Veteran newsreader Sarla Maheshwari, one of the most recognised faces of Indian television in the 1980s and 1990s, passed away in Delhi at the age of 71. Her death was confirmed by fellow broadcaster and former colleague Shammi Narang, who shared the news publicly and remembered her as a respected voice in the early years of Indian television journalism.
Maheshwari had a long association with Doordarshan, serving as a newsreader from 1976 until 2005. She belonged to the first generation of television presenters in India, a time when news broadcasts were limited and the medium itself was still finding its identity. Her calm delivery, precise diction, and dignified presence helped shape viewer trust during the formative decades of televised news.
Narang, who co-anchored bulletins with her, described her as warm, knowledgeable, and deeply respected by colleagues. He recalled that she carried a natural grace on screen and treated everyone around her with kindness, leaving a lasting impression on the newsroom as well as the audience.
Maheshwari joined the broadcaster after completing her doctoral studies at University of Delhi. Over nearly three decades, she witnessed major changes in the industry, from black-and-white programming to the arrival of colour television and the expansion of daily news coverage.
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The public broadcaster’s flagship channel, Doordarshan National, also paid tribute, highlighting her contribution to the credibility and professionalism of early Indian news. The channel remembered her as a presenter whose simplicity and clarity earned the confidence of viewers across the country.
Her last rites are scheduled to take place at Nigam Bodh Ghat, where family, colleagues, and admirers are expected to gather to pay their respects.
Maheshwari’s legacy remains closely tied to the evolution of Indian television news, and she is remembered as one of the voices that defined an era when broadcasting was still new but deeply influential.
