I was a student of Professor Kothari at the Woodrow Wilson School in 2007. In a school environment that taught us to be skillful technocrats, Smitu Kothari gave us the tools and ideas to think and discuss global justice and social movements, and to challenge the bureaucracies we may find find ourselves in through our lives. When I saw him again in June 2008 in Brussels at the gates of External Relations Directorate General of the European Commission where he came to discuss the negative impacts of an impending trade agreement between the EU and India, I felt so honoured to have been his student.

I send my most sincere condolences to all friends and family members of Smitu Kothari. May we remember him and his inspiring work for justice.

Özsel Beleli
WWS MPA 2007