The Tuesday Documentary
Mark Tully was born in Calcutta during the last days of the British Raj. When he was nine years old the family returned to England. Since 1972 he has been the BBC's correspondent in India.
As the Festival of India draws to a close, MARK TULLY looks at the country with the knowledge. experience and affection gained over many years. He is optimistic about India's future and puzzled that the image of India which prevails in the West is'one of poverty, corruption and over-population. For many the film will be full of surprises - India is the world's tenth largest industrial power, has the fourth largest army and is virtually self-sufficient in food and manufactured goods.
Most of the Indians with whom Mark Tully speaks are openly critical about many aspects of their society, but share his fundamental optimism. It is above all the fact that Indians can criticise their country and their government without fear which gives Tully hope for the world's largest democracy.
Film cameraman DEREK BANKS Film recordist GEORGE CASSEDY Film editor ERIC BROWN
Producer JONATHAN STEDALL
This programme Is reviewed by last year's Booker Prize-winner, Salman Rushdie , in Did You See .. ? on Friday,
8.15pm BBC2