Mark Tully, the BBC correspondent long known as the 'voice of India,' has died in New Delhi at age 90 after a brief illness. He joined the BBC in 1965, became the broadcaster's New Delhi correspondent in 1971 and later led its South Asia bureau for more than two decades. Tully covered landmark events including the 1971 India-Pakistan war, the 1984 Golden Temple siege, the 1991 assassination of Rajiv Gandhi and the 1992 Babri mosque demolition. He was knighted in 2002 and awarded both the Padma Shri and the Padma Bhushan.
Mark Tully, BBC's 'Voice of India,' Dies at 90 — Revered Correspondent and South Asia Bureau Chief
FILE - Former BBC journalist in India Mark Tully, left, chats with a truck-driver at a highway teashop in Dankuni, 20 kilometers (13 miles) northwest of Calcutta, India, Monday, Feb. 18, 2002. (AP Photo/Nilayan Dutta,File)(ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Mark Tully, a veteran BBC correspondent widely known as the 'voice of India' for his decades of reporting on the subcontinent, has died. He was 90. The BBC said Tully died Sunday at a New Delhi hospital after a brief illness.
Born in Kolkata in 1935, Tully joined the BBC in 1965 and was appointed its New Delhi correspondent in 1971. He went on to lead the broadcaster's South Asia bureau for more than two decades, becoming one of the most recognizable international voices on Indian affairs.
Career and Coverage
Tully reported on many of the region's pivotal events, bringing context and calm authority to complex stories. His reporting included the 1971 India-Pakistan war that led to the creation of Bangladesh, the 1984 siege of the Golden Temple (Operation Blue Star), the 1991 assassination of Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi and the 1992 demolition of the Babri mosque, which sparked nationwide riots. He also filed reports from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi described Tully as 'a towering voice of journalism.' 'His connect with India and the people of our nation was reflected in his works. His reporting and insights have left an enduring mark on public discourse,' Modi wrote on X.
Britain knighted Tully in 2002 for services to broadcasting and journalism. He was also awarded two of India's highest civilian honors, the Padma Shri and the Padma Bhushan, recognizing his long engagement with the country and its people.
Legacy
Admired for measured analysis and deep familiarity with South Asian societies and politics, Tully's reporting helped shape international understanding of the region for generations of listeners and readers. He leaves behind a substantial body of work that continues to be a reference for students, journalists and the public.
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