Renowned Author Gita Mehta Dies at 80: A Look Back at Her Illustrious Career

Eminent author and documentary filmmaker Gita Mehta, sister of Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik, passed away due to old age ailments. Born in 1943 to Biju Patnaik and Gyan Patnaik in Delhi, she studied in India and the UK. She has authored books like Karma Cola, Snake and Ladders among others.

The literary world has lost a gem as eminent author, documentary filmmaker and journalist Gita Mehta passed away at her Delhi residence on Saturday due to age-related ailments. She was 80 years old and is survived by her son. Her husband, publisher Sonny Mehta had predeceased her.

Early Life and Career

Gita Mehta was the elder sister of Naveen Patnaik, the Chief Minister of Odisha, and businessman Prem Patnaik. Born in 1943 to Biju Patnaik and Gyan Patnaik in Delhi, she pursued education both in India and abroad at the University of Cambridge in the United Kingdom. With a flair for writing that transcended boundaries, she penned several books including Karma Cola, Snake & Ladders, A River Sutra, Raj and The Eternal Ganesha which were well-received worldwide.

A Close Bond with Family

Sources have revealed that Mehta shared a close bond with her younger brother Naveen Patnaik. During one of her visits to Bhubaneswar earlier on, she had openly expressed admiration for him stating that people of Odisha are fortunate enough to have a Chief Minister like Naveen Patnaik.

National Condolences

Her demise has led to an outpouring of condolences from across the country including Prime Minister Narendra Modi who took to social media platform X expressing his sorrow over her passing away. He wrote: "I am saddened by the passing away of noted writer Smt. Gita Mehta Ji. She was a multifaceted personality known for her intellect as well as passion towards writing and filmmaking." He also acknowledged other facets of her diverse personality mentioning how she was passionate about nature conservation especially water conservation.

In conclusion, the demise of Gita Mehta is a significant loss to the literary world. Her multifaceted personality and her contributions in various fields including writing, documentary filmmaking and journalism will be remembered for years to come. As an author, she brought out several works that were not only acclaimed but also reflected her deep understanding of Indian culture and society. Her passion towards nature conservation was another aspect of her life which made her stand out as an individual committed to making a difference in the world. She leaves behind a rich legacy which will continue to inspire future generations.