Sarla Maheshwari was an Indian news anchor and television personality who worked with Doordarshan from 1976 to 2005. Born in 1954, she became one of the most recognizable faces of Indian television news during the 1980s and 1990s. Maheshwari passed away on February 11, 2026, at the age of 71, leaving behind a legacy as one of Doordarshan’s most trusted and respected newsreaders.
Sarla Maheshwari Age
Sarla Maheshwari was 71 years old at the time of her death on February 11, 2026. She was born in 1954.
Sarla Maheshwari Family
Sarla Maheshwari Husband
Sarla Maheshwari met Pawan Maheshwari in 1983 at a friend’s party. The couple married in 1984, after which she relocated to England with him. Pawan Maheshwari’s professional details are not publicly disclosed, but the couple returned to India together in 1986.
Sarla Maheshwari Children
Sarla Maheshwari had children, though their names and exact number are not publicly disclosed. She made a conscious decision in 1997 to prioritize spending time with her children over accepting out-of-station news assignments. This decision came after she covered Mother Teresa’s funeral in West Bengal and reflected her commitment to balancing her professional and family life.
Sarla Maheshwari Father
In an interview, Maheshwari credited her father as the reason for her success, describing him as the biggest critic in her life. His constructive feedback and guidance played a significant role in shaping her career. Additional details about her parents and siblings are not publicly disclosed.
Sarla Maheshwari Early Life and Education
Sarla Maheshwari was born in 1954 in Delhi, India. Details about her parents and early childhood are not publicly disclosed. She pursued higher education at Delhi University, where she completed her PhD.
While pursuing her doctorate, Maheshwari auditioned for a position as an announcer at Doordarshan in 1976. She successfully secured the role, beginning her journey in television broadcasting during her academic years.
Sarla Maheshwari Career at Doordarshan
Early Career (1976-1984)
Sarla Maheshwari joined Doordarshan in 1976 as an announcer while still completing her PhD at Delhi University. She initially worked as a scriptwriter for children’s programs including “Kapde ki Kahani” and Janmashtami special programs. Even after joining Doordarshan, she continued teaching at Delhi University, attending university classes in the morning and working at the broadcaster in the evening.
In 1982, Maheshwari transitioned from announcing to news reading. She became one of the first anchors to present news during India’s transition from black-and-white to color television. Notably, she anchored the first-ever color telecast of the Asian Games (Asiad) in India, making television history.
BBC England (1984-1986)
In 1984, Maheshwari left Doordarshan after getting married and relocated to England with her husband. During her time in the United Kingdom, she worked as a newsreader with BBC England from 1984 to 1986. This international experience added to her credibility and professional expertise in broadcast journalism.
Return to Doordarshan (1986-2005)
Maheshwari returned to India in October 1986 and rejoined Doordarshan as a news anchor in 1988. She continued working with the national broadcaster until 2005, completing nearly three decades of service. During this period, she witnessed and participated in the evolution of television news in India.
Notable Broadcasting Moments
Rajiv Gandhi’s Death Announcement
On May 21, 1991, following the assassination of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, it was Sarla Maheshwari who announced the news of his death to the nation through Doordarshan. This remains one of the most significant moments in her broadcasting career, as she delivered the tragic news with dignity and composure to millions of viewers across India.
Mother Teresa Coverage
In 1997, Maheshwari traveled to West Bengal to cover the last rites of Mother Teresa following her death. After this assignment, she made a personal decision to prioritize her children and avoid out-of-city news coverage assignments.
Threats During Punjab Militancy
During the period of militancy in Punjab, Maheshwari received death threats from militants for telecasting news related to the situation. Despite these dangers, she continued her professional duties with courage and commitment.
Teaching Career
In addition to her broadcasting career, Sarla Maheshwari served as a lecturer at Hansraj College, Delhi University. She balanced her academic responsibilities with her television work, demonstrating her dedication to both education and journalism. Her ability to manage dual careers in academia and broadcasting was particularly notable during an era when television news in India was still developing.
Broadcasting Style and Legacy
Sarla Maheshwari was renowned for her calm delivery, gentle voice, precise pronunciation, and dignified on-screen presence. Her trademark style included simplicity, restraint, and accuracy in Hindi diction, which established deep trust among viewers. At a time when Doordarshan was India’s primary and often sole source of television news, Maheshwari represented credibility and authority.
Her elegant style of wearing sarees became iconic and was widely admired by women viewers across India. In an era before 24-hour news channels and breaking news tickers, anchors like Maheshwari were the primary source of information for millions of Indians. Her steady pace and poised delivery set a standard for news presentation that defined an entire generation of television journalism.
Colleagues and Contemporaries
Sarla Maheshwari worked alongside several other prominent Doordarshan newsreaders who became household names during the 1980s and 1990s. Her colleagues included Salma Sultan, Minu Talwar, Sheila Chaman, and Shammi Narang, all of whom were familiar faces on Indian television during that era. Together, these newsreaders defined the golden age of Doordarshan news broadcasting.
Sarla Maheshwari Death
Sarla Maheshwari passed away on February 11, 2026, in Delhi at the age of 71. Doordarshan National confirmed her death through a social media post, paying tribute to her contribution to Indian television news. Her last rites were held at Nigam Bodh Ghat in Delhi at 4 PM on February 12, 2026.
Doordarshan National’s official tribute stated: “A heartfelt tribute from the Doordarshan family to Smt. Sarla Maheshwari. She was a respected and esteemed newsreader of Doordarshan, who carved out a special place in the Indian news world with her gentle voice, precise pronunciation, and dignified presentation. Her simplicity, restraint, and personality established deep trust in the hearts of viewers”.
Condolences and tributes poured in from colleagues, viewers, and media professionals who remembered Maheshwari’s simplicity, on-screen grace, and the credibility she brought to television journalism. Many viewers who grew up watching Doordarshan’s news bulletins recalled her as a symbol of the trusted, dignified news presentation that characterized that era.