Life of Mother Teresa, Saint Alphonsa captured together

A book 'The Mother and The Sister', authored by Cyriac Thomas, which captures the lives of two most celebrated nuns in India -- Mother Teresa and Saint Alphonsa-- was today launched here.

The book was reelased by Archbishop Salvatore Pennacchio, Apostolic Nuncio to India and Nepal, at a function attended by Chief Justice of India Altamas Kabir, Union Minister K V Thomas, Principal Advisor to Prime Minister T K A Nair among other dignitaries.

Thomas, a member of National Commission for Minority Educational Institutions, said he was inspired to write the book as he knelt at St Peter Square in Vatican city during the canonisation of Sister Alphonsa in 2008.

"Both were born in the same year and in the same month of August within a gap of few days. They both dedicated their lives to bring happiness and joy in the lives of the deprived and became the most respected nuns of all times," Thomas said at the book release.

Altamas Kabir, who had the opportunity to work along with Mother Teresa, shared his experience with her in Kolkata and described her as "embodiment of love".

"Mother Teresa walked in the streets of Kolkata and saw people suffering and helped these people. She is sea of love and she is a person who gave Kolkata the name City of Joy, City of Love," he said.

Other dignitaries too expressed their words of praise for the two nuns as they appreciated Thomas' efforts to encapsulate their lives into a book.

The book is divided into two parts, first is an analysis by Thomas on the life and work of Mother Teresa and Sister Alphonsa, while the second part is a collection of letters, articles and speeches by eminent personalities on the two saints.

The book has been published by Konark Publishers and is available for Rs 595.