Mother Teresa successor Sister Nirmala dies at 80

When she stepped into the shoes of Mother Teresa in 1997, the year the Nobel laureate died, there was skepticism. But Sister Nirmala, who died at 12-05 am, shortly after midnight, proved over the years that she was the right choice made by the Mother as she led the order of self-effacing nuns for 12 years till choosing to step down in 2009 owing to health problems.

She was then succeeded by German-born Sister Mary Prema Pierick.

Sister Nirmala would be buried at the cemetery of St. John's Catholic Church at Sealdah on Wednesday evening.

Under Sister Nirmala, the MoC spread its activities in many new countries like those in Africa as well as in Afghanistan and Bosnia- Herzegovina.

"She was unassuming. She was simple and with her faith led the MoC. It was eventually proved that Mother Teresa had made the right choice," said Sunil Lucas of the Archdiocese of Calcutta who is associated with MoC.

Sister Nirmala Joshi was born in 1934 in present Jharkhand (then known as Ranchi, Bihar and Orissa Province). Her parents were from Nepal and her father was an officer of the British Army.

She was born a Hindu but after she got her education under the Christian missionaries in Patna, she chose Christianity and  converted to Roman Catholicism. She joined the Missionaries of Charity and thus went on to head it finally with Mother herself rooting for her in her lifetime.

Sister Nirmala was also conferred the Padma Vibhushan, the second highest civilian award of India, in 2009 for her services.

Condolences poured in as the news of her demise reached all.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his message said: "Sister Nirmala's life was devoted to service, caring for the poor and underprivileged. Saddened by her demise. May her soul rest in peace."

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee tweeted: "Saddened at the passing of Sister Nirmala who headed Missionaries of Charity after Mother Teresa. Kolkata and the world will miss her."