Kolkata, June 23 (IANS): Sister Nirmala, who succeeded Mother Teresa as superior general of the Missionaries of Charity, died here on Tuesday, sources at the catholic religious order's global headquarters Mother House said. She was 81.

Nirmala became the second head of the Missionaries of Charity after its head Mother Teresa stepped down from the post in March, 1997.

Nirmala held the post till March 24, 2009, when she was succeeded by Sister Prema.

"She was sick for quite some time. She passed away at 12.05 a.m. today (Tuesday) at the convent where she used to stay in Sealdah," a source at the Mother House said.

Sister Nirmala was given India's second highest civilian order Padma Vibhushan in 2009 for her services to the nation.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee condoled Sister Nirmala's death.

"Saddened at the passing of Sister Nirmala who headed Missionaries of Charity after Mother Teresa. Kolkata and the world will miss her," she posted on Twitter.