Tharoor a multi-faceted personality: Vice president

Minister of State for Human Resource Development Shashi Tharoor is a multi-faceted personality who has excelled in his various avatars, Vice President Hamid Ansari said here Tuesday.

He was speaking after presenting the first Sree Narayana Guru Global Secular and Peace Award to Tharoor.

"He is a cerebral scholar, prolific writer, a brilliant orator and an international civil servant of repute," said Ansari.

"The purpose of today's award, I understand, is to honour an eminent public personality who has made important contribution towards building a secular and democratic society as envisaged by Sree Narayana Guru, the great social reformer, who transformed the social fabric of Kerala by teaching unity and equality of all human beings, irrespective of caste, creed or religion," he added.

Ansari arrived in the state capital earlier in the day on a two-day visit to attend a few programmes. He will return to Delhi Wednesday evening.

Kerala Governor Nikhil Kumar, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy and other political leaders received him at the airport.