Souvik Ghosh
At a time when political ambition is often wrapped in calculation, Shashi Tharoor’s entry into Indian politics was shaped by doubt, family anxiety, and personal conviction.
That story unfolded with rare intimacy at a tête-à-tea hosted by the Prabha Khaitan Foundation, in association with Sanskriti Sagar and FICCI FLO Kolkata, where Tharoor appeared alongside his sisters Shobha and Smita. What followed was not a political speech, but a deeply personal conversation-about motherhood, fear, idealism, and the cost of choosing public life.
Who is Shashi Tharoor beyond the politician?
A former UN diplomat of global repute, bestselling author, and four-time Member of Parliament, Shashi Tharoor is widely regarded as one of India’s most articulate public intellectuals. But at the Kolkata event, he appeared foremost as a son and brother, reflecting on the most difficult decision of his life-entering politics.
What was his mother’s reaction when he decided to contest elections?
His mother, Sulekha Menon, was deeply opposed to the idea. “You are a scholar, an intellectual, a highly successful diplomat. You will come back and people will spoil your name,” she warned. For a mother watching her son step into what she saw as the “muddy” world of Indian politics, the decision felt dangerous and heartbreaking.
How did his sisters react to the decision?
The reaction at home was anything but celebratory. “It unnerved, stressed and disturbed us,” said Shobha, who would later go on to organise Tharoor’s first election campaign. She recalled a tense household atmosphere and a mother who was, in her words, “deeply unhappy” with the turn her son’s life was taking.
Why did Tharoor go ahead despite the family’s fears?
Tharoor said his belief in politics as a force for change outweighed the warnings. “Politics is the way you can make a difference to the lives of people in a democracy,” he said, recalling his years at the United Nations, where he had observed Indian Prime Ministers at close quarters. He countered his mother’s fears with a larger concern, as Shobha recalled-that if people like him stayed away, “young, bright, intelligent, caring people who love the country will never join politics.”
Looking back, does he think his mother was right?
With characteristic wit, Tharoor acknowledged the cost. “And she was right too, wasn’t she?” he said, drawing laughter from the audience-before returning to a more serious reflection on public life and scrutiny.
Did he fully understand Indian politics when he entered it?
Not at all, by his own admission. “I joined politics partially out of sheer ignorance,” Tharoor said. Having left India at 19-when the voting age was still 21-he had never even cast a vote, let alone experienced an Indian election on the ground. “All the books I read gave a macro view – like seeing the forest but not knowing the trees.”
Q: How does his sister Smita describe his motivation?
Smita traced a clear line through his life choices. “I remember Shashi saying that when I come back to India, I want to make a difference. He joined the United Nations to make a difference. He came back into politics also to make a difference.” Now based in Kolkata, Smita said the impulse to serve has remained consistent across his careers.
What role did family play in shaping his worldview, especially on gender?
Inside GD Birla Sabhaghar, as fans-particularly women-crowded around him for selfies and autographs, Tharoor reflected on his ease in public spaces. “Growing up with women around me made me very sensitive from a young age,” he said. “I never absorbed the patriarchy, male chauvinism or misogyny that I sometimes see around in India.” He credited not only his sisters, but also his father, whom he described as “incredibly liberal for his generation,” for fostering an environment of freedom and respect.
What did the evening ultimately reveal about Tharoor?
Beyond the eloquent parliamentarian stood a man shaped by family resistance, moral certainty, and youthful idealism. On that Kolkata stage, the public figure briefly gave way to the private individual-revealing how conviction, not ambition, led him into politics.
It was a reminder that behind every political career lies a moment of doubt-and a choice that changes everything. (IBNS-TWF)
Follow our WhatsApp channel
