In a powerful family memoir, Vinay Gupta shares the incredible story of his grandfather, Kundanlal, who selflessly helped Jewish families escape from Nazi-occupied Austria during World War II. Having learned of Kundanlal's covert operations through a simple remark from his mother, Gupta's research reveals a tale of courage, risk, and innovation.
Kundanlal, a machine tool manufacturer from Ludhiana, Punjab, first encountered the plight of Jews after he met an expecting couple, Alfred and Lucy Wachsler, while recovering from an illness in Vienna in 1938. Hearing their accounts of rising antisemitism, he refused to stand idly by. Instead, he devised a bold plan to offer jobs to Jewish professionals in India, effectively granting them life-saving visas.
Utilizing newspaper advertisements and a façade of business operations, Kundanlal successfully assisted five families, including skilled craftsmen like Fritz Weiss and the Schafranek brothers, in relocating to India. He provided them with jobs, shelter, and support as they sought refuge from impending doom.
Though some families faced challenges adjusting to life in Ludhiana – where a lack of community and cultural support led to departures – Kundanlal continued to embody resilience and determination. He opened local businesses and was instrumental in starting a school that has flourished for decades.
However, the onset of World War II forced many, including Kundanlal's Jewish friends, into internment camps. Some relocated to continue their trades, while others immigrated to the U.S. or Australia post-war, leaving behind bittersweet memories of companionship and loss.
At the end of the story, Vinay Gupta highlights Kundanlal's ethos of active compassion, reminding readers that true heroes face enormous challenges with quiet defiance and enduring hope.
