Lakshmi Kothaneth

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Lakshmi Kothaneth
Senior journalist
Oman Observer
Muscat, Sultanate of Oman

Lakshmi Kothaneth is a senior journalist at Oman Observer, with an extensive experience in print, radio, and television journalism, and has authored the book The Answer, and is active in covering business, culture, education, health, environment and development issues in Oman.
A specialist in Mass Communication, she loves training and imparting public speaking skills to others no matter what their profession is. 
Her broadcasting career began in 1993. She worked for 20 years in Radio Oman and Sultanate of Oman Television as a broadcaster—news reporter, news reader and presenter with special interests in current affairs. She also did special coverage from Salalah during the monsoon season highlighting the tourism season with a special insight into culture. Her all time passion is conducting interviews. She believes everyone has a story to tell. 

One of her popular radio program has been Body, Mind and Soul hosting renowned late Islamic scholar, Sheikh Khalfan al Esry.

Podcast at Oman Observer
Podcast at Oman Observer
Oman’s Women Leaders felicitation ceremony 2026. The World Women Leadership Congress & Awards celebrates resilience, innovation, and the transformative power of women in leadership. (October 14, 2026)
Oman’s Women Leaders felicitation ceremony 2026. The World Women Leadership Congress & Awards celebrates resilience, innovation, and the transformative power of women in leadership. (October 14, 2026)
She represented Oman for the CNN World Report and also worked as correspondent for Dubai Business Channel. 
Lakshmi has also been working towards the awareness of mental health issues. She has been presenting the Observer Podcast called GreenMent with senior psychiatrist, Dr Hamed al Sinawi, focusing on mental health.
She is a volunteer with Purple Cafe, an initiative of Oman Alzheimer’s Society for the caregivers of Alzheimer’s patients.
She has a passion for photography and videography and has produced several short documentaries.
She is currently working on her second book and her first photography exhibition. 

Lakshmi is an experienced media professional, author, and journalist whose career bridges deep cultural roots with a front-row seat to modern history.

With the patron of Oman Cancer Association Her Highness Dr Sayyida Mona bint Fahad al Said and the founder of Oman Cancer Association, Honourable Yuthar Al Rawahi.
With the patron of Oman Cancer Association Her Highness Dr Sayyida Mona bint Fahad al Said and the founder of Oman Cancer Association, Honourable Yuthar Al Rawahi.
At the launch of her book, The Answer
At the launch of her book, The Answer
Education & Early Roots

​Completing her foundational schooling at Besant Arundale Senior Higher Secondary School in Chennai, she also trained extensively in Bharatanatyam at the renowned Kalakshetra. She later pursued a degree in Mass Communications in the United States, studying at South West State University, Minnesota and Mississippi State University.

At the opening of art exhibition, Just Purple, organised and curated by Lakshmi for Oman Alzheimer's Society's Just Purple featuring Omani and international artists and photographers at Sheraton Oman. From Left to Right Dr Abdulmonem al Hasani, Dr Hamed al Sinawi, Dr Shamsa al Harthi and Lakshmi Kothaneth
At the opening of art exhibition, Just Purple, organised and curated by Lakshmi for Oman Alzheimer’s Society’s Just Purple featuring Omani and international artists and photographers at Sheraton Oman. From Left to Right Dr Abdulmonem al Hasani, Dr Hamed al Sinawi, Dr Shamsa al Harthi and Lakshmi Kothaneth
Signing of the book, The Answer. From L to R: Dr J Retnakumar, Mr N Narayan and Chitra Narayan, founders of Middle East Nursery.
Signing of the book, The Answer. From L to R: Dr J Retnakumar, Mr N Narayan and Chitra Narayan, founders of Middle East Nursery.
​A Front-Row Seat to History in Oman
​With deep family ties to the Sultanate of Oman—where her parents built their careers since the 1970s—Lakshmi’s career in news media has allowed her to witness the nation’s transformation firsthand.
Her reporting career includes:
​Covering major geopolitical milestones, such as the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Summit in Oman.
​Attending the inaugurations of landmark national projects like Salalah Port, Oman LNG, and the Oman National Museum.
​Exploring Oman’s rich archaeological sites and reporting on its dynamic path toward the future.
On board a special flight. Field reporting is something she has enjoyed tremendously as it has taken her to different parts of Oman.
Covering the homecoming of late Nadhira al Harthi after scaling the Mount Everest making her the first Omani woman to do so. In picture is the then ambassador of Nepal to Oman Dr. Sarmila Parajuli Dhakal and her husband Bimal Dhakal.
Covering the homecoming of late Nadhira al Harthi after scaling the Mount Everest making her the first Omani woman to do so. In picture is the then ambassador of Nepal to Oman Dr. Sarmila Parajuli Dhakal and her husband Bimal Dhakal.

Writing & Digital Media

​Oman Observer Column: Every Tuesday, her weekly column reflects on contemporary global topics and life from diverse perspectives.
​Author: She authored the book The Answer, based on her collaborative radio show on Radio Oman with the late Islamic scholar and life coach, Sheikh Khalfan Al Esry.
​New Media & Podcasts: Believing that stories can be told in a million ways, she is active across new media. She hosts the podcast GreenMent, exploring psychology and mental health alongside Dr. Hamed Al Sinawi, Senior Consultant Psychiatrist at Sultan Qaboos University.
​

Community & Passions

​Committed to social impact, Lakshmi actively supports the initiatives of key non-governmental organizations, including the Oman Cancer Association, Oman Alzheimer’s Society, and the Oman Animal Welfare Association.

Field reporting: 93 year old beauty Vespucci from Italy with plenty of stories to tell at Sultan Qaboos Port.
Field reporting: 93 year old beauty Vespucci from Italy with plenty of stories to tell at Sultan Qaboos Port.
Studio 1 of Radio Sultanate of Oman 90.4 FM.
Studio 1 of Radio Sultanate of Oman 90.4 FM.
Hailing from Thrissur, Kerala she has a passion for elephants of Kerala, camels and feral donkeys of Oman.
Moments with a friendly camel Zubaida during interview with Lilianne Donders who once crossed the desert with her camels. The camels continue to be with her.
Moments with a friendly camel Zubaida during interview with Lilianne Donders who once crossed the desert with her camels. The camels continue to be with her.

Lakshmi’s another passion is hosting and creating events with a purpose of creating a platform for professional artists and conveying message. An example is the art exhibition titled, ‘Just Purple’, aimed at Alzheimer’s awareness.


​Outside of her professional endeavors, she enjoys drawing, photography, and jewelry design, alongside a deep personal interest in emotional intelligence, behavioral psychology, and spiritual intelligence.
​Guiding her work is a simple yet powerful philosophy: In the current era of AI, human stories still matter.
Contact Information
Instagram : @lakshmikothaneth
X : @lakshmioman