Gitanjali Aiyar, popular Doordarshan news anchor, passes away
She was known not just for her immaculate accent but also for her calm and poise
We confirm the loss of famous news anchor Gitanjali Aiyar on Wednesday in Delhi with great grief. Gitanjali Aiyar, 71, had been enduring medical issues for a while. She made valuable contributions to the area of journalism, and the nation will be greatly saddened by her passing. Our hearts go out to her family and friends at this trying time, and we offer our condolences.
For many years, Gitanjali Aiyar was a significant character in Doordarshan's prime-time news at 9 o'clock. She represented grace and dignity in television news alongside her colleagues at the public broadcaster during a period when news studios had a distinct atmosphere and news presenters had respectful discussions rather than argumentative ones. Gitanjali's appearance brought back memories of a time when professors encouraged students to use news anchors like Gitanjali, Neethi Ravindran, and Rini Simon as role models for enhancing their English language proficiency. She was well renowned for her fluent and eloquent delivery. These former anchors upheld a neutral tone in their reporting, establishing a benchmark for professionalism and objective reporting.
Teleprompters weren't yet popular in news studios at that earlier period. And even after their debut, they periodically experienced technical problems when broadcasting live. Despite these obstacles, Gitanjali remained unmoved. She was recognised for her flawless accent as well as her cool and collected demeanour. Gitanjali kept her cool and delivered the news with elegance and expertise despite any unexpected setbacks.
Gitanjali Aiyar began her career with All India Radio before beginning her employment with Doordarshan in 1971. She received four awards for best anchor throughout the course of her distinguished career with the channel, demonstrating her extraordinary abilities and commitment. When she was given the renowned Indira Gandhi Priyadarshini Award for Outstanding Women in 1989, her outstanding accomplishments were further recognised. These honours attested to Gitanjali's abilities, knowledge, and important contributions to the broadcasting industry.
Cast in teleserial
Gitanjali Aiyar had a strong enthusiasm for reading the news early on, as seen by her active involvement in elocution competitions while she was a student. She lost little time in starting her career in the journalism sector after earning her degree from Kolkata's Loreto College. She also had a certificate from the prestigious National School of Drama, which not only improved her abilities as a news presenter but also gave her the freedom to pursue other performing opportunities. Due of this, she was given a prominent part in the Doordarshan teleserial "Khandaan," which became quite well-known in the middle of the 1980s. Gitanjali was able to leave a lasting impression both inside and beyond the world of news reporting because to her wide range of skills and knowledge.
Gitanjali Aiyar's fame soared to such heights that she started to appear often in ads as well as on television news. She was highlighted in Marmite and Solidaire television advertising, further strengthening her public profile. Gitanjali's image fit nicely with the slogan of the Solidaire commercial, "that seldom fails," since she handled difficult situations with grace and poise even when there were frequent technical difficulties in the early days of Doordarshan. She became a renowned figure in the profession thanks to her ability to maintain composure in the face of difficulty.
Gitanjali Aiyar entered the profession of corporate communications after her time at Doordarshan. She partnered with the Worldwide Fund for Nature (WWF), a global environmental organisation, as well as the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), a group that supports and promotes Indian enterprises. She was able to make major contributions outside of the news media sector because to her skill in communication and dedication to a number of issues.