Trouble for Twittertharoor

Holy cow, what a row! (couldn't resist plagiarizing this retort from the Times of India editorial)

Well, have you ever wondered why so many Bollywood movies seem to associate so much “romanticism” with train travel whereas there is none associated with “flying.” (At least as far as I can recall) I recall this rather old movie called “Pyaar to Hona Hi tha” were Kajol who was the protagonist settled in America had to fly to India to meet her philandering partner but dreaded taking a flight but somehow managed to bear the journey .

My point here is pretty simple…Traveling by flight is indeed the fastest means of transport but traveling economy is rather uncomfortable, with its claustrophobic seating. It’s almost like we’re just thrust in all together, doesn’t that resonate with Tharoor’s “in cattle class out of solidarity with all our holy cows!” which has caused so much uproar.”

Shashi Tharoor sadly definitely seems to have realized the trouble of figurative language...

He has clarified further in his subsequent tweet, “it's a silly expression but means no disrespect to economy travelers, only to airlines for herding us in like cattle. Many have misunderstood”

I have been following Shashi Tharoor for a long time on my twitter account now. I enjoy reading his witty repertoire which in twitter terminology called tweets are characteristically layered with humor and pun.

The entire episode makes me wonder, is faking austerity over comfort now a new popular way to authenticate simplicity? Are politicians disallowed individuality? Is a politician connecting with his audience and his discretion in light punning deserve so much attention?

ShashiTharoor in his later post added “i now realize i shldnt assume people will appreciate humor. &u shouldn't give those who wld wilfully distort yr words an opportunity to do so” Do we really want to stay disconnected from our politicians?

In the end, his son Ishaan tharoor, seems to have sarcastically summarized the hullabaloo over a non issue pretty well in his post “: nice to see the uproar over the uproar #holycow, though i doubt those who ought to feel chastened by their pettiness will be”

Indeed, very apparent is the disconnect between the virtual and the world at large with his own party condemning his “deviant” ways.