(AlbanianTimes) – Oct 31, 2009
NEW DELHI — India rejected Tuesday a demand by the Albanian government for the return of the remains of Nobel laureate Mother Teresa, buried in the eastern city of Kolkata.
The ethnic Albanian nun, who was known as the "Saint of the Gutters" for her work among the poor of Kolkata, was given Indian citizenship in 1951.
"The question (of her remains being taken back to Albania) does not arise at all," Foreign Ministry spokesman Vishnu Prakash said.
Following her death on September 5, 1997, Mother Teresa was buried at the Kolkata headquarters of her Missionaries of Charity order, which has now become something of a pilgrimage site.
Albanian Prime Minister Sali Berisha called on the Indian government to discuss his country's request.
"I think she will be more calm than anywhere else if she could rest next to her mother" and sister, buried in Tirana, Berisha said on Tuesday.
He said that the issue would remain "open" despite India's opposition.
"The governments of two states should talk about this in a near future," he said.
Albania wants to reclaim her remains before the 100th anniversary of her birth in August next year.
According to diplomatic sources, since 2002 Albania has for several times demanded India that remains of Mother Teresa be joined to ones of her mother and sister.
Missionaries of Charity spokeswoman Sister Christie said the order had not been informed of any official attempt by the Albanian government to have the remains moved.
Born Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu in 1910, Mother Teresa arrived in India as a novitiate in 1929 and dedicated herself to working among the sick and destitute.
She took the name of Teresa on taking her vows as a nun in 1931 and in 1950 established the order which runs homes for abandoned children, the elderly, and those suffering from leprosy and AIDS.
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