FLO Kolkata, under the leadership of Chairperson Nidhi Jhunjhunwala, hosted “The Tête-à-Tea with the Tharoors” session, in association with Prabha Khaitan Foundation. It was a resounding success, drawing an impressive crowd of 650 attendees. The event offered a rare, intimate glimpse into the lives of Shashi Tharoor and his sisters, Shobha and Smita.
Their chemistry was palpable as they shared childhood anecdotes—ranging from Shashi’s early ” bullying “ to their collective transition into professional life—demonstrating a family bond that has remained unbreakable despite decades of global careers and public scrutiny. Moderated by Nishtha Gautam, the conversation beautifully balanced these warm personal reflections with heavy-hitting social discourse.
A central pillar of the discussion was Tharoor’s passionate advocacy for the criminalization of marital rape. He spoke extensively about his recent legislative efforts to remove the legal exception that protects husbands, arguing that marriage should never be a license for violence. Tharoor emphasized that India must evolve toward a standard where only yes means yes, asserting that bodily autonomy is a fundamental right that does not vanish at the altar.
The evening, which combined high-level policy debate with a touching musical tribute to his sisters, left the large audience both educated on the complexities of Indian law and inspired by the Tharoor family’s enduring mutual respect.