OTV Foresight 2026: Odisha doesn’t need front-page validation, says Arnab Goswami

People of Odisha don’t need validation by coming on the front pages every day, said Republic TV Editor-in-Chief Arnab Goswami while speaking at OTV Foresight 2026 in Delhi on Tuesday, asserting that states with deep cultural and historical roots must not measure their relevance through Delhi-centric national narratives.

Speaking during a session titled “Media’s Role in India’s Development Story”, Goswami responded to a question from Litisha Mangat Panda, Business Head (News and Digital), OTV, on the role of national media and why states like Odisha are often sidelined in mainstream national discourse.

‘History Is Not What Appears In Headlines Every Day’

Goswami said Odisha’s identity is rooted in a rich civilisation and cultural continuity that predates modern political and media structures. “History is not what appears in headlines every day. History lives in the hearts of people. The people of Odisha do not need validation by appearing on the front pages of newspapers every morning,” he said.

Expanding the discussion, Goswami drew parallels between Odisha, Assam and Bengal, highlighting their shared cultural, linguistic and anthropological heritage. He pointed to similarities in food habits, language and classical art forms such as Odissi and Sattriya, and referenced the cultural influence of Srimanta Sankardev to underline the deep-rooted unity of eastern India.

Read More: “Today, Odisha is a national growth story”: MD Jagi Mangat Panda at OTV Foresight 2026

Drawing parallels with eastern India, Goswami said Odisha, Assam and Bengal are closely connected through culture, language and tradition. “These states share food habits, linguistic similarities and artistic traditions. There are inherent similarities between Odissi and Sattriya dance forms, and even cultural dialogues reflect a shared heritage,” he noted.

Referring to historical representation, he said, “Except a brief reference to Ashoka and Kalinga, Odisha barely finds mention in history books. The same is true for Assam. Large parts of the country have been excluded from mainstream narratives for decades, and this exclusion is not accidental.”

What Gives Delhi The Right To Be The Media Capital Of India?

Questioning the dominance of the national capital in shaping narratives, Goswami remarked, “Everything in our media ecosystem revolves around Delhi. Ask yourself, what gives Delhi the right to be the media capital of India?”

Also Read: OTV Foresight 2026: Time has come that the sun of Vikshit Bharat will once again rise from the east, says Delhi LG

Calling for a shift in thinking, he urged media organisations to decentralise power. “There is no reason why Bhubaneswar cannot be a national media centre. Build national networks from Odisha and have Delhi as just another bureau. Change the power dynamics,” he said.

Goswami added that India has the capability to tell national and global stories without being anchored to traditional power centres, echoing the broader vision of OTV Foresight 2026 to amplify regional voices and promote a more inclusive national discourse.