Journalist Sir Mark Tully, a true friend of Bangladesh, is no more

Sir Mark Tully, a renowned journalist who brought the true picture of the massacres of the Pakistani forces and the plight of the Bengalis to the world during the Bangladesh Liberation War, is no more. He died on Sunday (January 25) afternoon while undergoing treatment at a hospital in New Delhi, India. He was about 90 years old at the time of his death.

BBC Hindi Service reported that Mark Tully's death was confirmed by his former colleague and renowned journalist Satish Jacob.

Mark Tully was the BBC's South Asia correspondent during the Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971. During the turbulent days of the Liberation War, his news broadcast on BBC Radio was one of the main and reliable sources of news about the Liberation War for the people of Bangladesh. Countless people used to wait impatiently every day to hear his voice. His reports played a historic role in shaping public opinion in favor of Bangladesh in the international arena.

In recognition of his outstanding contribution to the independence of Bangladesh during the Liberation War, the Bangladesh government awarded him the 'Muktijuddho Maitree Sammanona' in 2012.

Mark Tully was born on October 24, 1935, in Tollygunge, Kolkata. He spent a large part of his professional life in India. He served as the BBC's South Asia correspondent for almost 20 years in New Delhi.

He was described in the UK media as one of the BBC's most renowned foreign correspondents. The BBC reported on his death that he was known as the BBC's 'Voice of India' for a long time.

Kashmir Monitor wrote in a report that Mark Tully had become an institution in South Asian broadcast journalism. His voice was a reflection of the BBC for a generation across the subcontinent, including India, Pakistan and Bangladesh.

The report further said that his journalism, calm, authoritative and deeply insightful, was unemotional yet compassionate, unassuming yet firm and uncompromisingly clear. For decades, he has set a unique example of integrity and balance in reporting on the politics, society and lives of the subcontinent.

During his career as a journalist, Mark Tully was a direct witness to many historical events in South Asia. He recorded those events through news and books. His books clearly reflect his deep engagement with the social and cultural realities of India.