Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh Governor Ram Naik has called for amending around 19 laws in India that deal with leprosy and its patients.
The governor was speaking at a function on September 4 organized by Lucknow diocese to celebrate the canonization of Mother Teresa on
Naik urged all to follow the path of the world renowned Catholic nun in serving people. “Treading her path would be a befitting tribute for us all, even for people in Lucknow, as a part of her work was also spread out here,” he said.
Naik also hailed Mother Teresa as not just the ‘Saint of Calcutta’ but as a Saint of India. “It is not just an honor for the country that she worked from here but she also represents the whole of India worldwide,” he added.
The governor also noted that the new saint served all without expecting any reward.
Even before science could confirm that leprosy was curable and non-communicable, Saint Teresa had already taken to work for such people with devotion. “In my own 40 years of experience of working around leprosy patients, I have known that even educated people treat them inhumanly and as untouchables,” he said.
Many states in India, by law, prohibit leprosy patients from running in local elections, obtaining a driving license or travelling by train among others.
The public celebration at St Francis College also saw a dance drama on the life and struggles of Saint Teresa.
A memoir ‘Spirituality of Mother Teresa’ written by Father Robert Pinto was released and the long drawn association of freedom fighter Bhaiyyaji with Mother Teresa was honored.
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Sister Anthea, current mother superior of Missionaries of Charity, Lucknow, was also honored on the day, The Times of India reported.