Sister Nirmala of the Missionaries of Charity, died on Tuesday June 23, 2015 morning, aged 81.
A Missionaries of Charity official said Sister Nirmala had not been well for the past few days.
Her body was already lying in state at St John’s Church in Sealdah by same Tuesday morning and would be shifted to Mother House in Kolkata on Wednesday. The funeral will be held at 4. pm same day.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi was among the first to tweet his condolences.
“Sister Nirmala’s life was devoted to service, caring for the poor & underprivileged. Saddened by her demise. May her soul rest in peace,” PM Modi posted.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi tweeted: “Extremely saddened at the passing away of Sister Nirmala.She carried forward Mother Teresa’s work with quiet dedication &dignity. She will be missed by the countless whose lives she touched.”
On March 13, 1997, six months before Mother Teresa’s death, Nirmala Joshi was selected the Superior General of the Missionaries of Charity.