Living visions and deeds of Mother Teresa
 Mother Teresa (1910 – 1997) is believed by those who know her as well
as those who have heard of her as one of the noblest human beings on the
planet earth. She took pains for those who were helpless, destitute,
sick and neglected. She was dedicated to the well being of the humanity.
She led a life of greatness surpassing the areas of parochial positions
and gains. Quite a number of books have been written about her by way of
biographies and sayings.
The Sinhala books which is titled as Bhagyavanthi, Kalkatawe Teresa
Matava (Blessed Mother Teresa of Culcutta) by the bilingual journalist A
Weerapperuma of Wattala to my mind is an attempt to record not only the
events in the life of Mother Teresa but also the other factors such as
living thoughts and deeds attributed to her. This may be the most
methodical collection of factors that go into the understanding of this
noble mother in its fullest perspective for the Sinhala reader.
Weerapperuma has compiled a source material that goes into the making of
the entire work obtaining details from written and unrecorded documents.
The main work is broadly segmented into five main categories,
subsequently subdivided into smaller units. The first segment opens with
a record of events and in the life of the Mother Teresa, and linked to
some of her noble utterances, which eventually goes to the making of a
prologue. Then the reader is taken on a journey to perceive how she
gradually develops herself into the sacred life of religious and social
dedication of the highest humanistic frame.
These events are followed with actual life experiences, where the
reader feels inspired if not resourceful positive values of a noble
livelihood. She is shown as no stone unturned in the knowledge
acquisition into the moulding of a sacred life - ideal humanism
intertwined in religious thoughts and visions. She faces struggles and
tribulations in her journey of dedication misunderstood by others. At
one such moment where one of her houses for destitute were disturbed by
some misunderstood people, she comes out bravely perhaps in a heroic
mood and tries to convince by saying that if they wish to kill the
destitute it would be better to kill her in the first instance.
 In this manner, those who tried to disturb her actions were calmed
down by patience. The second segment of the book deals with further
adventure she encounters during her stay in India. Her actions and power
to clarify matters of socio-religious dedication bring her closer to the
masses winning her the goodwill. The culmination is sometimes her
single-handed dedication to a worthy cause. Some people come to think
that this is beyond the humanistic frame of reference.
Then the author compiler Weerapperuma shows us how mother Teresa
gains the favour of the opinion leaders who watch her dedication in
silence. They are made to think that marvels happen before their eyes.
For a moment the reader is made to read the work like a sensitive
narrative.
In the segment thread Weerapperuma shows how she gradually paves the
way to win three great awards: Padmabhusaana award for Social Work in
India, Ramon Magsaysay award for Peace, culminating in obtaining the
Nobel award for Peace. Reader gets the chance to read the Nobel address
of Mother Teresa translated into Sinhala. This I felt is one
illuminating translation available in Sinhala. The Nobel address is
followed by two significant letters sent by Mother Teresa: one to George
Bush and the other to Saddam Hussein. Both letters indicate the need for
disarmament and the acquisition of peace for humanity.
Two English articles written by Weerapperuma too are included. Once
Mother Teresa said: “Money is useful, but the love, the attention and
the care, we offer to others are the most important things.” She also
said: “If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we
belong to each other.”
I sincerely feel that a copy of the Sinhala book be available in al
libraries in the country. The book of Weerapperuma is a constant
reminder that our thoughts and visions are interlinked in our own
actions. For me it was a resourceful exercise reading this author
publication.
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