Sewa International USA, a Hindu faith-based charitable nonprofit, paid tribute to the organization’s founding member Ved Prakash Nanda who passed on January 1, 2024.
Nanda who was a professor of international law at the University of Denver, Colorado, died after a brief illness at a hospital in his hometown of Denver, CO.
A passionate academician, Nanda founded the International Legal Studies Program at the University of Denver in 1972. He later directed the Ved Nanda Center for International and Comparative Law.
Nanda also held the position of the president of the Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh (HSS), in the U.S. for several years. He assumed the role of chairman of the board at the Hindu University of America in January 2019, and shaped the university’s trajectory.
In 2018, the Indian American was awarded India’s highest civilian award, the Padma Bhushan Award in 2018 for his contributions to literature and education. He also received the Gandhi, King, Ikeda Community Builder’s Award in 2004, the United Nations Association Human Rights Award in 1997; and the World Legal Scholar award in 1990. He has authored or co-authored 22 books in international law and is widely published in law journals, magazines, and newspapers.
Paying tribute to Nanda, Sewa International’s president Arun Kankani said, “Dr Nanda inspired me personally and countless volunteers worldwide. I worked very closely with him for many years. His youthfulness, humor, work ethic, and gentle and caring nature guided me.”
Kankani continued, “His achievement in various fields seems impossible to accomplish for anyone in a single lifetime. We humbly bow to this giant of a personality and inspiring karmayogi of our times. Following his path of service is the true homage to such a man of wisdom, courage, and dedication.”
Nanda’s death was also condoled by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In a post on X, PM Modi wrote, “Deeply saddened by the passing away of Professor Ved Prakash Nanda Ji, a distinguished academic whose contributions to the legal field are invaluable. His work highlights his strong commitment to legal education. He was also a prominent member of the Indian diaspora in USA and was passionate about strong India-USA relations. Condolences to his family and friends. Om Shanti.”
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