Remembering Padma Shri Prof. Radhamohan

A week ago, on June 11 2021, we lost Padma Shri Prof Radhamohan. He was an environmentalist and social scientist. He was the former information commissioner of Odisha. 

A student of Samanta Chandrashekhar College, he studied Applied Economics and taught the same. 

He was conferred the Padma Shri along with his daughter, Ms. Sabarmatee. Father and daughter duo are founders of a non-profit organization named "Sambhav" (it means- possible). 

His ideas and efforts for environment conservation, sustainable development, organic farming, ecology etc. live on.

Hon'ble President of India, Kovind ji tweeted- 

"Prof Radhamohan was as inspiring an economist as an environmentalist. A profound scholar, he turned to organic farming to enrich nature and humanity. His demise will leave a void. My condolences to his family and followers."

Hon'ble Prime Minister of India, Modi ji tweeted- 

"Prof Radhamohan Ji was deeply passionate about agriculture, especially adopting sustainable and organic practices. He was also respected for his knowledge on subjects relating to the economy and ecology. Saddened by his demise. Condolences to his family and admirers. Om Shanti."

Members of the various groups shared messages remembering him. 

Here are some of the reactions and expressions from the members of one of the Agricultural groups-

"I had an opportunity to visit Samvab at Nayagarh and Mam Sabaramati and her illustrious father Prof. Radhamohan Sir took all interest in explaining various aspects of organic farming being practised there. This video is about aeration of water before being supplied to the crop land."

- PK Mohanty

"It's a great loss. I have visited several times to Sambhab and seen his work and ideas. I had the opportunity to walk with him in Medicinal Garden Knowledge Centre at Patrapada on several occasions and we shared our views and feelings on biodiversity conservation.  It is a shock that he left us so soon. Let Almighty give us strength to bear his absence. Let his works and talks inspire us for sustainable development of our state."

- Dr. Debabrata Swain, Member, Lokayukta

"Padmashri Radhamohan was known to me since more than four decades. He led very simple Gandhian lifestyle and was a firm believer in nature and environment conservation which he preached and practised. An educationist his interest was not confined to class room teaching only but extended far and wide to every discipline that served nature coservation and livelihood security of grassroot farmers and common men. In his loss a volcano has exploded and a void created which is difficult to be filled up. May his immortal soul rest in peace and the bereaved family get strength to absorb the shock."

- Prof. S.N. Patro , President, Orissa Environmental Society

“I am shocked when l heared this sad news. I had several occasions to listen the heart touching speeches of Radha Mohan Sir since last 30 years. I first came in contact with him in a NSS orientation training program in OUAT, Bhubaneswar in April 1992. He is a teacher in Economics per excellence. I was highly impressed with his simplicity and Gandhian ideology. I had also get an opportunity to visit Sambhav in connection with a field visit to an organisation as a part of the training program which is well mañaged by his daughter Sabarmati. Really it is s great loss to the state. My deep condolences to the family members to bear the situation. Pray Lord Jagannatha to rest his soul in peace.”

- Purushottam Sahoo 

“I'm deeply saddened to hear that Padmashri Professor Radhamohan passed away. He was a celebrated green economist and worked for environmental sustainability. A great promoter of organic cultivation he made prolific farming possible on a piece of barren land near Nayagarh through his brainchild "SAMBHAV". It's hard to believe that Professor Radhamohan is no more in this mortal world. His sad demise is an irreplaceable loss to our State of Odisha. I offer my deepest condolences to the bereaved family and pray the Almighty to grant his family members enough mental strength to overcome the outstanding grief of having lost their nearest one. May his immortal noble soul rest in peace in the heavenly abode. Om Shanti.”

- Dr PK Chand

Today, on 18 June 2021, Think Tank Odisha organized a condolence meeting in Prof. Radhamohan's honour that this writer was privileged to attend.

We got to listen and learn about the personal experiences of all who knew him so well. 

Shri Jagadananda described him as a "champion" who took his ideas forward. 

Shri Bhagban Prakash said that he had the "power of a teacher- a teacher can change the world, society, and environment. Prof. Radhamohan was not an ordinary teacher. He was both a preacher and practitioner."

Shri Vivek Pattanayak and Prof. S.N.Patro recounted their past meetings and bonds with Prof. Radhamohan.

The following are some thoughts of some others who were present in the online meeting-

"Legacy of Prof Radhamohan will continue to guide us and generations to come for long time.

सर्वे भवन्तु सुखिनः 🙏🏻"

-Dr P Srinivas

"Prof. Radhamohan - a legacy to be nourished and promoted."

-Maheswar Khillar 

"ରାଧାମୋହନ ସାର ଓଡ଼ିଶାର ଯୁବବର୍ଗଙ୍କ ମନରେ ରାଜ୍ୟର ଗୋଷ୍ଠୀଭିତ୍ତିକ ପରିବେଶ ଓ ଅର୍ଥନୀତିରେ ନୂତନ ସମ୍ଭାବନା ଆଣିଥିଲେ। ତାଙ୍କରି ଦିଗଦର୍ଶନ ଆମକୁ ଆନେକ କିଛି କରିବାକୁ ହେବ l ସେଇ ଅମର ଆତ୍ମା ପାଇଁ ଅଶ୍ରୁଳ ଶ୍ରଦ୍ଧାଞ୍ଜଳି ଜଣାଉଛି l "

-Prakash Nayak

“Prof. Radhamohan showed how the impossible can be made possible by sheer commitment to the cause of the environment…Nothing ordinarily happens; we have to make it happen- was his motto…He is one of those agents of change and is at par with Sundarlal Bahuguna. He will go down in Odisha’s environmental history as a crusader for the well-being of all sections of society. Sradhanjali to a great humanist.”

-Dr. Pratip Mishra, Associate Prof. Political Science

"Prof. Radhamohan was a practitioner in true sense and his concept was to translate thoughts into practice that resulted in 'Sambhab'. He was an very efficient communicator. That's why his lucid presentations were touching the hearts of people. He was a role model teacher, intellectual and environmental activist. I pay my homage to this great soul and convey my heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family."

- Jaya Krushna Panigrahi, Secretary, Orissa Environmental Society

"Prof Radhamohan's departure has created a vacuum that is difficult to be filled. We will remain ever obliged and remember his activities and deep rooted thoughts for humanity."

- Binod Chandra Padhi

Prof. Radhamohan always wanted the benefits to reach the masses. His daughters have requested all, who wish to pay tribute, to plant more trees. He is such an inspiring personality, who will continue to guide and inspire.