Shashi Tharoor Defends Use of “Memorable” in Relief Work Post Amidst Criticism

GG News Bureau
Wayanad, 5th August. Congress leader Shashi Tharoor responded to criticism over his use of the word “memorable” in a social media post about his participation in relief efforts for landslide victims in Wayanad, Kerala. The controversy erupted after Tharoor shared a video montage on X (formerly Twitter) with the caption, “Some memories of a memorable day in Wayanad.”

Critics on social media took issue with Tharoor’s choice of the word “memorable,” accusing him of insensitivity in the context of the disaster. In response, Tharoor posted late Friday, “For all the trolls: definition of ‘memorable’: Something that is memorable is worth remembering or likely to be remembered, because it is special or unforgettable. That’s all I meant,” he clarified.

The landslides in Wayanad, which have resulted in significant loss of life and property, continued to be a major concern. As of Saturday, rescue teams were utilizing advanced radars, drones, and heavy machinery to locate survivors and deceased victims.

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan reported that search and rescue operations were nearing completion, but 206 people remained missing. “Till now, 215 bodies have been recovered, of which 87 are women, 98 are men, and 30 are children. As many as 148 bodies have been handed over so far. There are 206 people missing. 81 people are injured and are under treatment in various hospitals,” Vijayan said.