Cheistha Kochhar: Family and friends mourn Indian student killed in London

An Indian PhD student who died in a car crash while cycling with her husband in central London has been remembered as “the kindest person in the room” by her friends and family.

Cheistha Kochhar, 33, was cycling home from the London School of Economics (LSE) when she collided with a rubbish truck on Clerkenwell Road, near the junction with Farringdon Road, on March 19.

Kochhar’s husband, who was riding his bicycle, heard a loud noise a few meters in front of his wife and rushed to rescue her.Paramedics and police rushed to the scene of the accident, but seriously The injured woman died on the spot.

“The truck, believed to be a garbage truck, was parked at the scene. The driver is assisting with inquiries,” the Metropolitan Police said.

Kochha is studying for a PhD in behavioral research at the London School of Economics and has been married to her software engineer husband for just over a year.

Her father Dr SP Kochhar, director general of Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI), said on Saturday that he and his son were in London to collect her body. He said her death “devastated us and her large group of friends”.

In a statement released through police on Tuesday, Kochhar’s family said Kochhar always gave everyone a hug and lived her life by “being the kindest person in the room more important than being the smartest person.” in principle”. in the room”.

“Chesta’s intelligence and enthusiasm were belied by her lively demeanor, and she easily got people out of trouble to make friends with her.

“In the short time she was on this planet, she touched thousands of lives in profoundly meaningful ways, and the magnitude of this loss is difficult to comprehend.”

Before moving to London last September, Koch was associated with the Indian government think tank Niti Ayog. She has held a variety of roles, including working in start-ups as well as with various government agencies in her country.

Amitabh Kant, former chief executive of NITI Aayog, said Ms Kochhar had worked with him in one of his policy think tanks at the Nudge Unit. “She was smart, talented, brave and always full of energy. She was gone too soon,” he said in a post on X.

“Despite her experience as a practitioner and executive, she had the heart of an academician, having worked and collaborated with Nobel Prize winners,” Kochhar’s family said in explaining her reasons for moving to London.

The family said Kochhar hoped to learn from his work in London, help “address the huge challenges facing countries in the Global South” and transform lives in India.

A tribute page created for Kochhar received dozens of messages, with friends, admirers and colleagues offering condolences and farewells.

Hyun-Jung Lee, a professor at the London School of Economics, said Kochha took her organizational behavior course last year.

“Cheistha helps the entire class reach the next level by being curious and engaging in discussions,” she wrote. “Her signature smile and optimism brighten my day every time I see her.”

Simon Munk, director of the London Cycling Campaign, a charity that lobbies for better conditions for cyclists, said there were around seven cyclist deaths reported in London each year.

He told islington tribune: “It’s horrific and deeply disturbing every time it happens, and it happens far too often.”

“Our thoughts are with her husband Prashant, who was riding the bike with her at the time,” the charity said in a post on X.

Mr Monk said the lack of protection for cyclists who cross Clerkenwell Avenue every day, such as segregated cycle lanes and northbound cycle routes, makes it dangerous for them to travel on this stretch of road.

Last week, the London School of Economics joined 35 other academic institutions and student unions in calling on Mayor Sadiq Khan and other candidates to eliminate cyclist and pedestrian deaths by 2028.

In 2023, two London School of Economics staff were reportedly killed while riding their bicycles. Mother-of-two Gao Gao, 36, was killed by a driver in Hackney.

Adeline Stuart-Watt, 34, was hit by a motorcycle on Epping New Road in April last year.

Following the incident, the Metropolitan Police appealed for witnesses and any road users with dashcam footage to come forward.

Anyone who witnessed the incident, or road users with footage of the incident, is asked to call 101 or 02082469820 @MetCC quoting CAD6903/19Mar.