Congress MP Dr Shashi Tharoor alleged that the government treats institutions like Parliament as notices on a board
HYDERABAD, Dec 11 (The CONNECT) – Congress MP Dr Shashi Tharoor alleged that the institutions like Parliament are reduced to notices on a board. “That is how our government treats Parliament now,” Dr Tharoor said during the launch of his book Pride, Prejudice and Punditry, a second in the series of events planned by the publishers.
“We need to strengthen our institutions. RBI, CBI, Information Commission many such institutions which are supposed to be functioning independently are not doing so. We must strengthen them. India has to be the home to everyone. We need the unity of opposition,” he said.
On his impressions of Prime Minister Modi said “when I first met in Chennai in 2007 was that he cannot be underestimated.” He has all the power to charge up people. “But that impression faded away during my subsequent interactions,” Dr Tharoor explained.
The book launch was followed by a conversation with TV anchor Nidhi Razdan. Dr Tharoor said non -fiction is much easier. I like fiction. I want to go back to fiction.”
When asked about challenges of choosing right expressions he cited the example of the controversy that was whipped up when he used the phrase ‘cattle class’. Then the Minister of State for External Affairs then, Dr Tharoor, ran into trouble within his own party, for his tweet that he would travel “cattle class” in solidarity with all our “holy cows.”
A certain word, expression may look apt and appropriate but when translated into a different language it means totally different, he said.
With many such experiences, he said that he learnt the lesson that” what you think is not important but how your audience understands it”.
Speaking about the present government Dr Tharoor said the current ruling party with 303 seats in parliament make the democracy a “mockery”. No one also defects because of anti-defection laws. Indian Parliament is unable to maintain checks and balances, he said.
A Kolkata based nonprofit trust, Prabha Khaitan Foundation (PKF) chose Hyderabad the second in the series for the launch of Dr Tharoor's 23rd book. The book was earlier launched in Delhi and now in the City of Biryani, Badminton and Bahubali, in association with Aleph and Ahsaas-women of Hyderabad.
The book launch was followed by a conversation with TV anchor Nidhi Razdan. Dr Tharoor said non -fiction is much easier. I like fiction. I want to go back to fiction.”
Pride, Prejudice, and Punditry brings together the very best fiction, non-fiction, and poetry from his published books and journalism—as well as many pieces that have been written especially for this volume.
There are ten sections in the book, each devoted to a particular topic. ‘In the Company of Giants’ looks at some of the most important figures of modern Indian history; ‘Into the Maelstrom of Indian Politics’ contains work on the Indian political scene; ‘Our Unruly World’ covers international relations and diplomacy; ‘The Hindu Way’ examines various aspects of the faith; ‘Musings of a Cricket Tragic’ includes some of his finest writing on the sport; ‘You Cannot Be Serious!’ is a light-hearted take on sundry matters; ‘Fragments of an Autobiography’ has poignant essays about his parents and an evocative look at his Kerala heritage; ‘The Spoken Word’ is a selection of his most famous speeches; ‘The Writerly Life’ comprises ruminations on writing and writers; and ‘Selected Fiction and Poetry’ showcases his masterpieces of fiction and poetry.
In short, this book gives a panoramic view of the range and depth of Dr Tharoor’s writing.
