Shashi Tharoor has lived overseas for most of his life. A United Nations (UN) diplomat turned Indian politician, Tharoor was UN undersecretary-general for communications and public information under former Secretary-General Kofi Annan.

A familiar face in New York's intellectual and glamorous circles, the news of Shashi Tharoor's resignation was in newspapers across the US.

A late entrant into politics, Shashi Tharoor spent almost three decades at the UN. In 2006, he was even considered for the post of United Nations Secretary General.

"Shashi for a lot of us was the Wunderkind at the UN. Particularly as a South Asian he was someone whose career we all hoped to emulate. He blazed a path through the organization and we looked up to him. I certainly still look up to him and hope that he bounces back," said Ali Ahsan, former colleague at the UN.

A prolific author, columnist, and human rights advocate, the former high-level UN diplomat was a prominent and flamboyant figure in New York circles.

"Shashi is erudite, intelligent, knowledgeable and ethical. I really want to stress that. He was a career diplomat and he always represented India in the best light possible. In fact, when he came to any of our events - he was on our board of directors-he was always dressed in Indian garb to show his Indianness," said Aroon Shivdasani, Executive Director, Indo-American Arts Council.

The writer's fraternity too is speaking out in support of one of India's best-selling novelist.

"A man who wants to make money does not leave New York for New Delhi. It is the other way round. So, from what I gather of the allegations against him it is only guilt by association," said Suketu Mehta, Author, 'Maximum City'.