Tributes to Ashu Kachru


Ashu Kachru
(1965-1997)

On Thursday, August 7, Ashu Kachru, son of Mr. & Mrs. Autar and Raj Kachru (Oakbrook, Illinois), died while an MBA student at Columbia University in New York City. Words cannot describe the pain & grief at the loss of a young life. All of us in the Chicago-area are still in shock and utter disbelief. Although the above information is secondhand and details are sketchy, I wanted to let other biradari members know so we can all join in prayer. Let us also pray for the well-being of Ashu's mother and father, who must deal with what would be any parent's worst nightmare.

Ashu was my childhood friend as we grew up together in the Chicago-area. He had a great zeal toward life, and was always full of ideas. After visiting Kashmir about 10 years ago, he developed a passionate bond with his homeland that was obvious to anyone he spoke with. He loved to attend Kashmiri events and meet new people, and most recently had attended this year's KOA camp in Hershey, PA.

In addition to his parents and many relatives, Ashu is also survived by his younger sister Rita, who is a physician doing her residency in New York. I believe cremation services are scheduled for Monday, Aug. 11.

Let us all pray for the Kachru family in their time of grief.

Rajiv Pandit

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