DD News Anchor Gitanjali Aiyar passes away

Gitanjali Aiyar, the award-winning Doordarshan (TV) news anchor passed away late in the day yesterday. 

She was one of few first English female news presenters on India's national Television broadcaster Doordarshan. From past few years, Aiyar was sufferering from gastro-intestinal problems and had gone weak from the long term illness.

Gitanjali Aiyar, had joined Doordarshan in the year 1971 after her graduation from Kolkata’s Loreto College. She was recognised as the best few anchors who delivered every kind of news with elegance and clarity. Even some serious and sad news were conveyed with such a tone that was appreciated across the country. He had honoured with best anchor award four times in her lifetime at Doordarshan.

Aiyar was survived by a son and daughter Pallavi Aiyar, who is also an award-winning journalist. Since her both children being abroad at the moment, the cremation will be held after their arrival. Told her close aide and a friend Sheela Bhatt.

Gitanjali Aiyar, India’s one of the best tv newsreaders, warm and elegant person and woman of immense substance passed away today. Deepest condolences to her family. 🙏 pic.twitter.com/4q1C6vFHbh

— Sheela Bhatt शीला भट्ट (@sheela2010) June 7, 2023

She also won the Indira Gandhi Priyadarshini Award for Outstanding Women in 1989. She was also a diploma holder from the National School of Drama (NSD), was also been a popular face in several print advertisements. Iyer even acted in Sridhar Kshirsagar’s TV series ‘Khandaan’, which was a rage at that time.

After her decades-long career with Doorshan ended, she served as a consultant to Confederation of Indian Industry and had a stint with World Wildlife Fund (WWF). Comparing the news houses these days, which are more like war room these days; her voice used to soothe even the depressed soul at 9pm those days. Farwell Ms. Iyer, you will certainly be remembered by the few, if not many!