Veteran Bengali television news anchor Papyia Singha died at the age of 47 on Thursday morning while undergoing treatment for colon cancer. She breathed her last at a private hospital near Kolkata’s EM Bypass.

Singh had been battling colon cancer and had undergone 12 rounds of chemotherapy as part of her treatment. According to the information available, she suffered a heart attack on Thursday morning, following which she died.

Singh was a familiar face on Bengali television and had spent more than two decades working as a news anchor. She was known among viewers for her clear delivery, fluent presentation and precise pronunciation of Bengali.

Apart from anchoring news programmes, Singh was also associated with recitation.

Those close to her remembered her as someone who loved food, although her health had become increasingly difficult to manage after she began chemotherapy.

The prolonged cancer treatment had taken a toll on her health. Her death has left her family, friends and colleagues mourning the loss of a familiar voice from Bengali television news. Singh is survived by her mother, husband and son.