Kolkata: Brushing off RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat's comments on Mother Teresa, celebrated British author Jeffrey Archer on Saturday said anyone who is foolish enough to criticise the Nobel laureate is either "envious" or "stupid".
"Anyone who is stupid enough to criticise this great lady is either envious or stupid. I dismiss it," Archer told IANS here when quizzed on the remarks which hit headlines across the globe.
The best-selling author is in India to launch his book "Mightier Than The Sword", the fifth in the Clifton Chronicle series of books.
"I read that (report on comments) in England. It was all reported in England. There are many people who don't like Winston Churchill (Britain's wartime prime minister), many don't like (former prime minister) Margaret Thatcher.That is the deal, part of the deal when you are aiming for the very top," he said.
The 'Not a Penny More, Not a Penny Less' and 'Kane and Abel' writer said he was "very flattered" when Mother Teresa requested him to set up a hostel for people with AIDS in London around 20 years ago.
Archer is scheduled to meet Mother Teresa's close associate and Missionaries of Charity spokesperson Sunita Kumar on Saturday. The Charity is a congregation established by the Mother.
He also recalled his son's connection with Mother Teresa.
"When my son was at university he decided to do a year of service before he did a job and he came here (to Kolkata) and worked for Mother Teresa ," he said, adding the Kumars are "dear friends."
Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh chief Bhagwat has been receiving flak after saying that the Nobel laureate's service to the poor was aimed at converting them to Christianity.
Comments
| Quick linksNews
National
International
Regional
Politics
Education & Career
Business
Science & Technology
Health
Views & Analysis
The Funny Side
© 2012 Awaz Multimedia & Publications. All rights reserved.
The BBC aired the documentary on Wednesday night, advancing the date from its scheduled March 8 broadcast. Support for the documentary has built up among people after they saw the documentary.. .... More
Also Read: India examining BBC showing Delhi rape documentary, planning action
After humiliating the Muslim NGOs and calling all their leaders fool, Zafar Sareshwala is now trying to convince All Indian Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) President Rabey Hasani Nadwi for a meeting of the senior members of the highest body . .... More
The National Student's Federation (NSF) organised the formation of a human shield on Friday, the demonstration is an attempt to promote interfaith coexistence and cooperation among different religious and ethnic groups in Pakistan, Dawn reported. .... More
Also Read: Holi revellers caught between 'rang barse' and 'run barse'
An Arab, looking rather like the late King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia, is in the driver's seat, keeping a firm grip on four reins strapped not to horses but to four burly, hooded ISIS militants. According to this perception, the ISIS is a Western, Saudi asset. .... More
Even the reticent and reclusive heir apparent cannot be unaware that a spell far away from the madding crowd will not be long enough for him, or anyone else, to understand why the party is facing an "existential" crisis, to quote one of the 44-year-old prince's. . ... More
A ten-year-old Palestinian boy from Gaza, despite suffering from autism - a disorder of brain development, experience difficulties in social interaction, verbal and nonverbal communication and repetitive behaviors, has memorized the Holy Quran in. .... More
Also Read: Saudi King Salman had memorized entire Quran at the age of 12
The decision by the BJP-Shiv Sena alliance government to scrap the reservation for Muslims in educational institutions despite the Bombay High Court ruling is politically incorrect and the saffron alliance, known for its anti-Muslim image, by doing .... More
Also Read: Maharashtra scraps reservation for Muslims