Tharoor speaking at the India Economic Summit

Shashi Tharoor is an Indian politician, writer, and former diplomat. He is a member of the Indian National Congress, currently serving as Member of Parliament, previously served as Minister of State in the Government of India for External Affairs. And he’s got almost 4 million followers on Twitter. Last Friday, he came to speak to students, and Bwog covered the event.

On Friday at 6 pm, Indian parliamentarian Shashi Tharoor made a visit to campus, speaking to a completely sold out audience at Barnard Hall. Tharoor made his debut on the global political scene in 1978 as a member of the United Nations, working first with the UN High Commissioner for Refugees in Geneva. He subsequently spent 29 years in the UN, occupying various roles and ultimately becoming the UN Under-Secretary-General. Currently, he works as a member of the Indian Parliament, well versed in issues of foreign policy, education, and generally issues related to the betterment of India.

People started arriving as early as 4:45 pm, and Tharoor promptly began speaking at 6 pm to a full house, followed by a Q&A session and a reception in Sulz Parlor. Rumors of his dead wife aside (but really, what happened to her??), the topics he discussed ranged from globalization to the digital age. Neil Menghani CC ‘19 noted in particular the parliamentarian’s fascination with the fact that “we can eat Mexican food, riding a Japanese car, using a Korean phone, with Swedish parts.” Additionally, Tharoor especially considered the increasing presence India has on this globalized world, a presence not due to the “decline of the west” but rather to the “rise of the rest.” He expressed a true pride for India and all its accomplishments, as well as its burgeoning potential. His rhetoric regarding the rise of countries in unison, not in cutthroat competition, seems timely, considering recent US presidential candidate’s (*cough* Trump *cough*) remarks about the need for America to compete with and “beat” other countries in terms of advancement (as noted by student Vinay Gajula ’19).

By the end of the discussion, an aura of unity and satisfaction resonated throughout the room. The event wasn’t just about meeting a famous, extremely accomplished politician, but it was ultimately about the unity of the Indian population that exists both within America and across the world. What I found most exciting about the whole event was the fact that an entire auditorium was filled with people of all different heritages, learning more about India and its position in the world. Tharoor’s presence was strong and captivating, but what was truly astounding was the presence of the audience. The discussion emphasized the need for people to coexist and strive for excellence, without the need to be competitive. As Shashi has said in the past, if America is a melting pot, India is a thali – “a selection of sumptuous dishes in different bowls. Each tastes different, and does not necessarily mix with the next, but they belong together on the same plate, and they complement each other in making the meal a satisfying repast.” Maybe if the world became more like a thali, the issue of coexistence within an increasingly globalized world wouldn’t even be a question; it would just be.

Shashi Tharoor via World Economic Forum/CC-BY-SA-2.0