Member of the Indian Parliament, Shashi Tharoor is also a prolific author, columnist, journalist and a human rights advocate.

Live interview: Thursday 17 November 2011, 20:30 H

Hi folks, here I am in Thiruvananthapuram (henceforth Tvm) for the hay Fest. looking fwd to your questions
 

#1Is nationalism a threat for Indian developing?

Antoine
16:00

 

No, I don’t think Indians are excessively nationalistic. The emergence of national feeling over the last 64 years of independence in such a diverse and variegated country is actually to be welcomed, esp since it shows no traces of jingoism or hostility to others.

#2Roy, Doshi, Lahiri… What’s your Indian contemporary author?

Trevor
16:01

 

i like a lot of Indian writers; indeed, have reviewed many of them, and believe that collectively they represent some of the most exciting new writing in the world

#3Dear Mr. Tharoor,
I’ve been working for 4 years in India, my wife and my daugther are Indian, and every week I’m said “You know nothing about India, it’s very complicated”. Is this so-called complexity an excuse not to accept foreign opinions?

Angelo
16:02

 

could be! but then I’ve written 12 books, 11 of them entirely about India, and some people say the same thing to me. Indians do feel they are so special that they can’t be easily understood… But more Indians are receptive to foreign views than not.

#4Good evening Sir, As an observer of Indian Polity, you once wrote that “modern Political India is like traditional Indian music; the broad basic rules firmly set, but within them one is free to improvise unshackled by a written score.”
Now as a part of the Indian political setup do you still believe this analogy holds good or has that perception changed?

KATIE ABRAHAM
16:03

 

I stand by the metaphor. Sometimes, of course, the ‘firmly set” basic rules can feel a lot more rigid than the improvisational flexibility I celebrate….

#5Sir, Mr. M.M Joshi commented that it is time to make some changes in the Comptroller and Auditor General Act, 1971. Taking cue from it do you believe that it would be better to re- vamp existing laws rather than keep adding new ones… Are you hopeful that the Lokpal and the Judicial Accountability Bill will bring about a substantial change?

KATIE ABRAHAM
16:05

 

we need to revise some laws and write news ones. On the Jan Lok Fal Bill, my columns in the Asian Age/Deccan Chronicle, including a supplementary one next Friday, will give you a more comprehensive answer than space allows here

#6Sir, India has not yet ratified the UN Convention on Refugees, 1951 and/or its 1967 protocol. As someone closely associated with the UNHCR, I would like TO HAVE your comments on the same

KATIE ABRAHAM
16:07

 

I believe we should. Fortunately India’s standards of asylum, and hospitality to refugees, have fulfilled and often exceeded what is expected under these international legal instruments.

#7Sir you have contributed the field of Journalism extensively, what is your reaction when your intentions and tweets are grossly mis- represented by the Indian Media. Do you agree with Justice Katju’s criticism. Your Advice to these irresponsible journalists.

KATIE ABRAHAM
16:09

 

I am a strong defender of press freedom even though I have been a victim of press irresponsibility. I’m not in favour of Govt regulation of media in a democracy. But Indian media MUST improve its standards. Too often they are a disgrace to their own profession

#8What writing can we expect from you next? pls tell!

Jonathan
16:10

 

I’m working on a book about India’s place in the world of the 21st century. A foreign policy book for lay people rather than scholars. Hope it’ll be done by next year

#9Sir, have you ever had 2nd thoughts about your cattleclass comment?

Kushkatakia
16:14

 

yes, of course. Since the Indian journalist asking the question used the expression “cattle class,” which I had heard for 3 decades abroad, I assumed it was in common use in India too. Had I realized that it wasn’t &would cause great offence, I would not have used it or made a joke about it

#10you often speak of India’s soft power. but is the government leveraging this to project India’s influence ? especially in its neighbourhood?

Bharath Vaishnov
16:15

 

Not enough. We do promote cultural diplomacy through festivals of India abroad and tours organized by the Indian Council of Cultural Relations etc, as well as educational scholarships, but that’s dwarfed by the impact of non-governmental soft power assets like Bollywood, Indian cuisine, yoga, fashion etc

#11Sir. What you think of Late Y.S.Rajasekhar Reddy?

raviteja
16:16

 

didn’t really know him. never even met. Seems to have been a hugely popular &successful leader.

#12Politicians, Cricketers and filim stars ruin india, what is your answer? people forget everyone else

ahdchem
16:17

 

No, I think they make great contributions to India in their chosen fields. Of course, so do others in other fields! if some do negative things, sadly that’s true of some people in all other professions too

#13Regional trade agreement vs multilateral trade agreement. what do you think is more beneficial to India?

Bharath Vaishnov
16:21

 

We need both. Eg A successful Doha ROund at the WTO, AND a South Asian Free Trade Area

#14Shashi, what do you think is the future of India, realistically speaking… we have all heard there is lot of potential that exists in India, but why is the planning 10 years behind schedule and why is the implementation piss weak. What can an ordinary citizen do to take the nation forward, even if he / she does not reside in India?

Himanshu Narang
16:22

 

Can’t possibly answer that in one sentence. Please read “India: From midnight to the Millennium” and some of the essays in “The Elephant, the Tiger &the Cellphone.” Ordinary Indians can and must change India

#15where do you think the women’s movement has reached in india?

Miriam Joseph
16:23

 

It’s raised consciousness greatly and transformed many women’s lives, but it still has a long way to go. We have great examples of empowered &successful women leaders in all fields, but also terrible stories of exploitation and injustice. La Luta continua!

#16What do you think about current dressing sense of youths, It does not only spoils our culture which is our very back bone but also may lead to loose our self sustainability, and we’ll need to be inferior further to westerns?

DInesh
16:24

 

Can’t generalize. There are as many ways of dressing as there are Indians!

#17Sir, what is real education to you?? the education we r receiving n school /colleges is enough??

Archana Negi
16:25

 

Too often education is about creating a well-filled mind. true education is about creating a well-formed mind. I genuinely believe real education is what is left behind in your head after you’ve forgotten what you’ve studied for your exams.

#18do you think it’s imperative to include international diplomacy in school curriculum ?

Praveen
16:25

 

No, only for those interested. (That’s true of almost any specialized subject)

#19Sit what is your views on FDI, can we open FDI flood gates even on Financial sector and retail house holds? Already Mr. Obama pushing for insurance market, If we allow them, our middle class savings will be ripped by a foreign firm, but yesterday Govt decided to allow FDI till 26% on Pension Sector, in long run will it be healthy?

DInesh
16:26

 

yes, I’m in favour of FDI because foreign capital can help us grow, raise salaries &improve employment opportunities for our young people. Unemployed young people are the biggest danger to Indian democracy because they could be seduced by Maoism &violence

#20Hi Sir, What motivates you?What is your vision for India in the next 10 years?

Sherin
16:27

 

What motivates me is making a difference. My vision of India is of a country that keeps getting better at the always-unfinished task of improving the lives and opportunities of its citizens.

#21Should the Government of India lift the ban on books such as Salman Rushdie’s ‘The Satanic Verses’ and Taslima Nasreen’s ‘Lajja’?

Srijan Sandip Manda
16:28

 

Yes. if you don’t like a book don’t read it. Don’t ask the Govt to ban it and deprive others of learning from it (or rejecting it for themselves).

#22where do you stand on the question of palestinian nationhood ?

Miriam Joseph
16:29

 

i’m in favour of a Palestinian state. Palestinian nationhood is already a reality.

#23What one change should we bring to our behaviour?

Shailysaxena
16:29

 

Stop expending so much energy in bringing others down, and spend more of it building ourselves and others up!

#24the constant tussle between judiciary , executive , legislature. do u think its sign of deterioration of democracy?

Bharath Vaishnov
16:30

 

Not necessarily. Can also be a sign of the vigour of all three sets of institutions

#25Sir, when can we expect your book about India’s place in the new balanced world on stands.?

Kush Katkia
16:30

 

Got to write it first, and that’s proving a struggle. I hope early in the second half of next year….

#26Sir have u ever regretted your ‘cattleclass’ comments?

Kush Katakia
16:31

 

yes, certainly (unless my party decides otherwise).

#27How to easily distinguish a good and bad politician? On what parameters? Having hard time to believe someone by their speeches :(

Aravidnakshan
16:32

 

Results and effectiveness; connection to the needs of the voters; understanding of the issues; ability to persuade, inspire and lead.

#28Sir Is it not high time that we should put an end to skills going abroad? how can we? what Government is doing towards it? (Brain Drain)

DInesh
16:33

 

Not at all. The “brain drain” of the 1960s to 1980s turned out to be the “brain gain” of the 1990s-2000s

#29A simple question to you.. What was the reason of your bad relationship with the congressmen. Do they not respect and give a change to young leader and intellectual like Shahsi Tharoor? And yes one important questions, your views on kashmir in brief.

Syed Awsiya Hassan
16:34

 

I have excellent relations with most Congressmen! Those who don’t like me can best explain their own dislikes…. As for Kashmir, I would always be proud to see a flourishing, peaceful and democratic Kashmiri state within the Indian Union

#30Sir do you advocate for going abrode(USA,UK n Aus ) for higer studies ???

fakhri gheewala
16:35

 

only if you can’t get the courses you want in India

#31Recently Prime Minister Dr.Manmohan Singh promised $5 billion aid Africa to support their development requirements. Is that a bit logically insane when we look at the situation in India ?

Prasoon Panthayi
16:36

 

Why not? A country like India has to both address its domestic problems AND fulfil its international responsibilities

#32What do you feel about being the First and Most popular Indian Tweep?

raviteja
16:38

 

Mixed feelings, to be honest. The first head that sticks itself above the parapet is the one that attracts the most incoming fire, and I took a few bullets that the later adopters haven’t had to. but I’m glad to see more and more politicians &public servants embracing it, and hope my role will be valued in retrospect

Sorry folks, my time is up. Time to get to make some remarks at the #HayFest dinner. Glad to participate in this stimulating exchange and do stay in touch on Twitter!