Diplomatic Indian to Indian Diplomat....

Sir,

: an unsuccessful ending to a struggle or contest
: get the better of
: win a victory over.

The word that best suits the above description is most unpalatable, at all times. Even the very greatest of men have not mastered the art of handling it. This, I presume is because they have not yet been able to master the feeling that accompanies an experience of being thwarted in attaining their goals. But I beg to differ, especially after an article in a leading newspaper where I have witnessed an unprecedented incident; an incident that has forever changed the way at least I will look at it.

This is to extrapolate the effects of your so called "defeat" in the recent race for the coveted position of the UN Secretary General.

I'm a 22 year old typical member of the popular second generation 'Mallu Diaspora', from Hyderabad who refuses to have anything in common with God's own country apart from its natal connexion. Until my most recent visit to the place in question I have invariably detested the very name of the place and its people (kith, kin and everybody in between), simply because of its knowledge-proof, change-proof and snobbish character. But today I declare that there are two reasons that fill me with immense pride to call myself a Malayali. Those reasons are popularly known as "Shashi Tharoor" and "Mohanlal". My tryst with your genius was in a television interview, in which you provided a breathtakingly convincing analogy of Kerala and the United States of America with respect to demographic indicators. The grand finale was the proposition that the Indian minion had equaled the superpower at a quarter of the latters' expense. As a result I've a new found respect for my native and wish to spread the word among my brethren.

Today a well informed colleague whom I share cubicle space with, has dreams of watching his daughter make her "career in Diplomacy "(I deserve a Nobel for introducing another oxymoronic phrase in to the lexicon with conviction). Every time she demonstrates a shade of her so called genius (from understanding limericks to recognizing you in a newspaper); he believes she's taking a leap in the right direction. And by the way she's ten.

We are thankful beyond words for your "defeat", for it has awakened a generation that awaits its turn to emulate your feat with exponential vigour.

Do not consider this an ill timed panegyric or an attempt to assuage the pain of defeat. My aim was only to demonstrate the far spread effect you've had on the lives of Indians who by the way are starved for an intellectual icon for ages. But, now that we have you, that problem seems to have been removed.

I have taken a vow not to edit or look back at the sentences I have written, in order to preserve the purpose of unadulterated appreciation, which I believe you are an opulent recipient of. So kindly be benevolent enough to overlook any lacunae (from grammar to feeling)

"Honour and shame from no condition rise;
Act well your part, there all the honour lies."

Thanks for showing us the honourable way....

Regards,

A proud Indian.


My moment of reckoning follows......