Tourism arrives in the Maldives and a royal night out - a podcast by BBC World Service

Max Pearson presents a selection of this week’s Witness History stories.

In 1972, tourists arrived in the Maldives for the first time. We hear from one of the people who made it happen, plus analysis of the growth of tourism around South East Asia with Ploysri Porananond.

Also, on the 75th anniversary of the National Health Service in the UK, one of the first doctors shares his experience.

Lawyers for both the prosecution and defence of concentration camp guard John Demjanjuk, discuss his trial.

The election in India, of what was to be the longest serving democratically elected government in the world.

Finally, a night out to remember, with Princess Diana, Freddie Mercury and Kenny Everett.

Contributors:

Ahmed Naseem on bringing tourism to the Maldives
Ploysri Porananond, head of the centre for tourism research at Chiang Mai University in Thailand
Dr John Marks on the formation of the NHS in 1948
Lawyer Yoram Sheftel, who acted in defence of John Demjanjuk
Lawyer Eli Gabay, who prosecuted John Demjanjuk
Mohammad Salim, former Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader
Cleo Rocos, on her night out with Princess Diana, Freddie Mercury and Kenny Everett

(Photo: Early tourists enjoy the Maldives in the 1970s Credit: Kurumba)

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