TV
In a heartfelt move to promote social inclusion and cultural sustainability, Odisha Television Network (OTV), under its flagship CSR initiative ‘OTV Cares’, has proposed the construction of a ceremonial Puja Gate for a vibrant Santali tribal community living near the media organisation’s office in Bhubaneswar.
Home to more than 300 families and over 1,200 individuals, the indigenous Santali community celebrates their traditions and festivals—such as Baha Banga (March) and Magmone (November)—with vibrant devotion to Mother Nature. However, the absence of a boundary or puja gate has left the community vulnerable to regular intrusions by stray animals and a gradual loss of culturally significant flora.
The proposed project involves constructing a 15 ft x 15 ft traditional gate engraved with the words 'Donated by OTV Cares'. The estimated cost for the initiative stands at Rs 2,32,000, inclusive of GST.
While the Santali community’s average family income remains below Rs 2 lakh per annum, their cultural richness and close-knit traditions continue to thrive. This initiative by OTV is not merely a gesture of charity, but a step toward ensuring the sustainability and dignity of a deeply rooted tribal heritage.
Elated with OTV’s noble deed, Mochiram Majhi, the Community Leader, said, “I want to express my gratitude to OTV and its entire staff for this kind gesture. We will always remain obliged for this noble deed.”
Likewise, Laxman Murmu said, “I’m more than happy today and want to thank OTV for the noble gesture.”
“Preserving culture, tradition, and the roots of our state has always been one of the top priorities of OTV. In that regard, we have decided to invest in infrastructure developments where we propose to construct a 15ft*15ft puja gate for the marginalized Majhi community who happen to be our neighbours. It gives us immense satisfaction, and I would like to thank our MD, Jagi Mangat Panda, and our Head of Business, Litisha Mangat Panda, who approved this initiative and found this initiative logical enough to invest money in,” stated Dipti Ranjan Das, OTV Cares.
By integrating infrastructure with cultural preservation, the initiative aligns with OTV Cares’ larger vision of inclusive social development and community-centric growth. It is expected to boost local morale and further strengthen OTV’s relationship with the people it serves.
