Veteran Doordarshan Anchor Sarla Maheshwari Dies at 71

Sarla Maheshwari, a celebrated news anchor known for her calm voice and dignified delivery on Doordarshan, passed away in Delhi at the age of 71, prompting tributes from colleagues and viewers.

Beloved Voice of Doordarshan News

Veteran Doordarshan newsreader Sarla Maheshwari has passed away at the age of 71 in Delhi, her colleagues and the broadcaster confirmed.

Doordarshan National paid tribute on social media, remembering her for her gentle voice, precise pronunciation and dignified delivery, qualities that made her a familiar and trusted presence on Indian television.

दूरदर्शन परिवार की ओर से श्रीमती सरला माहेश्वरी को भावपूर्ण श्रद्धांजलि। वह दूरदर्शन की सम्मानित और प्रतिष्ठित समाचार वाचिका थीं, जिन्होंने अपनी सौम्य आवाज़, सटीक उच्चारण और गरिमापूर्ण प्रस्तुति से भारतीय समाचार जगत में विशेष स्थान बनाया। उनकी सादगी, संयम और व्यक्तित्व ने दर्शकों… pic.twitter.com/Hx8glZI7rk
— Doordarshan National दूरदर्शन नेशनल (@DDNational) February 12, 2026

Her former colleague, renowned news anchor Shammi Narang, described her as a figure of grace and courtesy who brought credibility and calmness to news broadcasting.

I feel utmost grief in announcing the sad demise of my ex co-News anchor at Doordarshan, Sarala Maheshwari 🙏

She was the embodiment of grace and courtesy.
Beautiful not just in appearance but even more so at heart, she had a remarkable command over language and was a reservoir… pic.twitter.com/VIX8khALBC
— Shammi Narang (@iamshamminarang) February 12, 2026

All India Mahila Congress also called her passing “the end of a golden era of television journalism,” noting that her professionalism and decency will remain an inspiration.

दूरदर्शन की सुप्रसिद्ध न्यूज़ रीडर सरला माहेश्वरी जी का निधन टीवी पत्रकारिता के एक स्वर्णिम युग का अंत है।

उनकी विश्वसनीयता और शालीनता आने वाली पीढ़ियों के लिए हमेशा प्रेरणा रहेगी।

ईश्वर उनकी आत्मा को शांति प्रदान करे।

भावपूर्ण श्रद्धांजलि 🙏 pic.twitter.com/8n9QlyhTOI
— All India Mahila Congress (@MahilaCongress) February 12, 2026

Career Highlights and Legacy

Sarla Maheshwari was one of the most respected faces of Doordarshan, especially during the 1980s and 1990s when the national broadcaster was India’s primary source of televised news.

She was celebrated for her clear Hindi pronunciation and composed on-screen style, which earned her widespread trust among viewers across generations.

Her death has sparked widespread grief among former colleagues, industry peers and news audiences who recall her as a symbol of an era when Doordarshan’s news bulletins were the benchmark of broadcast journalism.