Hugh Pain

I stayed a few days with Hugh when he was bureau chief in India in 1986. The Reuters bureau chief lived in some splendour in those days in the diplomatic district of New Delhi (the office was upstairs), and Hugh, with his immense height and unforced charm, carried the part off with some style - he hosted an upmarket, semi-formal reception while we were there which was much more Satyajit Ray than Bollywood. I remember there was a cricket net in the corner of the garden. ■