Rediff On The NeT: Transcript of the Shashi Tharoor Chat


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The Shashi Tharoor Chat

Dot on time, Shashi Tharoor logged on from the Cyber Cafe at the Maurya Sheraton hotel, New Delhi. And for the next hour proceeded to hold the hotel staff -- used as they are to the repertoire of impressive personalities who appear on the Rediff Chat -- and our online guests spellbound with his wit, quick-fix answers and versatility.

Tharoor -- who apart from being a very fine novelist and one of the most brilliant minds of our time is also special assistant to the United Nations secretary general -- chatted with a rare passion, answering our regulars promptly and humorously... even as he kept up a running commentary in Malayalam with special correspondent George Iype. For a man moving from one global trouble spot to another, his keeping in touch with his roots is sure enchanting.

Beetha (Wed Apr 9 20:33:34 1997 IST):

Helloo!!!!!!!!!!! Isn't Mr Taroor here yet?

Prabir Barua (Wed Apr 9 20:36:58 1997 IST):

Is the chat over ?

Beetha (Wed Apr 9 20:36:59 1997 IST):

Mr Taroor, fellow Mallu, favourite author, honoured diplomat aren't you here yet? Isn't the rest of the gang here yet, for that matter?

ravi (Wed Apr 9 20:37:00 1997 IST):

Finally got here ? Did anyone else have trouble getting in ?

ravi (Wed Apr 9 20:38:03 1997 IST):

Alright what's up ? Where is Mr Tharoor ?

Beetha (Wed Apr 9 20:38:12 1997 IST):

Hi Ravi, I recognise the name... How are you this very fine night?

Emil Zola (Wed Apr 9 20:38:37 1997 IST):

Hello everyone.

Emil Zola (Wed Apr 9 20:39:05 1997 IST):

The chat should begin in 25 minutes I presume!!! hmm hello fellow chatters

Emil Zola (Wed Apr 9 20:39:30 1997 IST):

Hello Beeta, Barua and Ravi

ranj (Wed Apr 9 20:39:46 1997 IST):

hi there is mr. Tharor in or not

ravi (Wed Apr 9 20:39:52 1997 IST):

Well, Beetha, very well thank you. It's morning here. am in the States. where are you hooked up from?

Beetha (Wed Apr 9 20:39:52 1997 IST):

Hmmmm yourself, Emil

Emil Zola (Wed Apr 9 20:40:42 1997 IST):

Beetha you are like Beezelbub

ravi (Wed Apr 9 20:40:54 1997 IST):

Hello everybody how many of you have read his book ? Great Indian Novel ?

ranj (Wed Apr 9 20:41:10 1997 IST):

Ravi, I had a problem getting in what was ur problem

Beetha (Wed Apr 9 20:42:01 1997 IST):

Emil: who's that unpronouncable B-name you mentioned?

Emil Zola (Wed Apr 9 20:42:07 1997 IST):

Hi, Ranj aren't you from Bangalore??:-)

ranj (Wed Apr 9 20:42:36 1997 IST):

ravi I have not read the book. Have u? How is it

Emil Zola (Wed Apr 9 20:43:32 1997 IST):

Ranj, the book is great--- it is indeed the great Indian novel

ranj (Wed Apr 9 20:44:13 1997 IST):

hi, emil zola How did u know I was from Bangalore? where are u from?

Beetha (Wed Apr 9 20:44:19 1997 IST):

I have a great confession to make -- me too haven't read his book! But I have heard a lot about it from my friend Nikki-baby

ranj (Wed Apr 9 20:45:43 1997 IST):

emil zola are u in the states or from elsewhere? nice meeting u

Emil Zola (Wed Apr 9 20:46:36 1997 IST):

Ranj> I was sitting next to you when you logged in as Ranj in the chat room and everyone thought that you were a guy:-)....... and if you remember me then shhhhhhh this is a secret between us okay:-)

Beetha (Wed Apr 9 20:47:19 1997 IST):

Isn't my fellow Mallu, favourite author, honoured diplomat never gonna come....? Rediff, rediff what's happening?

Emil Zola (Wed Apr 9 20:47:27 1997 IST):

Ranj nice meeting you too. So how come you are participating in one of the Rediff Guest Chat--though I'm sure you'll have fun:-)

ranj (Wed Apr 9 20:47:52 1997 IST):

emil zola u did not reply to my quetion. how did u know I was from Bangalore... a wild guess?

Emil Zola (Wed Apr 9 20:48:11 1997 IST):

Beetha, if you notice your fellow Malu is supposed to arrive at 9:00 and right now if you notice the time in the chat room is only 8:49

ravi (Wed Apr 9 20:48:43 1997 IST):

I read the book, for all you people there is a critical review of the book here Review

Prem (Wed Apr 9 20:48:47 1997 IST):

Beetha>> Hey, pal, take it easy, still 15 minutes to kickoff.:}}

Emil Zola (Wed Apr 9 20:48:49 1997 IST):

Ranj, I did answer your question. just jog your memory and no I'm not the surd:-)

Beetha (Wed Apr 9 20:49:25 1997 IST):

Thanks prem. By the way are you the same prem who does the crick commentary?

ranj (Wed Apr 9 20:51:18 1997 IST):

emil zola Now that u know i am a not a guy, it is short for my name since i had problem gettin in . &sorry do not remember u

Beetha (Wed Apr 9 20:51:43 1997 IST):

Prem, prem you haven't answered me! If so, then pls understand that I am one of your everdying, er, neverdying fans! Are you?

Prem (Wed Apr 9 20:52:27 1997 IST):

Beetha>> I do cricket commentary, yes. :}}}

aninda mitra (Wed Apr 9 20:54:11 1997 IST):

what time is it in India?

Reader (Wed Apr 9 20:54:47 1997 IST):

Hi, everyone. Hi, Emil Zola

Beetha (Wed Apr 9 20:55:07 1997 IST):

Goooooooooooooooosssssh!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This sure is my day! I have heard a lot about you. From a couple of my friends who are always on the net!!! can I have your email?

Reader (Wed Apr 9 20:55:15 1997 IST):

Hello Mr Aninda

aninda mitra (Wed Apr 9 20:55:18 1997 IST):

aaahhh, I see it... never mind

aninda mitra (Wed Apr 9 20:56:53 1997 IST):

Hi all!

Reader (Wed Apr 9 20:57:09 1997 IST):

Hi Ranj

ranj (Wed Apr 9 20:57:58 1997 IST):

emil zola Now that u know i am a not a guy it is short for my name since i had problem gettin in .&sorry do not remember u

ranj (Wed Apr 9 20:58:01 1997 IST):

emil zola u did not reply my quetion, how did u know I was from Bangalore or a wild guess

Emil Zola (Wed Apr 9 20:59:15 1997 IST):

Ranj, I was just giving you time to remember me which you obviosly don't and no it was not a wild guess your name ends with T

aninda mitra (Wed Apr 9 21:00:24 1997 IST):

Hmmmmm... awfully quiet here, is everybody eagerly awaiting Thaoorji?

ranj (Wed Apr 9 21:00:26 1997 IST):

hi reader u from India or somewhere else

Beetha (Wed Apr 9 21:01:14 1997 IST):

ISN'T IT NINE YET.............???????

Karna (Wed Apr 9 21:02:13 1997 IST):

Hi Ranj, hey I'm in India so where are you from. What do you think about the great Indian novel? I really laughed at times at the parody though in some ways it was quite moving especially the jallianwallah massacre scene

ranj (Wed Apr 9 21:02:37 1997 IST):

emizola nice of u to remember me. but I still cannot place u. so tell me

Karna (Wed Apr 9 21:03:58 1997 IST):

Hi Mr Tharoor

Beetha (Wed Apr 9 21:04:18 1997 IST):

HELLOOO TAROORJI! WELCOME! I AM SIMPLY DYING TO CHAT TO YOU.

Cheers! (Wed Apr 9 21:04:32 1997 IST):

so what do u call an intellegent surd?

aninda mitra (Wed Apr 9 21:04:34 1997 IST):

where's ST?

ranj (Wed Apr 9 21:04:45 1997 IST):

hi karna sorry have not read the book, nice to know somebody from india so what time it is there

Cheers! (Wed Apr 9 21:05:13 1997 IST):

ABSURD!!!

Karna (Wed Apr 9 21:05:47 1997 IST):

Ranj its 9:05

SHASHI THAROOR (Wed Apr 9 21:05:57 1997 IST):

EVERYONE: Hello everyone, good to be here. I am ready for your questions...

Beetha (Wed Apr 9 21:06:11 1997 IST):

Heck, isn't he here yet? I saw his name on the who's on?

ranj (Wed Apr 9 21:06:22 1997 IST):

Hi prem is Mr tharoor in yet isn't it past 9 in India

*Prem (Wed Apr 9 21:06:55 1997 IST):

ranj>> Dr Tharoor is already in, shoot. :}}

aninda mitra (Wed Apr 9 21:07:10 1997 IST):

where's ST?

Cheers! (Wed Apr 9 21:07:39 1997 IST):

Karna: any new developments on the proposal of sending all Indian politicians to downtown Chicago. Come on guys get rid of these criminals.

Karna (Wed Apr 9 21:08:09 1997 IST):

Hi Mr Tharoor, Could you tell me what prompted The Great Indian Novel

ranj (Wed Apr 9 21:08:14 1997 IST):

hello Mr tharoor , I read that like me ur also a cricket fan do play the game too or just watch as I do

ravi (Wed Apr 9 21:08:21 1997 IST):

Mr. Tharoor , Its an honor talking to you .. Does India deserve a permanent seat on the security council ? Your opinion ..

Continued