Neelum Sharma was one of the most popular Indian News Anchors who got fame from DD National’s prime time news show, mainly during 1995-2005. Neelum was also one of the founding members of DD News.
Wiki/Biography
Neelum was born in 1969 (age: 50 years, at the time of death). Neelum completed her graduation from Lady Shri Ram College for Women, New Delhi. After her graduation, she did a diploma course in Journalism from Indian Institute of Mass Communication, New Delhi and then she did masters in Journalism from Mass Communication Research Centre – Jamia Millia Islamia University, New Delhi.
Family, Caste & Husband
Neelum was born into a Brahmin family, she spent most of her life in New Delhi. She is survived by a husband and a 15-year old son.
Career
Neelum started her career as a news anchor in the year 1995 with Doordarshan and became a household name with the DD National’s prime time news show.
Neelum Sharma, anchoring on DD INDIA
Apart from working as a news anchor, Neelum also hosted, wrote and directed a few shows for DD News, few of her most popular shows on DD News include ‘Charcha Mein’, ‘Ehsaas’ and ‘Tejaswini.’
Neelum Sharma. hosting the show, ‘Tejaswini’ on DD News
She was also one of the founding members of Doordarshan’s news channel, DD News. Until her death in 2019, she worked for two and a half decades with Doordarshan.
Neelum became one of the most popular faces of Doordarshan, apart from her anchoring skills, she was also appreciated for her traditional attire look- a silk saree, a bindi with open hair.
Neelum Sharma, anchoring a news show on DD News
Neelum Sharma, anchoring a news show on DD INDIA
Awards
• Aadhi Abadi Women Achievers Awards 2010
• Media Maharathi 2013
• KPS Gill “Fearless Indian” award for excellence in journalism 2017
• Nari Shakti Puraskar 2019
Neelum Sharma, receiving Nari Shakti Puraskar from President, Ramnath Kovind
Death
On 17 August 2019, Neelum Sharma died of Bronchopneumonia (A type of pneumonia, a condition that causes inflammation of the lungs) in a private hospital in Noida. Doordarshan News officially tweeted about the demise of Neelum.
#DDNews mourns passing away of our dear Colleague Neelum Sharma. A founding anchor with over 20 years of association with #ddnews, she played a stellar role in many capacities. From 'Badi Charcha' to 'Tejasvini' her path breaking progs won accolades including Nari Shakti Award pic.twitter.com/dYKv3S4aCe
— Doordarshan News (@DDNewsLive) August 17, 2019
Here is a short news bulletin clip from DD News featuring Neelum Sharma:
DD News paid tribute to their most popular news anchor with a special show, here is the video:
Most impressive anchor. India will miss her and her programmes. my condolence to her family and colleagues.
DD NEWS MEANS NEELAM SHARMA JI….BEST PERSONALITY/ANCHOR
, IT’S GREAT LOSE TO MILLIONS OF PEOPLE. VERY SAD. RIP.
Very inspirational anchor and an amazing human being. Our True Tejaswini. Role model for all Indian women. We will miss her immensely. Heartfelt condolence to her family and all her loved ones. RIP madam.
Her face was full of grace and she was so beautiful. May Lord Krishna give her a place in his heavenly abode.
A superb presenter,and a rare presence on television.
Her enthusiasm and charm in presenting her tejasvinis will be missed.
Condolences to her family.
Strength to them to Bear the untimely demise.
So natural and graceful in her TV interview that it is now difficult to believe that she is no more between media and audience. RIP