Teacher Extraordinaire – Remembering Prof Himadri Ray

“Taxes, Death & Salesmen – all of us wants to avoid these” – his intense voice had an element of authority, which he established later as he guided all of us to a journey into the fascinating world of marketing management. In the very first class, his snow-white hair & bright sparkling eyes provided enough clues about the experience & insight our resident marketing guru used to possess. Once, a few of us pressed him hard to get some clue about the end-semester question paper. Amused, he gave a nonchalant reply – “when in doubt, assume the worst!”

His case studies offered ample foods for thought leading to high-voltage verbal duels with the smiling professor sitting in the last row managing the entire episode. And, invariably, to our utter frustration, he used to catch us on the wrong foot on any weak proposition. “A sound marketing plan can never defy fundamental economic logic” – he always hastened to add while pointing at the illogic in our proposal. ‘Marketing is nothing but an extension of economics’ was his sincere belief.

After a long stint in the industry, his scholarly soul probably found its rightful place in the IIT in the twilight years of his life. No doubt, in spite of some serious ailment, he enjoyed being a Professor. “This is the noblest profession” – he once told me. His modest presence was there to welcome all of us when we joined VGSOM. Students come & go, but teachers remain the silent witnesses of this irresistible march of time. Prof. Himadri Ray could not witness his beloved students leaving the hallowed precincts of this noble Institution. He has left all of us leaving an indelible imprint on our collective psyche as an erudite individual & a kind-hearted human being.

First Published in IIT-KGP Alumni Newsletter KGPian, July-2006