User:Ktin/sandbox/Gitanjali Aiyar

Gitanjali Aiyar was an Indian newscaster and journalist. Aiyar was associated with India's state-owned broadcaster Doordarshan (DD) where she hosted the evening news among other programs. She later also worked with the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF).

Early life
Aiyar was born on January 29, 1947. She completed her graduation from Loreto College in Kolkata and later obtained a diploma in theater from the National School of Drama.

Career
Aiyar began her career in news broadcasting with All India Radio in 1971. In 1976, she made the transition to Doordarshan (DD), India's state-owned television network. As one of the first English news presenters on Indian television, Aiyar became a prominent figure in the news industry during the late 1970s and 1980s. Her distinct manner of speaking and poised presence captivated audiences across the nation.

During her tenure with Doordarshan, Aiyar received the Best Anchor award four times, recognizing her contributions to news broadcasting. She became renowned for opening the prime-time news with her signature greeting, "This is Doordarshan news. Good evening and welcome." Aiyar's poise, erudition, and dedication to delivering unbiased news made a lasting impression on viewers.

Apart from her news presenting career, Aiyar also ventured into acting, featuring in the DD show "Khandaan." She also appeared in numerous print advertisements for prominent brands of the time. After her career in news broadcasting, Aiyar went on to work in corporate communications, marketing, and serving as an advisor to organizations such as the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF). At WWF-India, she headed the fund's Major Donors division and had also helped set up the Philanthropy Giving Program. She also focused her efforts on biodiversity conservation.

Aiyar received the Indira Priyadarshini Gandhi award for outstanding women in 1989.

Personal life
Aiyar was married to fellow journalist and economist Swaminathan Aiyar. The couple had two children –a daughter, Pallavi Aiyar, and a son.

Aiyar died on June 7, 2023. She was aged 76.

Filmography

 * Khandaan, TV Series, Doordarshan