When Vinay Gupta learned from his mother that his grandfather, Kundanlal, had played a pivotal role in helping Jewish families escape the Nazis, he embarked on a journey to uncover this remarkable hidden history. What he discovered was a gripping account of bravery by an Indian businessman who risked his life and fortune to aid those suffering during one of Europe's darkest periods.
Kundanlal, originally from Ludhiana, India, was not only a successful entrepreneur but also a compassionate individual who employed Jews in his Indian businesses and built homes for them. During World War II, when the British labeled Jewish refugees as "enemy aliens," Kundanlal's generosity stood out even more starkly against the tide of hatred.
Born into poverty and driven by a determination to rise above his circumstances, Kundanlal wore many hats throughout his life—merchant, factory owner, and civil servant. His paths crossed with many prominent figures of his time, including Indian independence leader Jawaharlal Nehru and actress Devika Rani.
In his family memoir, "A Rescue in Vienna," Gupta chronicles his grandfather's heroic actions, piecing together the narrative through family letters, survivor interviews, and historical documents. Kundanlal's endeavor began in Vienna in 1938, when he met a Jewish couple in a hospital and learned about the escalating violence against Jews. He then initiated a plot to offer jobs in India to Jewish professionals, creatively creating fake job advertisements for non-existent companies to facilitate their escape.
Among those he helped were Fritz Weiss, a lawyer hiding from the Nazis, and Alfred Wachsler, a woodworker who moved with his pregnant wife. Kundanlal provided job offers that allowed them to secure visas for a new life in India, showing a level of support far beyond mere financial assistance. He rescued five families, aiding their transition from a life of persecution to one offering hope.
However, the challenges did not end with their arrival in India; cultural isolation and subsequent internment in camps posed further struggles. Despite the hardships, some families, like the Wachsler and Schafranek families, forged new paths, establishing businesses and striving to start anew. The reality of war soon overspread India as the British government interned all German nationals, regardless of their backgrounds, leading many of these families into significant hardships.
Through the powerful retelling of these events, Gupta highlights not just the courage of his grandfather but also the deep connections formed between cultures during adversity. The stories reveal how Kundanlal's warm-hearted support illuminated the lives of those seeking refuge and how his legacy of compassion endured well beyond his passing.
Ultimately, this account invites reflection on the role of individual action in combating injustice, advocating that one person's fight against tyranny can ripple across borders, creating lasting change in tumultuous times.
