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Struck by Mother's compassion

Mother was here, in the city over two decades ago. Social worker and former MP Chennupati Vidya relives the blissful moments.

MAGIC MOMENTS Mother Theresa with Chennupati Vidya

Mother Theresa always inspired me with her commitment to serve the poor and the needy. I held her in high esteem and I still look for ways to serve the society the way she did.

Her advise to social workers to go to places where people need their services and wipe out the tears of the destitute still ring in my ears.

I am one of the few lucky ones to get an opportunity to meet the Mother in flesh and blood, when she visited Vijayawada more than two decades ago. But even before that, she had heard about me from the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.

When the Mother called on Indiraji to congratulate her on her decisive victory in the 1980 Lok Sabha elections,

she suggested to Indiraji to give due representation to social workers in the party.

Indiraji promptly referred to my name and told the Mother how people of Vijayawada had elected me with a thumping majority.

Sharing the dais

Later when the Mother visited Nirmala Convent in the city, she sent a word for me.

She told me how important it was for social workers to gain entry into law-making bodies. Referring to Indiraji's remark about me, the Mother advised: "Your election to Parliament should not prevent you from serving the community. In fact, this is the time to do more. There is a need to change the lives of women. They should get more exposure and opportunities, for which there is a need to bring in new laws." I promised her that I would do my best.

I later shared the dais with the Mother in a meeting arranged on the school premises. It was a memorable experience for me.

Addressing the meeting, the Mother made a passing reference to me:

"This time you have a social worker as your representative in the Parliament.

You must make better use of her services for development and social change."

Utmost dedication

Her words reminded me of my responsibility as a Parliamentarian.

I made up my mind to follow the footsteps of the Mother and Indiraji for the rest of my life.

The way the Mother had encouraged me in the public meeting is unforgettable.

Before leaving the city, Mother advised me to visit organisations managed by her mission in Vijayawada and also in Delhi. She also asked me to call her when I reach Delhi. When I visited the organisations she ran in the city, I was struck by the dedication with which she served Indians despite being a foreigner by birth.

My interaction with the Mother, her aims and objectives, dedication and commitment and her way of involving people in the work assigned to them had a great impact on me.

The experience motivated me to work with renewed vigour for the society by marshalling all my physical resources.

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