A Life Dedicated to Justice and Sewa

Nanda ji was also a committed mentor, inspiring countless students and young lawyers to pursue careers in international law and human rights. He was known for his kindness, generosity, and infectious enthusiasm, and he always had time for a student in need. Nanda ji's legacy is one of dedication to justice, scholarship, and sewa. He was a true pioneer in the field of international law, and his work will continue to have an impact for generations to come. In addition to his academic and professional achievements, Nanda ji was also a deeply spiritual person. He was a practicing Hindu and believed that all people are interconnected and deserve to be treated with dignity and respect. Nanda ji's passing is a loss to the world, but his memory will live on in the hearts and minds of those who knew and loved him. He was a true champion of justice, and his work will continue to inspire us to make the world a better place.Professor Ved Nanda, a towering figure in the field of international law and a tireless advocate for human rights, got merged into panchtatva on January 1, 2024, at the age of 90. His death marked the end of an era, but his legacy of scholarship, activism, and mentorship will continue to inspire generations of lawyers and Sewa volunteers around the world. Nanda ji was born in India in 1934 and immigrated to the United States in 1956. He earned his law degree from Northwestern University and began his teaching career at the University of Denver’s Sturm College of Law in 1962. Over the next six decades, he would become one of the most influential international law professors in the world. Nanda ji's contributions to the field were immense. He authored or co-authored over 24 books and 180 scholarly articles, covering a wide range of topics, including human rights law, environmental law, and dharmic traditions. He was a leading expert on the use of force, terrorism, and the rights of refugees. Nanda ji's impact extended far beyond the classroom. He was a passionate advocate for human rights, working tirelessly to promote peace and justice around the world. He served as a consultant to the United Nations and other international organizations, and he played a key role in the drafting of several important human rights treaties.Prof. Nanda was regularly featured with renowned people including the Dalai Lama, Shri Mohan Bhagwat, the Sarsanghchalak of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, L K Advani, former Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister of India, and Condoleezza Rice, former US Secretary of State, who was one of his students. Some of the highlights of Prof. Nanda ’s life include the following: He was awarded the Padma Bhushan, one of India's highest civilian honors, in 2018. He was a founding member of the American Society of International Law and served as its president from 1990 to 1991. He was a member of the American Law Institute and the International Law Association. He received honorary doctorates from Soka University in Tokyo, Japan, and Bundelkhand University in Jhansi, India. He was the Sarsanghchalak (head) of the Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh (HSS). Prof. Nanda's life and work are a testament to the power of law and human rights to make a difference in the world. He will be remembered as a kind, compassionate, and brilliant man who dedicated his life to making the world a more just and equitable place. He delivered several inspiring talks on sewa-related topics. Nanda ji will be missed by the “Sewa pariwar” (Sewa family) but his foundational work to inspire Sewa volunteers will carry his legacy for years to come. I pray to the Almighty that the departed atman be absorbed in the Divine Light.

Article by Sumita Somani

Sewa USA Associate Director of Corporate Relations.