Iconic news reader for more than thirty years in Doordarshan News – GEETANJALI IYER PASSES AWAY ON WEDNESDAY. END OF AN ERA.

It’s really shocking and disheartening to note that on Wednesday one of the best, rather eminent English news presenter with special attraction in Doordarshan when private television channels weren’t available breathed her last after serving as News reader for three decades having joined Doordarshan News in 1971/ 75 during black and white era of television.

She was 71 years old. Her news of death has sent shock waves all around. Gitanjali Iyer was a popular name as an English News reader in Doordarshan with style and clarity in her impressive voice. Her unique n splendid hairstyle with dexterity in English news delivery kept everyone glued to their seats at home n offices.

Having obtained her Bachelor’s degree from Loreto College of Calcutta then, Geetanjali also qualified from National School of Drama in Diploma programmes , including hosting renowned programmes on Doordarshan under the titles : News Tonight and The World This Week. Her penchant for english news reading with tremendous proficiency and loving voice with attractive hair style was loved by one and all especially the English news watchers from elite, middle and intellectual classes.

Honoured by the prestigious civilian award at the hands of the president of India Padmashri, four times award for being the best anchor including reputed Indira Gandhi Priyadarshini Award for her outstanding contribution as English news reader and other contributions and role in the society.

The union minister of sports and I & B Anurag Thakur, prominent Congress leader, former Union Minister and former under secretary general in United Nations Shashi Tharoor , NDTV’s earlier owner and veteran journalist Pranav Roy and TV Today’s news editor Rajdeep Sardesai and several others have expressed their deepest condolences on the sad demise of Geetanjali Iyer.

In his tweet Tharoor wrote : Gitanjali Iyer was a prominent figure in Indian journalism. She was a leading figure in the field of television news, and her reporting was always impartial , accurate and insightful. She will be remembered fondly by many colleagues, supporters and viewers who trusted her.

The union minister Anurag Thakur while expressing his anguish and deepest condolences in the sad demise of Geetanjali Over lauding her professional journalism tweeted : Deeply saddened to hear about the passing of Gitanjali Aiyer one of the first and finest ever English news reader on Doordarshan and All India Radio. A trailblazer and pioneer she brought credibility, professionalism and a distinct voice to every news report, leaving an indelible mark in the journalism and broadcasting industries. My heartfelt condolences go out to her family and the lived ones during this difficult time tweeted union minister of current affairs, sports and Information and Broadcasting Anurag Thakur.

The NDTV’s former managing editor and senior journalist Pranay Roy while expressing his anguish over the death of Mrs Iyer, news anchor of DD for more than thirty long years tweeted : Geetanjali Iyer was an inspiration for many young journalists. She was a professional par excellence and always prioritised the needs of her audiences. She will be remembered for her dedication to her craft and commitment to Public Service said Pranay Roy, senior journalist.

Renowned journalist Rajdeep Sardesai with TV Today also expressed his serious concern on the sad demise of Geetanjali Iyer saying : Geetanjali Iyer was a household name in India. She was a trusted source of news for millions of people amd will be greatly missed . She was a true professional and always prioritised her audience.

The Diplomatic Affairs Journalist of “The Hindu”, Suhashini Haider in her tweet wrote with heavy heart : Sad news Indeed : For an icon, Role Model and a dear neighbour – Deepest Condolences tweeted Mrs Haider.

The president of Uttarakhand Journalist Forum Sunil Negi while expressing his immense shock over the death of the most popular English news reader of Doordarshan spanning her protracted career for more than thirty year as a fantastic news reader n eminent journalist impressing one and all termed her sad demise as as an end of an era. Negi said that if we compare today’s news anchors with Gitanjali one can easily find the difference between the credible news reading then and now which has lost all credibility. The amount of balance in voice, tone and excellent pronunciation maintained by Geetanjali while delivering the news bulletin had impressed millions of her viewers and inspired several budding journalists then to follow suit. My heartfelt condolences and deepest respects to this great soul said Sunil Negi, president UJF and editor UK Nation News.