Touching lives on wheels

The ‘Mother Express’ that chugged into Mangalore Central Railway Station on Thursday drew Mangaloreans attention who visited in large numbers just to get a glimpse into the life of Mother Teresa.

The train that portrayed Mother Teresa’s life and work is journeying around the country for six months. The ‘Mother Express,’ a train named after Mother Teresa on the occasion of her birth centenary was flagged off by Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee from Sealdah station in Kolkata on August 26.

The four air-conditioned bogey walls were spanned with writings and pictures introducing ‘the saint of gutters,’ to the visitors.

Early Life

The first bogey showed early life of Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu (Mother Teresa) and gave an insight into her family. The bogey also had some rare pictures of young Agnes with her family and one with her wearing a traditional Albanian costume. The bogey also showed Mother Teresa’s early religious life, when she left her home and joined Sisters of Loreto as a missionary.

Life in India

The second bogey showed Mother Teresa’s life in India. Giving a brief history of her visit to India, the writings explained what Mother describes as “the call within the call,” where she felt that she should stay in India to serve the poorest of the poor. It showed the early beginnings of the Missionaries of Charity.

For charity

The third bogey gave a glimpse of Mother Teresa’s work for the poor destitute. It also gave a description about various awards received by Mother. A tribute board was also put up which had a collection of tribute quotes from personalities like Pope Paul VI who said, “Mother Teresa is an apostle of brotherhood and messenger of peace”. Other famous people like Kofi Annan, Indira Gandhi, Pope John Paul II have also opined on Mother Teresa.

Last days

The fourth bogey showed the last days of Mother Teresa’s life and her beatification in Rome in 2003.

The walls of the bogey have framed the speech by Mother Teresa in United Nations in 1985. Her last day was explained in detail and pictures of Mother Teresa’s funeral were also displayed. A documentary kept playing showing the life of Mother Teresa and work of Missionaries of Charity.

“I feel really happy that India is acknowledging the service of Mother Teresa with this train,” opined Sr Gracy UFS a visitor to the train museum, speaking to City Herald.

Eleven-year-old Leonna says she too feels like helping others after seeing the work of Mother for the poor.

Missionaries of charity

The missionaries of charity are spanned in 137 countries and have 766 houses worldwide. At present, the missionaries have 5,029 active and contemplative sisters in the congregation.

At present Missionaries of Charity in Mangalore are looking after 56 inmates. “I feel happy to see that people love Mother because of her charitable work and have visited the Train to know more about her,” says Sr Virgila from Missionaries of Charity, speaking to City Herald.

The train will be leaving on Friday night and will be halting at Kozhikkode Railway Station on December 18, 19 and later will be touring in Tamil Nadu.