Would like to edit a newspaper, write a book: P Chidambaram

DAVOS: Having proved his mettle as a lawyer and as a politician, P Chidambaram would like to try his hand at teaching, writing and even editing a big newspaper!

Speaking at the World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting here today, Finance Minister Chidambaram said, "I hope I get to edit a paper like yours," sending the audience into peals of laughter.

Chidambaram was asked by Financial Times Editor Lionel Barber on what he would he like to do beyond politics.

"Besides, I would like to try my hand at teaching and writing," he said.

Chidambaram said he was not interested in an autobiography as he found it too narcissist. "I want to write about things that I am passionate about," he stated, adding that his diary contained only engagements.

"We did put together a book of my columns, but it remains to be seen what kind of book I want to write now," Chidambaram, also a senior Congress leader, said.

On a lighter note, he also asked Barber, who was moderating the session, whether there was a position for a visiting editor at Financial Times.

When asked why he chose politics and not any other profession, Chidambaram said he chose law as a profession and began practising as a lawyer.

"But when Congress party split and Indira Gandhi appealed to the youth to join politics, I got attracted to the call and joined youth wing of her party," he said.

Even after joining politics, I continued my law practice for many years, Chidambaram said.

Listing out the capabilities that a Minister needs to have, Chidambaram said the first thing to do is to enjoy the confidence of his or her Prime Minister.

Then comes subject knowledge and the ability to work with different kinds of bureaucrats. In India, a Minister cannot get things done if he does not know how to get them done by bureaucrats, Chidambaram observed.

"Every elected government gets only five years and you have to get things done in this period," he said.