Prayers mark Mother Teresa's 103rd birth anniversary

At Mother House, the global headquarters of Missionaries of Charity, founded by Mother Teresa in 1950, nuns and other faithful congregated at a mass where a special prayer was held in her remembrance.

Prayers were also held at churches all over the city to mark the occasion and seek her blessings.

Mother Teresa worked relentlessly for the poor, downtrodden and neglected people till her death on September 5, 1997. She had made Kolkata her home.

In a message, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said, "Let us strive to put up smiles on the faces of tearful eyes of the poor and needy people of the country - that will be the befitting tribute to Mother Teresa."

Stating that she lived a life of dedication, devotion and loving care to serve those who had no support to look for, Banerjee said the Mother had proved that helpless and distressed people can return love and affection to all.

She recalled that the first time the duo met was when the previous government was demolishing one of her Homes at Hatgachia many years ago.

"On her call I rushed and protected it," Banerjee said about Mother Teresa, who was showered with a number of awards including Bharat Ratna and the Nobel Peace Prize for her humanitarian efforts.