Shashi Tharoor, born on March 9, 1956, in London, is an Indian politician, author, and former diplomat who is known for his eloquence and intellectual depth. He has been a Member of Parliament (MP) representing the Thiruvananthapuram constituency in Kerala since 2009, as a member of the Indian National Congress (INC). Before entering Indian politics, Tharoor served in the United Nations for nearly 29 years, rising to the position of Under-Secretary-General for Communications and Public Information.

As a politician, Tharoor has focused on issues such as education, foreign policy, governance, and social welfare. He has also been a strong advocate for India’s cultural heritage and economic development. Tharoor has authored several books, both fiction and non-fiction, covering topics ranging from Indian history and politics to global diplomacy and personal reflections. Notable works include The Great Indian Novel, Why I Am a Hindu, and Inglorious Empire, which critiques British colonial rule in India.

In June 2018, BOOM fact-checked a round-up titled "Fake Einstein Letter and Other News You Almost Believed," which highlighted a moment involving Tharoor that was labeled as his "webaqoof moment."

BOOM found out that the incident was part of a broader roundup, which included Times of India publishing a fake story. The fact-check helped clarify the misinformation and contextualize the situation related to Tharoor’s comments.