Gitanjali Aiyar aka “Geetanjali Iyer” was one of India’s first and most prominent English news presenters on national broadcaster Doordarshan. She passed away on June 7, 2023, at the age of 71. She was battling Parkinson’s disease and collapsed after returning home from a walk.
Early Life, Age & Birthday
Gitanjali Aiyar was born in New Delhi, India, in 1952. She had a remarkable career as a newsreader, journalist, anchor, and entrepreneur. Throughout her life, Gitanjali Aiyar made significant contributions to the media industry, becoming a respected figure known for her professionalism and dedication to her craft.
Tragically, Gitanjali Aiyar passed away on June 7, 2023, at the age of 71. Her death was attributed to her battle with Parkinson’s disease, a progressive neurological disorder. Despite her health challenges, she continued to inspire and make an impact in the field of journalism, leaving behind a legacy of excellence and perseverance.
Gitanjali Aiyar’s early life shaped her passion for media and communication. She embarked on her journey in the industry, utilizing her skills and talents to inform and engage audiences. With her charismatic presence and expertise, she captivated viewers as a newsreader and anchor, delivering news and information with clarity and professionalism.
Geetanjali Iyer’s Education, School & College
Gitanjali Aiyar pursued her education with a focus on humanities and English literature. She attended ‘The Cathedral’ in Bombay, where she likely completed her early education. This would have provided her with a strong foundation in various subjects related to humanities, fostering her critical thinking and analytical skills.
Continuing her educational journey, Gitanjali Aiyar enrolled at Loreto College in Calcutta, where she pursued a Bachelor’s Honours degree in English. Loreto College is well-known for its academic excellence, and the program would have deepened her understanding of literature, language, and literary analysis. This education would have equipped her with the necessary knowledge and insights to excel in her career as a journalist and newsreader.
To further enhance her skills and broaden her horizons in the performing arts, Geetanjali Iyer enrolled at the prestigious National School of Drama in New Delhi. There, she obtained a diploma, receiving comprehensive training in various aspects of theater and dramatic arts. The National School of Drama is renowned for its rigorous curriculum and practical approach to theatrical education, providing students with hands-on experience in acting, stagecraft, voice modulation, and other essential skills.
Gitanjali Aiyar Wiki | Biodata
| Full Name | Gitanjali Aiyar |
| Nickname | Geetanjali Iyer |
| Birthday | 1952 |
| Date of Death | 7 June 2023 |
| Cause of Death | She was battling Parkinson’s disease (not confirmed) |
| Age | 71 (at the time of death) |
| Birthplace | New Delhi, India |
| Zodiac | Will Update |
| Parents | Names Not Known |
| Siblings | Will Update |
| Ex-Husband | Swaminathan Aiyar |
| Marital Status | Divorced |
| Kids | Pallavi Aiyar Shekhar Aiyar Rustam Aiyar |
| Career | Newsreader, Journalist, Anchor, and Entrepreneur |
| Net Worth | INR 2-3 crores (approx.) |
| Height | 5 feet 5 inches (approx.) |
| Weight | 50 kilograms (approx.) |
| Hair Color | Black |
| Eye Color | Black |
| Education | Graduate |
| Alma Mater | National School of Drama Loreto College ‘The Cathedral’, Bombay |
| Caste | Aiyar |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Religion | Hinduism |
| @gitanjaliaiyar | |
| @gitanjali.aiyar | |
| @GitanjaliAiyar | |
| @gitanjali-aiyar-b63a3263 | |
| Homepage | Dreshare.com |
Geetanjali Iyer’s Career and Achievements
Gitanjali Aiyar joined Doordarshan in 1971 and became one of the first female news anchors in English. She presented news on the national channel for over 30 years and won the best anchor award four times. She also hosted popular shows such as A Date With You and Khandaan. She was known for her warm and elegant voice and style of presentation.
Gitanjali Aiyar also worked as a journalist, anchor, and entrepreneur. She was associated with the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) as the Head of Major Donors. She also worked as a consultant for the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and corporate communications, government liaison, and marketing.
Geetanjali Iyer received several accolades for her outstanding work and contribution. She won the Indira Gandhi Priyadarshini Award for Outstanding Women in 1989. She was also honored by the President of India for her services to Doordarshan.
Parents & Siblings
Gitanjali Aiyar’s family background includes her father, who was an entrepreneur, and her mother, who fulfilled the role of a homemaker. While specific information about her parents’ names and professions is not available, it can be inferred that Gitanjali Aiyar was raised in a supportive and nurturing environment.
As for her siblings, the information regarding them is currently unknown and not provided. Therefore, details about Gitanjali Aiyar’s brothers or sisters are unavailable at this time. If any information becomes available in the future, it can be updated to provide a more comprehensive understanding of her family dynamics.
Geetanjali Iyer’s Husband & Kids
Gitanjali Aiyar was married to Swaminathan Aiyar, a renowned economist and journalist. They divorced in 1985. She had three children: Pallavi Aiyar, an award-winning journalist and author; Shekhar Aiyar, an economist at the International Monetary Fund; and Rustam Aiyar, an entrepreneur.
Gitanjali Aiyar was fond of music, theatre, and travel. She was also a fitness enthusiast and enjoyed walking and yoga.
Net Worth
Gitanjali Aiyar’s net worth is estimated to be around INR 2-3 crores. Throughout her career in the media industry, she earned a substantial income from various sources, including news reading, anchoring, and journalism. As a seasoned newsreader and anchor, Gitanjali Aiyar was likely well-compensated for her expertise, experience, and contribution to the field.
Newsreading and anchoring are highly demanding professions that require exceptional communication skills, knowledge of current events, and the ability to engage and inform audiences effectively. Gitanjali Aiyar’s dedication and professionalism in these roles likely earned her a respectable salary.
Death and Tributes
Gitanjali Aiyar breathed her last on June 7, 2023, at her residence in Delhi. She was suffering from Parkinson’s disease for several years and had been on medication. Her death came as a shock to her family, friends, colleagues, and admirers.
Many noted personalities expressed their grief and condolences on social media. Netta D’Souza, acting president of Mahila Congress, tweeted:
“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.”
Sheela Bhatt, a senior journalist, tweeted:
“Gitanjali Aiyar, India’s one of best tv newsreaders, warm and elegant person and woman of immense substance passed away today. Deepest condolences to her family.”
Gitanjali Aiyar is survived by her son and two daughters. Her funeral was held on June 8, 2023, at Lodhi Road crematorium in Delhi.
Facts About Gitanjali Aiyar/Geetanjali Iyer
- She was born in Delhi in 1952 and graduated from Loreto College with a degree in English.
- Geetanjali Iyer also had a diploma from the National School of Drama and acted in a TV drama called ‘Khandaan’.
- She joined All India Radio in 1971 and presented a popular show called ‘A Date With You’ where she took song requests from listeners.
- Gitanjali moved to Doordarshan in the same year and became one of the first female English news presenters on Indian television.
- She was known for her poise, erudition, and impeccable pronunciation. She covered many important events and interviewed many eminent personalities.
- Aiyar won the best anchor award four times during her career with Doordarshan and also received the Indira Gandhi Priyadarshini Award for Outstanding Women in 1989.
- Gitanjali left Doordarshan in 2002 and ventured into corporate communications, government liaison, and marketing. She also worked as a consultant for the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).
- She was the Head of Major Donors at the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), India, and was involved in fundraising and environmental awareness campaigns.
- Geetanjali Iyer was married to journalist Rajiv Aiyar and had two sons, Aditya and Akshay.
- She was fond of music, literature, and travel. She also wrote a book of poems called ‘The Sound of Silence’.
- Gitanjali passed away on June 7, 2023, due to a brain hemorrhage. She was 71 years old.
- Aiyar was widely mourned and remembered by her colleagues, friends, and admirers as a legendary voice of Doordarshan and a pioneer of Indian news broadcasting.
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