Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik's Sister Gita Mehta Passes Away At 80

Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik's sister Gita Mehta breathed her last on Friday. Reportedly, the 80-year-old passed away at her residence in Delhi.

BJP National Vice President, Baijayant Panda expressed his condolences over the sad demise of Gita Mehta on platform X, formerly Twitter.

His post read, "Having been close family friends, i recall her wit & intelligence as a great raconteur & along with her late husband, publishing titan Sonny Mehta, her many kindnesses & wonderful hospitality. A charismatic, opinionated, fiesty personality, she will be greatly missed. With deepest condolences to the family & prayers for the departed soul."

Odisha Governor Professor Ganeshi Lal also conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family and friends of Gita Mehta.

Odisha CM's sister Gita Mehta was the daughter of legendary leader and former Odisha CM Biju Patnaik. She was an eminent writer, documentary filmmaker, and journalist.

Gita Mehta who was conferred India's fourth highest civilian honour-Padma Shri- in the field of literature and education in 2019, reduced to take the award due to some political reasons.

Gita Mehta has produced and directed over 14 television documentaries for UK, European and US network. She also worked as a television journalist for the US-based television network NBC.

She is the elder sister of Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik. Gita Mehta was married to renowned American publisher late Sonny Mehta.

Born in 1943 to Biju and Gyan Patnaik in Delhi, Gita Mehta pursued her education in India and the University of Cambridge in the UK. Her books include Karma Cola, Snake and Ladders, A River Sutra, Raj and The Eternal Ganesha.