Vinay Gupta's memoir reveals the lesser-known saga of his grandfather Kundanlal, whose compassionate yet strategic actions helped Jewish professionals escape Nazi-occupied Austria and start anew in India. Facing numerous challenges, Kundanlal's legacy of courage, empathy, and humanitarianism remains timeless.
An Unsung Hero: The Indian Businessman Who Saved Austrian Jews from the Nazis
An Unsung Hero: The Indian Businessman Who Saved Austrian Jews from the Nazis
Exploring the remarkable story of Kundanlal, an Indian entrepreneur who risked everything to rescue Jewish families from the grip of Nazi persecution during World War II.
When the horrors of the Holocaust cast a dark shadow over Europe, not many were aware of the heroic contributions made by individuals from distant lands. Vinay Gupta’s newfound insights into his grandfather Kundanlal's life illustrate such a tale of selfless bravery. Kundanlal, an industrious businessman from India, undertook incredible efforts to save Austrian Jews during one of history's darkest periods.
The catalyst for Gupta's exploration was a poignant revelation from his mother, sparking a journey into the past that unveiled extraordinary stories of resilience and humanity. Kundanlal's path began in Ludhiana as a poor boy who defied his circumstances through grit and determination. By the time World War II approached, he was a successful entrepreneur with businesses spanning various industries.
As Hitler's grip tightened over Austria in the late 1930s, Kundanlal's compassion turned into action. He leveraged his position to assist Jewish families, offering them jobs and promising secure passages to India in a time of desperation. Documented in Gupta's family memoir, "A Rescue In Vienna," the accounts are pieced together from historical records, survivor testimonies, and family correspondence.
During a chance meeting in a Vienna hospital, Kundanlal learned about Fritz Weiss, a Jewish lawyer hiding from the Nazis. It was there that he offered Weiss employment at the fictitious "Kundan Agencies," setting into motion a chain of events that would save five Jewish families. Alfred Wachsler, another beneficiary of Kundanlal's generosity, relocated with his pregnant wife under the promise of a vibrant future in furniture-making—one of many such stories highlighting Kundanlal's pivotal role.
However, the journey was fraught with challenges. The first arrivals to India, including Losch and Weiss, faced cultural isolation and unimaginable adjustments, with some eventually leaving due to the harsh realities of their new environment. Not all stories mirrored the plight of the Wachsler and Schafranek families, who, despite navigating internment camps and displacements throughout the war, found resilience in the face of adversity.
Kundanlal himself felt the weight of these families' burdens, desiring to create a sanctuary where they could thrive. His ventures included establishing a school that remains one of Punjab's premier education institutions today. Yet, the toll of his humanitarian actions took a personal cost, impacting his family life profoundly.
Gupta articulates Kundanlal’s legacy succinctly: “If he saw something, or someone, that required attention, he attended to it.” Through his selfless acts, Kundanlal’s defiance against tyranny not only saved lives but also left an indelible mark on history. As Gupta's work uncovers, such acts of courage may not always make headlines but are essential threads in the fabric of humanity's collective memory.
