SHILLONG: The four-day Mother Teresa International Film Festival (MTIFF) highlighting the life and works of the Saint began at U Soso Tham Auditorium here on Tuesday.
Paying tribute to the Saint on the occasion, Meghalaya Governor V. Shanmuganathan said Mother Teresa understood the pain of the poor and did not hesitate to serve the destitute, lepers, abandoned children, old people and the poorest of the poor.
“She understood their pain and was a source of solace and comfort to them,” said Shanmuganathan, who inaugurated the film festival in the presence of East Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner P.S Dkhar, Shillong Arch Diocese Archbishop, Dominic Jala and London-based photographer and film maker Gautam Lewis, among others.
According to the Governor, Mother Teresa was an epitome of love, peace, enduring strength, hope and service.
Applauding the great works and selfless service of Mother Teresa’s followers, the Governor said their work must extend to all places.
Archbishop Dominic Jala said no one film or book could capture a multifaceted person like Mother Teresa.
The MTIFF being held here till September 9 celebrates the canonisation of the Mother.
The festival will also be held in Jowai from September 14-17. Twenty films, documentaries and short films showcasing the life and works of Mother Teresa will be screened during the course of the festival.
In Shillong, the festival opened with the film, “Mother Teresa and Me” made by noted photographer and film maker Gautam Lewis who was rescued by Mother Teresa after his parents abandoned him as an infant in Kolkata.