Kolkata (PTI): Padma Vibhushan awardee Sister Nirmala on Monday said she would receive the award on behalf of all those who have worked for the poorest of the poor.

"I am not receiving the award for me, rather on behalf of sisters, brothers, fathers and all who are working together for the poorest of the poor," Superior General, Missionaries of Charity (MC), Sister Nirmala said here on Monday.

"This is not my achievement. This is for Missionaries of Charity and those who have been helping us for whatever good accomplished by us," she said.

She appreciated the Centre for this recognition and treated the award as a beautiful gift of God.

Yesterday, according to MC sources her first reaction was, "What did I get it for?"

The Padma Vibhushan for Sister Nirmala is the highest Indian recognition given to Missionaries of Charity after the Bharat Ratna which was awarded to Mother Teresa in March 1980.

Mother Teresa, who was awarded Nobel Peace Prize in 1979, stepped down as the MC Superior General in 1996, handing over the reigns of the organisation to Sister Nirmala.

Sister Nirmala became the MC Superior General after Mother Teresa died on September 5, 1997.