Who is sister Nirmala?

The revered sister Nirmala is no more, leaving a vacuum behind and a chain of memories in her followers who have seen her closely, dedicating her entire life for the well-being of others.

Early life

Born in 1934 in Ranchi, Bihar and Odisha province in the British Raj, her parents were from Nepal and her father was an officer of the British army before independence in 1947. A Hindu by faith, she was educated by the Christian missionaries in Patna, which is when she came to know about Mother Teresa's humanitarian work. Following this, she converted to Roman Catholicism and joined the Missionaries of Charity, founded by Mother Teresa.

Education

She has a masters degree in Political science and is also trained as a lawyer. She was also the first sister of the institute to head a foreign mission to Panama. Joshi was behind the formation of the Contemplative branch of the organization and remained its head till she succeeded Mother Teresa as the Superior General of the Institute.

She was awarded the Padma Vibhushan, the second highest civilian award on the Republic Day of 2009 for her services to the nation.

[Read: Head of Missionaries of Charity, Sister Nirmala, passes away at 81]