S Asian nations must show vision: Tharoor

"We can make our future by working together with more cooperation," says the former UN Under Secy General.

Former United Nations Under Secretary General Shashi Tharoor has urged leaders of S Asian nations to show courage, vision and political will that transcends all narrow considerations and populism to banish poverty from the region.

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History cannot be changed, he said, referring to partition of India in 1947. "But we can make our future by working together with increased cooperation and understanding."

He was speaking at a glittering function organised by Organisation of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO) International and a dozen other Indo-American organisations to facilitate him for his services to the world, including peacekeeping, as international civil servant.

GOPIO Chairman Thomas Abraham, introduced Tharoor as a 'great son of India', and joined GOPIO Academic Council Chairman Jagat Motwani in presenting a plaque of appreciation for his 'great contributions and achievements'.

Abraham said Tharoor was being felicitated for his service to the UN and India in the last three decades. "I am honoured to be a member of GOPIO with its 35,000 members around the world, representing nearly 25 million Indian diaspora spread across the globe," Tharoor said, adding GOPIO must represent all social, political, religious and economic groups.