Skip to main content

Gita Mehta eminent author Odisha CM Naveen Patnaiks sister no more



NEW DELHI: The daughter of late Odia political stalwart Biju Patnaik, and the elder sister of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, Gita Mehta belonged to the 'first family' of Odisha but carved her own identity as a writer, hitting the spotlight first with Karma Kola and Snakes and Ladders in the '70s, then with her short story collection, a River Sutra, in 1993, one of the first Indo-Anglian literary works to be internationally considered a cult work before the genre came to be known as such. She passed away at her residence in Delhi on Friday. She was 80 years old.

The tug of war between purity and passion was at the core of Sutra but Mehta, dealt with it in her characteristic tragic-comic way and the book, as suits a sutra, is filled with wise sayings. The book is considered representational of Indian culture and also has a dual vision, factoring in how the West sees it. It maps a wide terrain through its portrayal of music, religion, and major cultural landmarks with the story set in mid-to-late 20th century India and around the river Narmada in central India.

In 2019, she was conferred India's fourth-highest civilian honour, the Padma Shri, by the BJP government for her contribution in the field of literature and education, an honour she "politely declined" as its timing could be "misconstrued" in an election year. In interviews to the media, she said she was prompted

to do so "thinking of my brother, not wishing to cause him any embarrassment at a sensitive time - or even face accusations that nepotism might have been brought to bear to get me the award".

Mehta was known for her detachment to institutional honours. When questioned about what she thought of awards in general she said the process was subjective making a comparison: "For example, why Ravi Shankar, but not Vilayat Khan for the Bharat Ratna?"

Mehta has produced and/or directed 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, Dateline Bangladesh, her work on Bangladesh, is well regarded.

She was married to publishing professional, Sonny Mehta, a former head of the Alfred A. Knopf publishing house.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

British victory in Falklands War might spur Argentina to build nukes CIA feared

Agency worried that Argentina's political isolation following defeat could play a role in a decision to advance its nuclear program The CIA feared that British victory in the 1982 Falklands conflict would encourage Argentina's ruling military junta to step up its efforts to construct nuclear weapons, according to a newly uncovered report. Intelligence analysts at the spy agency examining the issue of nuclear proliferation wrote in a secret report that "the Falkland Islands crisis is raising security issues for Buenos Aires that could influence Argentine attitudes towards the development of nuclear technology." The report, dated 24 April 1982, said: "A humiliation in the Falklands probably would encourage the conclusion that the possession of nuclear weapons - or merely the foreign belief that Argentina had such weapons - might have made the UK more accommodating. A major reverse for Argentina in the dispute could persuade it to proceed to build nuclear weapons....
Post a Comment
Read more

No man wants to date me Lady with unique nose cries bitterly Video

A pretty lady has gone online to lament bitterly over her singlehood as she attributes the status to their unique of her nose. The lady named Ammie Sweeshy cried out over her situation since no man appears to be approaching her or making any romantic advances towards her because of her nose. She made this known in response to a question a curious netizen asked inquiring if she has a boyfriend. Ammie could be observed crying in the video because no man seems to want her or making any romantic move to sweep her off her feet. Some netizens tried consoling her as they note that she's still pretty regardless of the nose. @dawgtreyna said: "Funny enough the nose actually fits you. You are still a fine girl though." @THE FASTEST BAGGER said: "You're so beautiful, don't let what people say ruin you. I'm single in case you need a boyfriend, let me know." @Princesseron commented: "Don't worry, dear. Even those who have small noses, some don't...
Post a Comment
Read more

Osho – forget about being aware

Osho – forget about being aware: rather, start enjoying the thought process in OSHO INSIGHTS ON MEDITATION [A sannyasin says that he is fed up with his mind. I feel I’m never here and I never see anything at all. I try everything: I try meditation, I try to be aware, But often I don’t feel it. Osho checks his energy.] Osho – Two things to be remembered…. One: don’t try to stop it. That’s how you are creating the whole problem; don’t try to stop it. It is very natural to you; you will go crazy if you try to stop it. It will be like a tree trying to stop its leaves; the tree will go mad. The leaves are very natural to it. You are a mind person. If you try to become a heart person you will create so much trouble for yourself, and unnecessarily, because there is a way which goes from the mind itself. There is no need to change yourself into a heart person, mm? That will be against your intrinsic nature. Always listen to your nature, follow your nature. To be natural is to be religio...
Post a Comment
Read more