One English summer a 13-year-old Shashi Tharoor decided he was going to read a book a day for a year. He did. But his pride in his achievement was diminished by a precocious realisation. “Half my childhood was spent saddened with the knowledge that there were so many more books still left to read,” says Tharoor. Now at 55, Shashi must sneak a book in the slivers of his time that lies divided between his political responsibilities and the new domestic front. He is also working on a book on Indian foreign policy for the intelligent Indian.
With refreshing and unusual candour, the Twitteroor as he was dubbed talks about balancing professional and personal life. “I’m trying hard to structure my life and working to meet the demands of my constituency.” Shashi and Sunanda, who tied the knot late last year have struck a deal of having seven short honeymoons to combat the hectic schedules. Shashi laughs as he confides, “Sunanda has accepted this bargain. Although, according to her only five trips qualify so far.”
The celebrity politician has barely spent more than three days in one place since the start of this year and says wryly, “My wife would never be able to see me if she didn’t travel with me. I’m very grateful that she understands my political demands and cares about issues.”
He is bemused by his latest title — Sexiest Vegetarian, and feigns ignorance about the details. “Oh! I thought it was hottest vegetarian! I’ve been a vegetarian ever since I was old enough to know what I was eating.” The wife however swears by non-vegetarian food. Shashi says, “She tells me that her doctor warned her that her stomach walls may collapse if she gave up non-vegetarian. For my sake however, she turns vegetarian on Mondays.”
Suave, savvy and with a sound knowledge of Bollywood, Shashi has been approached to play himself in numerous Malayalam films but the politician says he barely has the time to watch films, let alone act in them. “I watch very few movies and that too mostly aboard a plane,” he laughs.
His writing over the years has sobered down. “I did not want to be typecast and wanted to show each time that I was capable of a different depth.” Shashi speaks with humour and detachment about his Twitter controversies, “There was nothing wrong with what I said. Most English speaking Indians understood what I meant. ‘Cattle Class’ is a very banal expression. I found that I was wilfully distorted and a favoured target. The brouhaha was sobering and definitely a learning experience.
The minister acknowledges that he is new to the political ball game. “The disadvantage of not having a political pedigree is obvious to me. I am a novice, but I am learning,” he says quietly.
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eccan Chronicle