Veteran journalist Sir William Mark Tully, known for his iconic voice in India during the latter part of the 20th century, has passed away at the age of 90. Tully, a former BBC journalist who extensively covered India and South Asia, was honored by both the Indian and British governments. He had been unwell for some time and breathed his last in a hospital in south Delhi.
Born in Tollygunge, Calcutta, on October 24, 1935, to a prosperous British family, Tully received his early education in India before moving to the UK at nine. Despite studying theology at Cambridge and initially aiming for a career in the church, he transitioned to journalism and joined the BBC in 1964.
Returning to India in 1965 as the BBC’s India Correspondent, Tully played a pivotal role in reporting on significant events in South Asia for over two decades. His coverage included major incidents like India-Pakistan conflicts, Operation Blue Star, the assassination of Indira Gandhi, the Bhopal gas tragedy, and the Babri Masjid demolition.
After leaving the BBC in 1994, Tully continued his journalism career as a freelancer based in New Delhi, while also presenting programs for the BBC until 2019. Apart from his journalistic endeavors, he authored several books, including works on Indian politics and society, receiving accolades such as the Padma Shri in 1992 and the Padma Bhushan in 2005.
