In a poignant moment, the renowned author Gita Mehta, the elder sister of Odisha’s Chief Minister, Shri Naveen Patnaik, has passed away in Delhi at the age of 80. I have shared a deep connection with Biju Patnaik and his family, am deeply saddened by this loss. Gita Mehta, a distinguished writer, documentary filmmaker, and journalist, had been ailing for several months due to age-related health issues.
Gita Mehta, the daughter of the legendary Biju Patnaik, was a luminary in her own right. Her contributions spanned across literature, filmmaking, and journalism. She was also the widow of the renowned American publisher, the late Sonny Mehta. Born in 1943 in Delhi to Biju and Gyan Patnaik, Gita pursued her education both in India and at the University of Cambridge in the United Kingdom. Her literary legacy comprises five notable books: “Karma Cola,” “Snakes and Ladders,” “A River Sutra,” “Raj,” and “The Eternal Ganesha.”
In 2019, Gita Mehta made headlines by gracefully declining the prestigious Padma Shri award for literature and education. Her decision was rooted in her concern that the timing, close to an election, might be misunderstood.
Born into the esteemed Odia family in Delhi, Gita was the daughter of the legendary former Chief Minister, Shri Biju Patnaik, an Indian independence activist, and a prominent Chief Minister in post-independence Odisha, previously known as Orissa. Her younger brother, Naveen Patnaik, has been serving as the Chief Minister of Odisha since 2000.
Gita Mehta’s multifaceted talents extended to the realm of filmmaking. She produced and directed 14 television documentaries for networks in the UK, Europe, and the US. Notably, during 1970–1971, she served as a television war correspondent for the US television network NBC, providing extensive coverage of the Bangladesh revolution. Her documentary compilation of these events, titled “Dateline Bangladesh,” received acclaim both in India and abroad.
Gita Mehta’s literary prowess transcended borders, with her books translated into 21 languages and achieving bestseller status in Europe, the US, and India. Her literary works, encompassing fiction and non-fiction, delved into India’s culture, history, and the Western perception of the nation. Her unique insights were deeply influenced by her journalistic and political background.
Residing across New York City, London, and New Delhi, Gita Mehta epitomized a global perspective and made substantial contributions to literature, journalism, and the world of documentary filmmaking.
As someone who was very close to Biju Patnaik and his family, I recognize the significance of Gita Mehta’s role as the daughter of Biju Patnaik and as an elder sister who played a pivotal role in guiding Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik during his early days in politics.
Political leaders from all parties have expressed their profound condolences over her passing. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also conveyed his condolences, acknowledging Gita Mehta’s multifaceted talents, her passion for writing and filmmaking, as well as her commitment to nature and water conservation. Our thoughts are with Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and the entire Patnaik family during this difficult hour.
Gita Mehta, the daughter of Biju Patnaik and the sister of Odisha’s Chief Minister, Naveen Patnaik, was also the wife of American publisher Sonny Mehta, who passed away in December 2019. Her contributions to literature, journalism, and filmmaking will be remembered as a significant part of her enduring legacy.