Beginnings with Mother. Living very close to Mother House in Calcutta (now known as Kolkata,) I was privileged to know Mother Teresa in a very personal way from an early age of five in 1960. My parents were generous by nature, so one of Mother Teresa's first schools opened in our family compound. As a young nun, Mother Teresa would come often to visit her school in our home, and, as years passed I became deeply influenced by Mother's great love for the poor. I would often help in her house for the children, Shishu Bhavan, along with my younger sisters and other volunteers. Her kindness, generosity and saintliness made a deep impact on my life. A pilgrimage of trust. Just after I completed my graduation, our family came in contact with Brother Roger of Taizè, who was introduced to us by Mother. An intercontinental team of young students, journalists and Taizè brothers had come to Kolkata in 1976, to experience and share the lives of the common people and to write the 2nd Letter to the People of God. It was indeed a great privilege to come to know Brother Roger and his team of almost 30, as they lived at our home for a full month. I was invited by Brother Roger to go to Taizè and this was another beautiful experience for me when I was able to share and reflect together with other young people from all over the world, for almost six months. I also traveled to various parts of Europe, to Hong Kong, Thailand and Africa. This was great exposure as we lived in various slum areas, close to the poor.

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