Thiruvananthapuram, Sep 1 (Inditop.com) For Minister of State for External Affairs Shashi Tharoor it will be his first Onam in Kerala, his home state. He is to celebrate the traditional Thiru Onam lunch Wednesday at an orphanage here.

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a function here Tuesday, Tharoor said this is going to be his first Onam in Kerala. As a student, he always celebrated the harvest festival either in Mumbai, Delhi or Kolkata, where he was studying at different times.

Tharoor, 53, was born in London but has his roots in Palakkad. He did his schooling in Mumbai and Kolkata and secured a Bachelor of Arts degree in history from St. Stephen’s College, Delhi, and completed a PhD at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University, Massachusetts.

“I am excited to be here and I am glad the state government has invited me as a guest to take part in the inaugural function of its Onam celebrations,” said Tharoor.

The former Under Secretary General at the United Nations won from the Thiruvananthapuram Lok Sabha constituency in the April-May Lok Sabha polls by a record margin.

“I will be having the Thiru Onam lunch at an orphanage and holding an Iftar party in the evening also at an orphange. I wish to be in the midst of those who do not have anyone,” said Tharoor.