Doordarshan had a nice thing going in the 1970s and 1980s when it was the sole broadcaster. That’s because of the smart and attractive women in its Newsroom. I haven’t seen Doordarshan in a long, so I don’t know what it’s like anymore. Gitanjali Aiyar was one of them; she was 72 when she died recently in Delhi of a cerebral hemorrhage.
Gitanjali was a beautiful young woman in her twenties, her hair beautifully styled and her saree put in place; her voice was gentle and controlled; and her diction and enunciation were impeccable. Enjoyable to watch as she read the News.
Even the shaky, grainy, black-and-white picture of Doordarshan couldn’t corrupt the faithful depiction of Gitanjali that spectators traveled to great lengths to see every night before bed. There wasn’t a TRP back then to gauge how many people saw a show, but I’m willing to wager that every time Gitanjali was on screen, Doordarshan gained a lot of viewers.
Back then, the news meant only that: news. Not the type of nonsense that the privatized networks of today pass off as “news” by arrogantly claiming to be the best in the country.
The newscasters on Doordarshan all appeared calm and focused on their work. And they accomplished it without trying to steal the spotlight or make themselves the News. They didn’t sugarcoat the truth.
Without the use of preacher-style chest-thumping, finger-wagging, and bellowing. Without coming out as a jerk or yelling their opinions from the rooftops. I doubt that the I&B Ministry would have allowed for such an elaborate performance.
People stayed tuned in until the News ended, rather than turning it off in disgust midway through as we do now. All they wanted to do at the time was to see Gitanjali say Goodnight with the gentlest hint of a smile on her face. It felt as cozy and comforting as settling down with a mug of Drinking Chocolate before bed.
About Mark Manuel
The above thoughts/content has been proudly copied from the wall of Sir Mark Manuel. Being interviewing almost every role model of this country and going stronger each day. Mark Manuel is a respected Mumbai editor, writer, and columnist.
With over three decades of journalism in leading publications. This includes the Free Press Journal, Times, Dainik Bhaskar, Mid-Day, and Afternoon. He is famous for his brilliant pen interviews. He himself is a TEDx speaker.
Further
His interviews have been featured in several leading media houses. They include the Hindustan Times, Huffington Post, BBC, and Network 18. Almost every famous person has been interviewed by him in the country from Mother Teresa to Muhammad Ali. His first book is just out. It’s titled Moryaa Re! It is a crime thriller that is perhaps the country’s first police procedural. He began his career covering crime. And in a tribute to his experience and knowledge of this beat.
Several distinguished officers of the Mumbai Police and its Crime Branch collaborated with him to make this book possible. Amitabh Bachchan wrote the forward in a statement of friendship for Mark Manuel and admiration for his work.
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