Shashi Tharoor

Shashi Tharoor is an accomplished Indian politician, author, and former diplomat. Born in London and raised across India, he pursued higher education in the United States, earning a doctorate in international relations from the Fletcher School at Tufts University at a young age. He then embarked on a long career with the United Nations, serving in various capacities from 1978 to 2007, eventually reaching the position of Under-Secretary-General for Communications and Public Information. Tharoor made a notable bid for the UN Secretary-General position in 2006, finishing second. Returning to India, he entered politics, joining the Indian National Congress and winning a parliamentary seat in 2009. He served as Minister of State for External Affairs and has been re-elected multiple times to the Lok Sabha.

Born in London in 1956, Shashi Tharoor spent his formative years in various Indian cities, attending schools in Yercaud, Mumbai, and Kolkata. He completed his undergraduate studies at St. Stephen's College, Delhi, where he was active in student leadership. Tharoor continued his academic pursuits in the United States, earning multiple degrees from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University, culminating in a Ph.D. in International Relations and Affairs in 1978. At 22, he was the youngest person to receive a doctorate from the institution at that time. During his doctoral studies, he was recognized for academic excellence and served as the first editor-in-chief of The Fletcher Forum of International Affairs.

Tharoor's career at the United Nations spanned nearly three decades, beginning in 1978. He initially worked with the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Geneva and Singapore, playing a key role in refugee resettlement efforts. He later moved to New York, where he held significant positions, including leading peacekeeping operations for the former Yugoslavia. In 2001, he was appointed Under-Secretary-General for Communications and Public Information, a role in which he was tasked with enhancing the UN's global image and communication strategies. He also served as the UN coordinator for multilingualism and initiated various projects, including the "Ten Under-Reported Stories the World Ought to Know About" initiative.

In 2006, Tharoor was nominated by India to run for the position of UN Secretary-General. He was a strong contender, finishing second in the selection process behind Ban Ki-moon. Despite his qualifications, his candidacy faced opposition, notably from the United States. Following this, Tharoor resigned from his UN post in 2007. He then transitioned into Indian politics, joining the Indian National Congress. In 2009, he successfully contested and won a seat in the Lok Sabha representing Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, a constituency he has continued to represent through subsequent elections.

Upon entering politics, Tharoor was appointed as a Minister of State in the Council of Ministers under Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. He served as Minister of State for External Affairs, overseeing specific regions and consular services. In this capacity, he worked to revitalize diplomatic ties with African nations. He also founded the All India Professionals Congress and has chaired the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Communications and Information Technology. Tharoor is recognized for his prolific writing and his command of the English language.