Bhubaneswar, Feb. 12 -- India woke up to heartbreaking news as veteran Doordarshan anchor Sarla Maheshwari, whose resonant voice defined news for generations, passed away at the age of 71 in Delhi. In a time when television was young and pure, her gentle gravitas and reassuring tone became the heartbeat of Indian living rooms.

For millions of viewers across the 80s and 90s, Sarla wasn't just a newsreader-she was a comforting presence in times of celebration and tragedy.

Former colleague Shammi Narang expressed profound sorrow, remembering Sarla as a symbol of grace, dignity, and unmatched linguistic excellence. Together with legendary anchors like Salma Sultan and Minu Talwar, she embodied the golden era of Indian broadcast journalism....