The Lucky Ones: A Memoir by Zara Chowdhary

A POWERFUL, NECESSARY ACCOUNT OF SURVIVAL, IDENTITY, AND THE ECHOES OF HISTORY.

In 2002, sixteen-year-old Zara Chowdhary’s world in Ahmedabad was shattered as the Gujarat pogrom erupted. What began as a normal life on the verge of board exams transformed into a three-month siege, forcing Zara and her family to fight for their survival. The Lucky Ones is a deeply affecting memoir that chronicles this harrowing experience while weaving together the complex threads of a multigenerational Muslim family.

Zara explores the broader canvas of India’s history—from its bloody origins to the deep-seated divisions within her own city. Through evocative storytelling, she offers intimate glimpses into the lives of those trapped in a crumbling apartment building, highlighting their resilience, their capacity for laughter, and their unwavering grace in the face of collapse.

The Lucky Ones is an unflinching look at a modern tragedy that the world often rushes to forget. It is a vital warning for democracies and a defiant, beautiful ode to a unique Islamic heritage. Above all, it is a testament to one woman’s rebellion and her insistence on reclaiming her land, her family, and her faith on her own terms.