Priyanka Gandhi Shares Heartwarming Story of Mother Teresa’s Visit at Wayanad Campaign Rally
During a campaign stop in Kerala’s Wayanad, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra shared a touching memory involving Mother Teresa, which struck a chord with her audience. Addressing a crowd at an election meeting, Priyanka recalled how Mother Teresa, the beloved humanitarian, visited her family home just months after her father, Rajiv Gandhi, was assassinated in 1991, urging her to dedicate herself to serving the needy.
“I want to say how grateful I am for the love I am receiving here,” Priyanka began, expressing her appreciation for the people of Wayanad. She recounted a recent moment when she visited a local resident’s home, prompted by a soldier’s mother who was unable to meet her due to mobility issues. “She hugged me as if I was her own child. I felt no difference between my mother and her. I truly felt I had a mother here in Wayanad. That is how you all make me feel,” Priyanka shared, illustrating her deep connection to the community and expressing her gratitude for their warmth.
Mother Teresa’s influence on Priyanka’s life
During her speech, Priyanka recounted her personal interaction with Mother Teresa, whose influence she said remains deeply embedded in her life. Reflecting on their encounter, Priyanka shared, “My father had just passed away, it was about six to seven months after. Mother Teresa came to visit my mother and me. I had a fever, so I wasn’t able to leave my room. She came into my room, placed her hand on my head, and handed me a rosary. She then asked me to work with her.”
That meeting inspired Priyanka to eventually volunteer with the Missionaries of Charity years later. “Around five to six years after our meeting, I went to work with her sisters. My role was simple — teaching children, cooking food, and cleaning bathrooms. It was during this time that I began to understand the depth of service and the sense of community they shared,” she said. This experience, according to Priyanka, helped her recognize the value of compassion and solidarity, principles that she believes Wayanad exemplifies.
Rahul Gandhi’s tribute to Priyanka’s role in their family
Earlier, Priyanka’s brother, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, had also paid tribute to her role in supporting their family after their father’s death. “My mother lost everything; my sister was only 17 when Papa died, and she had to step up for our mother,” he recalled. Rahul, who previously held the Wayanad seat in Parliament, expressed his pride in Priyanka, adding depth to the siblings’ emotional connection with Wayanad, where they both continue to campaign and engage with residents.
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Criticism of prime minister Modi’s policies
During the rally, Priyanka also used the platform to critique Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s policies, accusing him of prioritizing the interests of his “friends” over the common people. “Policy after policy is designed to benefit the Prime Minister’s close friends,” Priyanka stated, signaling Congress’s ongoing criticism of alleged crony capitalism in Modi’s administration.
A Community Rooted in Resilience and Compassion
Priyanka highlighted a specific incident that showcased the resilience of the people in Wayanad. She recalled witnessing the strength of the community firsthand during a devastating landslide that had affected the region. “Each one of you helped each other during that disaster,” she remarked, commending the locals for their unity and bravery. “It made me proud; you are courageous people,” she said, drawing parallels between the compassion she experienced working with Mother Teresa’s organization and the solidarity she observed in Wayanad.
The Wayanad by-election and Priyanka’s vision for change
As the Congress candidate for the upcoming Wayanad by-poll, Priyanka’s speech offered voters a glimpse of her dedication to service and her vision for addressing the issues facing the community. The by-election was triggered after Rahul Gandhi vacated the seat, having contested and won in both Wayanad and Rae Bareli in the previous Lok Sabha elections.
In her concluding remarks, Priyanka expressed her hopes for Wayanad and for India’s future, reinforcing the importance of empathy, service, and solidarity in overcoming adversity. Mother Teresa’s legacy of compassion, she suggested, remains a guiding light in her own journey and her work with the people of Wayanad. The people’s generosity and courage, Priyanka remarked, fuel her commitment to representing them and working toward a more inclusive society.
