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Indian Express
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Discover the ‘write' side of Shashi Tharoor
Diplomat, party spokesperson, civil servant, minister, wordsmith—even a stand-up comic (for a short time): Shashi Tharoor wears many hats—and wears them well. But the man who is currently going around the world, casting wordy spells as he carries India's message on Operation Sindoor to the global stage, is also a remarkably prolific author. In fact, he first came to national (indeed, international) attention with a book: The Great Indian Novel (1989). And as in other walks of life, his literary work is rich in variety. You might expect him to focus primarily on political matters, but Tharoor has never limited himself to any one genre. He has written biographies, essays (including on cricket), analyses, travelogues, critiques, and even novels. Indeed, until he pens a proper, no-holds-barred autobiography (and we're sure he will), his books—he has nearly two dozen to his name and surely more to come—are an excellent way to understand the man who weaves magic with his words, spoken and written, for a wide variety of audiences. The Great Indian Novel (1989) brought Shashi Tharoor into the literary spotlight in the late 80s. A work of fiction, it remains his most famous—and, in the opinion of many (us included), his best book. It showcases all the Tharoor hallmarks: wit, humour, wordplay, and sarcasm, blended with a keen sense of history and mythology. And what history and mythology it is—because The Great Indian Novel is actually a retelling and reimagining of the Indian freedom struggle and the decades that followed, narrated in the style of perhaps the greatest Indian epic of them all, the Mahabharata. Tharoor reimagines characters from Ved Vyas' epic as legendary freedom fighters and political figures, often blending names with telling effect. Across its 380-odd pages, you'll encounter Jayaprakash Drona, Priya Duryodhini, Mohammad Ali Karna, the Kaurav Party (Real), and the Kaurav Party (Old Guard). Often darkly funny, sometimes moving, and always fast-paced, this is one of those rare books that can be picked up for sheer entertainment, only to leave the reader deep in thought—accompanied by the occasional giggle. Indian leaders have generally not been well-served by their biographers. Most biographies tend to be either overly critical or excessively hagiographical—rambling affairs, rich in detail but poor in narrative. Tharoor changed that with his compact biography of Jawaharlal Nehru in 2003. Nehru: The Invention of India was released in a small, almost pocketbook format, spanning just over 275 pages. Yet it offered a more complete picture of India's first Prime Minister than many far weightier tomes. Tharoor's take on Nehru is largely positive, but what makes the book special is its ability to capture Nehru's essence and his importance to India without falling into excessive adulation. He notes Nehru's 'classic Little Lord Fauntleroy upbringing' and does not shy away from discussing how a corrupt bureaucracy is as much a part of Nehru's legacy as his achievements. Tharoor sticks to sound narrative basics—no extravagant flourishes here. In this, he's like a stroke player curbing flair for the sake of a bigger score. The result is perhaps the best short biography ever written of any Indian leader: succinct yet substantial. If there is one book you should read about Nehru—it is this, it is this, it is this. A significant portion of Tharoor's writing post his entry into active politics reflects the views of his party and its leadership. However, there are moments when he takes off his political hat and dons his academic one. One of those moments was An Era of Darkness: The British Empire in India (2017). Later re-released as Inglorious Empire: What the British Did to India, the book won the Ramnath Goenka Award for Excellence in Journalism (2017) and the Sahitya Akademi Award (2019). Inspired by his now-viral 2015 Oxford Union speech on colonial reparations, the book—about 330 pages long—is perhaps the most accessible, easy-to-read account of the consequences of British colonial rule in India. Some academics have called it one-sided and bitter, but Tharoor's righteous outrage burns through the pages. 'Britain's rise for two hundred years was financed by its depredation of India,' he observes, dismantling the myths that suggest the British gave India political unity or a free press. This is Tharoor in debate mode—armed with data, arguments, and flashes of wit and sarcasm. It's compelling stuff, even if classic historians might occasionally wince. Agathokakological, fefenestrate, floccinaucinihilipilification… Booking that Tharoor Vocabulary Shashi Tharoor's command of the English language has achieved near-legendary status. His use of words many have never encountered has repeatedly expanded his audience's vocabulary. For those enchanted by his linguistic flair, Tharoorosaurus (Penguin Random House, 2020) is the perfect pick. A compact volume (336 pages), it's easily the most entertaining book Tharoor has written. It features 53 of his favourite rare words, with definitions, etymologies, trivia, and even cartoons. Included are delights like Agathokakological, Cromulent, Defenestrate, Floccinaucinihilipilification, Kakistocracy, Rodomontade, and Snollygoster, alongside more familiar terms like Vigilante, Yogi, and Namaste. Whether or not he ever pens a tell-all memoir, we hope Tharoor writes several sequels to this book. It may not be as profound as some of his other works, but it delivers information memorably and always with a smile. A bit like the man himself.
USA Today
26-05-2025
- Politics
- USA Today
'God did that': Trump marks Memorial Day and trumpets his second-term successes
'God did that': Trump marks Memorial Day and trumpets his second-term successes President Trump's remarks at Arlington National Cemetery contrasted with his more-combative public comments from throughout the long holiday weekend Show Caption Hide Caption Army soldiers place Memorial Day flags in Arlington National Cemetery The Old Guard placed about 260,000 flags at the gravestones of service members and their families at Arlington National Cemetery for Memorial Day. WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump delivered a history-laden Memorial Day speech after laying a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, his remarks echoing against the solemn backdrop of Arlington National Cemetery, final resting place of more than 400,000 veterans and their family members. The second-term Republican president's remarks contrasted with his other more-combative public comments from throughout the long holiday weekend, including an all-caps message sent just hours earlier that swung hard at his political opponents and federal judges. Drawing upon the ongoing 250th anniversary of the beginning of the American Revolutionary War, Trump shared the names and ages of a few of the colonists killed at the 1775 battle of Lexington and Concord, which marked the start of the colonialists' revolt against British rule. "Brave Minutemen and farm boys became the first to give their lives for a nation that did not yet have a name," Trump said. "Their deaths ... ignited the flame of liberty that now lights, inspires everybody in the entire world." Trump also, in keeping with Memorial Day speeches delivered during his first administration, highlighted Gold Star families from the country's recent wars. He mentioned Senior Chief Petty Officer Shannon Kent, a Navy cryptologic technician and mother of two who was killed in a January 2019 suicide bombing in Syria. "Shannon was on her fifth combat deployment, embedded with a team hunting ISIS terrorists through the streets of Syria" when she was killed, Trump said. Kent's husband, Joe, is a former Army Green Beret and CIA paramilitary officer who is currently nominated to head the National Counterterrorism Center. Vice President JD Vance, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Air Force Gen. Dan Caine, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, joined Trump at Arlington. Memorial Day, which originated in 1868 as a day to remember U.S. Civil War dead, was standardized as a federal holiday honoring all fallen members of the U.S. military beginning in 1971. Vance and Hegseth reiterated the administration's objective of avoiding foreign conflicts in their remarks. "The best way to honor our fallen is to only ask the next generation to make the ultimate sacrifice when they absolutely must," Vance said. Hegseth, referring to the Arlington war dead, said, "The duty we owe these men is peace, which can only be achieved through strength." Trump's Memorial Day Truth Social post Save for a brief interlude where he described a "long and hard four years" with "people pouring through our borders unchecked," Trump largely avoided partisan jabs during his address. But in the hours before the ceremony and in his May 24 commencement speech at the United States Military Academy at West Point, Trump used the holiday to go after his domestic political opponents. "HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY TO ALL, INCLUDING THE SCUM THAT SPENT THE LAST FOUR YEARS TRYING TO DESTROY OUR COUNTRY THROUGH WARPED RADICAL LEFT MINDS," Trump wrote on Truth Social on May 26. The president also attacked the federal judiciary in his all-caps posting, calling judges who impede his agenda "MONSTERS WHO WANT OUR COUNTRY TO GO TO HELL." And while addressing the nation's newest Army officers, the thrice-married president detailed the purported risks of "trophy wives" and celebrated the end of "critical race theory or transgender for everybody forced onto our brave men and women in uniform — or on anybody else for that matter, in this country," while invoking the memory of Al Capone. At the Tomb, the president also professed his excitement for the number of symbolic events occurring in the years ahead. 'God did that': Trump on timing of Army's 250th birthday, World Cup, Olympics As Trump spoke about the 'immense and ultimate sacrifices' of American soldiers over the past 250 years, he brought up the fact that the U.S. Army was planning to celebrate the 250th anniversary of its founding with a parade on June 14. That event also happens to fall on Trump's 79th birthday. 'We're going to have a big, big celebration,' said Trump. 'I'm glad I missed that second term … because I wouldn't be your president for that.' Trump, who lost the 2020 election, would have missed the event had he been elected to a consecutive second term. During his current term, Trump is also expected to preside over the FIFA World Cup in 2026, which the U.S. will co-host with Canada and Mexico as well as the Summer Olympics in Los Angeles in 2028. Trump said God had willed the trifecta of events. 'Now look what I have,' he said. 'I have everything. Amazing the way things work out. God did that.' After the ceremony ended, Trump quickly departed to play a round of golf.
USA Today
25-05-2025
- Business
- USA Today
Is the stock market open or closed on Memorial Day 2025? See full holiday schedule
Is the stock market open or closed on Memorial Day 2025? See full holiday schedule Show Caption Hide Caption Army soldiers place Memorial Day flags in Arlington National Cemetery The Old Guard placed about 260,000 flags at the gravestones of service members and their families at Arlington National Cemetery for Memorial Day. United States stock markets will be closed on Monday, May 26 in observance of Memorial Day. The Nasdaq and New York Stock Exchange will be closed Monday and reopen Tuesday, May 27. The U.S. bond market will close at 2 p.m. ET on Friday, May 23, according to the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association. According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Memorial Day is the "nation's foremost annual day to mourn and honor its deceased service men and women." The holiday commemorates those who have died while serving in the U.S. military. After shuttering for Memorial Day, it will be business as usual on Wall Street until mid-June. The next scheduled stock market closure is on Thursday, June 19 in observance of Juneteenth. Memorial Day: Traveling during Memorial Day weekend? Maps show where traffic could be the worst United States stock market 2025 holiday schedule Markets will be closed for the following holidays: Memorial Day: Monday, May 26 Monday, May 26 Juneteenth: Thursday, June 19 Thursday, June 19 Independence Day: Friday, July 4 Friday, July 4 Labor Day: Monday, Sept. 1 Monday, Sept. 1 Thanksgiving: Thursday, Nov. 27 Thursday, Nov. 27 Christmas: Thursday, Dec. 25 Gabe Hauari is a national trending news reporter at USA TODAY. You can follow him on X @GabeHauari or email him at Gdhauari@
CBS News
23-05-2025
- General
- CBS News
Why the Army feels safe resuming use of horse-drawn funeral carriages at Arlington National Cemetery
Arlington, Virginia — Soldiers of the U.S. Army's Old Guard are taking on intensive drills as they prepare to resume next month their sacred and solemn duty of using horse-drawn caissons, or carriages, for servicemembers being laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery. These horse-drawn funerals were suspended by the Army in May 2023 following the deaths of two of the horses within a 96-hour period back in February 2022, prompting an Army investigation. As CBS News previously reported, other horses pulling the caissons were also suffering painful muscle and tendon injuries. At the time, the Army said that 27 Arlington horses were sent to multiple rehabilitation facilities, and the horses were replaced with hearses. The horses were performing up to eight funerals a day, in all weather, and pulling wagons that weighed more than a ton. Most of those horses are retired now, replaced by dozens of new ones. But Army commanders knew they needed professional help to bring the caissons back. So, they called in equestrian David O'Connor, an Olympic gold medalist with the U.S. Equestrian Federation. "The commanding general gets up there and he goes, 'OK, I would like for all of you guys to realize that we do not know what we're talking about,'" O'Connor recounted to CBS News. "I thought it was the greatest opening line I've ever heard. That humility was surprising to me: 'We're in serious trouble. We need to really look at this whole thing.'" According to Lt. Col. Jason Crawford, a veterinarian and the new commander of the Caisson Detachment, much of the issue centered around education. "Once we brought the right experts in, I think everyone then starts having the aha moment," Crawford said. "Like, we didn't know the horses were kind of working too much." Starting in June, two squads of 11 horses will perform two services a day for a total of about 10 funerals per week. Before the pause, some of the horses were working 45 days straight when they were supposed to get two weeks rest after 14 days of work. And it isn't just the welfare of the animals that is a focus, but the equipment. The old caisson weighed about 2,600 pounds. The new one is more than 1,000 pounds lighter. There has also been extensive training for unit personnel. Staff Sgt. Isaac Melton, a squad leader, told CBS News he didn't grow up riding horses, and says the first time he even came in contact with one was when he began training 15 months ago. He says that training has averaged about "eight to 10 hours a day." Melton says "perfection" will be going through his mind on day one of the program's return. Sgt. Daimien Copeland was part of the program before it was suspended. "Something inside your chest, let's you just feel — you're proud, you're nervous, you're excited," Copeland said of his feelings of resuming horse-drawn caissons. "You know, you're honored to be able to be the one that's saying, 'I'm helping bring this back to the cemetery to those service members and their families.'" Charlie D'Agata Charlie D'Agata is CBS News' senior national security correspondent. He was previously a senior foreign correspondent and has spent more than two decades covering international news for CBS. contributed to this report.
Los Angeles Times
22-05-2025
- Los Angeles Times
Laguna Beach police honor fallen officer with wreath-laying at Arlington
The Laguna Beach Police Department stepped onto hallowed ground to remember one of its own, as several of its members participated in a wreath-laying ceremony for a fallen officer at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Motor Officer Jon Coutchie, whose end of watch was Sept. 21, 2013, was recognized during the ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery. Prior to joining the department, Coutchie served as a U.S. Army Ranger and had four combat tours of duty in Afghanistan and Iraq. Public safety personnel had descended upon the nation's capital for Police Week. The recognition event took place on May 11, Laguna Beach Police Lt. Jason Farris said. Laguna Beach Police Chief Jeff Calvert and the department's honor guard were led by the Old Guard, which has kept watch over the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier every hour of every day since April 6, 1948. 'Of the four people that went out and presented the wreath, all four of us knew Jon professionally and personally,' Farris said in a phone interview Wednesday. 'We hold his memory close to us. We were a part of his patrol days, and we were a part of his memorial in every event. To each one of us, between the chief, Sgt. [Darrel] Short, Cpl. [Abe] Ocampo and myself, we all felt it was just a special event.' Farris said that Coutchie had been part of the honor guard that was established approximately six months before his death in the line of duty. There were five members of the honor guard at the time. The LBPD has sent at least two officers to Washington, D.C. during Police Week to participate in a memorial ceremony annually to represent its two fallen officers — Coutchie and Gordon French. The latter's end of watch was Feb. 13, 1953. 'What happens is an officer will pass, and then [their] agency, if they can, will send people to D.C. to be a part of the memorial ceremony,' Farris said. 'Ever since then, we've sent honor guard members, and other members of the department have gone. We've gone every year since Jon passed.' The wreath was laid out in the presence of Coutchie's family, friends and fellow officers, according to a news release. 'This moment is not only about remembering Officer Coutchie,' Calvert said in a statement. 'It is about recognizing the unbreakable bond shared by all who dedicate their lives to protecting others. We will never forget his courage, integrity and sacrifice.'
