethefuneralcortegetookprobablywouldnothavemetwithherapprovalasitshowedsomeofthebestpartsofCalcuttawide
avenues,acresoflushgreenpark,elegantbuildingsfloatingbetweensunshineanddrizzle.MotherusedtogetirritatedifCalcuttawas
portrayedasanormalcityshefeltitdistractedfromherimage.
WhatsurprisedCalcuttanswasthatamajorpubliceventhadpassedwithabsolutelynountowardincident,forthisisavolatilecitywhere
emotionsrunhighespeciallywhereverthereisacollectionofpeople.AweekafterthefuneralShumaRahawritinginTheTelegraph14
commentedhowrelievedofficialsmusthavebeenthateverythingwentpeacefully,particularlywhenonecontrastedthisonewiththeother
majorpublicfunerals.ShementionedhowcrowdsturnedemotionalthenunrulyinRay'sandalsointhematineeidolUttamKumar'sfuneral
(1980).AndduringthejourneyofTagore'sremainstothecremationpyre,crowdsdescendedonthepoet'sbody,rippingoffhisbeardto
keepasmemento.ThereasonwhytherewasnoincidentduringTeresa'sfuneralwasbecausetherewasnoemotionCalcuttagave(gives)a
certainplacetoTeresa,buthasneverbondedwithher.Also,therewerenorealcrowds.
ExplainingthegenerallackofemotiondisplayedbyCalcuttans,BostonGlobe'sPatriciaSmithdeclared,15'Insilence,Calcuttamourners
shoutedtheirgrief.'Shenoted'therewasnowail,noanguishedoutcry,nokeeningoftorturedmourners.'Thensheopinedthatwhereasin
'theAfricanAmericancommunity,thelivingwritheandtestify,stompandglorify,allthewhilecallingfortheonethatisgone,'inCalcutta
theysaidgoodbye'totheholyMother'with'asilencethatwasalternatelyrespectfulandstunned.'Whataeuphemismfor'indifference'!
WhoeverhasspenthalfadayinCalcuttawouldtellyouthat'respectfulsilence'isalienhere.Interestingly,shortlyaftershereturnedfrom
Calcutta,Smithhadtoresignasajournalistasitwasconfirmedthatshehadbeenfabricatingstoriesforquitesometime.Itmusthavetaken
falsehoodsofincrediblemagnitudeforajournalisttobedisciplinedonthosegrounds.ApparentlyTheBostonGlobehadbeenawarethat
shehadbeendoingthisbutprobablythatmadeherideallysuitedinthejudgementoftheeditorsforreportagefromCalcutta.
Calcutta'sambivalencetoMotherTeresacanbeillustratedthroughaneditorialthatappearedinAnandaBazaarPatrikathedayafterthe
funeral.Thepiece,describingMotherTeresaasa'livinglegend',staredoffwith'Asinthelifeanddeeds,soinherdeathhadMotherTeresa
broughtglorytoCalcutta',onlytofinishoffwith'IfMotherTeresahasputCalcuttaintheworldmapyetagain,thenthatrecognitionisas
oneofthedarkestplacesofourplanet.'IthinkCalcuttansgotsomewhatbewilderedbytheinternationalfuroreoverher,anddidnotquite
knowhowtoreact.Thatalsoexplainstheutterlackofcrowdsgoingtovisitherremainsforthefirstthreedays,thensuddenlylarge
numbersqueuingup.PeoplerealisedthiswomanwasverybigindeedintheWest,andthereforeassumedshemusthavebeensomeone
great.Also,theCatholicestablishmentspreadrumoursinthesurroundingvillagesthattherewasaholywomanlyingdeadinthecity,
physicalcontactorproximitytowhomwasbringingmiraclestheArchbishopofCalcuttaadmittedsucharumourwasgoingaroundwhen
heappearedwithmeintheTodaywithPatKennyprogrammeonIrishradio(on30August2001).Manyvillagers,whohadnoideawho
MotherTeresawas,broughttalismansandmedalswhichtheyweretryingtorubontheglasscasesurroundingthebody.
Itisremarkablethatoutofthecity's11.5millionpeople,muchoftheWesternmediacouldmainlyspeaktoChristianswhendoingasurvey
ofthepopulation'ssentimentstowardsher.TheFrenchbureauAgenceFrancePressespoketothreepeople,twoofthemCatholics,andthe
otherpossiblyso:
'NowIdon'tknowwheretogo,'saidHazelD'Costa,aresidentofCalcutta,...'Ican'texpressmyfeelingormysorrowin
words,'shesaid.'IusedtovisitMotherHouseonceaweektogetsolace....[notaid]'.NoelGomes,anotherCalcuttaresident,
added,'Mothermadeus[Catholics]proudinherlifetime.Nowshehasgonetoheavenwe'reevenprouder.'AChinese
settledinCalcutta,whogavehisnameasAhWong,bemoanedthefactthatMotherTeresadiedbeforeopeninganofficein
mainlandChina.'We'dallbeenlookingforwardforhertoopenamissioninChina,'hesaid.'Unfortunatelyshecouldn'tdo
that.OuronlyconsolationisthattheMissionariesofCharityhaveacentreinHongKongthathasbeenhandedoverto
China.'16
TheChinesepopulationinCalcutta,whichsettledinthecityintheearly20thcentury,isoverwhelminglyChristian/Catholicandis
implacablyopposedtotheBeijinggovernment.ItisnotablethatnoneofthethreespokeofMother'scharitableacts.
PeterPophamfoundinthecrowdsamanwhowashadbeenherbeneficiaryandhehappenedtobeKasuD'Souza,aCatholicfromGoa,
fromtheothersideofthecountry.'Formerlyafishermanandamerchantseaman,hecametoCalcuttaayearagowithhiswifeandchildren
insearchofwork.'MrD'SouzatoldPophamthatbeforehefoundajobhewasgivenbreakfastfromMotherTeresa'skitchenevery
morning.ItisunlikelyMrD'SouzawouldhavebeenwelcomesorapidlyhadhenotbeenaCatholic.
TheSundayTimescarriedaphotowiththecaption'MotherLove'awellattiredmiddleclasschildwasshownalongthefuneralroute
wavingaposterofthedeadnun.
Duringtheweekbetweendeathandfuneral,internationaljournalistsarrivedinCalcuttainlargenumbersbefittingMotherTeresa'scelebrity
status.Thecity'shotelsdidheavybusiness,sodidtheflorists.Unfortunately,TheGrand,oneoftheoldestandfinesthotels,wascaught

unawaresandlostmillionsinrevenueasonlyaweekbeforeithaddecidedtoclosehalfofitsroomsforrenovation.Westernjournalistshad
afieldday,mainlyatCalcutta'sexpense.
Manytelevisionjournalistshiredlocalyouthstobringthemtosomeofthecity'sworstareaswherefromtheywoulddotheirbroadcast.The
ITNjournalistRobinDenselowbroadcast(on11September1997)theeveningnews(watchedbymillionsintheUK)fromasiltedupdark
canalsurroundedbygrimslumsshowingawomanwhowaswashingherhairinthecanal.HisguidetothisdestinationwasTom
Woodhatch,whoapparentlydoescharityworkinthecitywithCalcuttaRescue,andwhoinmyopiniondetestsHinduismandisdeeply
condescendingofCalcuttans.DenselowdidabriefinterviewwithWoodhatchinfrontofthediresceneanddeclared'Thisishowthe
majoritypeopleinCalcuttaliveandnowthatMotherTeresahaspassedaway,theywon'tbeabletodothat.'
PatriciaSmithwroteinBostonGlobe17thatcollectivewhispersorsighsormutteringsof'Teresa'weregoingupalloverthecity!She
foundabeggaroutsideOrientFurnishersforwhomitwas'toomucheffortinmouthinghisownname.Butthereisonewordhecanrepeat
Teresa.'Hecouldbuthedidn't.ShealsocalledCalcutta'atemporaryworldofclashandchaos',implyingthecitywouldswiftlyvanishafter
thedeathofitspurportedkeeper.
TimemagazinemadetheuniquediscoverythatamongstthelegionsofpoorpeopleofCalcuttatherewasnotasingleonewhohadnotbeen
helpedatsomepointbyMotherTeresa.HowanAmericansahibcametothatconclusionafterafewhours(orevendays)inafivestarhotel
remainsamysterytome.ThesameTimejournalistwasemployedbyaBritishnewspapertheyearbefore,andhisthenreportsonTeresa
hadbeenreasonableandnonsentimental.Nowhisnewmastersandreaderswantedthemythpropagatedandhewaspreparedtodoit.
Likemanyothers,theBBCtelevisioncommentatorNickGowingtookalowjibeatCalcuttahesaidthearmy'splannedartillerysalutehad
beenreplacedbyariflevolleytospareCalcuttacrumbling!OvercomingtheIndianaweofsahibsandthereluctancetocriticisethem,
somebodywroteinTheStatesmanthatGowing,beingaBritishsahib,shouldhaveknownthatasingleclapofmonsoonthunderwasa
milliondecibelslouderthattheproposedartillerysalute.
OnepersonwhowasdevastatedbyMotherTeresa'sdeathwastheHongKongbasedBritishtelevisionjournalistIanWilliams.Hiswasto
beherlasttelevisioninterviewifshehadlivedanotherday.HehadarrivedinCalcuttaon4Septemberwithhiscameracrewinorderto
recordherreactionstoDiana'sdeath.ParticularlyhewantedtofilmtheprayermeetingMotherTeresahadarrangedinStPaul'sCathedral
(Calcutta)on7September,thedayafterDiana'sfuneral.Hewasalsohopingtospeaktovariouspeopleintheorderwhowerepresent
duringDiana'svisittoCalcutta.Inpreparationforhisinterview,heinfactwenttoMotherHouseonthemorningof5September.A
WesternTVjournalistthathewas,hegotimmediateaccesstoMotherat7a.m.Hechattedtoherforafewminutes,butalasdidnothave
hiscameramanwithhim.MrWilliamssaidhewasoverwhelmedonmeetingthelivingsaintforthefirsttime.Hesaidheenquiredafterher
healthbutshe,withcharacteristicmodesty,didnotwishtotalktoomuchaboutherself.Insteadsheaskedhimaboutthecircumstancesofthe
PariscrashandifeveryonewhowaswithDianainthecarhaddied.HetoldnewsmeninCalcutta18thatshewasverykeentoknowhowthe
BritishwereexpressingtheirgriefandwhetherDianawasgettinganappropriateandgrandenoughfuneral.ShealsorecalledthePrincess's
kindnessandcharityandalsotheirlastmeetinginNewYork.WhenMrWilliamsformallyaskedforpermissiontofilmSunday'sprayer
meeting,MotherTeresasaidithadtobearrangedthroughherfriendSunitaKumar.HewasunabletocontactKumaronthephonebutat11
p.m.thesamedayreceivedacallfromhersonthatMotherTeresahadpassedaway.Williamswasguttedhewasinsistentthathis7a.m.
chatoughttoberecordedasherlastformalinterview.
Thisjustillustratesthatevenonherlastdayonthisearth,Motherwastiedupwithpublicityandpropagandatherewasnoinvolvement
withthepoor
InthemonthsfollowingthefuneralIwroteaboutahundredletterstothegreatandthegoodwhohadcometopaytheirlastrespectstothe
'saintofthegutters'.EssentiallyIaskedeverybodytwoquestions:
1.DidtheirpreconceptionsofMotherTeresa'sworkfitinwithwhattheysawinCalcutta?Didtheyfeelthatshewasagiganticpresencein
thecity?
2.DidthecityofCalcuttalivedowntoitsperceivedgruesomeimage?
OfthefiftyorsoAmericanpoliticiansIwrotetonobodyreplied.Theyincludedsenators,membersofCongressandalsoHillaryClinton.I
wroteheraletterandanemail.Herofficesentanautomatedreplyemailwithanassurancethatawrittenreplymightbesentbutitnever
was.
TheQueenofSpain'spersonalsecretaryJoseCabreraGarciawrote19tosayshedidnotofferheropinionsoneitherpersonsorplaces,
henceetc.
Thedoyenneoftelevisionpresenters,thecelebrityanchorChristianeAmanpourofCNNsaid,'WhatIsawduringmybriefvisitwasaproud
city,dignifiedandkindpeoplewithalltheupsanddownsofanybigcityintheworld.ClearlyMotherTeresawasoneofCalcutta'smany
distinguishedresidents.'20

DeborahWong,AsiacorrespondentofABCNewswrote:
ThefirsttimeIwenttoCalcuttaIcarriedwithmetheperceptionthatitwasacityofpovertyandslums.WhatIfoundinsteadwasan
energeticmetropolis,fullofcharmingoldbuildingsandinfusedwithavibrantculturallife...Whetherornotthat[MotherTeresabeinga
significantfigureinthecity]istrueIcannotsay.Butindeathshedidbecomeasymbolforpeople,...Ithinkmoreandmorepeopleare
discoveringits[Calcutta's]charms(IbelieveNewsweekdidacoverstorycalledsomethinglike'CalcuttaComeback.)'21
TheDuchessofKent'spersonalsecretaryJudyNewtonwrote,'AsafleetingvisitorHerRoyalHighnessisunabletoofferanopinionon
thissubject.'22TheDuchessofKent,whohadconvertedtoCatholicismacoupleofyearspreviouslyandhadreportedlytravelledtothecity
inacharteredaircraftbelongingtoTomCruise,wastheQueen'srepresentativeatthefuneral.
TheformerDutchPrimeMinister(anddevoutCatholic)RuudLubberswrote,'WhatIsawdidnotliveuptotheoldimageofCalcutta,...I
couldstronglyfeelMotherTeresa'spresenceeverywhere.Theatmospherewasfullofcharity.Itwasasifshewaswithus,herpresence
couldbefeltinallthestreetsofCalcutta.'23
Newsweek'sKennethLWoodward,whoconsidershimselfsomekindofanexpertinsaintmaking,andwhowroteagushingcoverfeature
soonafterherdeath('SainthoodNow:TheBeatificationofMotherTeresa')repliedratherpetulantly,'Sorry,Ididn'tgotoCalcuttawehave
correspondentsinIndiaforthatpurposeandIdonotbuytheline,fosteredbyCalcutta'ssocialistpoliticiansthatshegavethecityabad
name.'PerhapsbecauseIwaswritingfromCalcutta,Woodwarddidnottobothertouseevenwritingpaperhesentmebackmyletterwith
hisreplyscribbledatthetop.
FollowingMotherTeresa'sdeath,thenewheadoftheorderisSisterNirmala(Joshi).ShewaselectedinFebruary1997,eightmonths
beforeMotherTeresa'sdeath.WhenitwasannouncedthatMotherTeresawouldstepdownandanewheadbeelected,theworldmedia
reactedappropriatelythestorywasreportedindetailandwithprominence.Thiswasunderstandablegivenhercelebritystatus.Butwhen
theissueofsuccessiondraggedonandelectionwaspostponedmorethanonce,therewasnonewsfatigue.Iwasquiteimpressedatthe
doggednesswithwhichthemediapursuedthesuccessionissueIhaveseensuchinterestduringsomeoftheroyalsuccessions(suchasin
MonacoorNepal).PoliticallysignificantsuccessionssuchasinSyriaorNorthKoreahavenotbeenabletoarousesuchinterest.Despitemy
unpopularitywithjournalists,Iwascontactedbysomeofthemtosoundmeoutonmypredictionoftheoutcome.(Ididnotofferany.)
DuringDecember1996andJanuary1997,100MissionariesofCharitynunsflewintoCalcuttafromallovertheworldtoprepareforthe
bigsuccession.Theexpenseofflyingin80peoplefromfarflungcornersoftheworldwassomethingtheorganisationcouldaffordno
doubt.Theelectiondatewassetfor2February1997andtwoweekspreviouslytheelectorswentinto'retreat'todiscusstheissue.But
suddenlyon28Januarytheelectionwaspostponedindefinitely,andwithoutgivinganyreasons.Speculationsranwildthroughthemedia,
butabsolutelynothingwasleakedastowhatexactlyhappened.IbelievetherewasdiscordbetweenMotherTeresaandtheVaticanoverthe
choiceofsuccessor.IbelieveshefavouredtheaustereanddourSisterFrederick,theAngloMaltesewhoisastrictdisciplinarianandultra
orthodox.ItislikelythatthesmartPRmenattheVaticanthoughtFrederick,thoughideologicallysound,wouldbeamediadisaster.They
wantedSisterNirmalaawisechoice.Nirmalaisaffable,Nirmalaisyouthful,Nirmalahashadseculareducationuptouniversitylevel.But
moreoversherepresentstriumphalismoftheCatholicfaithsheisaHinduconvertfromaBrahminfamily.And,sheisfromNepal,the
world'sonlyofficiallyHindunation.
InMarchtheIndianpressspeculatedthattheconfusionandconflictwithintheorganisationweresoprofoundthatmaybenosuccessor
wouldbeelectedanda'councilofnuns'wouldtakecharge.Therewasalsospeculationthattheordermightmoveitsoperational
headquarterstotheVatican.ItneedstobementionedherethatalthoughMotherTeresaalwaysstressedthatherorganisationwasatruly
Indianone,in1965itceasedtobegovernedbytheCalcuttaarchdioceseandcameunderdirectgovernanceoftheVaticanthereasonfor
thisisunclear,butcouldbepartlyfinancial.
Finally,afterthreepostponements,anelectionwasheldandacandidateemerged.SisterNirmalabecamethe'superiorgeneral'andher
smilingpicture,wavingfromthebalconywithMotherTeresabesideherinawheelchair,wasprintedtheworldover,frequentlyonthefront
pages.
Nirmalaisastraighttalkinghonestsoulwhodoesnotminceherwords,andneitherissheafraidtovoiceherunpopularbeliefspublicly.On
12September1997,thedaybeforeMotherTeresa'sfuneral,Nirmalaagreedtoholdherfirstpressconference.Thiswasattheinsistenceof
variousjournalistsfromallovertheworldwhowereduetoleaveCalcuttathefollowingdayandwereeagertotakebackfortheirreaders
somethingfromthesuccessor.ThepressconferencewasamediadisasterwiththeIndianpublic.Nirmalasaidpovertywasbeautifuland
therewasnothingwrongwiththepoorstayingpoor:'Wewantthepoortoacceptpovertywiththesamestoicismdisplayedbythenuns.
TheyshouldbecontentwithwhatevertheLordhasgiventhem.'Shealsosaidthattherewasnothingwrongwithwealthaslongaspartofit
wasgiventothepoor.ToIndianjournalists'queriesaboutfundsandtheirsources,aboutthelackofpublishedaccountsshesaidtheorder
reliedonGodforfundsandthattherewasnoquestionofchanginganypoliciesonpublicationofaccounts.ShereiteratedMotherTeresa's
stanceonacceptingmoneyfromanybodywithoutquestioningthemeansofobtainingsuchmoney.ThencamethecrunchIndian
journalistsaskedheraboutherviewsoncontraceptionandabortion.AtthispointhermentorNareshKumarwhowasonthedaiswithher,
triedtodeflectthediscussion.Butshestoppedhimandrepliedcourageouslythattheorder'sviewsremainedunchangedcontraceptionand
abortionremainedsinsandwererepugnant.Thefollowingdaythelocalnewspapersmadecriticalheadlinesofherviews.TheLetters

columnsalsoattractedopinionswhichbetrayedfaintdisgust.Interestingly,inherlonglifewheneverMotherTeresahadbeenfacedwitha
potentiallyunpopularanswershehadalwaysmanagedtodivertinto'love'or'prayer'.Nirmala'sviewsareexactlythesameasthoseof
Teresa,butthelatterhadneverarticulatedthemsosuccinctlyonIndiansoil.Moreinterestingly,eventothisday,Calcuttansarenotquite
awaretowhichextentMotherTeresadetestedcontraceptionandabortion.Theyarenotawarehowsheregardedpovertyinitselfasanoble
virtue,almosttobedesiredandcultivated.
MotherTeresa'sbodyliesburiedinasimplegraveinMotherHouseonAcharyaJagadishChandraBose(LowerCircular)Road.Uponthe
gravestandsametrehighfigureofMadonnaandchildtheyusedtobefluorescentblondebutrecentlysomeonehashadthesensetopaint
themadarkerhue.ABibleinAlbanianliesonthegrave.
MotherTeresahadwanted(orexpected)tobeburiedinthegroundsofStJohn'sChurchinSealdahwheremanyofhernunsareburied.
Howeveron9September1997Calcutta'sCatholicestablishmentdeclaredtolocalmediathattheyhadoptedforanindoorsiteastheywere
worriedthathergravewouldbedesecrated!
Lessthanfiftypeoplevisitthegraveeachday,almostallofthemvisitorstothecity.Onherbirthanddeathanniversariesandattimessuch
asEasterandChristmasthefigurecouldgoupto200.

NOTESTOCHAPTER13
1.EdwardLeJoly,WeDoItForJesus(OxfordIndiaPaperbacks,1998),p.197
2.InterviewatAssemblyofGodChurchHospital,Calcutta,18December1997
3.AnandaBazaarPatrika,Calcutta,8September1997
4.TheBostonGlobe,16September1997
5.TheStatesman,Calcutta,12September1997
6.TheSundayTimes,14September1997
7.TheBostonGlobe,13September1997
8.StephenKnight,PoetryWales,Bridgend,33:4,pp.334
9.Worker'sWorld,25September1997
10.TheIndependentonSunday,London,14September1997
11.WallStreetJournal,EuropeandNewYork,29April1992
12.Ibid.,8September1997
13.ABCNewsandStarwareCorporation,7September1997
14.TheTelegraph,21September1997
15.TheBostonGlobe,14September1997
16.aspostedonwww.Nando.net
17.TheBostonGlobe,13September1997
18.Aajkaal,18September1997
19.Letterdated6March1998
20.Letterdated9February1998
21.Letterdated30March1998
22.Letterdated27January1998
23.Letterdated15December1997

CHAPTER14
FROMLIVINGSAINTTOSAINT
Don'ttrivialisemebytryingtomakemeasaint
DOROTHYDAY,Catholicsocialactivistforthepoor
ACatholicsaintismadeintwostagesbeatificationandcanonisation.Thefirststage,beatification,endsupindeclaringtheperson'blessed'.
Canonisationcompletestheprocessandthepersonbecomesa'saint'.Onemiracleisrequiredforapersontobebeatifiedandonetobe
canonised.ItusedtobetwoandtwobutthisPopecutitdownsohecouldcreatemoresaints.Indeedhehascreatedalmostathousand
saints,morethanallhispredecessorsputtogetherintwothousandyearsbeforehim.PopewatchersoftenthecallthecurrentVaticana'saint
factory'.
Manymanyyearscanpassbeforeapersonwhosecauseistakenupfinallybecomesasaint.Eachstepcantakedecades,andalsotheperson
canliesuspendedforyearsbetweenthetwostages.Howsoonheorsheisabletotouchthefinishinglinedependsonhowmuchmoneyand
timetheirbackersarepreparedtospareitismuchlikeaUSpresidentialelection.ThequickestbeatificationtodateisthatofJosMaria
Escriva,whodiditinseventeenyears.Hehasmanymillionairesbackinghimandalsomanythousandsofcommittedworkersbeavering
awayforhim.SimilarlyMotherTeresahasmanypowerful,richandassiduousbackers.
SoonafterMotherTeresa'sdeathIwrotetovariouspeopleregardingherbecomingasaint.EssentiallythepointImadeinmyletterswas
thatMotherTeresahadbeenapublicityhungryandoftenhypocriticalpersonalsoshehadnotalwaysbeenhonestinherpronouncements
andintentions.Iwantedthesefactstoberecognisedduringherbeatification/canonisationandaskedwhetherhersainthoodshouldbecalled
intoquestion.
ThefirsttwopeopleIwrotetowereHenryD'Souza,theArchbishopofCalcutta,and,PeterGumpel,theJesuit,whoisavitalofficialatthe
Vaticanforthecreationofsaints.Heisalsoanincreasinglypowerfulpoliticalplayerthere.Gumpelwrotebacksoonafter:
NaturallyIrespectyouropinions,butasfarastheprocedureintheCausesofBeatificationandCanonisationisconcerned,I
begtoinformyouthatatthisstagetheRomanauthoritiescannotinterveneintheCauseofMotherTeresaof
Calcutta...AccordingtothelawswhichgovernthesematterstheevidencehastobegatheredbythecompetentLocal
Ordinary,whichinthiscaseisHisExcellencytheArchbishopofCalcutta.IamsureHisExcellencywillcarefullyconsider
allargumentswhichpossiblycouldbeadducedagainsttheCauseofMotherTeresaandthatinduetimehewillinformthe
Romanauthoritiesaboutthesedifficulties.
ItwillthenbethetaskoftheRomanauthoritiestoevaluatesuchpossibilities...WithallgoodwishesfortheNewYear,
RespectfullyyoursProf.Dr.PeterGumpel,S.J.Rome,23December1997
SoIwroteofftoHenryD'Souza:
YourExcellencyIamwritingtoyouregardingthebeatification/canonisationofMotherTeresa.IwrotetoFrPeterGumpel
S.J.,whoadvisedmetowritetoyou,asyouaretheLocalOrdinarydealingwiththematter.Ihavealargeamountof
evidencewhyMotherTeresashouldnotbedeclaredasaint.Iwishtooffermyevidencevoluntarilyasanunofficial
PromoterJustitie,ifyouwish.IshallfullycooperatewiththeVaticanauthoritiesinthematter,althoughtheevidenceIshall
offerwillbemyown.Iamsureyouwillnotdisappointme,aCalcuttanbornandbred.Ilookforwardtohearingfromyou.
YourssincerelyAroupChatterjee3January1998
(IhavebeentoldbyVaticanwatchersthattheformalpostofthe'devil'sadvocate'(PromoterJustitie)hasbeenabolished,whichmakesthe
processevenmorepartisan.)
D'Souzasentapromptreply(dated17.1.1998)askingmetosendmyevidencebyregisteredpost,whichhesaidhewouldpassontothe
'relevantmembersoftheCommittee'.Inowprepareda'deposition'andsentit(byregisteredpost)toD'Souza.Hereisthefulltextofthe
deposition:
DEPOSITIONBEFORETHECOMMITTEEFORBEATIFICATION/CANONISATIONOFMOTHERTERESA
Beingalaypersonnotversedinecclesiasticalprocedures,Iamnoteminentlysuitedtomakeaformalortechnicaldepositionbeforethe
Committee.However,IhavehadakeeninterestinMotherTeresaforthelastfewyearsandhaveresearchedheroperations,perhapsmore
thoroughlythananyoneelseintheworld.And,assomebodyborn,broughtupandeducatedinCalcutta,feelIaminauniquesituationto
offerevidencetotheCommittee.TheCommitteemaysummonmeatanytimetoappearpersonallybeforeittoofferevidence.Ialsoputmy
audiovisualevidenceatthedisposaloftheCommitteeshoulditwanttoconsultthem.OvertheyearsIhavebeendismayedatthe
discrepancybetweenMotherTeresa'swordsandherdeeds,andhereIpresentsomeofthem.MotherTeresahadaidmanythousandsof

timesinherlifethatshe'pick[ed]up'peoplefromthestreetsofCalcutta.SheexpoundedonitatlengthinherNobelPrizeacceptancespeech.
Herorderdid(anddoes)not'pickup'destitutesfromCalcutta'sstreets.Theydonotprovideanambulanceserviceforthecity'spoorestof
thepoor.IfoneringstheKalighathomeforthedyingdestitute,oneistoldcurtlytoring102(theCalcuttaCorporationambulanceline)so
thataCorporationvehiclewouldbringthedestitutetoKalighat.IbelievethatMotherTeresahaddeliberatelymisledtheworldinher
assertionsabout'pickingup'destitutesfromthestreetsofCalcuttainordertobolsterherownimageandthatofherfaith.Herfailureto
providevehicles(whilstcontinuallyclaimingtodoso)isevenmoresignificantbecauseshehadbeendonatedanumberofambulance
vehicles.Theseareusedmainly(thoughnotsolely)asvanstoferrynuns,oftentoandfromplacesofprayer.Ibelievethatthisconstitutesan
abuseofotherpeople'strustinher.MotherTeresaisonrecordinvariouspublications(writtenbyherfriendsandfollowers)ashavingsaid
thatherorderfed4,000,5,000,7,000or9,000peopleinCalcuttaeveryday(thefiguresarenotchronologicallyincremental).Idonotknow
whatshemeantbyfeedingthatnumber,butthefactremainsthathersoupkitchens(numberingbetweentwoandthree)inCalcuttadid
(does)notfeedmorethan300peopledaily(agenerousoverestimate).TheCommitteeshouldalsotakeintoaccountthe'foodcards'that
poorpeoplemustpossesstoobtainrationinatleastonesoupkitchen.TheCommitteeshouldnotethatsuchcardsarenoteasytocomeby
forthepoor,andthatvirtuallyallChristiansinaparticularslumhavefoodcardwhenhardlyanyofthepoorfromtheotherreligionshave
them.ThispolicygivesthelietoMotherTeresa'sassertionsthatshetreatedthepoorfromallfaithsequally.Ontheissueofbiastoward
Catholicism,IwouldalsoliketotelltheCommitteethatworshipinsideMotherTeresa'shomesissolelyCatholic,andnonCatholicworship
isnotatallpermittedtherein.ThispracticeshouldbejudgedinthecontextofaminuteproportionoftheresidentsinherhomesinCalcutta
beingoftheCatholicfaith.IwouldliketodrawtheCommittee'sattentiontoMotherTeresa'sfrequentpronouncement:'IhelpaHinduto
becomeabetterHindu,aMuslimtobecomeabetterMuslim...'etc.Thepracticeofdenyingpoorpeopleunderhercaretherighttoworship
theirowngod(s)canbejudgedasharshanddemeaning.MotherTeresaoncesaid,'Iftherearepooronthemoon,wewillgothere.'Shesaid
manytimesthatsheneverrefusedanybodywhoneededhelp.Inrealityhowever,herorderoperatedstrictexclusioncriteriaintheirselection
ofwhotohelpandwhonotto.MotherTeresa'sorderdid(does)nothelpanybody,nomatterhowpoororhelpless,whohadafamily
memberofanykindwhattheyterma'familycase'.OneofMotherTeresa'ssloganshadbeen,'Bringmethatunwantedchild.'InherNobel
Prizespeechshesaid,'Letusbringthechildback...Whathavewedoneforthechild?...Havewereallymadethechildrenwanted?"Ifthe
CommitteeexamineswhatMotherTeresahaddoneforstreetchildren(inCalcutta),itmayfindthatshefellshortofoptimalstandard.
Despiteherassertions,shedidnotoperatean'opendoor'policyatherhomesforthepoor,includingforpoorchildren.Averypoorandvery
illchildwouldnotbeofferedhelpunlesstheparentssigned(orthumbprinted)aformofrenunciationsigningovertherightsofthechildto
herorganisation.IhavevideoevidenceofsuchacasehappeningonthedoorstepofMotherTeresa'sorphanage.TheCommitteemayalso
wanttointerviewstreetchildrenfromaroundMotherHousewhowererepeatedlyreportedtothepolicebyMotherTeresa'snunsfor
'pestering'foreignerswhocametovisitthe'livingsaint'.Ihavevideointerviewswithsuchchildren,whichtheCommitteemayliketo
consult.Inherfamousletterwrittenin1978tothethenIndianPrimeMinisterMorarjiDesaiinprotestagainstthecurbingofChristian
missionaryactivities,MotherTeresamentionedthatsheoperated'102centres'ofnaturalfamilyinCalcutta.TheCommitteeshouldheedthat
suchcentresdonotexist.TheCommitteeshouldalsonotethatinherNobelPrizespeechMotherTeresahadsaidthatin6yearsinCalcutta
therewere'61,273babiesless'bornbecauseofherorganisation'snaturalfamilyplanningactivities.Thereisnobasiswhateverforthis
statistic,anditwasdisingenuousofMotherTeresatomentionitinherNobelPrizespeech.IntheApril1996issueoftheUSmagazine
LadiesHomeJournal,MotherTeresasaidthatshewantedtodielikethepoorinherhomeforthedyingdestituteinKalighat.Thisisavery
outrageousstatementindeed.Bythenshehadhadnumerousinpatientmedicaltreatmentsinsomeofthemostexpensiveclinicsaroundthe
world.ThisincludestheScrippsClinicinLaJolla,CaliforniaandtheGemelliHospitalinRome.Shealsohadnumeroustreatmentsat
Calcutta'sWoodlandsandBelleVueClinics,whichareoutsidethereachof99%ofIndia'spopulation.Shealsoreceived(onnumerous
occasions)sophisticatedandexpensivecardiactreatmentsatCalcutta'sBirlaHeartInstitute.WhenMotherTeresadied,shewassurrounded
inherbedroombysophisticatedandexpensivecardiacequipment,whichhadbeenspeciallyfittedforher.Suchprivilegeisusuallygranted
tokings,presidentsanddictators.WhethersuchexclusivefacilitiesbefitafutureSaintisfortheCommitteetodecide,butIwouldaskitto
takenoteofthewidediscrepancybetweenMotherTeresa'sdeedsandherpronouncements.In1984MotherTeresa(publicly)declinedthe
offerofcataractsurgeryfromtheStFrancisMedicalCenterinPittsburgh,USA,tellingthemediathatshecouldnotpossiblyacceptthe
5000treatmentbuttheverynextyearshehadthesamesurgery(whichcostevenmore)inStVincent'sHospital,NewYork.Ithink
MotherTeresa(oranybodyelse)shouldreceivethebestpossiblemedicaltreatment,butsheutterlyfailedgivingherresidents(atleastin
Calcutta)theminimumdignityandtreatmentdespitehervastresources.TheresidentsatKalighatweredeniedbedstheywereforcedtolie
onhammocks,knownbyherorderas'pallets'.Theywerenotallowedtogetupfromtheirpalletsandstretchthemselves.Theyaredenied
visitsfromfriendsandrelativesindeedtheywouldnotbeadmittedinthefirstplaceiftheyhadanyrelatives.Theyareforcedtodefaecate
andurinatecommunally.Theyaregivenonlythesimplestpossibletreatments,suchassimplepainkillersfortheintractablepainofterminally
illresidents.Glovesandmoreimportantly,needlesareroutinelyreusedwhendeadlydiseasesarerifewithinthispopulation.Ithastobe
borneinmindthatthehomeforthedyinginCalcuttaisaverysmalloperation,cateringtolessthan100peopleisitnotlegitimatetoexpect
aminimumdecentstandardforthesefewpeople?WhatdoestheCommitteethink?Exceptforadequateandsimplefood,theregimeinthe
homeisveryharshindeedsomewouldcallitdehumanisingapartfromtheabovepointsmentioned,Iwouldliketodrawattentionofthe
Committeetothecompulsoryshavingoftheheadsofresidents,includingoffemaleones.TheCommitteeshouldtakecognisanceofthe
particularimportanceIndianwomen(howeverpoorordestitute)attachtolonghair.Onecouldperhapsoverlookthemedicalfacilitiesat
Kalighat(althoughtheCommitteeshouldnotperhapsignoresuchdismalstandardsfromawomanwithsuchresources)butwhereMother
Teresafailedwasinprovidingminimum'Love'anddignityforherresidents,despitehernumerousclaimsthatshedidso.MotherTeresa's
mottohadbeen'Youdidittome',implyingthesufferingofJesusshesaidmanytimeshow'beautiful'sufferingandpainwere.However
shehadonestandardforherselfandanotheroneforherresidents.Sheherselfhadneverdeclinedpainkillersoranaesthetics.MotherTeresa,
althoughprotestingtolivealifeofutterhumilityandsuffering,frequentlytravelledtheworldintheluxuryclassofaeroplanes,whichis
outsideofthereachofallbutthesuperwealthy.Grantedshedidnotpayforhertravels(theairlinesusuallydid),butIbelievehertravels

wereawasteofresources,undertakenastheyweremostlyforreligiouspurposes.Themajorityofherjourneysincludingthelastforeign
travelofherlifethatbeganinMay1997weretooverseethevowtakingofhernuns.ShewouldalsotravelfrequentlytotheVaticanto
meetupwiththePopeindeedonmostofherinternationaltravelsshewouldbreakjourneyattheVatican,sometimestwiceonwardand
return.CantheCommitteejustifysuchfrequentandexpensivetravelsforreasonsofreligionbyawomanwhoalwaysclaimedthatshewas
utterlydevotedtothecauseofthepoor?Occasionallywhenonboardthefirstclasssectionofanaeroplane,MotherTeresawouldaskfor
foodtobegivenhersothatshecouldtakethemtothepoor.Thiswouldimpressthosearoundherandwouldimplythatsheneverdid
anythingthatwoulddetractfromthecauseofthepoortherebyshewouldmanagetocamouflagetherealpurposeofherluxurioustravels
whichwereunnecessary,atleastfortheinterestsofthepoor.IwouldurgetheCommitteetotakeintoaccountMotherTeresa'saffectations
whichwereadopted(perhapsunwittingly)tocausedeceptionandbolsterimage.Althoughalwaysprotestingthatsheknewnothingabout
politics,MotherTeresavotedinelectionsinIndia,asacknowledgedbytheCatholicauthorEileenEganinoneofMotherTeresa'sofficial
biographiesSuchAVisionoftheStreet.Shealsomadesurethathernunsallvoted.Hereagain,wearegettingadiscordbetweenwordsand
deeds.Inthematterofpolitics,themostseriousissuethatcanraisedaboutMotherTeresa'sactionswasoverhersupportoftheStateof
EmergencyinIndia(197577).ThiswasatimewhendemocraticrightsweresuspendedinIndiaandthousandsofactivists(bothsocialand
political)weredetainedwithouttrial.Othercrimes,muchmoreheinous,werecommittedbytheerstwhilegovernment.TheCommittee
shouldtakeparticularnoteoftheforcedsterilisationprogrammes(ofpoormen)thatwereundertakenduringthisperiod.Andyet,Mother
TeresaissuedtheStateofEmergencyacertificateofapproval(acknowledgedintheaboveofficialbiography)tohelpherfriendthethen
PrimeMinisterIndiraGandhi.TheCommitteeshoulddecideifsuchactionbefitsapotentialSaint.TheCommitteeshouldparticularly
considerthewayMotherTeresaintervenedinpoliticsinthisinstanceandcompareitwithher(political)interventionduringthepassageof
theFreedomofReligionBillintheIndianparliamentin1978.Inthefirstinstancewhenhumanrightswerethreatened,sheaidedandabetted
thepowersthatwerethreateningtheminthesecondinstancewhenCatholicrightswerethreatenedshemadeastridentprotest.Onecould
nothavecriticisedherifshehadremainedsilentonbothoccasions.TheCommitteeshouldalsotakeintoaccountMotherTeresa'swooingof
themedia,whichwasoftenselective.Therearealotofmediapersons(primarilyinIndia)whomaytestifytothateffect.Ihaveinterviews
withsuchpeoplewhichtheCommitteemayliketoconsult.Iamawarethatthehelpofthemediaisessentialintherunningofan
internationalorganisationsuchastheMissionariesofCharityandIcertainlydonotthinkitwasunreasonableofMotherTeresatoenlist
suchhelp,butshealwayspubliclymaintainedthatshedetestedpublicity.Theword'saint'inthebroadsenseimpliesapersonwhois
uniquelykindandcharitablesomebodyabovemeannessandpettiness,somebodywhodoesnotpublicisetheirowndeedsand
achievements,atleastdoesnotexaggeratethem.MotherTeresawasakindandcharitableperson,butwhethershewasanexceptionalinthis
regardisamatterfortheCommitteetodecide.IstronglyurgetheCommitteetonotsimplybeguidedbywhatshesaid,butlookbeyondthat.
ShewasanexceptionalCatholicindeedmuch(ifnotmost)oftheresourcesofherorganisationwasspentonreligiousactivities,suchasin
thetrainingofnuns,novices,Brothersandpriests,andintheupkeepofestablishmentswhichareexclusivelynunneriesandBrothers'
houses.WhenMotherTeresatoldjournalists(asshedidveryoftenduringherlife)howmanyestablishmentssheranaroundtheworld,she
nevermadeitclearthatalargenumberofthesehousednunsandBrothersandwerenothomesforthepoor.Inthiscontext,MotherTeresa's
fundraisingfrompeopleofdubiousreputationneedstobementioned.Togiveanexample,in1991shereceivedaverylargesumofmoney
fromCharlesKeating,whohadstolenmostorallofitfromtheAmericanpublic,manyofthempeopleofmodestmeans.AfterKeating's
arrest,MotherTeresasteadfastlyrefusedtoevenacknowledgerequestsfromtheauthoritiestoreturnthemoney.Didshethinkthatshewas
aboveearthlylaws?Ifthemoneyhadbeenreturned,someofKeating'spoorinvestorswhohadbeendeceivedcouldhavebeenrepaid.
MotherTeresa'slogicwasthatshewasusingrichpeople'sillgottenmoneytohelpthepoor.Suchlogicisperverse,notonlybecauseshe
wasknowinglyhandlingstolenmoney,butalsobecausemuchofthatmoneywasbeingspentnotonthepoorbutforthenurturingofher
faith.IftheCommitteewantstoconfersainthoodonMotherTeresaforbeinganexceptionalCatholic,thennodoubtsuchhonouris
deserved.Ifontheotherhand,sainthoodissomethingtheCommitteewouldconferonsomebodywhoisalsomorethanordinarilyhonest,
'humble',dedicatedtothepoor,freeoffalsehoodsandaboveallapersonofuniqueintegrity,theninmyopinionMotherTeresafallsshortof
abeingashiningexample.FinallyIwouldasktheCommitteewhetheritwoulddojusticetothememoryandspiritofMotherTeresawho
hadsuchvisceraloppositiontoabortioninanycircumstancetobecalled'SaintTeresaofCalcutta',forCalcuttaisoneoftheworld'smost
proabortioncities,wherehundredsofinstitutions(oneofthemnotthatmanyyardsfromMotherHouse)offerabortion(virtually)on
demand.
Depositionsubmittedby
AroupChatterjee(Prepared21February1998)
(IhavebeentoldbyVaticanwatchersthattheroleofthe'devil'sadvocate'(PromoterJustitie)hasbeenformallyabolished,
whichmakestheprocessevenmorepartisan.)
IreceivedapromptreplytomydepositionfromArchbishopD'Souza:
IhaveyourletterwiththeappealforthebeatificationofMotherTeresa.
Iamproposingthesametothepersonsconcernedforadvice.Idowish
wecanbegintheprocessfrothepersonwhosesanctitywealladmired.
Withmygoodwishes

H.D'Souza
cc:Sr.Nirmala,M.C.withenclosedletter
March11,1998
IbelieveArchbishopD'Souzahadnothadthetimetoperusemydeposition,forhisletterseemstobeastandardreplytoaletterofsupport.
BythenaCanadianpriestbelongingtotheMissionariesofCharityitselfcalledBrianKolodiejchukhadbeenappointedthe'postulator'inthe
sainthoodprocess.HehadsetupofficeinCalcuttawithsecretariesandcomputers.Iwroteofftohim:
DearFrKolodiejchuk
IshallbegratefulifyoucouldlookatmyevidenceoftheintensecultureofdeceptionsurroundingMotherTeresa.Iwishto
statethatsheherselfwasthemainperpetratorofthisdeception.
PleasewillyoureadmydepositiontotheCongregationfortheCauseoftheSaints.Ihavealsosubmittedthedepositionto
variousotherrelevantindividualsandbodies.
PleasenotethatIshallbeonlytoopleasedtodeposeinpersonshouldyoucalluponmetodoso(inanycornerofthe
world).
Iremain
Yourssincerely
AChatterjee
29March1999
IneverreceivedareplyfromKolodiejchuk,whichpromptedmetowrite(withacopyofmydeposition)toJosSaraivaMartins,whoheads
theCongregationfortheCausesoftheSaintsattheVatican:
EnclosedpleasefindadepositionregardingMotherTeresa'sbeatification/canonisation.AsabornandbredCalcuttan,Ihave
presentedargumentswhyMotherTeresa'scaseforbecomingasaintshouldbeseriouslycalledintoquestion.Ihavesentthe
documenttoHisExcellencyArchbishopHenryD'SouzaofCalcuttaandtootherrelevantpeople.Isincerelywishyouwould
perusethedocumentandconsiderthepointstherein.
Yourssincerely
AroupChatterjee
4July2000
IdidnotreceiveareplyfromSaraivaMartins.Meanwhile,inMay2000anewsitemappearedinCatholicmedia1thattheexaminationof
witnessesintheTeresasainthoodcausewasnowcompleteandtherewerenofurtherwitnessestoexamine.Kolodiejchukgaveapress
statementthatthefivememberteamhadexamined100witnessofwhich75werefromCalcuttawhathedidnotsaywasthattheCalcutta
witnessesweremostlynuns.Hehowevermentionedthata'onlyahandful'ofwitnessesgave'negative'depositions.
Sometimetowardstheendof2000IreceivedaphonecallfromWestminsterCathedralofficesinLondoninformingmethattheyhadbeen
passedonaletterthatIwrotetotheArchbishopofCalcuttaandaskingmeifIwouldliketobea'witness'inthebeatificationprocess.I
agreed.AfewdayslaterIreceivedaletter(dated11December2000)fromMonsignorRalphBrown,JudicialVicaroftheArchdioceseof
Westminster:
Followingdiscussionswiththisoffice,youhaveagreedtogiveevidenceinconnectionwiththeCanonisationProcessof
MotherTeresa.IknowwellthatyourviewsarenotentirelyinfavourofMotherTeresa...Ithinkithasalreadybeen
explainedtoyouthattheinterviewstakesomeconsiderablewhilewhichiswhytwodayshavebeenallocated...Iamvery
gratefultoyouforbeingsokindastoanswerquestions...MayIwishyouwellforChristmasandtheNewYear.
AtthetimeIwasundertheimpressionthatIwouldbethesolegenuinelyhostilewitnessinTeresa'sbeatificationcause.Lateronitcameto
lightthatChristopherHitchens,theworld'smosthighprofileTeresabasher,wasalsosuchawitnessafewmonthslateratWashington
D.C.2Hitchens'stestimonywasheardbythreepriests,andprobablybecauseitwastaperecorded,tookonedayratherthantwo.
Iwasinterviewedonthe3rdand4thofJanuary2001inasmallcomfortableroominVaughanPlaceclosetothecathedral.My'inquisitor'

wasDrAlisonGrady,aretiredteacher,whoiscalledaLayAuditorinchurchspeak.SheisadevoutCatholicwhodoesvoluntaryworkfor
thechurchandworkingasaLayAuditorispartofthatcharitywork.Shealmostalwaysinterviewscoupleswhoareabouttodivorceorare
seekingthechurch'spermissiontoremarryalthoughaspinster,sheisanexpertontheminutiaeofcanonlawonmarriageanddivorce.She
toldmeshehadneverbeforeinterviewedanybodyinthematterofbeatificationcanonisation.Usuallysaintsarecreatedmany(sometimes
hundredsof)yearsaftertheirdeaths,soitisnotoftenthatalivingwitnessisaroundtoprovideevidence.
DrGradyhadatypedsheetofquestionswithherfromwhichshereadthemouttome.Shewasnotpermittedtoaskanythingthatdidnot
featureinthesheetgiventoher.Thequestionshadbeensetbeforehandandarethesameforanybodywhowouldbeawitness.Therewere
263questionsinall.Myanswerswerewrittendown(byhand)byDrGradyunderneatheachquestion.
The'MotherTeresaCause'asthechurchcallsithasbeenassignedthereferencenumber'R/99/116(Calcutta)'.Ascanbeexpected,the
questionswereprimarilygearedtowardsfindingoutifMotherTeresahadledalifefaithfultothechurch.Thatalonedeterminesher
sainthood.
IwasnotallowedataperecorderortotakecontemporaneousnotesbutIhavereproducedhereasbestIcansomeofthemoreinteresting
questionsalongwithmyanswers.AlthoughthequestionsIhavebeenreproducedverbatim,Ihaveparaphrasedheresomeofmyanswers:
Q6.Didyouhaveanyspecialbondwithher?
A.Dependswhatismeantby'bond'shehasdefiledtheplaceIwasbornandbroughtupin.
Q7.Areyoumovedtotestifyforsomehumanreason(e.g.,affection,interestetc.)
A.Humanandspiritualreason.
Q21.Whateducationdidsheobtain?
A.Verylittleseculareducation.SectionB:TheServantofGod[MotherTeresa]asaSisteroftheBlessedVirginMary
Q.B45.WhatwashercommitmentwithreferencetofidelitytotheRule,fervourindevotion,herdesireinperfection,and
communitylife?
A.ShewasadevotedservantofthechurchandfollowedtheRuleexactly.
Q.B50.Whatkindofrelationshipdidshehavewithhersuperiors?
A.Shewasverydutifulandobedientofhersuperiors.
Q.B55.WhatwasthecharacteristictraitsofthehumanandreligiouspersonalityofMotherTeresa?
A.Atthetime[herearlylife]shewasanhonestandhardworkingpersonandwasgenuinelymovedbypeople'ssuffering.
Q.B57.HowdidsheexpressfidelitytotheLoretoRuleandobservanceofvows?
A.ShewasveryfaithfultotheRulesandvows.
Q.B58.Howdidshelivetheasceticaspectofthespiritualandreligiouslife?
A.ShelivedaSpartanandbasicbutcomfortablelife.Herliferevolvedroundherfaith.
Q.B59.Didsheliveaferventdevotionallife?
A.Yes
Q.88.WhatweretherelationsofMotherTeresatotheCoworkersandtheLayMissionariesofCharity?
A.Shewasworshippedbythem.Shesawthemasimportantinherpublicity.Shelivedforpublicity.Manyofthemwere
importantpeopleintheworldandwerevaluablepublicityagentsforher.
Q.91.HowmanySisterslefttheCongregationduringMotherTeresa'sgovernance?
A.Ithinkaboutathousandleft.SomeEuropeanonesleftbecausetheyfeltdisgusted.SusanShields,oneofherformernuns
haswritteninvariousplacesabouthernegativeexperiences.Somenuns(mainlyIndian)leftwhentheygotpregnant.
Q.93.HowdidMotherTeresabehavetowardthemwhentheyexpressedthedesiretoleaveand/orwhentheyalreadyleft?

A.Shedidnotactonanyofthecriticismstheyhadmade.Shedidnotgivethemanysupport.Shewasunsympatheticand
unforgivingtotheoneswhohadbecomeinvolvedinsexualliaisonswithmen(Idonotsayitasacriticism).
Q.94.WhatdidMotherTeresadotodiscoverandencouragevocationtotheMissionariesofCharity?
A.InIndiasheusedthe'carrot'ofasecurelife,asagainsttheinsecurityofthelifeofanaveragewoman,particularlyfrom
thevillages.Interestinglylessthan5%ofherrecruitsarefromCalcuttaitself.
Q.95.Whatwerethemethodsandcriteriasheused?A.InIndiaherorderofferedthetemptationofworldtravel,andofa
verycomfortableexistenceifonewasaContemplativeSisterorevenan'active'Sisterinaplacewheretherewereno
residentstolookafter,suchasinSweden,Iceland,Belgium,Malta,Sicily,Austriaetc.FortheaverageIndianrecruit,being
aTeresanunofferedthebasicsecuritiesofshelter,food,medicalcare.Sherecruitedalargenumberoftribalwomenand
men,buthardlyanyfromCalcuttaitself.
Q.101.WhatweretherelationshipsofMotherTeresaandofMissionariesofCharitywithvariousreligiousandcivil
authoritieswithwhichtheycameincontactwith?
A.ShewasexpedientandpracticalaboutkeepinggoodrelationsforsurvivalinagenerallyhostilecountrylikeIndia.The
rulingpartyofWestBengal,theMarxistshadclosetieswiththe(erstwhile)AlbanianCommunistPartywhichhad
persistentlyrefusedherpermissiontoseehermotherandsister.ButsheappeasedtheWestBengalgovernmentandwould
collaboratewithanypolitician(ofwhateverpersuasion)whowouldfurtherhercause.Shemaintainedfriendlyrelationswith
allreligiousgroupsbecauseitwasnecessaryforhertodoso.Duringthe197477EmergencyinIndia,thousandsofmen
(manyofthemunmarriedandchildless)wereforciblyvasectomised,butshepraisedthestateofemergencyasshehad
friendlyrelationswithMrsGandhiwhoshesawasthebestprotectorofIndianChristiansamongsttheIndianpolitical
establishment.
Q.111.DidMotherTeresaalwaysactwithclarity,justice,detachmentfromearthlygoods,andcompetence?
A.CompetenceYestherestNo.
Q.121.WhatwastheattitudeofMotherTeresatotheSecondVaticanCouncilandhowdidsheimplementthechangesasked
forinChurchdocuments,especiallyinregardtoreligiouslife?
A.Shewasthoroughlyopposedtomodernisation.Idonotthinksheimplementedanyoftheprogressivechanges
recommended.
Q.122.WhatwasMotherTeresa'sattitudetoconstantmediaexposureandtheattentionitgaveher?
A.Shelappeditupwhilepretendingtohateit.OnceshetookthewholeofSouthAfricancricketteamandagaggleofSouth
Africanmediaintothehomeforthedyingafterahourofintensivecameraworkshesuddenlyrealisedshehatedpublicity
andorderedthegrouptoleaveatonce.
Q.127.WhatwasMotherTeresa'sintentionfortheHomesfortheDyingespeciallyconcerningthetypeofmedicalcarethe
sickanddyingreceivethere?
A.Shedidnotbelieveinmedicalcare.Shebelievedthattheresidentsoughtto'sufferlikeJesus'.
Q.132.WhatwasMotherTeresa'sattitudetoandeffortstowardsconversiontoChristianityandherattitudetoother
religions.
A.InIndiashedidnotactivelyproselytise,althoughifshecouldquietlyconvert,shewould.Shepretendedtorespectother
religions.ButsheallowedonlyCatholicworshipinherhomesorphanageprayershadtobeCatholiconly.
Q.134.WhatwasMotherTeresa'sattitudetotheCityofCalcuttaandthekindofpublicityshebroughttoit?
A.Shewasoblivioustothenegativepublicityshegenerated,andevenifshewasawareofitshewouldnotcare,because
shewasbringingglorytoherselfandherchurch.Shewasverymuchcaughtupinherownpropaganda.ShegaveCalcuttaa
verypoorimage:slums,deadbodieslyingallovertheplaceetc.IbelieveshedetestedCalcuttaforthecity'scasualapproach
toabortion.SectionE.ThePersonalityoftheServantofGod
Q.E135.WhatwerethecharacteristicsofthepersonalityofMotherTeresa?
A.Fromtheageof60onwardshebecamedevious,readytoshakehandswithanybodytofurtherhercause,glib,intensely
hypocritical,insincere,verysuperficial.Priortothatshewasanhonest,concernedandgenuinelyhelpfulperson.Attheage

of59shewasdiscoveredbyMalcolmMuggeridgeandasaresultshechangedpermanently.
Q.E136.WhatwerethecharacteristicsofMotherTeresa'sspirituality?
A.Shewasapracticalpersonandverycunning.Iwouldnotcallherspiritual,althoughshewasobviouslydeeplypious.She
hadverylittleethicswhenitcametofurtheringhercause.
Q.E138.WhatinyourjudgementwouldbeMotherTeresa'sparticularmessagetotheChurchandtheworldtoday?
A.Heronlymessagetotheworldwasthatabortionwasmurderdoctorswhoperformedabortionshouldbeinprison
contraceptionisanevilthingwomenshouldbeathome.
Q.159.WhoafterMotherTeresa'sdeathvisitedthebody?
A.ThefirstoutsiderwasSubhashChakraborty,theSportsandYouthMinisterofWestBengal.Thesecondpersonwasthe
popsingerUshaUthup(thereissomedisputeastowhocamefirst).Inanycasetherewerenopoorvisitorsforalongtime
afterherdeath.
Q.167.DidMotherTeresaexercisethespiritoffaithinthevariousmomentsofherlifeandespeciallyduringherlastyears?
A.Yes,shedid.
Q.169.DidMotherTeresaattempttonourishherspiritoffaith?
A.Sheprayednonstop,tooktheBibleliterally.Sheneverreadanythingfromanyotherreligion.*Prayerforherhad
becomeanobsessiveritual.*Ifshehad,itwouldgoagainstherinbeatification.
Q.171.WerethereanycircumstancesinwhichMotherTeresafailedorwasimperfectintheexerciseoffaith?Ifso,whatare
these?
A.Forpoliticalandpracticalopportunism,shewentdirectlyagainstCatholicteachingsonanumberofoccasionsshe
supportedtheStateofEmergencyinIndia,despitebeingfullyawarethatpeoplewerebeingforciblysterilised.She
supported(laterretractedhersupportwhencriticised)Diana'sdivorce,althoughforanyotherwomanshewouldutterlybar
divorceforanyreason.ShealsogaveacertificateofsupportforherfriendandcollaboratorDrKakoliGhoshDastidar,who
hasafertilitycentreinCalcutta.[FertilitytreatmentsaretotallyproscribedbytheCatholicchurch]
SectionK.TheVirtueofCharityK.I.LoveofGodK.II.LoveofNeighbour
Q.K178.DidMotherTeresashowconcreteexpressionofcharity(love)towardstheLordinthevariousperiodsofherlife?
[Itissignificantthat'charity'hereistodowiththecharityinthereligiousandnottheordinarysense.]
A.Yes,shedid.
Q.O209.DidMotherTeresaattaincontrolanddominationoverherownnaturalinclinationsandpassions?
A.Yes,shedid.SectionQ.TheVirtueofObedience
Q.Q223.DidMotherTeresashowthespiritofsubmission,respectandobediencebeforevariousArchbishopsofCalcutta
andotherdioceses?Ifsohoworhownot?
A.Shewasrespectfulandsubmissive.SectionR.TheVirtueofChastity
Q.R227.Wassheagoodexampleinconductanddressinregardstovirtueofchastity?
A.Yes,shewas.
Q.R231.DidMotherTeresatakepropercareandprecautiontosafeguardherconsecratedchastity?Ifso,whatmeansdidshe
use?
A.Idonotthinkanybodywouldquestionherchastity.Shedidnotneedtotakeanyprecautions.
Q.R234.DoyouknowifMotherTeresaeverfailed,evenoccasionally,againstthevowofreligiouschastity?
A.Sheneverfailed.*
*Anegativeorevendoubtfulanswertothisquestionfromaseriouswitnesswouldseriouslyjeopardisehersainthood

chances.
Q259.ArethereanypersonsandgroupsthatdonotsharetheopiniononthereputationofsanctityofMotherTeresaand
thereforeareagainstthepresentCauseofBeatificationandCanonisation?
A.TheHindufundamentalistgroupsinIndia(whoarenumericallyandpoliticallyquitepowerfulthesedays)areviciously
opposedtoherandareopposedtokindofhonourthatcouldbebestowedonher.Iformyselfamnotagainstherbecominga
Catholicsaint.
[ThisistheonlyoccasionDrGradyshowanyemotionshewasstartled
andasked,'Youarenot...?'IexplainedtoherifIwasrunningabusinessI
wouldofcourserewardmybestsalespeople,whatevertheirothervirtues.
Besides,MotherTwithallherfaultspalesintoinsignificancebeforethesort
ofthugs,antiSemitesandfascistcollaboratorstheCatholicchurchhas
recentlybeatified,suchasPiusIX,PiusXII,JosMariaEscriva,Stepinac
(ArchbishopofZagrebwhooversawthekillingsofthousandsofJews,
gypsiesandCommunists),CardinalSchusterofMilanetc.]
X.GracesAttributedtotheIntercessionofMotherTeresa
Q.X261.Doyouknowofanypersonswhohavereceivedspiritualgraces,heavenly[IamnotquitesureifIgotthisword
right]favoursorextraordinaryhealingsthroughtheintercessionofMotherTeresa?
A.No,Idonotknowofanybody.And,Idonotbelievethatmiraculoushealingstakeplacethroughtheintercessionof
potentialsaints,butthatismypersonalopinionandIrealisethatIaminaminorityintheworldtodaytoholdsuchopinion
whichIcallrational.Asamedicalpractitioner
IdoknowhoweverthatthehumanbodyisamysterywedonotfullyunderstandandIseemany'miracles'everydaywhen
dealingwithmypatients.
Q.263.Doyouhaveanythingtoadd,correctordeleteinyourtestimonyabouttheServantofGod,MotherTeresaof
Calcutta?
A.IwishtopointoutshewasnotatruthfulpersonsheevenliedinherNobelPrizeacceptancespeech:shegavethe
impressionthatherorderscoursthestreetsofCalcuttalookingfordestitutes,whichispatentlyuntrue.Shealsoquoteda
precisefigure(61,273)whichshesaidthenumberofchildrennotbornbecauseofpoorpeoplepractisingnatural
contraceptionthisfigurewasafigmentofherimagination,orplainprevarication.Shealsosaidthatshedidnotknowof
anyamongstthepoorwomeninCalcuttawhohadanabortion.Sheisagrotesquelieandsheknewit.Shewasalwaysvery
aggrievedandangryatthecasualattitudepeopleinCalcutta(fromallclasses)havetowardsabortion.
ShehasalsoliedinbookswrittenaboutheraboutthenumberofpeoplethatherfedinhersoupkitchensinCalcutta.
InaninterviewwithDaphneBarakfromtheUSmagazineLadiesHomeJournal[April1996]sheblatantlysaidshewanted
todielikethepoorinher'homeforthedying'(NirmalHriday)whereconditionsareabysmal.Inthelastfewyearsofherlife
shehardlyevervisitedNirmalHridaysheknewverywellthattherewasnoquestionofherdyingthereasshewasusedto
havingtreatmentsatsomeofthebestclinicsintheworld.
SheusedtovoteinIndianelections.Shewasveryproactiveaboutherallhernunsgoingouttovotetheyweretoldexactly
howtovote.Allthiscontrastswiththenaiveimagethatshenurturedforherself.
Ibelieveshehadnorighttolecturepoorwomenabouttheevilsofartificialcontraception.Itwasimmoralofher,asecure
virginnunfetedbytheworld,tellingadesperatelypoorIndianwomanthatshemuststayawayfromthecoilorthecondom.
Shehoweverdidnothavethemoralcourageandintegritytopubliclyairherviewsoncontraception(andevenabortion)in
India,assheknewthatwouldbedetrimentaltoherpublicrelations.Althoughshesaidalotabouttheevilofabortion(and
howwomenwhohaveabortionswerenothingshortofmurderers)shenevermadeanystatementabouttheheinouspractice
ofselectiveabortionoffemalefetusesthathappensinIndiaagreatdeal.Again,thiswasfromadesiretomaintainpublic
relations,andbetraysherlackofcourageandintegrity.

IfMotherTeresageneratedexcessiveinterestinthemediaduringherlifetime,theobsessionwithherwassolessintensefollowingher
timelydemise.Shewhohadbeenknownasthe'livingsaint'andthe'saintofthegutters'duringherlifetimewasnowbeingchampionedasa
soontobeactualsaint.PressandtelevisionfollowedtheCatholicchurch'sbeatificationcanonisationprocesswithgreatinterestasifitwere
somekindofsecularphenomenon.EverypresscommuniquaboutherfromtheVaticanwasdutifullyreportedinworldmedia.Barelythree
weeksafterherdeathNewsweek3magazineranacoverstorywith'SainthoodNow:TheMovetoCanoniseMotherTeresa'splashedacross
thecoveroverherphotographIhavenotseensuchfanfareevenintheCatholicpress!WhentheVaticanspeciallywaivedforherthefive
yearwaitingperiodbeforewhichdeliberationsinothercasescannotbeginforcanonisation,itbrokeasmajornewsaroundtheworld,and
madefrontpagenewsinmostAmericannewspapers.
Giventhislevelofinterestinherbecomingasaint,Ihadpresumedthatmybeinganofficialhostilewitnessagainstherwouldarousesome
curiosityinhacks.Ihadnotforasecondthoughtthatitwouldbereportedasnewsitem(although'DevilIncarnateTriesToRubbishSaint'
wouldbeverynicecomplimentindeed)butIhadexpectedtoarousesomelevelofpersonalinterestinafewjournalists.HowwrongIwas.
AfewweeksafterIgaveevidence,duringFebruaryMarch2001,IdecidedtomailalargesectionoftheEnglishspeakingpressfrom
aroundtheworldtoletthemknowthatIhavebeenanofficialhostilewitnessinTeresa'sbeatification.ThiswastheletterIsent:
ItmightinterestyoutoknowthatIhavebeenabletoofferofficialevidenceagainstMotherTeresainherbeatification
process.Thisistheresultof2yearsofpersistentrepresentationstotheVaticanandvariousotherecclesiasticalauthorities.
MyevidencewasheardinLondonon3rdand4thofJanuary2001atWestminsterCathedraloffices.
ACatholicsaintiscreatedonthebasisofhowtrueheorshehadbeentotheletterofCatholicteachingandhaslittletodo
theircharitablenature.ItisthereforeunfortunatethatsomuchofthesecularmediaconfuseaCatholicsaintwith'saintly'.
DuringmyinterviewIwasaskedquestionssuchashowoftenandhowdeeplyMotherTeresausedtopray,whethershe
waskindtoherfamily,whethershehadbeenachastewomanetc.Therewerehoweveropportunitiestoputinmyviewson
howduplicitousandhypocriticalshewasnotthatitwouldmakeanydifferenceandIdonotthinkitshoulddoeither:after
all,thisistheCatholicchurch'sowninhouserewardsystem.
Ihadvolunteeredtobethesocalled'Devil'sAdvocate'(PromoterJustitie)buttheVaticandidnotallowthat.Youmaywish
toknowthattheVaticanitselfappointsitsownDevil'sAdvocate.IamfromCalcuttamyselfandhavespentthelast6years
researchingtheactivitiesandoperationsofMotherTeresaandherorganisation.
(LateronIlearntthereissomeconfusionaboutthepostofDevil'sAdvocatesomesayithasbeenabolished.)Isentthisletter(mostlyvia
email)to400journalistsaroundtheworldabout350ofthemintheUS(asthisiswherehermythisthemostintense),someintheUK,
andafewinAustraliaandSouthAfrica.TheUS's350journalistsbelongedtothecountry's50mostpopularnewspapers.Frommy400
mailshotsImanagedtoget4responses.
StephenBatesformTheGuardian(UK)acknowledgedmyletter,sodidLaviniaByrne,theBritishfreelancejournalistandformernunwho
leftherholyorders(butremainsastaunchCatholic)inprotestattheVatican'streatmentofwomen.IalsogotanemailfromThe
WashingtonPost'seducationcorrespondentwhowantedsometechnicalclarificationabouttheprocessofbeatification.Thatisall.
ParticularlymystifyingwasthesilenceofKennethLWoodward,whoisconsideredbyhimself(andbyothersintheworldofmedia)tobe
somekindofanexpertinsaintmakingandwasthemainauthoroftheNewsweekcoverfeature.Heissaidtotakeakeeninterestinall
aspectsofsaintmaking,soIthoughtwouldbeatleastcurioustoknowwhatagenuinehostilewitnessinanotherwisecarefullymanaged
dramahadtosay.
Itishowevernotacoincidencethatexactlytwomonthsaftermymailshots(on26May2001)theArchbishopofCalcuttaHenryD'Souza
issuedapressstatement(againwidelyreportedtheworldover)thatMotherTeresaisheadingforbeatificationinrecordtime.Thecurrent
recordholderisJosMariaEscriva,thefascistwhoservedtheCatholicchurchsowell.
Therearemanypeoplefromaroundtheworld,manyofthemquitewellinformed,whoareterriblyimpressedbytheVatican'sshowof
'evidencecollection'beforeasaintiscreated.Indeed,quiteoftenthecollectedevidencerunsintovolumesandtakesyears.ButIwishto
pointoutonesignificantpointhasanycandidateeverbeenrejectedafterthe'investigations'?TheanswerisNO.Whatkindof
'investigation'isitthatalwaysyieldsthesamekindofresult?Thesocalledinvestigations,testimoniesetc.,arenothingshortofeyewash.
Theyimpressjournalistswhoknowlittleabouttheprocess.Interestingly,theVaticanmakesashowofofferingcriticisms(nodoubttrivial)
aboutthecandidatetoappearneutralinMotherTeresa'scaseitprobablywouldbetodowithhernotpreachingChristianitymorestridently
andvisibly,andherrelativeshortageofhumilityinthelast20yearsofherlifewhensheacceptedshewasgoingtobeasaintsoonafter
death.TheVaticanwouldthennegatethenegativesbysaying'Well,whatcouldshedoinaHindunationifshehadproselytiseditwould
havebackfiredandtheresultwouldbemuchworseasshewouldhavehadtocloseshopcompletelyand,onthelatterpoint,shewas
persecutedbyjournalistswhodrummedintoherthatshewouldbeasaintsoshewasjustresignedtoit.'Itisafactthatnogenuinecriticisms
areofferedduringbeatification/canonisationandiftheyare(aswereinmyandHitchens'stestimonies),theyarequicklybinned.
ThecurrentPopehasbeatifiedsomestrangepeople.Butwhenhedeclaredthehated19thcenturyPopePiusIX'blessed'inSeptember2000,
therewasanuproarfrommanyquarters.EventheCatholicweeklyTheTablet4calledit'ABeatificationTooFar'.PopePiusIXwasahated

figureinhisdaywhowouldimprisonminordissentersthepapalprisonwasalwaysfull.Hebroughtbackpublichangings.He
reconstitutedtheJewishghetto,broughtindraconianantiJewishlawslikerescindingJews'civilrights,andtotopitallabductedaJewish
boy(EdgardoMortara)fromhisparents(whohewouldplayfullyhideunderhisflowingrobes)andconvertedhimtoCatholicism.Ina
cruelactbefittinghispersonality,EdgardowasbroughtupinawingoftheVaticanfundedbyleviesonJews.Whenattackedbythe
Europeanpressfortheabductionhesaid,'Thenewspaperscanwritewhattheywant.Icouldn'tcarelesswhattheworldthinks.'In1870he
declaredthatJewswere'dogs...therearetoomanyoftheminRome,andwehearthemhowlinginthestreets.'WhenhediedRomans
attackedhisfuneralcortegeandstolethecoffinwhichwasalmostonthevergeofbeingthrownintheTiber,ifnotforthelastminute
interventionofthepapalarmy.
Thispersonisgoingtobe'saint'soon.Themiracleattributedtohimisthehealingofanun'sbrokenkneecapthroughhisintercession.The
VaticanandtheCatholicestablishmentlovehim(mostliberalCatholicsdetesthimandareashamedofhim)becauseheservedthefirmwell.
Eventheyarenotclaimingthathewaskindandcharitable,buttheywanttorewardhimforhisservicestothefirm.Hewastheonewho
firstofficialisedtwoofCatholicism'smostcrucialandtriumphaldoctrinestheImmaculateConceptionoftheVirginMary,and,papal
infallibility.
Amoreseriousissuehangsovertheproposedbeatification(againbythecurrentPope)ofanotherPope,PiusXII.Hisroleduringthe
deportationandkillingofRomanJewsduringWorldWarIIisconsideredatbestpoorunderstandingofHitler'sintentions,andatworsttacit
appeasementofHitlerwithfullknowledge.WhenJewswerebeingdeportedfrom'underhiswidow'tobekilledhissupportersclaimhe
wasnotawareoftheirultimatefatehemadenotasinglemurmurofprotest.ItisassumedbymanythatbecauseheregardedBolshevism
andCommunismastheultimateenemy,hewasnotthatunenamouredofHitler.Alsoitiswellknownthatmanycardinalsandalotofthe
VaticanestablishmentwereopenlyantiSemiticandfascistsympathisers.
TheVatican'sroleduringtheHolocaustishistoricallycrucialtoourfurtherunderstandingofthisheinousperiodinhumancivilisation.In
October1999,threeJewishandthreeCatholichistorianswereselectedtostudymaterialsrelatingtotheVatican'sroleduringera.However
on21June2001,theJewsweretoldbytheVaticanthatfullarchiveswouldnotbeavailablefor'technicalreasons'.TheJewishhistorians
saidtheyweresuspendingtheirresearchandissuedapressstatementallegingthattheVaticanwasconcealingcompromisinginformation.
ItisentirelypossiblethatPiusXIIaidedandabettedthekillingofinnocentmen,womenandchildrenforpoliticalandreligiousreasons.
Unlessthecloudoverhimiscleared,thismanshouldnothavebeenproposedforbeatification,butheis.Heisfavouredbecauselikethe
currentPopehewasultrarightwingandviciouslyantiCommunist.Itisnotthathewasamodestmaneithermodestyearnsyoualotof
browniepointsforsainthoodforhewasregularattheCliniqueLaPrairieinSwitzerlandwherehewouldreceiveregularinjectionsof
sheep'sfetusesforrejuvenation.
Curiously,whenthewhollyworthyNikolausGrosswasbeatifiedin2001(forbeingkilledbyNazisforhisconscience),hissonmadea
protestthathedidnotwanthisfathermadeasaintbyaChurchthathadconnivedwithHitler.ButJohnPaulIIsimplyignoredhiswishes
andwentahead.JosMariaEscriva,whobeforeTeresaheldtherecord17yearsforthequickestbeatificationhasbeenslatedbysome
ofhisformercolleaguesforhisfascistbeliefs.MgrVladimirFelzmann,aformermemberofEscriva'ssecretiveorganisationOpusDei,said
inaninterviewwithCatholicTimes5thatthe'Blessed'EscrivawasanadmirerofHitler.AccordingtoFelzmann,'inEscriva'scase,gratitude
andadmirationforaFuhrerthatsavedSpain'sRomanCatholicChurchfromdestruction'wasthereality.ThecurrentPopewhorewards
fascistswhostaveofthreatsfromthelefthasaparticularregardforEscriva,whocollaboratedwithFranco'sruthlessmilitaryregimethat
ruledinthenameofGod.InMarch2001thePopealsobeatifiedinonestroke233collaboratorsofFranco,whofought(anddied)to
preserveFranco'sfascistCatholicstateagainsttheSpanishrepublicans.Aroundthesametimehebeatified130Chinese'martyrs'whofought
onbehalfofWestern(Christian)andcolonialpowersintheBoxeruprisingofthe19thcentury.Mostofthemweretraitorsandcollaborators
againsttheindigenousChinese.ThesebeatificationshavecausedanotherseriousdentinthealreadystrainedSinoVaticanrelations.
AlthoughthecurrentPopeisrabidantileft,hispredecessorswerealsonolesskeentostaveoffanyhintofwhattheycalled'modernism'.
PopePiusX(Pope19031914)isoneofonlytwoPopestohaveactuallymadeittosainthood.Hewasnotapopularman,evenamongstthe
Catholicclergy.Priestswouldbeexcommunicatedforthetiniesthintof'modernism'.Heintroducedthepracticeofallparishpriestshaving
totakean'antimodernistoath'.Thissaintdetestedsocialismandalsoanyconceptofdialogueorunderstandingwithotherreligions.
ThecurrentPopehasbeatifieda'person'whoneverexistedJuanDiegoofMexico.AllserioushistoriansandmostrespectableCatholic
theologiansacceptthathewaspartofMexicanfolkloreandnotarealperson.Againthereisadistinctreligiousandpoliticalreasonwhy
Diegoisbeingmadeasaint.AccordingtofolklorehewasoneofthefirstMexicanIndianconvertstowhomtheVirginofGuadalupe
appearedin1531.ThepowerofthemythstartedwavesofconversionamongstMexicans.
WhatIamtryingtoestablishisthattheVatican,especiallyunderthecurrentPope,isruthlesslyfollowingawelldefinedagendawhen
creatingsaints.Itisthereforeunfortunatethatthesecularmediaandpublicingeneralareimpressedbythesocalledsanctityofthesepeople.
WhiletheVaticaniskeentocreatesaintsofthedubious,itisequallykeennottomakesaintsofthedeserving.DorothyDay,thewoman
whoworkedallherlifetoempowerthepoorhasbeenruledout,sohasHelderCamaratheoutspokenBrazilianpriestandchampionofthe
dispossessed.AftertheWorldTradeCenterattackon11September2001afirechaplaincalledFrMychalJudgediedwhilehelpingvictims.
AmovementforcanonisingFrMychalhasbeentoldbytheVaticanthatheshouldnotbeacandidate.ApriestcolleagueFrJohnFelice

said,'Buthewasheafriendtothosewhowouldbeconsideredthedeviantsofsociety:alcoholics,homelesspeople,revolutionaries,gays,
peoplewithAIDS,divorcedpeople,everyonenotacceptabletotheconservativewingofsociety.TherewasarushtocanoniseMychalthese
days,andIthinkitisamistake.Inmakingsaintsofpeopleweoftenshovepeopleawayfromourexperience'6
TheVaticanissensitiveandtouchyabouttheaboutthe'miracles'thatapotentialsainthastocauseinordertobeelevatedare'analysed'in
detail.Itdoesnottalktothepublicorthepressmuchaboutthem.Thepotential'miracles'are'investigated'butbytheVatican'sown
appointedteam.HereisafairlyrecentcommuniqufromtheVaticanaboutthemiracleattributedtothe19thcenturypriestWilliamJoseph
Chaminade:
AccountoftheMiracleAttributedtotheIntercessionoffatherWilliamJosephChaminade...PopePaulVIdeclared,on
October18,1973thattheServantofGod[Chaminade]practisedthetheologicalandcardinalvirtues,alongwithrelated
virtues,toaheroicdegree.Inviewofthebeatification,thePostulatoroftheCausesubmittedtothejudgementofthe
CongregationfortheCausesofSaintsthepresumedmiraculouscureofElenaOterodeGaudinoofBuenosAires.Thisfifty
yearoldwoman,inJanuary1991,begantosufferformlackofenergyandbreathingdifficulties.Inadditiontothat,she
noticedatumourofthethyroidglandontherightsideofherneck.InFebruaryofthesameyear,havingdiagnoseda
malignanttumourofthethyroidgland,thedoctorsdecidedonsurgery.Duringthewaitingtimeshereceivednotreatment.
Thepatient,awareofhergravecondition,turnedtoGodforhelpthroughtheintercessionoftheVenerableServantofGod
WilliamJosephChaminade.Relativesjoinedherinprayer,aswellasfriendsandmembersoftheMarianistlaycommunities
andMarianistreligious.
Suddenly,beforesurgerywasperformed,anoticeablediminutionofthenoduleofthepatienttookplacetothepointoftotal
disappearancewithinafewdaysandwithouttreatmentofanykind.
ConcerningthemiraculouscurebroughtaboutandattributedtotheintercessionoftheServantofGod,thecustomary
diocesaninvestigationwascarriedoutbytheChanceryofBuenosAiresin199596.Thisinvestigationwasacceptedas
validbytheCongregationfortheCausesofSaintsintheDecreeofOctober11,1996.TheVaticanCouncilofDoctors,in
thesessionheldonJanuary14,1999,declaredthattheregressionofthenoduleofthethyroidglandwasveryrapid,
complete,durableandunexplainablebyscience.OnMay11ofthesameyeartheParticularCongressofthetheological
Consulatorswasheld,and,onthefollowingOctober5,theOrdinarySessionoftheCardinalsandBishopstookplace,the
PresenteroftheCausebeingHisExcellencyJosephSebastianLaboa,titulararchbishopofZarai.Inbothgatherings,thatof
theConsulatorsaswellasthatoftheCardinalsandBishops,tothequestionwhetheradivinelyworkedcouldbeascertained,
theresponsewasaffirmative.Thishavingbeendulydone,theHolyFather[JohnPaulII]convokedonMonday,December
20,1999,...Tothosepresent,theHolyfatherdeclared:'Thereiscertaintyofamiraclethroughtheintercessionofthe
VenerableWilliamJosephChaminade,priest,founderoftheSocietyofMary(Marianists)andoftheInstituteofthe
DaughtersofMaryImmaculate,namelytheveryrapid,completeandenduringcureofElenaGracielaOterodeGaudinoofa
rapidlyprogressingpathologicalthyroidnodule.'HisHolinessdesiredthathisdecreebemadepublicandbeinscribedinthe
minutesoftheCongregationforthecausesofSaints.GiveninRome,onDecember20,1999Signed:+JosephSaraiva
Martins,Prefect+EdwardNovak,Secretary
Itisevidentfromthepreviouspassagethattheinvestigationswerethe'customarydiocesan'ones'carriedoutbytheChanceryofBuenos
Aires'.Andlateronthe'VaticanCouncilofDoctors'toreapartthe'investigations'beforetheydeclaredthemvalid.Contrarytothebeliefof
manypeopleandmostjournalists,theVaticandoesnotconductanopeninvestigationintothe'miracles'inthepublicdomain.Italy,which
hasgiventheworldthelargestnumberofCatholicsaints,nowhasasubversiveorganisationcalledCICAP(CommitteefortheInvestigation
ofClaimsontheParanormal)whichwouldbehappytolookintoanyofthesemiracles,givenachance.CICAP,inthelastfewyears,have
exposedabout5000'miracles'inItaly,about200ofwhichhaveresultedinprosecutions.MotherTeresa'smiraclessimilarlycouldbegiven
totheCalcutta'smanyscepticandrationalistsocieties,whichgoaroundthevillagestryingtobreakdownsuperstitiousbeliefs.
From1998onwardstheVaticanregularlydisseminatednewsitemsofmany'miracles'beingcausedbyTeresa'sintercession.InAugust
1998archbishopD'SouzacameonTVinCalcuttaandproclaimedthataFrenchgirlwhohadmetwithacaraccidentintheUS(hecouldnot
recallthegirl'snameortheplaceofaccident)mighthaveexperiencedamiraclewhensheplaceda'MotherTeresamedal'(personallygivento
herbythedeceasednun)onherbody.Hesaidthegirlmadeacompleterecoveryfromherinjuries.ThencamethecaseofaPalestiniangirl
withbonecancerwhogotbetterafterTeresaappearedtoherinherdreamsandsaid,'Child,youarecured.'Followingthatcamethecaseof
RitaMascarenhas,aCatholicnuninPurulia(about150milesfromCalcutta)whowassaidtobeparalysedfromwaistdownwardsaftera
nervewassnappedduringanoperation.TwodaysafterTeresa'sdeath,afriendgaveherapieceofcloththathadbeenrubbedagainsther
body.Mascarenhaspinnedtheclothtohersideandsoonheardavoicetellinghertogetupandwalk,whichshedid.
ButtheofficialmiracleforbeatificationasacceptedbytheVaticanisthecaseofoneMonicaBesra,atribalwomanlivingnearRaigunj,a
smalltownabout200milesfromCalcutta.TheCatholicestablishmentwentoutofitswaytokeepheridentitysecret,buteventually
journalistsfoundherout.Indeed,asearlyasAugust2001,LukeHardingfromtheUK'sObserver7travelledallthewaytoRaigunjtospeak
toher.Shewasunavailablebutwhenhewantedtospeaktothenunstodiscussthe'cure',theyrefusedtoemerge.Raigunj'sBishop

AlphonsusD'Souzasaid,'Theyhavebeengivenstrictordersnottotalkaboutit.Obviouslywhathappenedisanobjectivemiracle.Butthe
sistersdon'twanttogivedifferentversionsasthatwouldspoilthings.'
InMay1998MrsBesrawassaidtobesufferingfromamassivetumouroftheuterus.On5September1998,thefirstanniversaryof
Teresa'sdeathtwonunstiedaMotherTeresaaluminiummedal(thisparticularonehadbeenincontactwithherdeadbody)ontoher
abdomen.Thenfollowedanightofpraying,andthefollowingmorningthetumourhadcompletelydisappeared.
ThenunsnowaskedMonica'ssisterKanchantowritetoMotherHouseinCalcuttadescribingthe'cure'.ApparentlyKanchandidnotwish
todoit,sothenunsdiditthemselvesonMonica'sbehalfasshecannotreadorwrite.Thechurchthenarrangedforfivedoctors('an
extraordinarynumberforapoorresidentofaMissionariesofCharityhome,'commentsHarding)toexamineMonicawhoallagreedwith
thatan'objectiveandorganicmiracle'hadtakenplace.InapressstatementissuedinAugust2001,Calcutta'sarchbishopD'Souzasaid,'The
probefoundthemiracletohavemettheessentialrequisitesofbeingorganic,immediate,permanentandintercessionaryinnature.'
CynicssaytheVaticanchoseBesraovertheothersbecauseofherpovertyandilliteracy.Also,shelayhiddeninhertribalvillageinaremote
partofeasternIndiauntillocaljournalistsharanguedherout.
On1October2002MonicaBesra's'miracle'wasformallyratifiedbytheVaticanafteralongcloseddoormeetingofcardinalsandVatican
'doctors'.On4October,ETV,oneofCalcutta'stelevisionchannels,interviewedduringits9p.m.news,ParthaDe,whowasWestBengal's
MinisterofHealthatthetimeoftheallegedmiracle.HesaidthatBesrawasapatientatBalurghatHospital(some200milesfromCalcutta)
whereshehadbeentreatedandcuredand(implicitly)challegendtheCatholicChurchtoproveotherwise.Besraherselfwasshownon
television,possiblyforthefirsttime,thenewscrewhavingfoundherinherremotevillageNakore.Shewasaskedafewquestionsshe
confirmed,surroundedbynuns,thatshehadbeencuredthroughMother'smedal.HerhusbandSelkuMurmualsoappeared,disgruntledand
wishingtobeleftalone.FinallyshewasshownbeingwhiskedawaybytwonunsinaMissionariesofCharity'ambulance'.Thetelevision
crewconcludedattheendofthenewsitemthatthenewscrew'sinternalinvestigationconcludedthatseriousdoubtsexistedaboutthealleged
miracle.
Duringtheweekbeginning7October2002,allCalcuttanewspapers,bothinEnglishandBengali(includingthenormallydeferential
Statesman)carriedfeaturespouringscornonthe'miracle'claim.AnandaBazaarPatrikacarriedalengthyeditorial(5October)andlateralso
aninvestigativefeature.Essentiallytheyallsaidthesamethingthattheyweredisappointedatthesocalledmiracleclaim.Newspapers
quotedthesuperintendentofBalurghatHospitalDrManjuMurshedwhosaidcategoricallythatmedicalinterventioncuredBesra.Shewas
saidtohavebeentreatedbytwodoctors,DrT.K.BiswasandgynaecologistDrRanjanMustafi,bothofwhomcameforwardtotalkto
reporters.TheysaidthatBesrawassufferingwithtuberculosisandlaterwasfoundtohaveanovariantumour.Ibelieveshehadtuberculous
peritonitis.DoctorsconfirmedthatshereceivedprolongedtreatmentforTBandwastherebycured.
AnandaBazaarPatrika(9October)saidthatMissionariesofCharityhadrequestedBesra'shospitalnotesfromBalurghatHospitalwhichit
declinedtoforward.Usingtheorder'spoliticalcontacts,theorderthenwrotetoHealthMinisterDe,whoaskedforaformalreportfromDrs
BiswasandMurshedsometimein1999.ThedoctorsgaveafactualreportwhichDequotedtojournalistsinOctober2002afterthe
ratificationofthe'miracle'.
ThesamefeaturequotedandcarriedaphotographofBesra.Shewassaidtobetalkinghurriedlywithoutpausing.Whenaskedwhyshewas
speakinglikethat,shesaidshe'mightotherwiseforget.'TheTelegraph(11October)alsosaidthatBesrapleadednottobeaskedtoomany
questionsasshewouldhaveto'remember'herstatement.
On10October,HindustanTimesledwiththenews'DOCSALLEGEPRESSURETOBACKMIRACLE'whereinitquotedDrMurshed
assaying'They[MissionariesofCharity]maderepeatedcallstoourhospitalpressingustosayitwasamiracle.Theyalsomadewritten
requeststoupholdthemiracletheory.Theygaveuponlyrecently,thattooonlyafterIrefusedtoallowourdoctorstovisittheirplace.'Inthe
samearticlehusbandMurmusurprisinglyturnedagainstthemiracleandsaidthatmedicalinterventioncuredhiswife.
ThedailyAajkaalwroteastingingeditorial(10October)entitled'WhiteMischief'andmadethepointthattobedeclaredaCatholicsaintit
wasimmaterialifonehadbeencharitableornot.Itsaid:
Weallknowthemiracleclaimisfalse,howcaniteverbetrue?AlthoughvenerableVaticandoctorshaveclaimedotherwise!
Butcantheyshutusupuspeoplewhothinkrationally?BecauseMotherTeresawasastar,becausesheisrevered,will
suchhumbuganddeceitbeacceptedbyrightthinkingpeople?Andthepeddlersofsuchsheerfalsehoodwilltheysimply
continuetouseus,justbecausetheyaresahibsandmemsahibs?
ThequestionmaybeaskedwhyCalcuttamediawhicharenormallyindifferentorquietlydeferentialtowardsMotherTeresatooksucha
hostilepath.IbelieveCalcuttansweresorelydisillusioned.MotherTeresawaswhiteskinnedandhobnobbedwithWesternworldleaders.
Shewasthereforeregardedasrationalandprogressive.Theobscurantismandsuperstitionofsaintmakingcameasarudeshocktothem.To
thisdaythedeepconservatismofTeresaisunknowntoCalcuttans.YetanotherproofhowlittleCalcuttaknowsaboutTeresaandvice
versa.
Withthe'miraculouscure'ofMonicaBesrathefirstchapterofthesainthoodofMotherTeresaended,andshewasonthewaytobebeatified

(declareda'blessed').Thepostulatorofhercause,FrBrianKolodiejchuk,hasbeenbusythelastcoupleofyearsandhascollected34,000
pagesofdocuments(called'evidence')onherlife.112witnesses(includingmyself)havebeenexamined.
ItwouldbeevidentfromtheabovethatIhaveexpressedtwodiametricallyopposingviewsonwhetherMotherTeresashouldbedeclareda
saint.WhereasIhavewrittentoCatholicauthoritiesthatsheoughtnottobe,Ihavewrittentootherpeople(i.e.,journalists)thatweshould
notcareiftheVaticandeclaresoneofitsowna'saint'.Thenagain,inmystatementasa'witness'atthehearingIsaiditwasnotimportant
whatsortofgeneralmoralfibreaCatholicsaintpossessed.
IconfessthatIamconfusedandamindilemmaontheissue.ApartofmefeelsthatCatholicsaintsbecausetheyhavesuchabroadappeal
amongstthegeneralpopulationshouldbebeyondreproachinthebroadeverydaysenseatleasttheyshouldnothavebrokenanyoftheten
commandments(MotherTeresafrequentlylied,PiusIXwasintopublichangings).Anotherpartofmewishestoadoptaloftydisdainofthe
Vatican'sinternalmachinationsandwantsittogetonwithit.Iwouldbeinterestedtoknowwhatthereadersthink.

NOTESTOCHAPTER14
1.TheTablet,London,20May2000
2.VanityFair,October2001
3.Newsweek,22September1997
4.TheTablet,8July2000
5.CatholicTimes,14October2001
6.Ibid.,16July2002
7.TheObserver,London,19August2001