I usually do a search on authors I read for my research. Rajat Kanta Ray is one such name. Referring to his works copiously in my research, I couldn’t hold back the curiosity to read up on him. While he remains relevant for his work, my curiosity about him is primarily to know how old he is now, and where. Google tells me he is 76 years old now, and is based in Kolkata.

I was surprised to find his more recent column on Ukraine, and then a passing reference here in a report covering a media sponsored event in Kolkata. The lack of understanding among journalists for intellectuals and their contribution to Indian economic history upsets me. No one can know everyone but I believe some research must be done on attendees before one covers an event with names such as Dr Ray.

He was also vice chancellor of Jadavpur University, I learn. Here is another report that offers a quote from him on a controversy at Vishwa-Bharti, and another where the report opens with Dr Ray’s quote and goes on a Q&A format but doesn’t even explain what the abbreviations stand for.

Baffling.