{"id":36315,"date":"2025-07-29T12:23:50","date_gmt":"2025-07-29T06:53:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/edunovations.com\/currentaffairs\/?p=36315"},"modified":"2025-07-29T12:23:54","modified_gmt":"2025-07-29T06:53:54","slug":"shashi-tharoor-biography","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/edunovations.com\/currentaffairs\/national\/shashi-tharoor-biography\/","title":{"rendered":"Shashi Tharoor Biography: Education, UN Career, Books, Constituency &amp; Key Facts for Exams"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_82_2 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/edunovations.com\/currentaffairs\/national\/shashi-tharoor-biography\/#Shashi_Tharoor_Biography_for_UPSCSSCBanking_education_UN_career_parliamentary_roles_key_books_and_exam-relevant_facts_explained_with_FAQs_and_MCQs\" >Shashi Tharoor Biography for UPSC\/SSC\/Banking: education, UN career, parliamentary roles, key books, and exam-relevant facts explained with FAQs and MCQs.<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/edunovations.com\/currentaffairs\/national\/shashi-tharoor-biography\/#Shashi%E2%80%AFTharoor_Biography_%E2%80%93_Education_Diplomatic_Career_Politics_Contributions\" >Shashi\u202fTharoor Biography \u2013 Education, Diplomatic Career, Politics &amp; Contributions<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/edunovations.com\/currentaffairs\/national\/shashi-tharoor-biography\/#Early_Life_and_Education\" >Early Life and Education<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/edunovations.com\/currentaffairs\/national\/shashi-tharoor-biography\/#Career_at_the_United_Nations\" >Career at the United Nations<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/edunovations.com\/currentaffairs\/national\/shashi-tharoor-biography\/#Entry_into_Indian_Politics\" >Entry into Indian Politics<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/edunovations.com\/currentaffairs\/national\/shashi-tharoor-biography\/#Parliamentary_Committees_and_Leadership\" >Parliamentary Committees and Leadership<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/edunovations.com\/currentaffairs\/national\/shashi-tharoor-biography\/#Literary_Works_and_Recognition\" >Literary Works and Recognition<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/edunovations.com\/currentaffairs\/national\/shashi-tharoor-biography\/#Public_Influence_and_Soft_Power_Advocacy\" >Public Influence and Soft Power Advocacy<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/edunovations.com\/currentaffairs\/national\/shashi-tharoor-biography\/#Why_This_News_Is_Important\" >Why This News Is Important<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/edunovations.com\/currentaffairs\/national\/shashi-tharoor-biography\/#Relevance_to_Competitive_Exams\" >Relevance to Competitive Exams<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/edunovations.com\/currentaffairs\/national\/shashi-tharoor-biography\/#Insight_into_Indian_Foreign_Policy_and_Diplomacy\" >Insight into Indian Foreign Policy and Diplomacy<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/edunovations.com\/currentaffairs\/national\/shashi-tharoor-biography\/#Literary_Contributions_for_GS_and_Essay_Writing\" >Literary Contributions for GS and Essay Writing<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"https:\/\/edunovations.com\/currentaffairs\/national\/shashi-tharoor-biography\/#Parliamentary_Work_and_Governance\" >Parliamentary Work and Governance<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-14\" href=\"https:\/\/edunovations.com\/currentaffairs\/national\/shashi-tharoor-biography\/#Historical_Context_India_UN_and_Diplomacy_Background\" >Historical Context: India, UN and Diplomacy Background<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-15\" href=\"https:\/\/edunovations.com\/currentaffairs\/national\/shashi-tharoor-biography\/#Indias_Diplomatic_Engagement_Post%E2%80%91Independence\" >India\u2019s Diplomatic Engagement Post\u2011Independence<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-16\" href=\"https:\/\/edunovations.com\/currentaffairs\/national\/shashi-tharoor-biography\/#Evolution_of_Indias_Parliamentary_Committees\" >Evolution of India\u2019s Parliamentary Committees<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-17\" href=\"https:\/\/edunovations.com\/currentaffairs\/national\/shashi-tharoor-biography\/#Growth_of_Soft_Power_as_a_Foreign_Policy_Tool\" >Growth of Soft Power as a Foreign Policy Tool<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-18\" href=\"https:\/\/edunovations.com\/currentaffairs\/national\/shashi-tharoor-biography\/#Key_Takeaways_from_Shashi%E2%80%AFTharoor_Biography\" >Key Takeaways from Shashi\u202fTharoor Biography<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-19\" href=\"https:\/\/edunovations.com\/currentaffairs\/national\/shashi-tharoor-biography\/#FAQs_Exam%E2%80%91Oriented\" >FAQs (Exam\u2011Oriented)<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-20\" href=\"https:\/\/edunovations.com\/currentaffairs\/national\/shashi-tharoor-biography\/#Some_Important_Current_Affairs_Links\" >Some Important Current Affairs Links<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Shashi_Tharoor_Biography_for_UPSCSSCBanking_education_UN_career_parliamentary_roles_key_books_and_exam-relevant_facts_explained_with_FAQs_and_MCQs\"><\/span><strong>Shashi Tharoor Biography<\/strong> for UPSC\/SSC\/Banking: education, UN career, parliamentary roles, key books, and exam-relevant facts explained with FAQs and MCQs.<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Shashi%E2%80%AFTharoor_Biography_%E2%80%93_Education_Diplomatic_Career_Politics_Contributions\"><\/span>Shashi\u202fTharoor Biography \u2013 Education, Diplomatic Career, Politics &amp; Contributions<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Early_Life_and_Education\"><\/span>Early Life and Education<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Shashi\u202fTharoor was born on <strong>9 March 1956 in London, England<\/strong>, to Indian parents of Malayali origin. His family moved back to India when he was two, and he studied at Montfort School, Yercaud, Campion School in Mumbai, and St Xavier\u2019s Collegiate School in Kolkata  He later earned a BA in History at <strong>St Stephen\u2019s College, University of Delhi<\/strong> (1975), and in 1978 received his <strong>PhD in International Relations<\/strong> from <strong>The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Tufts University<\/strong>, at age 22 \u2014 the youngest at that time <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Career_at_the_United_Nations\"><\/span>Career at the United Nations<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Tharoor joined the <strong>United Nations in 1978<\/strong>, beginning at the UNHCR in Geneva. From 1981 to 1984, he headed the <strong>UNHCR office in Singapore<\/strong>, overseeing rescue and resettlement efforts for Vietnamese boat people, Polish and Acehnese refugees Later he served as <strong>Special Assistant to the UN Under-Secretary\u2011General for Special Political Affairs<\/strong>, managing peacekeeping efforts in the former Yugoslavia. In 2002 he became <strong>Under\u2011Secretary\u2011General for Communications and Public Information<\/strong>, a position he held until retirement in 2007. In 2006, India nominated him for UN Secretary\u2011General, where he finished second to Ban Ki\u2011moon <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Entry_into_Indian_Politics\"><\/span>Entry into Indian Politics<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>In <strong>2009<\/strong>, Tharoor entered Indian politics by winning the <strong>Lok Sabha seat from Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala<\/strong>, representing the Indian National Congress. Subsequently, he served as <strong>Minister of State for External Affairs (2009\u201310)<\/strong> and later as <strong>MoS for Human Resource Development (2012\u201314)<\/strong> in the UPA government <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Parliamentary_Committees_and_Leadership\"><\/span>Parliamentary Committees and Leadership<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>After his ministerial tenures, Tharoor remained an active MP and was appointed <strong>Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs in September 2024<\/strong>, serving under the Modi government He also chaired committees on Communications &amp; IT, and Chemicals &amp; Fertilizers in earlier terms<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Literary_Works_and_Recognition\"><\/span>Literary Works and Recognition<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>An accomplished writer, Tharoor has authored over two dozen books. Notable titles include <em>The Great Indian Novel<\/em>, <em>India: From Midnight to the Millennium<\/em>, <em>Why I Am a Hindu<\/em>, <em>The Paradoxical Prime Minister<\/em>, <em>Inglorious Empire<\/em> (also published as <em>An Era of Darkness<\/em>), and <em>Ambedkar: A Life<\/em> published in October 2022  <em>Inglorious Empire<\/em> earned him the <strong>Sahitya Akademi Award in 2019<\/strong> and the <strong>Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Award in 2017<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Public_Influence_and_Soft_Power_Advocacy\"><\/span>Public Influence and Soft Power Advocacy<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Tharoor is known for his commanding oratory and advocacy of India\u2019s <strong>soft power<\/strong>\u2014culture, literature, diplomacy. His 2015 <strong>Oxford Union speech<\/strong>, arguing \u201cBritain owes reparations to its former colonies\u201d, went viral and catalysed his later book <em>Inglorious Empire<\/em>He is also a pioneer of social media in Indian politics, being the first Indian politician to reach 10,000 and then 100,000 followers on Twitter by 2013<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Tharoor\u2019s multifaceted career spans diplomacy, literature, parliamentary leadership, and public discourse\u2014making him a quintessential subject for current affairs and general studies preparation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\" id=\"Shashi-Tharoor-Biography\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/04\/171604-050-EDAA1A8E\/Shashi-Tharoor.jpg?w=400&amp;h=300&amp;c=crop\" alt=\"Shashi Tharoor Biography\" title=\"Shashi Tharoor Biography\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Shashi Tharoor Biography<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Why_This_News_Is_Important\"><\/span>Why This News Is Important<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Relevance_to_Competitive_Exams\"><\/span>Relevance to Competitive Exams<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Shashi Tharoor\u2019s life and work intersect with crucial topics in both national and <strong>international affairs<\/strong>, making his profile highly relevant for exams like UPSC, SSC, State PSCs, Banking, Defence, Railways, Police, and Teaching. His career covers <strong>diplomacy<\/strong>, <strong>Parliamentary roles<\/strong>, <strong>constitutional operations<\/strong>, and <strong>public policy<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Insight_into_Indian_Foreign_Policy_and_Diplomacy\"><\/span>Insight into Indian Foreign Policy and Diplomacy<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>His nearly three\u2011decade UN career and bid for the position of <strong>UN Secretary\u2011General<\/strong> embody India\u2019s <strong>global engagement<\/strong> and <strong>multilateral diplomacy<\/strong>. These areas are often covered under <strong>International Relations<\/strong> in syllabi.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Literary_Contributions_for_GS_and_Essay_Writing\"><\/span>Literary Contributions for GS and Essay Writing<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Tharoor\u2019s books such as <em>Inglorious Empire<\/em>, <em>Why I Am a Hindu<\/em>, and <em>Ambedkar: A Life<\/em> provide rich <strong>source material<\/strong> for essays, interviews, and GS\u2011II\/III answers. His storytelling combines <strong>history, policy critique, and narrative flair<\/strong> that augment answer writing skills.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Parliamentary_Work_and_Governance\"><\/span>Parliamentary Work and Governance<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>As a four\u2011term MP and current <strong>Chairman of the External Affairs Committee<\/strong>, Tharoor features prominently in <strong>legislative oversight<\/strong>, <strong>foreign affairs committees<\/strong>, and <strong>policy critique<\/strong>, all topics frequently tested in exams related to governance and polity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Historical_Context_India_UN_and_Diplomacy_Background\"><\/span>Historical Context: India, UN and Diplomacy Background<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Indias_Diplomatic_Engagement_Post%E2%80%91Independence\"><\/span>India\u2019s Diplomatic Engagement Post\u2011Independence<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Since independence, India has progressively enhanced its role in multilateral forums like the UN. Tharoor\u2019s elevation to <strong>UN Under\u2011Secretary\u2011General<\/strong> and candidacy for Secretary\u2011General in 2006 reflects this ascending trajectory, similar to earlier Indian diplomats like Vijay Lakshmi Pandit and S.\u202fRadhakrishnan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Evolution_of_Indias_Parliamentary_Committees\"><\/span>Evolution of India\u2019s Parliamentary Committees<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Parliamentary oversight through <strong>Standing Committees<\/strong> has become more prominent since the 1990s reforms. Tharoor\u2019s chairmanship of the <strong>Committee on External Affairs<\/strong> illustrates how senior parliamentarians contribute to policymaking and accountability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Growth_of_Soft_Power_as_a_Foreign_Policy_Tool\"><\/span>Growth of Soft Power as a Foreign Policy Tool<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The concept of <strong>soft power<\/strong>, popularised in the early 2000s, has shaped India\u2019s emphasis on culture, literature, and diplomacy. Tharoor\u2019s advocacy and writings on cultural diplomacy align with this policy shift.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Key_Takeaways_from_Shashi%E2%80%AFTharoor_Biography\"><\/span>Key Takeaways from Shashi\u202fTharoor Biography<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><th>S.No<\/th><th>Key Takeaway<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>1<\/td><td>Born 9 March 1956 in London; educationally from Delhi University to Fletcher School at Tufts University, PhD at 22<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>2<\/td><td>Nearly 30\u2011year UN career; Under\u2011Secretary\u2011General from 2002\u201307; India\u2019s nominee for UN Secretary\u2011General in 2006 <\/td><\/tr><tr><td>3<\/td><td>Entered politics in 2009; elected MP from Thiruvananthapuram; served as MoS in External Affairs and HRD ministries <\/td><\/tr><tr><td>4<\/td><td>Authored influential books like <em>Inglorious Empire<\/em>, <em>Why I Am a Hindu<\/em>, and <em>Ambedkar: A Life<\/em>, awarded Sahitya Akademi in 2019 <\/td><\/tr><tr><td>5<\/td><td>Current Chairman of Parliamentary Committee on External Affairs (since Sept 2024); advocates India\u2019s soft power and literary diplomacy<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Shashi Tharoor Biography<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"FAQs_Exam%E2%80%91Oriented\"><\/span>FAQs (Exam\u2011Oriented)<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Why is Shashi Tharoor relevant for competitive exams?<\/strong><br>His profile covers <strong>international relations, parliamentary operations, diplomacy, constitutional positions, and literature<\/strong>, making him an ideal subject across UPSC GS\u2011II\/III, State PSCs, Banking awareness, Railways, and Defence sections.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>When and where was Shashi Tharoor born?<\/strong><br>Born on <strong>9 March 1956<\/strong> in <strong>London, England<\/strong> to Indian parents <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>What is Tharoor\u2019s educational background?<\/strong><br>Graduated from <strong>St. Stephen\u2019s College, Delhi<\/strong>, and earned a <strong>PhD in International Relations<\/strong> at <strong>Fletcher School, Tufts University<\/strong> in 1978\u2014the youngest at that time <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Which Lok Sabha constituency does he represent?<\/strong><br><strong>Thiruvananthapuram<\/strong>, Kerala, as a member of the <strong>Indian National Congress<\/strong> since 2009 (four terms) <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>What were his roles at the United Nations?<\/strong><br>Served nearly three decades including as <strong>Under\u2011Secretary\u2011General for Communications and Public Information<\/strong> and <strong>headed UNHCR\u2019s Singapore office<\/strong> during the Vietnamese boat refugee crisis <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>What ministerial positions did he hold in India?<\/strong><br>Appointed <strong>Minister of State<\/strong> for <strong>External Affairs<\/strong> (2009\u201310) and later <strong>Human Resource Development (Education)<\/strong> (2012\u201314) under UPA governments <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>What important books has he authored?<\/strong><br>Notable works: <em>An Era of Darkness<\/em>, <em>The Paradoxical Prime Minister<\/em>, <em>Why I Am a Hindu<\/em>, <em>The Great Indian Novel<\/em>, <em>Ambedkar: A Life<\/em> <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Which major awards has he received?<\/strong><br>Honors include <strong>Commonwealth Writers\u2019 Prize<\/strong>, <strong>Pravasi Bharatiya Samman<\/strong>, <strong>Sahitya Akademi Award<\/strong>, and France\u2019s <strong>L\u00e9gion d\u2019Honneur<\/strong> in 2022 <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>What parliamentary committee does he chair now?<\/strong><br>Chairman of the <strong>Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs<\/strong> (term Sept 2024\u201325) <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Why is his Oxford Union speech important?<\/strong><br>In May 2015, he argued that Britain owes reparations to its former colonies; the motion won and it influenced his book <em>Inglorious Empire<\/em> <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Some_Important_Current_Affairs_Links\"><\/span>Some Important Current Affairs Links<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button is-style-outline is-style-outline--1\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/edunovations.com\/currentaffairs\/category\/national\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">State Current Affairs<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-button is-style-outline is-style-outline--2\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/edunovations.com\/currentaffairs\/category\/sports\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Sports Current Affairs<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-button is-style-outline is-style-outline--3\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/edunovations.com\/currentaffairs\/category\/international\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">International Current Affairs<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/edunovations.com\/currentaffairs\/category\/banking\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Banking Current Affairs<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/edunovations.com\/currentaffairs\/category\/railway\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer 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https:\/\/edunovations.com\/currentaffairs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Banner-current-affairs-2-1-768x128.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Download this App for Daily Current Affairs MCQ&#8217;s<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\" id=\"News-Website-Development-Company\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.martindiainfotech.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"900\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/edunovations.com\/currentaffairs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/News-Website-Development-Company-Banner.png\" alt=\"News Website Development Company\" class=\"wp-image-438\" title=\"News Website Development Company\" srcset=\"https:\/\/edunovations.com\/currentaffairs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/News-Website-Development-Company-Banner.png 900w, 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Shashi\u202fTharoor Biography \u2013 Education, Diplomatic Career, Politics &amp; Contributions Early Life and Education Shashi\u202fTharoor was born on 9 March 1956 in London, England, to Indian parents of Malayali origin. His family moved back to India&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":36352,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[10,141],"tags":[25680,6774,4306,567,25681,9434,25678,25679,12418],"class_list":["post-36315","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-national","category-books_authors","tag-biography","tag-books-and-authors","tag-indian-parliament","tag-international-relations","tag-polity","tag-shashi-tharoor","tag-thiruvananthapuram-mp","tag-un-career","tag-upsc-current-affairs"],"amp_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/edunovations.com\/currentaffairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/36315","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/edunovations.com\/currentaffairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/edunovations.com\/currentaffairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/edunovations.com\/currentaffairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/6"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/edunovations.com\/currentaffairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=36315"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/edunovations.com\/currentaffairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/36315\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":36353,"href":"https:\/\/edunovations.com\/currentaffairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/36315\/revisions\/36353"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/edunovations.com\/currentaffairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/36352"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/edunovations.com\/currentaffairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=36315"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/edunovations.com\/currentaffairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=36315"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/edunovations.com\/currentaffairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=36315"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}