How Aisha Chaudhary taught dad Niren to find the highest mountains to climb

So let’s aim to the moon, walk in the darkness together, and catch the glittering stars along the way.” When Niren Chaudhary, president, South Asia of Yum! Restaurants, which includes Pizza Hut and KFC, is bogged down by any particular issue, he thinks of these lines penned by his late daughter, Aisha. And he reaches for the book written by her titled My Little Epiphanies — about 5000 words typed out by her on her cell phone — which was converted into a book to tell the world that it is important to create happy memories to wipe out the sad ones.

Unlike most 18-year-olds, every breath for Aisha Chaudhary was a struggle and she finally gave up her battle on 24 January, 2015, the very day her book was launched at the Jaipur Literature Festival.

Aisha Chaudhary was born with SCID (Severe Combined Immuno-Deficiency) and underwent her first bone marrow transplant when she was just a few months old. Despite having Pulmonary Fibrosis, a serious lung disease, her persistent optimism, extraordinary maturity in the face of impossible odds, and calm perspective on life’s challenges have been an inspiration to many. “I want to be happy and I choose to have a happy pulmonary fibrosis,” she said at her talks at various forums such as INK, TED talks, for corporates including McKinsey.

Aisha also taught herself to paint, take pictures and studied art at the American Embassy School. “You live every moment twice, once in your mind and once when you actually live it,” she once said to a standing ovation.



Niren says he picked up three lessons from her — giving back to society, gratitude and not to be overwhelmed by difficulties. “Find the highest mountains to climb. Despite her disability she wanted to enjoy life — something I tell myself each time I am overwhelmed. She also taught me the power of dreaming and aiming for the moon,” says Niren.

It changed the way he looked at doing business and it became a purpose of doing good. Niren initiated a programme in 2008 that aims to create an equal opportunity workplace for deaf employees.



Through this initiative, Yum! Restaurants India has helped unleash the true potential of specially-abled associates and build on their self-esteem. KFC currently has 20 speciallyabled stores where hearing and speech-impaired employees account for more than 50 per cent of the total staff. Operational in cities such as Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Ghaziabad, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Kolkata and New Delhi, the brand currently employs over 350 such staff members. “Aisha created a gift of compassion in me. And I learned from her that if you cannot change your own life, change someone else’s,” he says.