| Gita Mehta, an Indian-born American author, journalist, and documentary filmmaker, focused on conflicts like the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War. Her five books were translated into over 21 languages, addressing Indian issues for Western readers. |
| She hailed from an Odia family and was sent to a boarding school at age three while her father was detained by the British and her mother worked on his release efforts. |
| After marrying Sonny Mehta in 1965, she moved to New York and later to London. Sonny Mehta was an influential figure in the publishing industry. |
| Gita Mehta was known for documentaries on British, European, and American television and was a correspondent for NBC during the 1971 Bangladesh war. |
| Her first book, 'Karma Cola' (1979), critiqued Western spiritual seekers in India. 'Raj' (1989) was a fictional tale about an Indian royal family, while 'A River Sutra' (1993) explored Indian life and mythology. |
| 'Snakes and Ladders' (1997) comprised essays on Indian life, released on India's 50th Independence Day, aiming to bridge understanding between India and the West. |
| Declining the Padma Shri award in 2019 due to the upcoming general elections, she expressed concerns over the timing causing misunderstandings. |
