Kolkata/IBNS: Chhanda Sen, who was synonymous with the dignified charm of Bengali news reading on state-run Doordarshan since its inception decades before the satellite TV and private channel era began in India, passed away at the SSKM Hospital in Kolkata on Wednesday. She was 78.

According to Akashvani Sangbad Kolkata, Sen, who presented news in Bengali for decades and earned the love and respect of the TV audience for her dignified yet unaffected presence, perfect accent and poise, breathed her last at 2.30 am on Wednesday.

She was earlier admitted to the state-run SSKM Hospital for illness.

Chhanda Sen is one of several iconic names closely associated with Doordarshan Kolkata from the time of black and white era of television watching.

Sen joined Akashvani in 1974. From 1975 she used to regularly present news on Kolkata Doordarshan before retiring in 2006. She is survived by her husband, daughter and numerous well-wishers.

"End of an era," posted many of her admirers on social media as the news broke. "She was from a time when news reading was drama-free and yet when we would impatiently wait for her appearance on the TV set every evening," posted another old-timer.

Before her last rites at the Keoratala crematorium in south Kolkata, her body will be brought to Akashvani Bhavan for paying respects.