Noted former Doordarshan news anchor Gitanjali Aiyar dies

She had joined Doordarshan in 1971, and won the best anchor award four times

ITDC INIDA EPRESS/ ITDC NEWS:  Gitanjali Aiyar, one of the first English news presenters in India, passed away on Wednesday.

Aiyar, who won the Indira Gandhi Priyadarshini Award for outstanding women in 1989, had joined Doordarshan in 1971 and was an anchor at the national broadcaster for over three decades.

During her long and illustrious career at Doordarshan, Aiyar won the best anchor award four times.

After spending over three decades at Doordarshan, Aiyar, who graduated from Loreto College in Kolkata, moved on to corporate communications, government liaison and marketing.

Aiyar was the head of Major Donors at World Wide Fund, India.

Noted journalist Sheela Bhatt mounred her death, calling her a "warm and elegant person and woman of immense substance."

“Gitanjali Aiyar, India’s one of the best tv newsreaders, warm and elegant person and woman of immense substance passed away today. Deepest condolences to her family," she tweeted.

Congress leader Netta D'Souza wrote on Twitter: "We fondly remember the days when Gitanjali Aiyar ji graced our TV screens, leaving an indelible mark on our news-watching experiences. Saddened by her untimely demise, my heartfelt condolences to her loved ones. May she find eternal peace."

"Farewell, Gitanjali Aiyar," wrote journalist Shiv Aroor.