The Hindu : National : Prodi visits Mother House in Kolkata

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Feb 13, 2007
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National

National

Prodi visits Mother House in Kolkata

Staff Reporter

— Photo: AFP

Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi meets nuns of the Missionaries of Charity in Kolkata on Monday.

Kolkata: Visiting Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi expressed here on Monday his country's eagerness to improve bilateral and trade ties with India.

"We want to multiply the relations between India and Italy," Mr. Prodi said, after visiting Shishu Bhawan, the orphanage run by Mother Teresa's Missionaries of Charity. "We do not know each other well... I want to turn a page and start a new age in relations between Italy and India," he said.

Mr. Prodi, who arrived here on Sunday, visited Mother House, the headquarters of the Missionaries of Charity, before proceeding to the Shishu Bhawan. He was accompanied by his wife Flavia Franzoni.

"She [Mother Teresa] is a symbol of what the world needs today — sympathy," Mr. Prodi said.

"Mr. Prodi and his wife first went to Mother Teresa's tomb on the ground floor, where they prayed for several minutes," said Sister Christie, who is associated with the organisation. "After that, they were garlanded and greeted by the sisters who sang in their honour." In the courtyard, Mr. Prodi chatted with some Italian volunteers currently working for the Missionaries of Charity here.

They also spent several minutes in the room where Mother Teresa used to stay, and later went through the exhibits and pictures displayed. At the Shishu Bhawan, they watched dance performances by children.

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