It's a debate that's become the talking point of much adolescent fervour. 'Does Britain owe reparations to her former colonies over the damage caused?'

The reason for the excitement has been the performance of India's own Shashi Tharoor, who, a few months ago, dusted out his legendary St Stephen's College debating society skills to put up a rousing performance at the Oxford Union the debating society founded by members of Oxford University nearly 190 years ago in favour of the motion.