Nirmala Joshi of the first Sisters of the institute to head a foreign mission when she went to Panama. In 1976, Joshi started the contemplative branch of the Missionaries of Charity and remained at its head until 1997, when she was elected to succeed Mother Teresa as Superior General of the institute. The government of India bestowed the Padma Vibhushan, the second highest civilian award, on Sister Joshi on Republic Day (26 January) 2009 for her services to the nation. Her term as Superior General ended on 25 March 2009, and she was succeeded by German born Sister Mary Prema Pierick. Joshi
Nirmala Rajasekar Nirmala has released a variety of albums and recordings including Melodic Expressions, Song of the Veena, Into the Raga and Sudha Saagara. She is currently working on a collaborative album called Maithree Several awards and honors--including the Bush Fellowship, McKnight Fellowship, and the Vocational Excellence Award from Rotary Club International--have been given to Nirmala as recognition for her many contributions to the music world and passionate spreading of the veena and Carnatic music. Nirmala Rajasekar Nirmala Rajasekar is an Indian Saraswati veena player in the Carnatic music style. Nirmala Rajasekar began her training in Veena at age 6 in Chennai