May 29th, 2014, University of Calcutta Prof. Raj Sekhar Basu, a Visiting Professor at Mykolas Romeris University (MRU), presented a farewell lecture, "A Stranger in the Land of Rain."

He shared his impressions and experiences during his almost 3-year stay at MRU discussing peasants, the middle class, influence of the church and his visits to Vilnius' market, Kalvarijų turgus.

Prof. Basu said that the mentality of Lithuanians needs to change.

"Sometimes I feel the de-russification of the Lithuanian mind is very essential," Prof. Basu said during the almost one-hour lecture on his impressions about the Baltic country of Lithuania.

He thanked MRU International Relations Head Gedrutė Račienė for all her help over the years, cooperation and for finding a car and driver to drive his young son, then 11-year-old Rajeswar to school during the cold winter months.

Although he said he was sad to leave Lithuania and MRU, he believed that academic ties have been formed. In coming years they will continue to develop.

He told MRU Assoc. Prof. Lora Tamošiūnienė and MRU Lecturer Jusif Seiranov, who attended his farewell lecture, about projects that will allow both Indian and MRU academics to stay in touch and conduct research.

In addition, he said that the University of Calcutta plans to award the late journalist, author, globetrotting writer and academic Antanas Poška (1903-1992) with a PhD in 2015.

He departs from MRU June 20th, 2014.