News Broadcasting
Aaj Tak anchor Rohit Sardana succumbs to Covid
NEW DELHI: Covid keeps taking its toll on the Indian news broadcasting industry. Reports emerged on Friday that Hindi news channel Aaj Tak’s lead anchor Rohit Sardana has passed away after testing positive for Covid2019.
“More terrible news friends. Well known TV news anchor Rohit Sardana has passed away. Had a heart attack this morning. Deep condolences to his family,” tweeted journalist Rajdeep Sardesai.
More terrible news friends. Well known Tv news anchor Rohit Sardana has passed away. Had a heart attack this morning. Deep condolences to his family. RIP
— Rajdeep Sardesai (@sardesairajdeep) April 30, 2021
A senior broadcast journalist and a popular face on Hindi news channels, Sardana had left Zee News to join Aaj Tak in 2017. He was the host of the popular debate show Taal Thok Ke on Zee News and was last hosting Dangal on Aaj Tak.
Sardana’s untimely demise has left the news media world in a state of shock, with several friends, colleagues and prominent personages expressing their sadness over demise on social media. Zee News editor-in-chief Sudhir Chaudhary and Delhi’s deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia took to Twitter to condole Sardana’s passing.
अब से थोड़ी पहले @capt_ivane का फ़ोन आया।उसने जो कहा सुनकर मेरे हाथ काँपने लगे।हमारे मित्र और सहयोगी रोहित सरदाना की मृत्यु की ख़बर थी।ये वाइरस हमारे इतने क़रीब से किसी को उठा ले जाएगा ये कल्पना नहीं की थी।इसके लिए मैं तैयार नहीं था।ये भगवान की नाइंसाफ़ी है..
ॐ शान्ति— Sudhir Chaudhary (@sudhirchaudhary) April 30, 2021
Shocked and extremely saddened to know about the passing away of senior journalist and my journalism days colleague Rohit Sardana.
My deepest condolences to his family. May his soul rest in peace. pic.twitter.com/9yUWc9l4qu
— Manish Sisodia (@msisodia) April 30, 2021
The last few posts on Sardana’s Twitter account shows that he was trying to help people even while suffering from Covid himself. He was amplifying the SOS calls of people who were in need of amenities amidst the second wave of the Covid2019 pandemic.
News Broadcasting
News18 India launches Command Centre war explainer with Arya
New show shifts from debates to decoding global conflicts and impacts
MUMBAI: News18 India has rolled out a new war-focused programme, Command Centre, featuring Gaurav Arya, as it looks to offer viewers a sharper, more grounded take on global conflicts amid rising tensions in West Asia.
Positioned as an “insider war room”, the show moves away from conventional panel debates and instead focuses on explaining military developments, decoding strategy and connecting global events to their everyday impact, from fuel prices to economic shifts.
The format leans heavily on visuals and data. The studio has been designed like a command hub, complete with large LED war maps, real-time graphics and an alert system to track developments as they unfold.
At the centre of it all is Arya, who brings his military background to simplify complex war strategies for viewers. His signature line, “Seedhi baat samjhiye”, anchors the show’s promise of clarity over noise.
News18 India managing editor Jyoti Kamal said, “Command Centre, featuring Major Gaurav Arya is designed to deliver accurate insights and a clear perspective on how evolving conflicts impact everyday life, from household budgets to national security. With expert voices analysing every development in real time, the show goes beyond headlines to decode what’s happening now, what it means, and what could come next.”
Echoing the intent, Gaurav Arya added, “In times of war, confusion is the biggest threat. With News18 India’s Command Centre, we are bringing viewers inside the war room, decoding strategies, tracking every escalation, and explaining, in the simplest terms, what it means for India and for every household. Seedhi baat samjhiye, this is where you understand not just what is happening, but what happens next.”
The weekday show will air in the afternoon slot and will also feature Gaurav Shukla, adding to its editorial depth.
With its mix of analysis, visuals and a clear focus on impact, the show reflects a broader shift in news consumption. Viewers are no longer just watching events unfold, they are looking to understand what those events mean for them.
