In yet another incident of accidents in the United States, a tragic road accident killed a bonafide student and a former NITI Aayog member while cycling. However, this time the accident occurred in London, not in the US.
According to Amitabh Kant, G20 Sherpa and former NITI Aayog CEO, 33-year-old Cheistha Kochhar, who had earlier worked with the public policy think-tank NITI Aayog, was pursuing her PhD at the London School of Economics. He said Kochhar was bright, brilliant and brave.
She was cycling along with her husband Prashant when she got killed in the accident on March 19. According to reports, she was cycling back home with her husband when a garbage truck hit her. Prashant, who was cycling a few yards ahead of her rushed to Cheistha’s rescue when he heard a loud thud, however, she died on the spot.
Her father, retired Lieutenant General Dr SP Kochhar, Director General at Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI), also shared the tragic news on LinkedIn and said he was still in the UK to collect the mortal remains of her daughter.
Condoling her death, Amitabh Kant tweeted, “Cheistha Kochar worked with me on the #LIFE programme in @NITIAayog. She was in the #Nudge unit and had gone to do her PhD in behavioural science at #LSE Passed away in a terrible traffic incident while cycling in London. She was bright, brilliant & brave and always full of life. Gone away too early. RIP.”
According to local media reports, she was hit by a garbage truck on March 19 while she was cycling along with her husband, Prashant, who was ahead of her when the accident occurred. Prashant rushed to her rescue but she died on the spot. The London Evening Standard, quoting the Metropolitan Police, reported the driver of the truck stopped at the accident spot and is currently helping police with enquiries.
The Bareilly-born Behavioural Strategist earned her Masters from the University of Chicago after studying at Ashoka University and Delhi University and completing her schooling in Delhi and various Army schools around India.
