Mark Tully, the BBC “voice of India” over sixty years, garnered respect with his impartial and knowledgeable reporting from within his adoptive home. Rajiv Gandhi evidently refused to believe rumours of his mother Indira Gandhi’s assassination in 1984 until Tully confirmed it on the radio. The affection for him transcended political affiliation. He was given one of India’s highest civilian honours and on his death, the nationalist PM Narendra Modi led the tributes to him.
He was born in India, like George Orwell, into a prosperous British family representative of the old Raj so it is all the more to his credit he emerged as a trusted voice in modern India. Sent to boarding school young in a ‘miserable’ England, he eventually ‘came home’ when at 29 he got a job in the BBC’s India bureau in Delhi.
For 24 years, he presented a weekly spiritual programme, on Radio 4. In between, he produced documentaries and wrote a series of books on India. ’His works constitute some of the most vivid and insightful chronicles of India’s transformation from an improbable post-colonial democracy into a major world power.’
Born 24 August 1935 10 am Kolkata, India, he had a stellium in journalistic Virgo ranging from the Sun, Mercury and spiritual Neptune to Venus in his community-minded 11th house. His Sun, Mercury, Neptune opposed a serious, sober Saturn in Pisces in his performing 5th house. His Saturn opposition Sun were in a talented Half Grand Sextile to Uranus in Taurus sextile a Cancer Moon.
His 1st house enthusiastic Mars Jupiter in Scorpio sextile his Mercury Neptune would add an adventurous streak. What is probably most significant is his Pluto conjunct the Midheaven which, used correctly, would be what gave him extraordinary influence.
The modern India chart shares his Jupiter in Scorpio and his sensible Saturn sat in the India 10th bolstering his reputation for balance and probity. His Pluto MC were conjunct the India Cancer Moon producing a strong emotional bond and giving him an interest in promoting a picture of Indian life.
The post Mark Tully – understanding India first appeared on Astroinform with Marjorie Orr – Star4cast.
