Shashi Tharoor Commends PM Modi’s Address Despite Illness, Says Message On Progress Was Inspiring

Congress leader Shashi Tharoor lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s speech on Tuesday, sharing that he attended the event despite suffering from a severe cold and cough. Tharoor said the Prime Minister’s remarks—coming shortly after the NDA’s sweeping victory in Bihar—addressed crucial themes and urged the nation to stay driven toward advancement.

In a long post on X, Tharoor reflected on the key points of the address delivered during the sixth Ramnath Goenka Lecture organised by The Indian Express. He noted that the Prime Minister devoted a large portion of his speech to challenging Macaulay’s 200-year-old legacy that fostered a “slave mentality.” Modi called for a 10-year nationwide effort to revive pride in India’s culture, languages, and traditional knowledge systems.

During the event, PM Modi appealed to citizens to break free from the colonial mindset imposed by Thomas Macaulay, emphasizing that the next decade is crucial for reshaping India’s collective outlook. Tharoor also highlighted Modi’s assertion that India is emerging as a global model, showcasing strength and economic stability.

According to Tharoor, Modi remarked that while critics often accuse him of being in “election mode,” he is instead driven by an “emotional mode” focused on addressing people’s concerns.

The Prime Minister’s speech came just days after the ruling NDA coalition secured a massive win in the Bihar Assembly elections, taking 202 of 243 seats. By contrast, Tharoor’s Congress party suffered a heavy defeat, managing only six victories out of the 61 seats it contested.

Tharoor has faced criticism from within his party on several occasions for acknowledging PM Modi’s work or praising government initiatives. A recent example was when he was chosen by the government to lead the Operation Sindoor delegation abroad despite the Congress not proposing his name. Upon returning, Tharoor once again praised Modi, describing his dynamism and energy as valuable assets for the nation.