Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik's elder sister Gita Mehta passes away

Eminent writer, documentary filmmaker and journalist Gita Mehta, daughter of Odisha's famous politician and former Chief Minister Biju Patnaik, passed away in Delhi today. She was the elder sister of Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik. She was married to the famous American publisher late Sunny Mehta.

Born in Delhi in 1943 to Biju Patnaik and Gyan Patnaik, Gita was educated at Cambridge University in India as well as Britain. He has authored five books - Karma Cola, Snake and Ladder, A River Sutra, Raj and The Eternal Ganesha.

Sources said That Geeta Mehta was very close to her younger brother Naveen Patnaik. During his last visit to Bhubaneswar, he had told reporters that "the people of Odisha are very fortunate to have a chief minister like Naveen Patnaik".

PM Narendra Modi condoled his death in a post on 'X'. "I am saddened by the demise of renowned writer Geeta Mehta ji. She was a versatile personality, known for her wit and passion towards writing as well as filmmaking. She was also passionate about nature and water conservation. My thoughts are with Naveen Patnaik ji and the entire family in this hour of grief. Om Shanti."

Odisha Governor Ganeshi Lal also condoled his death. "Saddened to learn about the passing away of Geeta Mehta, an accomplished English writer and sister of CM Naveen Patnaik, and conveyed my heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family and friends," he wrote on 'X'.

Several Odisha ministers and eminent personalities have condoled the death of Geeta Mehta.