Author Gita Mehta, Naveen Patnaik’s sister, dies at 80

Bhubaneshwar:

Gita Mehta, the elder sister of eminent author and Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, died at her residence in Delhi on Saturday due to old age-related illnesses.

She was 80 years old and is survived by her son. Her publisher husband, Sonny Mehta, predeceased her.

An eminent author, documentarian 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 at the University of Cambridge in the United Kingdom.

She has written books including ‘Karma Cola’, ‘Snake and Ladders’, ‘A River Sutra’, ‘Raj’ and ‘The Eternal Ganesha’.

Mehta, according to sources, was very close to his younger brother Naveen Patnaik.

During her previous visit to Bhubaneswar, she had told reporters that “people of Odisha are lucky to have a chief minister like Naveen Patnaik”.

I am saddened by the passing away of the famous writer Smt. Gita Mehta Ji. She was a multifaceted personality, known for her intelligence and passion for writing and filmmaking. She was also passionate about nature and water conservation. My thoughts go to @Naveen_Odisha…

-Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 16, 2023

Prime Minister Narendra Modi condoled her death, with a message on her passion for 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 .” Odisha Governor Ganeshi Lal also expressed condolences over his death.

He wrote on Many Odisha ministers and eminent personalities expressed condolences over Mehta’s death.

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