Shashi Tharoor Delivers Lectures on India's Values, Democracy & Civilization at Oxford and London organized by O.P. Jindal Global University
At University College, Oxford, Dr. Tharoor delivered a compelling lecture on the theme: 'An Immemorial Civilization: Lessons from India, Lessons for India.' He took the distinguished audience on a journey through more than 2,500 years of Indian history, emphasizing the nation's legacy of religious tolerance, non-violence, and social justice. There are lessons to be drawn from India's historical and mythical figures and also from modern reformers and leaders like Vivekananda and Mahatma Gandhi. India's secularism and egalitarianism have been shaped by its ancient wisdom. No nation can be called democratic and progressive unless it combats the injustices faced by the marginalized and subjugated. Indian civilization, at its most luminous moments, has done exactly that, and our quest for modernist equality has always been forged through a struggle against orthodoxy, casteism, superstition and fundamentalist exclusion,' Dr. Tharoor said.
He continued, 'The task before us is not just to remember India, but to reimagine it—to draw from the deep wells of our immemorial inheritance the ethical resolve to confront contemporary inequities with courage, conviction and moral clarity, thus ensuring greater rights to the disenfranchised and those on the margins of our society.' In his address, Dr. Tharoor explained how, since the time of Ashoka, the great Mauryan emperor, the Indian ethos has promoted not merely tolerance but acceptance. 'India and its memorial civilization has lessons for the world today: that one is free to strive and seek and arrive at one's own conception of the Almighty. And the greatest truth is to acknowledge the existence of other truths! As Vivekananda said, Hinduism is a religion that taught the world not just tolerance, but acceptance.' At Somerville College, Oxford, Dr. Tharoor eloquently traced the journey of the Indian Constitution in a lecture titled 'Indian Constitution at 75: Protecting Rights, Expanding Freedoms & Empowering Citizens.' He emphasized the enduring importance of the Constitution's foundational ideals in guiding India through complex and diverse aspirations. 'Our Constitution represents not only a legal framework but a social contract that has bound our diverse nation together. As we mark 75 years of its adoption, we must recommit ourselves to defending the rights and freedoms it enshrines for every citizen,' Dr. Tharoor remarked.
Professor (Dr.) C. Raj Kumar, Founding Vice Chancellor of O.P. Jindal Global University, introduced Dr. Tharoor at the events and spoke on the significance of global dialogue on constitutional values, democratic governance, and sustainability. 'This occasion at Oxford reaffirms our belief that universities must be active participants in shaping democratic societies. The Indian Constitution is a living testament to the strength of democratic ideals, and Dr. Tharoor's insights remind us of the need to protect, expand and renew those values across generations and borders,' said Professor Kumar. He added, 'Dr. Tharoor is a leading public intellectual, writer, author and a beacon of the democratic process in India, having won four times from his constituency! This event is a celebration of intellectual engagement and institutional purpose. Dr. Tharoor's powerful lecture inspires us to reaffirm our commitment to democratic values and global cooperation. As a global university, we are proud to bring together thought leaders and changemakers who shape the future of our world.' The discussions were further enriched by a response from Professor (Dr.) Shailendra Raj Mehta, O.P. Jindal Distinguished University Professor, who provided academic commentary and broader perspectives on the challenges and opportunities of constitutional governance.
JGU's Sustainable Development Report 2025 was also presented during the event by Professor Padmanabha Ramanujam, Dean of the Office of Academic Governance at JGU. The report highlights the university's steadfast commitment to advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through its teaching, research, and institutional practices.
The event began with welcome remarks by Professor (Dr.) Radhika Khosla, Research Director at the Oxford India Centre for Sustainable Development.
At the Honourable Society of the Inner Temple in London, O.P. Jindal Global University hosted another public lecture by Dr. Tharoor on the theme: 'India at 2047: The Future of the World's Largest Democracy.' Offering deep insights into the current state of Indian democracy, its institutional achievements, and the need for vigilance in safeguarding its constitutional values, Dr. Tharoor said: 'India's democratic journey has been both remarkable and resilient, but it faces serious tests in the years ahead. Institutions matter, but the spirit behind those institutions matters even more.' He added, 'I commend O.P. Jindal Global University for fostering important conversations on democracy and development at the global level.' Mr. Naveen Jindal, Chancellor of O.P. Jindal Global University and Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha), India, also addressed the distinguished gathering. He emphasized the need for a forward-looking vision for India in 2047, grounded in five core values: • Education: 'Especially primary education, as the foundation needs to be strong. It's a drop in the ocean to have started two universities—O.P. Jindal Global University and O.P. Jindal University in Chhattisgarh, which is an engineering university.' • Economy: 'India's economy needs to be strong, one that creates jobs and wealth for the nation. There needs to be a lot of action, risk-taking, investment and enterprise.' • Entrepreneurship: 'The private sector in India is driven by very enterprising people. We need to nurture them and respect the wealth creators more.' • Energy: 'Our future must be powered increasingly by clean, renewable, and sustainable energy. Empowerment means access to affordable energy for both the rich and the poor.' • Equality: 'This is the soul of a true democracy, which lies in equality of opportunity—something we must ensure for all 1.4 billion of our citizens.' (Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with O.P. Jindal Global University and PTI takes no editorial responsibility for the same.).
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


India.com
22 minutes ago
- India.com
India To Host AI Impact summit 2026, Leading Global Dialogue On Democratising AI
New Delhi: India is set to host the AI Impact Summit in February 2026, reinforcing its commitment to democratising Artificial Intelligence (AI) for the public good, the Parliament was informed on Wednesday. This landmark event aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of making technology accessible to all and leveraging AI to tackle real-world challenges across healthcare, education, agriculture, climate, and governance, Union Electronics and Information Technology Minister Ashwini Vaishnav told the Lok Sabha. The IndiaAI mission, which prioritises accountability, safety, equity, and the defence of privacy and human rights, is at the core of India's AI strategy. According to the statement, one of the main highlights is the creation of native Large and Small Language Models using Indian datasets. Currently, startups such as Sarvam AI, Soket AI, Gnani AI, and Gan AI are developing foundational models that are suited to the linguistic and cultural diversity of India. According to the statement, these models will be open-source, allowing other startups to create locally tailored applications. According to Minister Vaishnaw, to support scalable innovation, the government is also enhancing AI compute capacity by ensuring GPU infrastructure access and expanding the AIKosh Datasets Platform, which currently hosts over 1,000 datasets and 208 AI models, including Text-to-Speech tools in Indian languages. Additionally, the mission is funding 30 AI-based applications addressing public interest areas like health, climate, and governance. Through its IndiaAI Startups Global Programme, 10 startups are being mentored at Station F and HEC Paris, including PrivaSapien Technologies (privacy-enhancing AI) and Secure Blink (AI cybersecurity). Ensuring safe and trusted AI, India has established the IndiaAI Safety Institute to coordinate efforts on responsible AI. Projects under this initiative include AI bias mitigation, machine unlearning, and watermarking, as per the statement A strong legal framework that addresses AI-related risks like disinformation, deepfakes, and data misuse, such as the Digital Personal Data Protection Act (2023), IT Act (2000), and IT Rules (2021), supports the tech initiatives. A techno-legal approach underpins India's regulation, combining legislation with government-funded R&D on deepfake detection, privacy, and cybersecurity tools, according to the written reply. India's hosting of the 2026 summit further solidifies its position as a global leader in the development of AI that is inclusive, moral, and driven by innovation.

Business Standard
22 minutes ago
- Business Standard
Indian equity markets set for losses after Donald Trump's tariff surprise
Indian equity markets are expected to open lower on Thursday after US President Donald Trump's unexpected announcement of a 25 per cent tariff on Indian goods, effective August 1. President Trump also indicated possible further penalties on India's energy imports from Russia. Following Trump's announcement the Nifty derivatives contracts traded at the Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City) shed over half a per cent. Experts said the markets could decline between 1 and 2 per cent on Thursday. Most vulnerable stocks will be from garments, pharmaceuticals, gems and jewellery, automotive and petrochemicals sector. However, those with no US exposure could also be impacted due to the concerns of overall impact on the economic growth. Analysts said if no deal is reached with the US or could shave off GDP growth by 20 basis points. 'Markets will react negatively to the tariff imposition. Despite the unpredictability of US policy, investors anticipated a deal given the aligned long-term interests between the US and India,' said Nilesh Shah, MD, Kotak Mahindra AMC. Sectorally, the inclusion of pharmaceuticals among the tariffed goods could have a significant impact, as the US accounts for over 30 per cent of India's pharma exports. 'Markets may fall 1-1.5 per cent but should stabilise soon after. While several sectors will feel the pain, the broader impact may be contained as long as IT and service exports remain unaffected,' said Chokkalingam G, founder, Equinomics. The US President's threats of additional penalties came a day after he formally announced to Russia a 10-day deadline to reach a truce with Ukraine. The US had threatened secondary levies that would target countries that import Russian exports, such as oil. India was among the first to engage with the US in trade talks. The US is India's largest trading partner and top export market. Market experts said that a 25 per cent tariff rate is a negative development compared to lower rates for peers such as Vietnam, Indonesia, and the Philippines, which compete with India in similar categories of labour-intensive products and electronic goods, as well as for foreign portfolio investment (FPI) flows. FPIs have been net sellers in India this month while being buyers in other emerging markets.


Mint
22 minutes ago
- Mint
'Rahul Gandhi had already warned': Congress as Trump imposes 25% tariffs on India; says 'this will impact our economy'
Congress leader Supriya Shrinate launched a scathing attack on the BJP-led dispensation after President Trump announced a 25% tariff on Indian exports, claiming that "this is a result of failed foreign policy." Shrinate asserted that Rahul Gandhi had earlier warned the move would likely have a ripple effect on the Indian economy, impacting exports, production, and job creation. "Rahul Gandhi had already warned about this... This is going to impact our economy, exports, production, and in turn, our jobs and employment. We export pharmaceuticals to the US, and with the 25% tariff, they will become expensive, resulting in decreased demand, subsequently leading to lower production and employment. This is a result of our failed foreign policy," Shrinate said. Stepping up her attack on the saffron camp, Congress spokesperson Shrinate said: "You (the ruling party) gave the slogan 'Abki baar Trump Sarkar', but he sent our people shackled." This was in reference to the mistreatment of the first batch of 104 illegal Indian immigrants deported from the US in response to Trump's crackdown on undocumented migrants. The deportees were handcuffed throughout the 40-hour flight. Shrinate yet again reiterated the need for an explanation on Trump's claim that he had "brokered" the cessation of hostilities between India and Pakistan. Her remarks come just a day after Rahul Gandhi, speaking in Parliament, challenged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to publicly call US President Donald Trump a 'liar' for claiming credit for negotiating a ceasefire. "He said 30 times that he declared a ceasefire... What answer does PM Modi have on this? The government must have prepared in some way for this; all sectors will be affected by it," Shrinate said. The American President on Wednesday announced that India would face a 25 per cent tariff on goods exported to the United States from August 1. He also imposed a penalty for purchasing "a vast majority of their military equipment" and oil from Russia.