Politics should focus on serving people: Shashi Tharoor

Emphasising that politics should be pursued only with a passion for serving people, Lok Sabha member, former diplomat and author  Shashi Tharoor said, while inaugurated the three-day India’s International Movement to Unite Nations (IIMUN) Hyderabad 2025 conference on Friday. Held at Johnson Grammar School – ICSE, Kuntloor, LB Nagar, the conference saw over 1,000 students from 100 plus educational institutions across the city.
Addressing the students, Tharoor shared his insights on politics, calling it a profession rooted in integrity and responsibility. He urged students to choose careers driven by purpose, not just convenience. Engaging with participants in an interactive session, he discussed life lessons, his love for reading, and how books shaped his worldview.
Speaking about his recent books, including Battle of Ideas and Wonderland of Words, he highlighted the importance of language, vocabulary, and critical thinking in effective communication. He also stressed the role of reading in discerning truth from misinformation in an era of fake news and encouraged parental oversight of children’s social media use.
Tharoor concluded with a fun exercise, sharing the meaning of a word and inviting students to do the same, highlighting the joy of learning.
Meanwhile, Lt. General Neeraj Varshney also addressed the gathering, emphasising truth, discernment, and leadership, quoting the Rigveda to underline that truth always triumphs. He encouraged students to engage critically with literature and shared quotes to inspire them.
On Saturday, various committees debated national and international topics, with students representing global leaders and diplomats. These sessions developed skills like public speaking, research, and analytical thinking, nurturing future global leaders.