{
  "id": 8174985,
  "title": "‘Happens all the time alas’: Shashi Tharoor after user flags grammar goof up in PM Modi birthday wish",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/18/happens-all-the-time-alas-shashi-tharoor-after-user-flags-grammar",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-18T04:58:06.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Hindustan Times",
    "slug": "hindustan-times",
    "url": "https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/shashi-tharoor-responds-after-user-flags-grammar-goof-in-pm-modi-birthday-wish-101789703684493.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Congress leader Shashi Tharoor recently acknowledged a grammatical error in his birthday greeting to Prime Minister Narendra Modi after an X user pointed out the mistake. Tharoor had wished Modi \"in his 76th birthday\" instead of the correct phrase \"on his 76th birthday.\" The error quickly gained attention on social media, with one X user criticizing Tharoor for the wording. Tharoor, known for his mastery of the English language, responded to the criticism the following day. Upon being called out, he admitted, \"Yea ‘on’ his birthday became ‘in’. This happens all the time alas.\" This incident follows a previous criticism Tharoor received last month for using the word \"drama\" in a post about the flash floods in Nepal. Initially, Tharoor had written, \"Took off for Kathmandu yesterday, blissfully unaware of the drama that had taken place in the hills and caused such catastrophic damage.\" However, social media users questioned the appropriateness of the word \"drama\" given the severity of the situation. Tharoor later clarified that he used the term to describe a situation involving intensely clashing forces, but also admitted that the choice of words could be misinterpreted.",
  "summary": "The Congress leader, who is known for his command of the English language and use of complex vocabulary, responded to the criticism the following day.",
  "key_points": [
    "Congress leader Shashi Tharoor acknowledged grammatical error in birthday wish to PM Modi.",
    "X user pointed out 'in his 76th birthday' should be 'on his 76th birthday'.",
    "Tharoor admitted mistake, saying 'Happens all the time alas'."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}