Children look at the portrait of Mother Teresa painted outside the Mother Express train in Berhampur. Picture by Gopal Krishna Reddy

Berhampur, Jan. 23: The Mother Express, an exhibition train launched by the Indian Railways to commemorate the birth centenary of Mother Teresa, reached Berhampur railway station from Koraput yesterday.

The special train, which has information on interesting and inspiring incidents of Mother Teresa’s life, attracted many visitors as it was opened from 10am to 8pm today.

The six–bogey train, painted with blue stripes in white to represent the dress of the sisters of the Missionaries of Charity, has several portraits of the Mother. The first three compartments of the train comprise of photo panels, and messages on life and works of the Mother.

Many school students as well as youngsters and adults visited the train compartments. “I am very glad that I got a chance to enter the Mother Express and see the exhibits therein. The exhibits carry the message of compassion and service to the poor and deprived sections of the society by Mother Teresa,” said Sweekruti Patnaik, a Plus Two science student of DAV School, Berhampur.

“The train carries the message of humanity spread by Mother Teresa. It carries a few glimpses of glorious saga of an ordinary girl turning into a saint and a preacher of humanity,” said Miss Anne, a teacher of De Paul School, who also visited the Mother Express. The third coach of the train also has facilities to screen short films on the life of the Mother.

“Photographs and write ups on the life and message of Mother Teresa have been kept for public viewing in three air-conditioned coaches of the train. While the first coach is dedicated to childhood and education of the Mother, the theme for the second one is the time when she formed the Missionaries of Charity. The third coach is exclusively dedicated to the social work she has done in her later life,” said C.S.P. Verma, the train-in-charge of Mother Express.

Thousands of visitors have written appealing and emotional messages in the visitors’ book which is kept inside the train. Many curious children having discussions with their teachers and parents form a distinct sight inside the coaches of the train.

“The exhibition train aims to spread the message of humanity, sacrifice and charity to which Mother Teresa dedicated her whole life, serving the poor and helpless all over the world. The Missionaries of Charity assisted the Indian Railways by supplying photographs and other inputs for this purpose,” said a train official.

“Railway minister Mamata Banerjee flagged off the Mother Express from Sealdah station in Calcutta on August 26 last year. The train, exhibiting the life and the philanthropic deeds of the Mother, will traverse the country for the next six months, before terminating its journey at Katihar railway station in Bihar on February 26, 2011,” said Verma.

“Around 7,400 persons visited the train when it was stationed at Koraput railway station on Friday,” said Verma. He added that the train would be open for visitors at the Mancheswar railway station in Bhubaneswar on Monday and Tuesday.