Vinay Gupta's memoir reveals the extraordinary story of an Indian businessman who quietly aided Jewish refugees during World War II, defying the odds with compassion and resourcefulness.
A Tale of Bravery: An Indian's Secret Efforts to Rescue Jewish Families from the Nazis
A Tale of Bravery: An Indian's Secret Efforts to Rescue Jewish Families from the Nazis
An inspiring journey unearths the heroism of Kundanlal, a little-known Indian figure who risked his life and business to save Jewish families from Nazi persecution.
In a revealing journey into family history, Vinay Gupta uncovers the remarkable tale of his grandfather, Kundanlal, an unsung hero who helped Jewish families escape the clutches of the Nazis during one of history’s darkest periods. The revelation, shared by Gupta's mother, opened the door to an inspiring account of humanity amid terror. Kundanlal, a man of humble beginnings from Ludhiana, took extraordinary risks, establishing businesses that employed Jewish refugees and providing them with homes in India before the onset of World War II.
Kundanlal's life journey reads like a novel, overcoming poverty as a child to flourish as a businessman deeply involved in the freedom movement. He was entrenched in industrial ventures and notwithstanding facing detainment pressures from the British, he extended a lifeline to Jewish professionals through job offers in India. A pivotal moment came in 1938 when he met Alfred Wachsler while hospitalized in Vienna. Learning of increasing antisemitic violence, Kundanlal devised a plan to help those in peril.
He placed advertisements in Austian newspapers seeking skilled workers, offering fictional roles and financial guarantees to aid those fleeing Nazi oppression. This initiative led to the rescue of families like the Wachsler and Schafranek households, who, despite the initial struggle, eventually established successful ventures in India. However, not all stories had happy endings; forced internment in camps awaited several Jewish refugees as the war escalated, highlighting the precarious nature of their new lives.
Set against the backdrop of the war, their struggles spoke volumes. Kundanlal’s efforts did not stop there; he went on to contribute to education by founding one of Punjab’s oldest schools. His legacy persisted even after his and his wife’s passing, with his family continuing to hold on to the values of compassion and activism imparted by Kundanlal. Gupta's memoir stands as a testament to ordinary individuals' capacity for extraordinary kindness amidst widespread cruelty, reminding us that even in dire times, the human spirit can shine bright.
Kundanlal's life journey reads like a novel, overcoming poverty as a child to flourish as a businessman deeply involved in the freedom movement. He was entrenched in industrial ventures and notwithstanding facing detainment pressures from the British, he extended a lifeline to Jewish professionals through job offers in India. A pivotal moment came in 1938 when he met Alfred Wachsler while hospitalized in Vienna. Learning of increasing antisemitic violence, Kundanlal devised a plan to help those in peril.
He placed advertisements in Austian newspapers seeking skilled workers, offering fictional roles and financial guarantees to aid those fleeing Nazi oppression. This initiative led to the rescue of families like the Wachsler and Schafranek households, who, despite the initial struggle, eventually established successful ventures in India. However, not all stories had happy endings; forced internment in camps awaited several Jewish refugees as the war escalated, highlighting the precarious nature of their new lives.
Set against the backdrop of the war, their struggles spoke volumes. Kundanlal’s efforts did not stop there; he went on to contribute to education by founding one of Punjab’s oldest schools. His legacy persisted even after his and his wife’s passing, with his family continuing to hold on to the values of compassion and activism imparted by Kundanlal. Gupta's memoir stands as a testament to ordinary individuals' capacity for extraordinary kindness amidst widespread cruelty, reminding us that even in dire times, the human spirit can shine bright.
