Learning about Prof Sam Moyo's untimely demise is a complete shock. Unfortunately I am not even in Delhi, which would deny me an opportunity to be a part of the condolence meeting.

My interaction with Sam was limited to a couple of seminars, and as irony would have it, the first one was in ICSSR itself. While a lot of people are better equipped and more aware of Sam's academic work, what left a mark on me was his ever calm manner and smiling face, even when answering queries from a young research scholar like me. When I saw him at the JNU conference last week, he remembered me to my surprise.

The fact that it should have happened the way it has also makes me sad as an ex student of CESP. The centre has organized so many conferences where students like us were given a lot of opportunity to interact with international scholars like Sam both formally and informally.

My deepest tributes to Sam. Adieus Comrade. I can only imagine the loss of those who knew you much more.

Solidarity with the CESP and IDEAs fraternity on the irreparable loss and trauma they have been through.

November 24, 2015.