About this stamp
Born on August 26, 1910, to Albanian parents in Skopje, Yugoslavia, Mother Teresa was baptized Agnes. Even from a young age, she harbored a strong desire to “go out and give the love of Christ.” At the age of 18, inspired by the work of the Irish Order in Bengal, she came to India on January 6, 1929, and began teaching Geography at St. Mary’s High School in Calcutta.
However, it was during a train ride to Darjeeling for an annual retreat on September 10, 1946, that Mother Teresa felt a divine calling. She received a message to leave her cloistered existence and dedicate herself to caring for “the poorest of the poor.” With the permission of the Church, she abandoned her convent life on August 18, 1948, donning the now-iconic blue-bordered white cotton sari.
On October 7, 1950, Mother Teresa founded the Missionaries of Charity in Calcutta, with her simple sari becoming its uniform. Over the years, the Missionaries of Charity expanded into a worldwide order, comprising more than 1800 nuns, 250 brothers, and thousands of lay co-workers in 30 countries. Their mission involved serving the sick and the poor, establishing leprosariums, children’s homes, shelters for women, the handicapped, and the elderly.
While providing physical care, Mother Teresa emphasized the importance of emotional connection and love. Each individual, she believed, deserved to feel wanted and loved. This philosophy guided her work, earning her worldwide recognition and numerous awards, including the Padmashree (1962), the Magsaysay Award (1962), the Pope John XXIII Peace Prize (1971), the John F. Kennedy International Award (1971), the Jawaharlal Nehru Award for International Understanding (1972), the Order of St. Francis of Assisi (1974), and the Nobel Peace Prize (1979).
Mother Teresa’s profound compassion and tireless dedication to serving humanity touched the lives of countless individuals around the world. The Indian Posts and Telegraphs Department is honored to issue a stamp commemorating her noble work and the legacy she left behind.
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