Rich tributes paid to former Indian community leader in Dubai and wife who died days apart in US

Dubai: Rich tributes have been pouring in after the death of an award-winning former Indian community leader in Dubai who passed away in the US three days after his wife’s death there.

Krishnamurthy Kumar, also known as K Kumar, died in the ICU of a hospital in California when his two daughters and other loved ones were attending the funeral of his wife Brinda Kumar. Childhood sweethearts married for 54 years, they died of natural causes at 76, their daughter Arthy Kumar told Gulf News.

“Mom passed away on Sunday. During her funeral, we got the call about dad taking his final breath. Though he wasn’t told about mom’s passing, I’m sure he knew in his heart,” Arthy said, describing their immense shock and grief.

Dubai held a special place in their hearts, despite their 2016 move to the US.

Fondly called KK, Kumar was the convenor of the Indian Community Welfare Committee (ICWC), a former group of dozens of Indian expat associations and community groups registered under the Indian Consulate in Dubai.

He won the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award (PBSA) in 2008, the highest honour conferred on overseas Indians by the President of India.

Brinda, a teacher at The Indian High School in Dubai for 37 years, was a pillar of support in his philanthropic efforts, especially in empowering people of determination. The couple, who moved to Arizona post-retirement, had joined Arthy’s family in California last year.

In her tribute to her father, Arthy said “he was the ‘Burj Khalifa’ in our family—tall and imposing”, referring to the world’s tallest building in Dubai. She remembered her mother for her resilience after beating cancer, her nurturing spirit, and support for her family.

Major contributions

Several prominent community members here paid tributes to the couple, especially recalling major contributions of Kumar in volunteering works.

He was once described as light at the end of the tunnel for hundreds of Indian expats in distress. Through ICWC, he was at the forefront of missions to rescue prisoners languishing in jails unable to pay the blood money (diya) in accidental death cases and workers on the verge of taking the extreme step in life due to financial or social problems. Patients who could not foot their hospital bills and employees laid off from their companies have also benefited from his service.

With the support of the Indian Consulate, the ICWC had established a shelter for destitute Indian women, launched a crisis prevention programme that saved many lives through prompt intervention and counselling services, a legal cell offering legal assistance, and several welfare programmes for blue-collar workers including English language classes at workers’ accommodations.

Shocked, saddened

Everyone who knew the couple were shocked and saddened on hearing about their demise, said Punnakkan Muhammad Ali, who has helmed several prominent community groups in the UAE over the past 35 years.

Speaking of Kumar, he said the former had treated everyone equally and touched many lives. “He was the one who made community services under the consulate popular after the Indian Association in Dubai was dissolved,” Ali added.

“Under his leadership, the ICWC brought together various community groups and launched several projects to support the community members. He was also the head of the Indian Sports Club and promoted Indian artists.”

Game changer

MG Pushpakaran, founder president of Overseas Indian Cultural Committee, a former community organisation under ICWC, said it was a collective decision to nominate Kumar for the PBSA in 2008. “Till then, the government had recognised Indian business leaders with the award. Kumar had made great contributions through his community service and we nominated him when Vayalar Ravi was the Minister of Overseas Indian Affairs. Eventually, Kumar became the first community volunteer from the UAE to get the recognition,” Pushpakaran added.

Nissar Thalangara, president of Indian Association Sharjah, expressed profound sadness over the couple’s passing, highlighting Kumar’s critical assistance to overseas Indians and his impactful service in ICWC. “His unwavering dedication to helping those in need has left an indelible mark on many lives,” he said. Thalangara, who worked with Kumar for three years under ICWC, recalled his wisdom, humility, and passion for service, which earned recognition from various community groups, and extended deep sympathies to his daughters and family during this heartbreaking time.

Jassim Muhammad, president of the Indian Social Centre in Ajman, said the couple’s demise was a deeply personal loss to him and left behind a void that words could hardly capture.

“KK was more than a leader; he was a guiding light for the Indian expatriate community in Dubai and the northern Emirates…His tireless efforts to uplift the underprivileged left an indelible mark on countless lives. During my assignment at the Consulate’s service provider from 2008 to 2012, I had the privilege of closely working with him,” Muhammad added.

N Mohan, coordinator of Team PRERANA, an Initiative of the Indian Consulate to empower the families of children with special needs, recalled how Kumar and Brinda were instrumental in forming the group which was earlier called SAATHI.

“I had a great experience during his tenure as in charge of ICWC and worked together as Secretary when he was the president of SAATHI/PRERANA. He was a great personality with humble approach towards needy and would always support everyone and was a music lover spreading the Indian culture,” Mohan said.

“He was a key contact in the Indian diaspora. We shall be missing a great couple. Myself and team PRERANA pray for their souls and strength to their family,” added Mohan, who is also the general-secretary of The Hindu Temple in Dubai.