'She is a very nice and kind sister'

Archana Masih in Bombay

The Missionaries of Charity are not answering any questions at Mother House in Calcutta. “I wonder if you know of the news but there is a lot of activity here. No sister is available on the phone and we are not giving any official statements.” The accented voice on the line is authoritative and concise.

You tell her that you have heard the news and that is the reason you are so keen to speak to the sisters. Polite persistence makes no headway, there is another phone ringing on the other end and one can almost feel the hustle of activity in the room. “Tomorrow, the Mother will meet the press in the morning. Please wait till then. Thank you,” continues the nun and puts the phone down.

On Thursday morning, Sister Nirmala stepped into Mother Teresa’s shoes. A Hindu convert from an army background, she headed the order's contemplative wing before her election. “She has been in the order for many years now. She is a very nice and kind sister,” says Archbishop Henry D’Souza of Calcutta who has been closely associated with the Missionaries of Charity and has contributed to The Joy In Loving, a book on Mother Teresa.

Sister Nirmala has accompanied Mother Teresa on many of her travels abroad. “I remember her going to China, Hong Kong and Vietnam with Mother,” reveals the Archbishop and is confident that she has enough experience and ability to take on the new post.

Amongst the four most likely contenders for the Superior General’s post, Sister Nirmala was placed by many as the last choice. The 80-plus Anglo-Maltese Sister Fredericka was largely seen as the likely choice. First of the four councillor generals she was responsible for running the order after Mother Teresa fell ill. Mother’s secretary for several years Sister Joseph Michael was another contender. She trained the sisters and is considered one of the Mother’s favourites.

Sister Priscilla, the order's official spokesperson, planned Mother’s itinerary and appointments. With 16 years of service as a missionary in New York, she too emerged a strong contender. However, in a secret ballot that was delayed by more than a month, Sister Nirmala now heads the order which spreads over 120 countries.

“No, I am not surprised at all. I don’t think she was regarded as an unlikely successor,” stresses Archbishop D’Souza.

Explaining the electoral process, the archbishop says polling is conducted among delegates of the Chapter General comprising delegates from 120 countries. The Superior General and four Councillor Generals also take part in the process. The nun obtaining a majority in a secret ballot is elected.

The regional delegates assembled in Calcutta in mid-January and will now return to their offices. Before the election, the Chapter General observed a week’s retreat and then held discussions privately amongst themselves. “They discuss different problems and try formulating solutions,” clarifies the archbishop.

Sister Nirmala has been elected for a term of six years. And many years from now she could well be remembered as the first Indian to head the order.

Taking Mother Teresa’s larger-than-life place will not be easy. And Sister Nirmala knows that better than anyone else.