New Delhi, Sep 16: Daughter of legendary Biju Patnaik and eminent author, documentary film maker, and journalist Geeta Mehta today passed away in Delhi. She happens to be the elder sister of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.
Born in 1943 to Biju and Gyan Patnaik in Delhi, she had her education in India and University of Cambridge UK. She had penned books including Karma Cola,Snake and Ladders, A River Sutra, Raj and The Eternal Ganesha.
Mehta completed her education in India and at the University of Cambridge, United Kingdom. She was adjudged for India's fourth highest civilian award the Padma Shri in 2019, which she declined for political reasons.
She has produced and directed 14 television documentaries for UK, European and US networks. During the years 1970–1971 she was a television war correspondent for the US television network NBC. Her film compilation of the Bangladesh revolution, Dateline Bangladesh, was shown in cinemas both in India and abroad.
She was married to renowned American publisher late Sonny Mehta.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi condoled Mehta’s demise and said she was a multifaceted personality, known for her intellect and passion towards writing as well as film making.
“I am saddened by the passing away of noted writer Smt. Gita Mehta Ji. She was a multifaceted personality, known for her intellect and passion towards 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,” PM Modi wrote on ‘X’.
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge also expressed grief over her demise.
He wrote on X: “Saddened by the passing away of renowned author, journalist and acclaimed filmmaker, Gita Mehta ji. Known for the coverage of Bangladesh Liberation War, 1971, she also made exceptional contribution to the field of culture and literature. Our deepest condolences to Shri @Naveen_Odisha, her family and admirers. May she rest in eternal peace.”
