Tharoor to decide soon about staying on at UN

United Nations Under Secretary General Shashi Tharoor said on Friday that he would decide on continuing in the post in January after Ban Ki-Moon takes over as new chief of the organisation.

"If he (Ban) feels that there is an honourable role for me, then I will continue for another period. Or if there is no meeting of minds, I will leave and continue to support UN from outside," Tharoor told a meet-the-press programme.

Tharoor, who is on a week-long private visit to his home state of Kerala, said he is a passionate advocate of freedom of expression.

In many countries, the freedom was either abridged or curtailed.

"We have to preserve, defend and fight for freedom of the people as development is not possible without freedom. Development is not all about GNP tables," he said.

Stating that he wanted to make a solid contribution to the country of his origin, Tharoor said it was too late for him to emerge as a politician from the grassroots - "I am trying to do it through my writings."

Tharoor said he was planning to write a novel based on the heritage of Kerala and his childhood environs. "I think it is time for me to write the first novel by looking back at my own heritage and ancestry," he said.

Tharoor said writing was an opportunity for recharging his batteries from work, which was very demanding.