Why Is He Famous?
Shashi Tharoor is prolific writer and UN Diplomat. Shashi has been with
the UN since 1978 when he joined the UN High Commission for Refugees
(UNHCR) in Geneva. Shashi Tharoor served the UN in various capacities
before assuming the office of the Under-Secretary-General for
Communications and Public Information of the United Nations in 2001. In
this capacity, he is responsible for the communication strategy,
enhancing the image and effectiveness of the UN. In 2003, the
Secretary-General appointed him United Nations Coordinator for
Multilingualism.
As a journalist, Tharoor has written many articles, short stories,
literary reviews and commentaries. Shashi Tharoor has explored the
diversity of the Indian culture. He is the winner of several journalism
and literary awards, including Commonwealth Writers' prize. He was named
the Global Leader of Tomorrow by the World Economic forum in Davos. Mr.
Tharoor is also the author of several books, including 'Reasons of
State' (1982), 'The Great Indian Novel (1989)', 'The Five-Dollar Smile &
Other Stories' (1990), 'Show Business' (1992) 'India: From Midnight to
the Millennium' (1997), 'Riot. A Love Story'(2001) and 'Nehru, the
Invention of India'.
Background
Shashi Tharoor, was born in London in 1956. His father was a newspaper
executive and mother a housewife. His family has roots in Palakkad,
Kerala, India. Tharoor had most oh his schooling and under graduation in
Mumbai (Bombay), Kolkata(Calcutta) and Delhi. He completed his honors
degree in History from the prestigious St. Stephen's College, Delhi and
won a scholarship to Tufts University, Boston. In the mid 1970's, Shashi
went to the United States and acquired two master's degrees and a Ph.D.
in Diplomacy from the Fletcher School of Law & Diplomacy at Tufts
University. When he completed his education he was just 22 years old! He
was married to the journalist wife, Tillotma and has twin sons, Ishaan
and Kanishk. It is remarkable that despite being out of India from such
an early age, Tharoor retains a strong attachment to his Indian roots.
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