Singh is survived by his wife Brinda and daughters Aamna and Sonali. Singh was more than a newsreader. He was a publisher, and no mean actor. He graduated from St Stephens' College and joined Doordarshan as a newsreader in 1966.

A member of the college's dramatics society, "Bunny" was entirely at home in front of the camera and is also remembered as one of the stalwarts of the golden years of Doordarshan's news service, along with Neethi Ravindran, Komal G B Singh, Preet Bedi and Rini Khanna.

Khanna, who was Rini Simon then, joined DD in 1985 and did her first bulletin with Singh. "I remember it was him and he was already a star back then. Working with him was just great. I met him only last week at a book reading function," said Khanna, who is shocked to hear the news of his death.

Viewers may remember that it was Singh who announced the Emergency in 1975. He quit DD soon after but returned three years later and stayed on till 2003. Sunil Sethi, fellow broadcaster who now works with NDTV, remembers his friend of 30 years, "He was a remarkable friend. He was not only an impressive broadcaster but also a keen and farsighted publisher. He really thought the news through and that's what lent the news so much credibility. He would often rewrite those awful DD news broadcasts."

Singh's father Gurbachan Singh was India's envoy to Bhutan, Pakistan, Switzerland and many other countries. Sethi recalls how his friend spoke exquisite French and was punctilious about language.

Veteran journalist and media critic for over 40 years, Amita Malik said, "He was the face of Doordarshan. He brought quality to DD. Before him, newsreaders read in monotone and without imagination. But Tejeshwar brought elegance and intelligence to his newcasting. He was a thorough gentleman and this too came through."

Singh was also successful in his career as the managing director of Sage India Publications. Sevanti Ninan, journalist and author of Headlines from the Heartland, published by Sage, said," His contribution as a publisher is immense. He didn't publish big names but truly revolutionised media and communication studies as a social science."