Shashi Tharoor: The Diplomat, Writer, and Orator

In the vast and often chaotic landscape of Indian politics, few figures manage to straddle the worlds of high diplomacy, literary excellence, and grassroots campaigning quite like shashi tharoor. He is a man of many contradictions and immense talents—a former Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations who can quote W.B. Yeats in one breath and debate the intricacies of Kerala’s infrastructure development in the next. To understand Tharoor is to look beyond the viral vocabulary lessons on social media and see a career built on decades of international service and a deep, often critical, engagement with Indian history.

From the United Nations to New Delhi

Long before he became a household name in Indian parliamentary circles, Tharoor was a fixture at the United Nations. His career there spanned nearly three decades, a period that saw him deeply involved in peacekeeping operations and refugee management. This wasn't just a desk job; it was a front-row seat to some of the late 20th century's most significant geopolitical shifts.

I remember watching him during the race for the Secretary-General post in 2006. There was a palpable sense of anticipation, particularly in India, that 'our man' might take the top job. Although he finished a close second to Ban Ki-moon, the grace with which he handled the defeat was perhaps more telling of his character than a victory would have been. It signaled a transition. The global diplomat was ready to come home.

His entry into Indian politics was not without its skepticism. Many viewed him as an outsider—a "parachute candidate" dropped into Thiruvananthapuram. Critics wondered if a man accustomed to the polished corridors of the UN could handle the dust and heat of Indian electioneering. Yet, shashi tharoor proved them wrong, winning his seat consecutively and establishing a strong connection with his constituency. He brought a technocratic yet empathetic approach to governance, focusing on modernization while respecting tradition.

The Power of the Pen: Tharoor as an Author

While his political career is fascinating, his literary contributions offer a window into his intellect. Tharoor is not a politician who writes; he is a writer who happens to be in politics. His bibliography is extensive, ranging from fiction like The Great Indian Novel—a satirical retelling of the Mahabharata set in the context of the Indian Independence movement—to serious historical non-fiction.

His book Inglorious Empire: What the British Did to India is perhaps his most impactful work in recent years. It originated from a speech at the Oxford Union that went viral, where he argued for reparations from Britain. The book dismantled the romanticized view of the British Raj, using hard economic data to show how colonialism deindustrialized India. It wasn't just a history lesson; it was a reclaiming of the narrative.

Reading his work, one gets the sense that writing is his way of processing the world. It is his method of making sense of the chaos of history. Whether he is dissecting the legacy of Nehru or explaining the nuances of Hinduism in Why I Am a Hindu, his prose is always sharp, well-researched, and undeniably persuasive. This intellectual depth sets him apart in an era often defined by soundbites and superficial rhetoric.

The Vocabulary That Broke the Internet

It is impossible to discuss this man without mentioning his legendary command of the English language. He has almost single-handedly