1-2-1: Sir Mark Tully

Sir Mark Tully was the BBC's Bureau Chief in India for 22 years. A veteran journalist and author of books on India, he talks to Nitin Nair about a country in flux, literature and a stellar career.

Modern India's obsession with English

The rise of Indian-English literature is great, but I don't understand why not enough attention is being given to writing in Indian langu ages. Wonderful writing in Indian languages is often ignored since the focus remains on writing in English. How else can you explain why a book like Srilal Shukla's Raag Darbari doesn't get the kind of attention it deserves?

Broadcast horrors during the Mumbai attacks

As a journalist, I was quite disappointed with how the Indian broadcast media covered the Mumbai terror attacks. I can see why there was general outrage in the weeks after. But I think the government also has to take part of the blame. They could have limited the media's access, ensuring vital information regarding the location of hostages was not aired on television. I think the ‘editorial' function went out of the window during this crisis; there should have been editors back in the studio with the editorial sense to make a call on whether it was necessary to cover the siege 24/7 if there was nothing new to report. Nobody bothered to make that call during those three days.

The media during India's transition period

India is in a state of flux – a country that's making the transition from being a developing country to a modern, economic power. And this clearly comes with its share of problems, like the recent attack on young women in a pub in Mangalore by right wing activists. The media's role at a time like this can be vital. It should help in shaping opinion, but that role can't be overbearing.

Snapshots in my memory album

During the course of my long career with the BBC, I covered some really significant events in the Indian subcontinent, but some will remain etched in my memory forever. I remember reaching Bhopal after the Union Carbide gas leak in 1984 and the horrific realisation that the tragedy was entirely man-made. I remember being appalled by the trial and hanging of Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, an absolute travesty of justice. Another incident I could never forget is meeting Rajiv Gandhi on the morning of the night he was assassinated.

My new book

I still present programmes on BBC, so that keeps me busy. Besides, I am already working on my next book – it's about India and 20 years of economic liberalisation. The book should be ready by 2011.

The special one

I have always had an affinity for Bengal, I was born in Kolkata. The place still has an old world charm to it, despite being touched now by India's IT boom. Yet the city remains the most atmospheric city in India. It's unfortunate that West Bengal lost the Tata Nano project to Gujarat; it would have made a difference to the state.