India's nominee for United nations Secretary General Shashi Tharoor Wednesday called on former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee to seek his 'blessings' for the battle ahead.

Emerging from his half an hour meeting with Vajpayee at his residence, Tharoor said that he had received blessings for a successful campaign for election to the world body. ''It was an excellent meeting. I have been meeting him every year at the UN, though it has been three years since we last met. I am pleased to find him in good health,'' the aspirant for the UN's top job told newspersons.

The two spoke about host of issues, national endeavours and their common interest -- writing. Vajpayee, who is known for his flair for writing poetry in Hindi, confided to Tharoor, an internationally acclaimed novelist, that he was writing his memoirs, that too in English, when the latter urged him to come out with a new set of poems.

When a newsperson wanted a reconfirmation if indeed Vajpayee was writing his memoirs in English or Hindi, Tharoor said ''Yes, he wants to write in English, probably to reach a wider readership.'' Tharoor, who is winding up his three day visit of his home country in support of his candidature, termed his visit as ''extremely successful'' during which he was able to meet a cross section of political leaders ranging from the left to right, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh [Images] and other senior officials.

''I have a full day of engagements with political party leaders and officials and media interviews and have no time left for even lunch, but I am ready to take on the hard work that lies ahead,'' Tharoor said.