New Delhi, February 12 Sarla Maheshwari, a former Doordarshan newsreader and one of the most recognizable faces in Indian television news during the 1980s and 1990s, passed away in Delhi on Thursday, according to family friend Shammi Narang. She was 71 years old.
Maheshwari, who worked as a newsreader for Doordarshan from 1976 to 2005, was among the pioneers of television news in India, a time when broadcasts were limited to a few hours each day.
Narang, who was Maheshwari's co-anchor, also announced the news on X and Instagram.
"I am deeply saddened to announce the passing of my former co-anchor at Doordarshan, Sarla Maheshwari," Narang wrote.
He described Maheshwari as "the epitome of grace and courtesy."
"I am deeply saddened to announce the passing of my former co-anchor at Doordarshan, Sarla Maheshwari... Not only was she beautiful in appearance, but she was also incredibly kind and intelligent. She had a remarkable command of language and was a wealth of knowledge. Her presence on Doordarshan was truly special. She respected everyone and made every space she was a part of better," he wrote on the social media platform.
Her last rites will be performed at Nigam Bodh Ghat at 4 pm.
According to reports, Maheshwari joined Doordarshan after completing her PhD at Delhi University. Over a career spanning three decades, Maheshwari witnessed the transition of television news from black and white to color broadcasts.
"A heartfelt tribute from the Doordarshan family to Smt. Sarla Maheshwari. She was a respected and esteemed newsreader for Doordarshan, who made a special place for herself in the Indian news world with her gentle voice, precise pronunciation, and dignified presentation. Her simplicity, restraint, and personality established deep trust in the hearts of viewers," Doordarshan National said in a post on 'X'.
