Whenever we think of Shashi Tharoor, we are immediately reminded of his exemplary speeches. The member of Parliament for Thiruvananthapuram has left us scratching our heads with his ‘not so regular’ exotic vocabulary and there is indeed lots to learn from this politician. Probably he reads dictionaries more often than we think, right? Well, if that is what you think, let me tell you what has lead to this author of 18 books becoming the most sought after orator in the country.
It appears, the Congress MP was at a college event when a student asked him to give them a word of the day from his vocabulary, reports IE. The former diplomat was quick to respond to the pupil’s question. He took to social media to share his response and that’s a lesson all of us should learn.
My reply to a student who asked me to give him a new word in view of my reputation as a fount of exotic vocabulary: pic.twitter.com/I6mr9DOX6m
— Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) November 11, 2019
In the video Shashi says:
“I’ll give you a very simple and very old word. Read. That’s the only way I acquired my vocabulary. People think that I am some sort of nut case who studies the dictionary all day long. I have barely opened a dictionary in my life, but I have read extensively. And if you read widely, you read extensively and you come across the same word in their different contexts, in three different books, you will understand the meaning and the usage very quickly.”
He went on to say:
“The reason I was like that is, of course, I had some advantages over all of you. I have lived in an India without television, without computers, without Nintendo, without PlayStation, without mobile phones. And I was an asthmatic child so I was very often confined to bed unable to breathe.
“All I had was books, books were my escape, books were my education. And because I read and I read above my age-level, anything I get my hands on. I developed the kind of mind that God has now blessed me with and I acquired the vocabulary that comes with it. So my only advice to all of you is read, read and read.”
“The more you read the better your vocabulary will be,” Tharoor adds.
People were impressed by his advice:
I agree. Having seen you in person and your interactions with children in person , you do stress the importance of studying and of course reading. Only if people can work on that advice.
— viswhar (@viswhar) November 12, 2019
Read read read……its a Mantra for everyone who want to learn.
— Irshad#StayHome (@irshad3100) November 11, 2019
Good one! Respect your Knowledge
— Siddarth Pai (@siddarthpaim) November 12, 2019
So true Shashi reading has so many benefits. Only a person who reads would know the magic of reading.While reading a book its almost like we are also part of what's happening in the book.Books are friends for life.But nowadays its so difficult with social media and its usage.
— Akhila Khan (@AkhilaAKhan) November 12, 2019
I'm truly inspired by you Sir. My son is your huge fan.
— Bhim Raju (@BhimRaju) November 11, 2019
Can only agree with you, sir. As one of the quotes attributed to Mark Twain goes, “The man who doesn’t read good books has no advantage over the man well can’t read them”.
— Nakul Shenoy (@NakulShenoy) November 12, 2019
He speaks so flawlessly and inspire us to transform .
A trademark of well read person, he won't tell u a complex way to learn simple things, he'll give u simple way to learn the complex things.
🙌👏— Rishabh Upadhyay (@Ru7494) November 11, 2019
Great advice! Salute your skill in appropriate placing of words that are not commonly in vogue, despite reference to dictionary! Reading is a joy, vocation and if supported by the skills you possess, becomes the road to SUCCESS!
— RAMESH (@ramrithu) November 12, 2019
Appreciate Shashi Tharoor ji !
You echoed my Father …
Read Read Read …
Write words from Dictionary to improve spelling, hand writing and vocabulary
Read any book apart from magazine and newspaper— संजय शर्मा (@sharma__sanjay) November 11, 2019
Well, there’s some solid advice from the expert himself.