Shashi Tharoor is a distinguished former diplomat, politician, and writer, serving as the Member of Parliament for Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, since 2009. Recognized for his eloquence, literary contributions, and diplomatic acumen, he has authored nearly two dozen books and was honored by the World Economic Forum as a “Global Leader of Tomorrow”.
Early Career at the United Nations (1978–2007)
Tharoor’s United Nations career spanned nearly three decades:
- 1978 – Joined the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Geneva.
- 1981–1984 – Served as head of the UNHCR office in Singapore, playing a key role in resettling Vietnamese refugees during the boat people crisis.
- 1989 – Appointed as Special Assistant to the Under-Secretary-General for Special Political Affairs.
- Later Years – Rose to become Under-Secretary-General for Communications and Public Information at the UN headquarters in New York.
- 2007 – After an unsuccessful bid for UN Secretary-General, he resigned from his post.
Entry into Politics (2009–Present)
In March 2009, Tharoor entered Indian politics by contesting the Lok Sabha elections as a Congress candidate from Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. Despite initial skepticism due to his elite background, he won by a landslide margin of 99,000 votes.
Key Political Roles
- 2009–2010 – Served as Minister of State for External Affairs in the UPA government.
- 2022 – Contested for the Congress Party President post but was defeated by Mallikarjun Kharge.
- MP Accountability – Became the first elected Indian MP to publish annual reports detailing his parliamentary performance and MP Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS) spending.
Tharoor played a key role in reviving India’s diplomatic ties with African nations, where his fluency in French made him popular among Francophone countries.
Master of Social Media and Public Influence
Shashi Tharoor was a pioneer in using social media as a political tool. At one point, he was India’s most-followed politician on Twitter, until he was overtaken by Narendra Modi in 2013. However, some of his controversial tweets have led to criticism from political opponents and media scrutiny.
Literary Achievements and Recognition
Tharoor is a prolific writer, known for books on history, politics, and international affairs. His book “Why I Am a Hindu” explores his philosophical and cultural perspectives, while “Inglorious Empire” critiques British colonial rule in India.
He has been awarded the Sahitya Akademi Award, India’s highest literary honor, for his contribution to English literature.
Legacy and Continuing Influence
A respected statesman, intellectual, and orator, Shashi Tharoor continues to shape Indian political and literary discourse. His blend of diplomacy, governance, and literary prowess cements his place as one of India’s most influential public figures.
