Tribute to CDKN's Ritu Thakur
Tribute to CDKN's Ritu Thakur
The staff of CDKN announce with great sadness the loss of our friend and colleague Ritu Thakur, who has died suddenly at the age of 29.
Ritu was an integral part of CDKN. She worked with ICLEI South Asia from 2010 and CDKN since 2018, when CDKN transformed into a fully Southern-led programme.
Although shocked by her passing, the CDKN team celebrates Ritu’s contributions to our lives.
Ritu was a consummate professional with a sharp and inquiring mind, fizzing with insights and ideas.
Her role on CDKN focused principally on monitoring and evaluation, but in effect, she could be relied on for her knowledge and skill across a sweeping range of climate and development topics – whether it was to help sharpen a policy brief or design an engaging event.
An animated conversationalist, often with a mischievous sparkle in her eyes, Ritu somehow made you feel energised every time you spoke with her. She provided thoughtful and nuanced contributions and, through the warmth of her smile, made you feel that when you spoke, she was really listening.
Her deep tenacity and commitment to this work has been remarked on throughout the CDKN team. She was an antidote to the challenges of tackling climate change and building climate-resilient societies, making the ‘difficult’ seem more possible. As a teammate, her warmth, vitality and kindness invited friendship as well as professional collaboration.
We say goodbye to Ritu with heavy hearts, but determined to continue her work and remember her vital spirit.
