Latest news with #NirajUdhwani
Gulf News
24-04-2025
- Business
- Gulf News
Pahalgam terror attack: Rich tributes paid to Indian expat in Dubai gunned down in Kashmir
Dubai: Rich tributes have been pouring in for Niraj Udhwani, an Indian expat in Dubai who was one of the 26 people killed in the Pahalgam terror attack in Kashmir, India on Tuesday. Niraj, a 33-year-old finance professional, was on a holiday with his wife Aayushi when gunmen opened fire in the popular tourist zone. A finance manager with a school group in Dubai, Niraj had a big circle of friends here since he grew up in the city. On Thursday, The Indian High School Dubai, where he did his schooling, paid rich tributes to the former student. 'With profound grief and heavy hearts, we mourn the tragic loss of our esteemed alumnus, Niraj Udhwani, who lost his life in the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir,' Punit MK Vasu, CEO of The Indian High Group of Schools said in a statement to Gulf News. He said the entire school observed a minute of silence, praying for strength and solace for his loved ones as they navigate this profound loss. They also prayed for Niraj's soul and extended condolences to his family. 'May Niraj's soul rest in eternal peace, and may his memory always remain a blessing to all who knew him. On behalf of The Indian High Group of Schools, we extend our deepest condolences to Niraj's family in this unimaginable time of grief.' Class of 2011 member Punit said Niraj was a proud member of the Class of 2011. 'He joined The Indian High School, Oud Metha campus Dubai, in Grade 5 and completed his schooling in the academic year 2010–11, graduating from the Commerce stream. Over nine meaningful years, he became a cherished part of our school community—fondly remembered for his sincerity, warmth, and gentle spirit.' An earnest student with a keen interest in Accounting, Niraj was deeply committed to academic growth and always eager to contribute to school programmes. His teachers in the Commerce stream remember him vividly for his enthusiasm and active participation. 'His untimely and tragic demise has left our entire school family in shock. A promising life full of hope and dreams was cruelly taken in an act of unspeakable violence—an affront to all who believe in peace, humanity, and the sanctity of life. Violence can never be justified,' he added. Many friends of Niraj have shared their shock and grief on social media as well. Some of his school friends recalled the good old school days they spent together and remembered him a fun-loving person full of life. Loved travel, adventures According to their friends, Niraj and Aayushi were inseparable. The couple, who got married in 2023 after a magical proposal in 2021, loved travelling. They decided to visit Kashmir for a trip when they had travelled to India to attend a friend's wedding. Niraj had shared several social media posts about their trips and adventurous activities including his skydiving session in Dubai. The couple had also shared pictures and videos of a new family member they welcomed home in March—a puppy called Truffle. The final rites of Niraj were performed on Thursday at Mokshadham crematorium in his native town Jaipur in the north Indian state of Rajasthan. Reports from India said his elder brother, Kishore Udhwani, lit the funeral pyre, surrounded by grieving family members, an inconsolable Aayushi, friends, and a heavy police presence.
The National
24-04-2025
- Politics
- The National
Friends and family mourn Dubai resident killed in shooting in Kashmir
The funeral of Dubai resident Niraj Udhwani, who was among 26 people killed by militants in one of the worst attacks in years in Indian-controlled Kashmir, took place on Thursday. Mr Udhwani was among 25 Indians and one Nepali killed when gunmen opened fire on tourists on Tuesday in the Baisaran valley, a popular holiday destination in the Pahalgam region of the Himalayan territory. Several others were injured. Family and friends gathered in Jaipur, the accountant's home city, on Thursday for his funeral. Mr Udhwani lived in Dubai with his wife and had been in India to celebrate the wedding of a friend. A finance manager with a school group in Dubai, where he worked for more than four years, he was also remembered by his colleagues in the UAE. 'Our community is deeply saddened by the passing of Niraj Udhwani, a much-loved and respected member of our finance team,' said a Cognita school group representative. 'He was a dedicated and inspiring member of staff, and a kind, generous colleague. Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences are with his family, friends and colleagues at this incredibly difficult time.' Mr Udhwani, who was in his early 30s, worked with education consultancies and insurance companies in Dubai for more than a decade and had studied at the Indian High School in the emirate. Indian media reported he and his wife Aayushi were on holiday in Pahalgam after attending a friend's wedding. 'After the wedding, Niraj and Aayushi left for Pahalgam on holiday. They were supposed to head back to Dubai in a few days,' his uncle Bhagwandas Udhwani told The Indian Express newspaper. Kashmiri media reported witnesses recalling at least four armed militants emerging from the surrounding forest and opening fire on tourists in a meadow where authorities said about 1,000 people had gathered. India has blamed Pakistan for the attack, accused it of supporting 'cross-border terrorism,' has downgraded diplomatic ties and closed a main land border crossing with Pakistan. Pakistan has denied involvement and a previously unknown group called The Resistance Front has claimed responsibility for the attack. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday vowed India would 'identify, track and punish every terrorist and their backers'. 'Terrorism will not go unpunished,' he said in a speech. 'Every effort will be made to ensure that justice is done. The entire nation is firm in its resolve. Everyone who believes in humanity is with us.' The attack came on the second day of US Vice President JD Vance's visit to India. Offering his condolences, Mr Vance said his thoughts and prayers were with the victims of the 'devastating terrorist attack'. US President Donald Trump called the attacks 'deeply disturbing.' India and Pakistan each administer a part of Kashmir, though both claim the territory in its entirety. The attacks on Tuesday will escalate tension between the neighbours. India has announced a clampdown on travel to India by Pakistani citizens, cut the number of its high commission staff and withdrawn its naval, defence and air advisers from Islamabad.
The National
24-04-2025
- Politics
- The National
Friends and family mourn Dubai resident killed in terror attack in Indian Kashmir
The funeral of Dubai resident Niraj Udhwani, among 26 people killed by militants in one of the worst attacks in years in Indian-controlled Kashmir, took place on Thursday. Mr Udhwani was among 25 Indian citizens and one Nepali killed when gunmen opened fire on tourists on Tuesday in the Baisaran valley, a popular holiday destination in the Pahalgam region of the Himalayan territory. Several others were injured. Family and friends gathered in Jaipur, the young accountant's home city, on Thursday for his funeral. Mr Udhwani lived in Dubai with his wife and had been in India to celebrate the wedding of a friend. A finance manager with a school group in Dubai where he worked for more than four years, he was also remembered by his colleagues in the UAE. 'Our community is deeply saddened by the passing of Niraj Udhwani, a much-loved and respected member of our finance team,' said a Cognita school group representative. 'He was a dedicated and inspiring member of staff, and a kind, generous colleague. Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences are with his family, friends and colleagues at this incredibly difficult time.' Mr Udhwani, who was in his early 30s, worked with education consultancies and insurance companies in Dubai for more than a decade and had studied at the Indian High School in the emirate. Indian media reported he and his wife Aayushi were on holiday in Pahalgam after attending a friend's wedding. 'After the wedding, Niraj and Aayushi left for Pahalgam on holiday. They were supposed to head back to Dubai in a few days,' Bhagwandas Udhwani, his uncle told The Indian Express newspaper. Kashmiri media quoted witnesses who recalled at least four armed militants emerging from the surrounding forest and opening fire on tourists in a meadow where authorities said about 1,000 people had gathered. India has blamed Pakistan for the attack, accused it of supporting 'cross-border terrorism,' has downgraded diplomatic ties and closed a main land border crossing with Pakistan. Pakistan has denied involvement and a previously unknown group called The Resistance Front has claimed responsibility for the attack. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday vowed India would 'identify, track and punish every terrorist and their backers'. 'Terrorism will not go unpunished,' he said in a speech. 'Every effort will be made to ensure that justice is done. The entire nation is firm in its resolve. Everyone who believes in humanity is with us.' The attack came on the second day of US Vice President JD Vance's visit to India. Offering his condolences, Mr Vance said his thoughts and prayers were with the victims of the 'devastating terrorist attack'. US President Donald Trump called the attacks 'deeply disturbing.' India and Pakistan each administer a part of Kashmir though both claim the territory in its entirety. The attacks on Tuesday will escalate tension between the neighbours. India has announced a clampdown on travel to India by Pakistani citizens, cut the number of its high commission staff and withdrawn its naval, defence and air advisers from Islamabad.
Time of India
24-04-2025
- Time of India
Pahalgam terror attack: Faces of a tragedy that shook India
The victims of Tuesday's terror attack came from across the length and breadth of the country, and some had even travelled from overseas. Here are a few of their stories: Niraj Udhwani (32) A finance manager in Dubai, Niraj Udhwani (32), was a passionate backpacker who had long wanted to visit Kashmir. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now When a friend's wedding invitation arrived from Shimla, he jumped at the opportunity. He and his wife landed in India on April 16, attended the wedding and then headed to Kashmir. On April 21, his mother told him over phone to be careful. It was the last time they spoke. Bitan Adhikari (40) Bitan Adhikari (40), a Florida-based techie had come for his annual vacation in Kolkata on April 8 before heading to Kashmir. His widow Sohini recounts that they were asked their religion. They did not respond, but Bitan was told to recite the kalma. When he said he was a Hindu, he was killed. Kaustubh Gunbote and Santosh Jagdale Pune residents Kaustubh Gunbote and Santosh Jagdale were childhood friends who grew up together. They went on a joint family trip for the first time to Kashmir. Both were shot in front of their family members. Yatish Parmar, 47, and his 17-year-old son Yatish Parmar, 47, and his 17-yr-old son Smit were part of a 20-member group who had gone to Kashmir on April 16. Yatish had celebrated his birthday on April 18, just 4 days before his death. 30-year-old IAF Corporal Tage Hailyang Son of a family from which 2 of 8 brothers were in defence forces, 30-year-old IAF Corporal Tage Hailyang of Lower Subansiri district in Arunachal Pradesh was set to get transferred to Dibrugarh in nearby Assam. He had gone holidaying with his wife to Pahalgam before leaving his present posting at Srinagar. Tage got married barely a year ago. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Sushil Nathaniel Sushil Nathaniel of Indore had travelled to Kashmir with his wife Jennifer, daughter Akansha and son Austin to celebrate Easter together. Instead, Sushil was killed on Tuesday, perhaps the only Christian to fall victim to the terror attack. Manish Ranjan, 42 Manish Ranjan, 42, a section officer with IB posted in Hyderabad, planned to reunite with his parents and younger brothers at Jammu railway station on April 23. Together, they intended to visit Vaishno Devi. Before that family reunion, Manish took a short detour with his wife and children to visit Kashmir. But fate had other plans.
Khaleej Times
23-04-2025
- Khaleej Times
Dubai expat killed in Pahalgam terror attack during vacation with wife
A 33-year-old Indian expat living and working in Dubai was among the 26 people killed in a terror attack in Pahalgam on Tuesday. A close relative confirmed his death to Khaleej Times. Niraj Udhwani, a finance professional, was shot dead during the attack while he was on a short vacation in Kashmir with his wife, according to his relative. The couple had travelled to India for a friend's wedding in Himachal Pradesh. Niraj was originally from Jaipur and had been a long-time resident of Dubai. He was an alumni of Indian High School and moved to the city during his childhood. He was employed as a finance professional with a school group in the city.
