BBC’s India correspondent, Mark Tully who has reported from the subcontinent with distinction for 2 years is reported to be considering his position. The reason is not simply that he is nearing 60, but that his relationship with the BBC in London seems to be strained,
“Discussions are taking place,” Tully told the Daily Telegraph. “It’s all in the air, [can’t say more. T have two and a half years to go until I’m 60.1 don’t want to spend the rest of my life doing this job but I don’t want to leave India.”
Born in Calcutta in 1935, Tully, returned to India in 1965 as an administrator, later joining the BBC as a reporter. Known for his south Indian cheroots and a crisp, slightly dated way of pronouncing “Inja,” he has boomed out of the best known people in Asia. Politicians to rickshaw drivers listen to his World Service broadcasts,
In 1975 Indira Gandhi expelled him briefly and last December, at Ayodhya, Tully angered Hindu extremists with the objectivity of his reports, He declines to be drawn Out on his future. “I’ve had 21 excellent years here,” he says. “But have never planned anything in my life. It’s all been accident and fluke. I’m not good at making up my mind.”
The new, faintly charmless breed in charge at the BBC may do this for him, An associate of Tully claims: “They think he’s been at the Bureau too long. There is talk of a golden handshake, A couple of other correspondents have ex pressed an interest in the job. They might keep Mark on as a ‘non playing captain,” bringing him in to help cover big stories.”
The BBC says merely: “We are talking about future arrangements with Mark Tully.”
Article extracted from this publication >> March 19, 1993
