A Tribute to Irfan Habib on His 90th Birthday

The most eminent set of people that I have known are all here, present today. Romila, Professor Bagchi, Aditya Mukherjee, Prabhat himself of course, and many others – many who have taught me, continue to teach me. Hence I am a little intimidated to speak in this enlightened gathering.

As Prabhat said, I have the honour of sharing my birthday with Comrade Irfan Habib. Ever since I learned of this, I have worn it as a badge of honour hoping that some of the reputation and respect that he commands will get reflected on me as well because I happen to have been born on the same day, though twenty-one years later. I keep calling him Comrade Irfan because he always addresses me as comrade, and he’s been a comrade of the Communist Party since before I was born.