Indian American’s Family Memoir Of WWII And Rescuer Of Jewish Families

India-West News Desk

“A Rescue in Vienna: The Story of an Unlikely Savior’ by Vinay Gupta, Bloomsbury Publishing

Vinay Gupta’s new book uncovers the surprising truth of his grandfather’s heroic efforts to rescue Jewish families during World War II, a family legend Gupta initially doubted. “I started as a skeptic,” he explained, initially dismissing the story as family lore. “I thought this was all a mistake… I thought those pictures must be of Britishers,” he said. It was only after extensive research in India’s newly digitized National Archives that Gupta confirmed the story’s authenticity.

Gupta found evidence showing that his grandfather placed an advertisement in a local Austrian newspaper, inviting Jewish families to seek refuge in India. This discovery stunned even his family, who were unaware of the scale of their grandfather’s humanitarian actions. “The story was that there were two or three Jews that my grandfather rescued. Later, it turned out there were five families,” Gupta said. He added, “All this was new information that even my family didn’t know… My grandfather never talked about it, which is surprising because most people who do something like this talk about it.”

Through his research, Gupta was able to connect with a survivor from one of these families, now residing in Florida. “It was quite a journey…meeting one of the people who lived in my grandfather’s house, the house I remember playing in,” he reflected. “I’d go down every year, and it was quite a gratifying story.”

The book also touches on India’s unique stance during the era, noting that India remained largely free from antisemitic sentiment among its native population. Gupta highlighted how India has historically welcomed Jewish communities, contrasting this with British attitudes. “The British controlling India were more negative towards Jewish families than Indians were,” he observed. “They treated [Jews] as Europeans, but they were still considered superior to us Indians—even when held as prisoners.”

Reflecting on his grandfather’s quiet heroism, Gupta noted, “He was a very quiet man. He never wanted to discuss it,” underscoring his grandfather’s humility in contrast to those who often seek recognition for their deeds. This family memoir not only reveals a hidden chapter of World War II but also celebrates a legacy of compassion and courage.

Gupta is a business executive and founder of multiple companies. He is a graduate of Shri Ram College of Commerce and has an MBA from the University of Michigan where he teaches entrepreneurship at the Stephen Ross School of Business.