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Regular Session, 2014
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON NO. 46
BY SENATOR BROOME
CONDOLENCES. Expresses condolences upon the death of Dr. Rama Mohanty.
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON1
To express the sincere condolences of the Legislature of Louisiana upon the passing of2
Rama C. Mohanty, PhD., and to celebrate his lifelong pursuit of world peace and3
understanding among individuals.4
WHEREAS, it is with deep sadness that the Legislature of Louisiana has learned of5
the passing of this most endearing human rights advocate, Dr. Rama Mohanty, who served6
his fellow man by the fostering of the most precious of humankind's endeavors, that of7
peacemaker; and8
WHEREAS, a resident of Louisiana since 1976, Dr. Mohanty established the9
Louisiana World Peace Day Committee in 1998, which sponsors a series of World Peace10
Day activities which, according to Dr. Mohanty, "are to foster love and respect for one11
another in the minds of people in Louisiana and around the world"; and12
WHEREAS, from humble origins in Patpur, Orissa, India, Rama Mohanty was born13
with an insatiable thirst for knowledge; and14
WHEREAS, as a young man, he obtained funds to attend high school by winning a15
debate on the subject of freedom; he later attended Utkal University; and16
WHEREAS, with receipt of additional scholarships for his academic excellence,17
Dr. Mohanty obtained a masters degree at Ranchi College and later obtained a PhD degree18 SCR NO. 46
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in physics from Penn State University graduating as the youngest member of his class and1
finishing at the top of his class; and2
WHEREAS, he became a physics professor and chaired the departments at many3
prestigious universities that included Morehouse College, where he became acquainted with4
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and with whom he shared similar beliefs in the brotherhood of5
man and peaceful coexistence among nations; and his academic expertise propelled him to6
seats on the faculty of the University of California at Berkeley, New York University, and7
in Baton Rouge, Southern University and A&M College and Louisiana State University and8
A&M College, until his retirement from teaching in 2010; and9
WHEREAS, Dr. Mohanty also served as the head of Louisiana University of Medical10
Sciences, an organization whose purpose is to eliminate the shortage of primary care11
physicians and health care providers in underserved areas of the state; and 12
WHEREAS, in 1964, he was a catalyst in the creation of the Institute of All Nations13
for Advanced Studies, Inc., a private, nonprofit corporation permanently chartered by the14
regents of the state of New York, that originated under the co-chairmanship of former United15
States Supreme Court Justice Arthur J. Goldberg and former United Nations Ambassador16
Arthur S. Lall; Dr. Mohanty served as its general secretary until his death; and17
WHEREAS, in 1998, the Institute of All Nations for Advanced Studies adopted a18
resolution that World Peace Day shall be observed internationally each October first; and19
WHEREAS, Dr. Mohanty was moved to form the institute after witnessing religious20
persecution of innocents and the brutality of oppressive regimes in his native India; these21
events convinced him that to encourage inner peace within the individual is vital to the22
establishment of meaningful peace throughout all nations; and23
WHEREAS, Dr. Mohanty was a proactive model citizen of the world who24
ascertained that every human being was worthy of respect; his travels took him to many25
exotic locales to attend conferences and speak at international summits, all in the name of26
brotherly love and civility toward all races and creeds; and27
WHEREAS, since 2001, the Legislature of Louisiana has annually adopted a28
resolution to designate October 1 as World Peace Day; and29
WHEREAS, Dr. Mohanty is survived by his loving wife, Anasuya; a son, Bijoy; a30 SCR NO. 46
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daughter, Lipika and her husband, Kendall Kearns; a granddaughter, Allyson M. Aladana,1
and an international family of brethren who mourn his passing; and 2
WHEREAS, Dr. Rama Mohanty was a unique individual, a kind man of genuine3
intellect and great integrity who possessed a sincere compassion for all of mankind and who4
championed the cause of world peace.5
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby6
express sincere and heartfelt condolences upon the passing of Rama C. Mohanty, PhD.,7
peacemaker and founder of the Louisiana World Peace Day Committee.8
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby9
recognize the lifetime achievements of Dr. Rama Mohanty and celebrate his message of10
peace and goodwill.11
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to his12
widow, Mrs. Anasuya Mohanty.13
The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument, were prepared by Susan P. Montague.
DIGEST
Broome SCR No. 46
Expresses condolences upon the death of Dr. Rama Mohanty.