Tharoor no ordinary politician

10 June 2009

Ishaan Tharoor even now looks at India's new Minister of State for External affairs through the eyes of a five-year-old. Ishaan is in Hongkong, his twin brother Kanisk Tharoor is in London, and his father Shashi Tharoor spends most of his time on airplanes. The physical distances are a reality but the Tharoor family stays close through emails and phone calls. Here Ishaan shares his thoughts with Manorama Online on Shashi Tharoor the father and Shashi Tharoor, the newly appointed External Affairs minister.

How do you see this new role for Shashi Tharoor?

We are all happy and proud. His successfull entry into politics is a matter of pride not just for the Tharoor family, but the whole of India.

Shashi Tharoor is some one who is always on the move. How do you keep in touch?

It;s true that he's busy, but he always finds time for us. We are thousands of miles apart. I'm in Hongkong, Kanishk is in London. And dad spends most of his time flying. It's the emails that helps us to stay close. We exchange mails every day. He's quick to give feedback after reading our articles. And while in New York where we go twice every year, we used to stay with him. If we get a chance we always try to meet up. I could stay with dad when I came to India to report on the aftermath of the Mumbai attack.

How do you rate Shashi Tharoor as a father?

It's very tough to find someone who loves children so much. He found time to play cricket with us even when he was deeply involved in issues like Bosnia. While having breakfast he would quiz us about the world capitals, which sparked in us the interests in history and helped our careers. He always found happiness in small things we achieved.

Tell us about your mother Thilothama?

She's a professor of humanities in the New York University. We always get together in New York. For us it's a spot filled with love and mouthwatering food and stacked with books. Christa (current wife of Shashi Tharoor) loves him ver much. And we are happy for it.

Did you see the swearing-in ceremony?

Being in Hongkong, I couldn't watch it in TV. But I did watch him swearing-in through Internet.

When are you going to visit your father's constituency?

It's a realy busy year. But I plan to visit Thiruvananthapuram by the end of this year.

What do you think should be the priority for Shashi Tharoor?

I think the project for Vizhinjam port tops the list. He has a lot of dreams about his constituency. He's not like other politicians. His thoughts, principles and actions that match his words make him different. I think he will dedicate himself for India, the way he dedicated himself to the United Nations for 30 years. Perhaps, he might be the most widely read MP in the Indian Parliament. He might be inexperienced when it comes to politics. But his eruditeness and contact with world leaders will help him bridge the gap.