Sister Nirmala, successor of Mother Teresa, passes away

Sisters of Nobel laureate Mother Teresa's Missionaries of Charity in Vadodara, pray for the soul of Sister Nirmala, who passed away in Kolkata on Tuesday morning (June 23). (Source: Express Photo by Bhupendra Rana)

Sister Nirmala – who had succeeded Mother Teresa as the Superior General of the Missionaries of Charity in 1997 and served for 12 years in that post – passed away around mid night last night. (Source: Express Photo by Partha Paul)

Sister Nirmala was suffering from some heart ailment and staying at a Missionaries of Charity home near St John’s Church, Sealdah. She was admitted to hospital some time back but again brought back to the MoC home. (Source: Express Photo by Partha Paul)

Sister Nirmala, who was born in Ranchi, had her early education in Patna and she joined the order of the MoC in 1976. (Source: Express Photo by Bhupendra Rana)

Her original name was Nirmala Joshi. She was inspired by the work of Mother Teresa and dedicated herself fully to the service of the poor. (Source: Express Photo by Bhupendra Rana)

Sister Nirmala was one of the first nuns to be sent on a foreign mission by Mother Teresa when she visited Panama in connection with the Missionaries of Charity work. (Source: Express Photo by Bhupendra Rana)

The funeral of Sister Nirmala would be held at the Mother House on AJC Bose Road, and she will be buried at the St John’s cemetery where many of the eminent nuns are resting. (Source: Express Photo by Bhupendra Rana)

Sister Nirmala will be buried at the St John’s cemetery. (Source: Express Photo by Partha Paul)

Sister Nirmala's body has been kept at St John's church Sealdah for public to pay homage. (Source: Express Photo by Partha Paul)

CM Mamata Banerjee pays homage to Sister Nirmala on Tuesday at St Jhon's church Sealdah. (Source: Express Photo by Partha Paul)

CM Mamata Banerjee with Indian pop icon Usha Uthup, paying tribute to Sister Nirmala, who was the successor of Mother Teresa. (Source: Express Photo by Partha Paul)

CM Mamata Banerjee with Superior General Sisiter Prema at the funeral of Sister Nirmala. (Source: Express Photo by Partha Paul)

Sister Mary Prema (2nd from right) Superior General of the Missionaries of Charity waits outside Mother House to receive the body of Sister Nirmala. (Source: Express Photo by Partha Paul)

Sister Nirmala, successor of Mother Teresa, served 12 years in the past as the Superior General of the Missionaries of Charity. (Source: Express Photo by Partha Paul)

Body of Sister Nirmala being kept at Mother House for public to pay homage on Wednesday. (Source: Express Photo by Partha Paul)