From Bihar to Goa, Namita Sharan’s fearless pursuit of truth, leadership, and change
Namita Sharan, a senior Goan journalist believes that every turn in life, there is always something to learn. “From Bihar to Goa, I have witnessed many milestones. The experience of working with the country’s number one news channel in Delhi has inspired me to live and thrive in every situation, no matter where I am,” she says.
The places she has been to, have their own unique character and temperament. Working in Bihar and Delhi gave her a foundational understanding of journalism and the ground realities of the profession. “I was involved in everything from field reporting to newsroom responsibilities. During this period, I came to be known as a determined and grounded journalist.”
Coming to Goa, taking charge of the Sahara TV bureau, and later working with HCN News, where Namita was entrusted with leadership responsibilities, brought new challenges and opportunities at each step. Every phase not only made her a better journalist but also helped her evolve into a stronger woman and a voice for society.
Goa Samachar established by Namita has the distinction of being Goa’s only Hindi fortnightly, led only by women. Establishing Goa Samachar was a bold but challenging step. “The journey of Goa Samachar began during the COVID-19 pandemic. After 27 years of experience, I decided that I would publish my own newspaper. My daughter, who is my greatest companion and strength, said to me, “Mom, you have worked so hard– why don’t you start your own newspaper?” I loved the idea, and I began working toward it,” mentions Namita.
The COVID-19 pandemic brought extremely difficult circumstances, but she has never seen journalism as just a profession but a responsibility. “Bringing accurate information to people, becoming their voice, and giving them hope has always been my biggest motivation. That is what gave me the courage to continue publishing Goa Samachar despite all the challenges. When the world was battling between life and death, I chose to turn this crisis into an opportunity – and I focused solely on life.”
Namita’s reporting career began with fearless coverage of socio-political issues. “I worked during a time when nearly 70 percent of India was affected by Naxalite incidents. In Bihar, such incidents were a regular occurrence. Reporting on the Naxal movement and electoral violence in Bihar taught me that the path to the truth is never easy. These experiences made me realize that courage isn’t just about walking into danger – it is about uncovering the truth despite pressure and fear. That became the backbone of my journalism.”
Through her journalism Namita has placed a strong focus on women’s mental health and leadership. She feels that topics like women’s mental health and women leadership are still neglected in mainstream media as traditional mindsets continue to treat women’s experiences as secondary. “But I firmly believe that unless we make these subjects part of the public discourse, true social change will remain incomplete. I say without hesitation that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is the first leader of the country to bring subjects like women’s mental health and leadership into national-level discussions.”
Namita recently received the Mahatma Gandhi Leadership Award at Oxford and elaborates on the recognition and how she connects with Gandhi’s ideals with regards to her work. “Mahatma Gandhi’s ideology remains relevant even today. The power of truth and non-violence is recognized across the world. Receiving the Mahatma Gandhi Leadership Award at Oxford was not just a personal honour for me, but recognition of the values and struggles I have lived through in my work. I was able to share how India is progressing in every field. I truly believe that it is the duty of every Indian to contribute to the nation. For me, writing and speaking positively about my country is a responsibility.”
Namita was also honoured with an award by Chief Minister of Goa, Dr Pramod Sawant. It was a special moment for her, one filled with immense pride and inspiration for her. “Over my 27-year career, I have had the opportunity to meet many chief ministers and political leaders. Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant is a soft-spoken leader, which is rare in the world of politics. His decisions are not just confined to files – they take shape on the ground.”
At Goa Samachar, Namita and her team believes that true journalism is not just about raising questions, but also about presenting solutions and offering hope. “While we report in depth on serious issues like politics and the economy, we also ensure that lifestyle, culture, and inspiring stories receive equal space.”
Namita reflects on her experiences working in both local journalism in Goa and the national media, noting how distinct the two worlds are. “National media operates at a relentless pace,” she says. “There’s immense pressure to break news quickly and disseminate it on a wide scale. It can feel like a constant race against time.” By contrast, she finds journalism in Goa to be of a different rhythm altogether. “Here, the focus is far more local – rooted in the culture, the people, and the everyday issues that matter to the community.”
At Goa Samachar, Namita delves into local concerns but strives to present them through a broader lens, helping the public connect more deeply with the issues at hand. “It is about telling stories in a way that resonates not just with facts, but with feeling. While national journalism can often feel like a mad dash, here in Goa I’m savouring what I like to call susegado journalism.”
She speaks passionately about the importance of financial independence for women. “I want to tell every woman– take control of your finances. Don’t hand over that responsibility to anyone else. It’s essential. If you can recognise your own needs and set your priorities clearly, then balancing personal and professional life isn’t quite as daunting as it may seem. Sometimes, we simply need to understand ourselves a little better – and offer ourselves the courage to keep moving forward.”
Namita offers a final word of encouragement: “If the road to your dreams involves a few hardships – it is those very struggles that shape your strength.”
