Tragedy struck the academic and professional community as 33-year-old Cheistha Kochhar, a doctoral candidate at the London School of Economics (LSE) and former Niti Ayog employee, lost her life in a road accident while cycling back to her home in London.
Kochhar, a behavioural strategist, commenced her doctoral journey at LSE in September 2023, following her tenure at Niti Ayog, where she served as a Senior Advisor with The National Behavioural Insights Unit of India.
Amitabh Kant, CEO of Niti Ayog, expressed his condolences to Kochhar via a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Friday. He fondly remembered her contributions to the LIFE programme and her work in the Nudge unit, highlighting her bright, brilliant, and brave demeanor. Kant’s message resonated the sentiment of a life lost too soon, stating, “Gone away too early. RIP.”
Kochhar’s professional journey encompassed diverse experiences, starting as a researcher at the Centre for Civil Society and later as an analyst at McKinsey and Company in New Delhi. She dedicated four years of service to the Government of India, holding various roles, including Consultant in the Office of Advisor to the Prime Minister.
In 2016, Kochhar embarked on an academic pursuit in Chicago, United States, where she pursued studies at the University of Chicago for over three years. She returned to New Delhi in 2021, marking a significant phase in her academic and professional trajectory.
The news of Kochhar’s tragic demise follows closely after another loss in the Indian professional community, as 24-year-old Arshia Joshi lost her life in a car accident in the US state of Pennsylvania. These untimely losses serve as poignant reminders of life’s fragility and the unpredictability of fate, leaving behind grieving loved ones and colleagues.
