Selina Scott
Interview with Selina Scott, 66, television presenter and journalist.
Published: 30 July 2018
Despite poverty, India is life affirming in a myriad of ways. India is an assault on the senses. The colour, the noise, the bartering, the traffic and the animals in the street.
What was the most memorable part of the experience?
The Navratri Festival in Ahmedabad, when once a year, girls and boys get together to celebrate the female goddess with frenetic dancing and full-on passion. We all got hired glittery, colourful costumes and joined in.
What surprised you the most?
Despite poverty, India is life affirming in a myriad of ways. India is an assault on the senses. The colour, the noise, the bartering, the traffic and the animals in the street.
Tell us about one of your adventures…
Horse riding through the lush Rajasthan countryside after the monsoon, where once tigers roamed wild, with Susan and Bob on Marwari horses. We were able to look into the back yards of the little houses in the villages. There were pigs, chickens, mules and ancient farm equipment, almost medieval! We stopped off at a cafe for Chai and all life were there - old men and young school children. No segregation of the generations, families that look after their own.
Would you return to the country?
Yes - I would like to experience certain parts of India again before modernisation wipes away much that is ancient and irreplaceable. GDP of India is growing at 7% a year! A bullet train is being built to Mumbai.
