Gitanjali Aiyar's Iconic English News Voice on Doordarshan Silenced Forever

NEW DELHI: Gitanjali Aiyar, a renowned newsreader from India's state-owned television channel, Doordarshan (DD), has passed away at the age of 72. She was one of the first English newsreaders on Indian television and had a career with DD that spanned three decades. Aiyar, known for her poise, erudite delivery, and clear enunciation, died of a brain hemorrhage after a period of illness. She is survived by her son and daughter, both based in the US.

A close friend and journalist, Sumita Paul, revealed that Aiyar had been showing signs of recovery before her sudden demise. She was rushed to the hospital on Wednesday but passed away on the way. Paul, who had worked with Aiyar at All India Radio, expressed her grief over the loss.

Aiyar's fascination with news delivery began during her childhood when she listened to radio newsreaders like Surojit Sen and Pamela Singh. Inspired by their enunciation and diction, Aiyar actively participated in elocution and debates during her school and college years. After graduating in 1971, she auditioned at All India Radio and joined the English news section. In 1976, she made the transition to Doordarshan.

The advent of color television in India in 1982 brought newfound recognition to newsreaders, including Aiyar. Suddenly, they were being recognized all over the country, even by people in their local communities. Aiyar shared an anecdote about her local butcher in Bhogal, South Delhi, who would inquire about the latest news, and teachers encouraged students to emulate the way newsreaders spoke.

Gitanjali Aiyar's contribution to Indian television news will be remembered, and her cremation is scheduled for Friday. She leaves behind a legacy of professionalism and excellence in broadcasting that influenced generations of newsreaders.

Former colleague and DD news presenter Rini Simon Khanna said: “I met her last month for dinner and saw that she’d become quite frail. She said she’d not been keeping very well. But she was still very prim and proper — the first thing I [had] noticed about her back in the day too. She was always measured and exacting, never a hair out of place, never guffawing around.”

Sheila Chaman, a newsreader, was one of Aiyar's earliest coworkers and friends at AIR and DD. Chaman described Aiyar as "extremely articulate, outgoing, and friendly." "We hit it off really well,” she said. “This was the time when there was no acrimony, no animosity, no competition among people doing the same job.”

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