Gita Mehta, writer and elder sister of chief minister Odisha Naveen Patnaik, has flown in from the US to be with her brother.

The siblings are known to share a strong bond, and a common interest in reading and writing. Gita had been in Odisha when Naveen took oath as chief minister for the fifth time in a row last year.

Gita is the author of books like Karma Cola, Raj, A River Sutra, Snakes and Ladders: Glimpses of Modern India, and Eternal Ganesha: From Birth to Rebirth.

Naveen confirmed Gita’s arrival by registering her name on the state’s website.

“I have registered my sister’s details in the government portal for persons coming from abroad. I appeal to you to also register details about your family members and friends coming from abroad. This will help protect Odisha from the coronavirus,” the chief minister had tweeted soon after Gita landed in Bhubaneswar last week.

The Odisha government had asked all those arriving in the state on or after March 4 to register themselves on its website and keep themselves in self-quarantine.

Gita Mehta Sourced by Correspondent

“While there have been cases of people concealing the arrival of their family members like that of a senior doctor of AIIMS who hid the details of his son’s travels, Naveen has been open about his sister’s arrival. Acting like a statesman he put his sister in quarantine at home for 14 days in accordance with the rules,” said a senior BJD leader.

Sources said Gita had been in home quarantine since her arrival and had not stepped out of Naveen Niwas. She keeps herself busy reading books and writing, the sources said. Naveen, too, has been obeying lockdown regulations.

He does not step out of his residence unless it is extremely necessary as his movement could put unnecessary burden on the state’s police force and bureaucracy.

“Last time he came to the state secretariat was to attend a video-conferencing session with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He is operating from his residence office and keeping a close tab on the developments as the state fights the Covid-19 menace,” said a source.

The high profile sister of Naveen not only keeps out of politics she also steers clear of potential controversies. Ahead of the last general elections 2019 she had refused to accept the Padma Shri award for her contribution in the field of literature and education as this could have been misinterpreted and become a source of embarrassment for Naveen with a BJP-led government at the Centre.

“Gita is very close to Naveen and understands him much better than others. The siblings share a common interest in books and love to present each other books. In 2017 the duo had been spotted browsing at the books section of swanky mall in the state capital, taking those present by complete surprise,” recalled a senior journalist.