Shashi Tharoor

Shashi Tharoor, born on March ninth, nineteen fifty-six, is a distinguished Indian politician, author, public intellectual, and diplomat. He has been a prominent member of the Indian National Congress, representing Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, in the Lok Sabha since two thousand nine. Tharoor's illustrious career includes serving as an Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations, where he notably ran for the position of Secretary-General in two thousand six, finishing in second place.

Raised in London, Bombay, and Calcutta, Tharoor's academic journey began at Delhi University, where he graduated in nineteen seventy-five. He furthered his education at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Tufts University, earning a doctorate in international relations and affairs in nineteen seventy-eight, making him the youngest recipient of such an honor at the institution at that time.

Tharoor's career at the United Nations spanned nearly three decades, from nineteen seventy-eight to two thousand seven, culminating in his role as Under-Secretary General for Communications and Public Information in two thousand one. After his tenure, he transitioned into politics, winning his parliamentary seat in two thousand nine and successfully securing re-election in two thousand fourteen, two thousand nineteen, and two thousand twenty-four. During the Manmohan Singh administration, he held the position of Minister of State for External Affairs and founded the All India Professionals Congress.

As a celebrated author, Tharoor has received the Sahitya Akademi Award and has penned numerous works of both fiction and non-fiction since nineteen eighty-one. His eloquence and command of the English language have garnered him a significant following, making him one of the most recognized figures on social media, where he was the most followed Indian on Twitter until two thousand fourteen.