Sarla Maheshwari, a familiar face of Doordarshan news, died on February 12, 2026, at the age of 71. Her death has prompted an outpouring of condolences from viewers, colleagues and admirers who remember her calm presence and graceful presentation style. Maheshwari was regarded as one of Doordarshan’s iconic news anchors. She was known for her immense grace, simplicity and impeccable Hindi pronunciation, qualities that made her stand out during an era when newsreading carried a certain quiet authority.