NEW YORK, NEW YORK, September 18, 2006: Under Secretary-General for Communications and Public Information at the United Nations, Shashi Tharoor, is running for secretary general of this world body. If he wins, he would be the first practicing Hindu to lead the organization. In a straw pole taking of those who vote for the Secretary General, Tharoo came in second, with South Korean Foreign Minister Ban Ki Moon a strong first. However, a second straw pole due in a few days will indicate if any of the five permanent members of the security council might veto Moon. If there are no vetoes, Moon will likely be selected.
Tharoor says he hopes to bring change to the United Nations; quoting Mahatma Gandhi, he says, “You must be the change you wish to see in the world. What is true for individuals applies also to institutions. The U.N. is no exception. If we want to change the world, we must change too.” In a recent interview by Belief Net he was asked what he believed was the essence of Hinduism and how can a Hindu bring a different and unique perspective to one of the most powerful offices in the world. Mr. Tharoor responded, “I take pride in the openness, the diversity, the range, the lofty metaphysical aspirations of the Vedanta. I cherish the diversity, the lack of compulsion, and the richness of the various ways in which Hinduism is practiced eclectically. And I admire the civilizational heritage of tolerance that made Hindu societies open their arms to people of every other faith, to come and practice their beliefs in peace amidst Hindus. It is remarkable, for instance, that the only country on earth where the Jewish people have lived for centuries and never experienced a single episode of anti-Semitism is India. That is the Hinduism in which I gladly take pride. That is the essence of my faith, and that’s the perspective from which I would seek to serve in an office, which must belong equally to people of all faiths, beliefs and creeds around the world.” To read the complete interview, go to source above.