Bhubaneswar: Eminent author and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik's elder sister Gita Mehta died at her Delhi residence on Saturday due to old age-related ailments. She was 80, and is survived by her son. Her publisher husband Sonny Mehta had predeceased her.
An eminent author, documentary filmmaker, and journalist, Gita Mehta was the elder sister of Naveen Patnaik and businessman Prem Patnaik. Born in 1943 to Biju Patnaik and Gyan Patnaik in Delhi, she studied in India and the University of Cambridge in the United Kingdom. She has penned books including 'Karma Cola', 'Snake and Ladders', 'A River Sutra', 'Raj' and 'The Eternal Ganesha'.
She had married to renowned American publisher late Sonny Mehta in 1965. Soni Mehta passed away in 2019. Geeta was nominated for the Padma Award in 2019, but she declined to accept Padma Shri award. In between 1970-1971, Geeta was the war correspondent for the United States television network of the National Broadcasting Company.
Chief Minister Patnaik, who shared close bond with Geeta, will leave for Delhi on Sunday morning to attend her last rites. Geeta had played a big role in introducing Naveen to the international level before entering politics. Similarly, Geeta's hand is behind Naveen's entry into politics.
During her earlier visit to Bhubaneswar, she had told reporters that people of Odisha are fortunate enough to have a CM like Naveen Patnaik. Prime Minister Narendra Modi condoled her death, with a post on X: "I am saddened by the passing away of noted writer Smt. Gita Mehta Ji. She was a multifaceted personality, known for her intellect and passion towards writing as well as film making. She was also passionate about nature and water conservation. My thoughts are with @Naveen_Odisha Ji and the entire family in this hour of grief. Om Shanti."
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I am saddened by the passing away of noted writer Smt. Gita Mehta Ji. She was a multifaceted personality, known for her intellect and passion towards writing as well as film making. She was also passionate about nature and water conservation. My thoughts are with @Naveen_Odisha…
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 16, 2023 " class="align-text-top noRightClick twitterSection" data="
">I am saddened by the passing away of noted writer Smt. Gita Mehta Ji. She was a multifaceted personality, known for her intellect and passion towards writing as well as film making. She was also passionate about nature and water conservation. My thoughts are with @Naveen_Odisha…
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 16, 2023I am saddened by the passing away of noted writer Smt. Gita Mehta Ji. She was a multifaceted personality, known for her intellect and passion towards writing as well as film making. She was also passionate about nature and water conservation. My thoughts are with @Naveen_Odisha…
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 16, 2023
Odisha Governor Ganeshi Lal also condoled her death. He wrote on X: "Saddened to learn about the demise of accomplished English author Gita Mehta, sister of Hon'ble CM Shri @Naveen_Odisha and conveyed heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family and friends." Odisha ministers and eminent persons expressed their condolences over Mehta's demise.
