TRIBUTE: H N Wanchoo – A Luminary, Mentor and Champion of Humanity

He was a force of nature driven by an uncompromising commitment to the welfare of the downtrodden.

Dr. Amit Wanchoo
Thirty-three years have passed since the tragic day of 5th December 1992, when a life of profound purpose and boundless compassion was violently extinguished. In a brutal act of assassination at Balgarden, Srinagar, Shri Hridai Nath Wanchoo was taken from us. The sudden, agonizing finality of that phone call from the Police Control Room at 10:55 AM shattered a family and silenced one of Kashmir’s most dedicated voices.

For me, he was my best friend, mentor, teacher, grandfather, and lifeline—the ensuing 33 years have been a testament to the gaping void he left, but more profoundly, to the enduring power of his legacy.

Shri H.N. Wanchoo was not just a name; he was a force of nature driven by an uncompromising commitment to the welfare of the downtrodden. Though his life was cut short, his influence continues to resonate in countless lives he touched and uplifted. He lives on not in the date of his death, but in the good deeds that continue to unfold because of the values he imparted.

We remember him today for:

• His unwavering courage: In the face of great adversity, he stood firm as a beacon of hope and an advocate for the voiceless.
• His deep commitment to education and mentorship: He shaped minds and instilled values, turning students and family members into people of principle and character.
• His enduring impact: Through his work and his life, he proved that true greatness lies in service to humanity.

To lose a figure of such magnitude in such a senseless manner remains a deep wound. Yet, we take solace in the fact that the lifeline he offered to the people of Jammu & Kashmir still holds firm. He may have vanished from our sight in a moment, but he has never vanished from our hearts.

On this 33rd anniversary, we celebrate the life he lived, the lessons he taught, and the immense love he shared. His spirit of compassion and fight for justice remains an eternal flame, guiding us forward.

Forever cherished and deeply missed by:
The Wanchoo Family, Friends, and countless people whose lives he touched.
(Dr. Amit Wanchoo is grandson of Late H. N. Wanchoo)