I never thought that I would be writing this post in this lifetime. Krishnan and I had promised that we would live together and die together….. well, we did live together, and Krishnan just left his body sooner. On Jan 23rd at 4.15 pm, in Ahmedabad, my life ended.
Krishnan lived a great life… no regrets. He did all that he wanted to – meteoric rise early in his career, the bankruptcy, a great second innings, travelling everywhere, enjoying good food and ofcourse the interesting debates about everything under the sun.
For 36 years since March 1990 … I thought we were a circle going around life together. On Jan 23, 2026 life came a full stop. There is nothing left unsaid, but now there is nothing to say.
Krishnan and I had a big “dream” project for this year – my father-in-law’s 100th birthday celebration. While Krishnan will celebrate his father’s birthday with him in an unseen heaven, on Earth we will give away 100 scholarships through ShikshaDaan, in both their names this year. 100 @ 100.
Our dream was to raise Rs. 1 crore for this project, 100 @ 1o0. It will go to support 100 meritorious students from the EWS category for four years of their undergraduate program. Each student will receive Rs. 25000/- per year for four years.
Please donate at this link – https://shikshadaan.com/donate/. ShikshaDaan does not have FCRA clearance, so only domestic credit cards and bank transfers are acceptable.
Also leave your thoughts and memories of Krishnan on this page ….. they will keep me going a little longer.
The first thing when I think of peripa is warmth.
The second thing I think of is the weird hehehe laugh he used to make me laugh.
Have always thought of peripa as a very interesting person.
I remember as a kid loving the fact that he actually listened to me and respected my opinion. He was one of the few who did so. Always made my week when he sat down and listened to me. When he actually took my suggestions (especially related to tech) ? Made me feel like a king of the world.
He always had incredible stories to share. He had an incredible quick wit, and could make jokes, give out anecdotes and any misc. techniques at a drop of a hat.
He was always willing to open up and tell me any deep thoughts he had. When I was having a nervous breakdown, he told me the story of how he (and perima) overcame the financial issues they had, which came with rejection and depression.
Was also a bit of a softie; I remember getting him to take me to higginbothams and buy me books (and sometimes toys, as long as I didn’t tell perima). He also introduced me to the wide world of e-books, which took a solid chunk of my free time forever. He also took me to nice ice cream places for the first time in my life – nic etc.
Thanks peripa, for giving me hope for life.
I
Krishnan was-is like a brother-in-law to us, having grown up with Bindu, we heard of him, then met him and his compassion, kindness, love of Bindu, warmth, brilliance and vision always inspire us.
The story of their lives is the love story we talk about. Love is eternal – life is beyond the finite – the soul lives on but that does not offer comfort I know, to loved ones, when we long to see Krishnan in his genial manner, laughing and joking. I remember meeting him last year in March and Aunty, Bindu, Krishnan and I chatted and made memories and I’m so glad I made that trip. I met them in Nishi’s house in 2023, in our home in 2017, and then I walk down memory lane.
I remember how they decided to dedicate their lives to help the less fortunate. What led them to Shiksha Dan. What led them to exploring the true history and heritage. The largess with which they lived. Krishnan was at once, a brother-in-law, and a friend, and a brother and a very, very dear soul who made a difference in the lives of so many. His joy when the kids received scholarships, how he would light up when Bindu smiled. He was guileless, and he combined simplicity and sincerity of purpose with brilliance in a way that only Krishnan could. He will always be cherished and I know he will always watch over Bindu, proud of her, loving her from here to eternity. Bindu, our hearts and prayers are with you. 🕉️ शांति शांति शांतनु 🙏🏽🫶🏽
I am deeply heartbroken by this loss. It is still hard for me to believe that he is no longer with us. He was a very good friend—always so jolly, full of laughter, and able to lighten any moment with his jokes. His humility and the respect he showed, especially toward my parents, meant so much to me and will always be remembered.
His passing feels incredibly untimely, and I am still in shock, especially knowing that you both were supposed to visit me this year. Please know that you are not alone in this grief. I am holding you close in my thoughts and prayers, and I am here for you whenever you need support, silence, or simply someone to remember him with.
I will miss my step brother in law who politely and skilfully dodged all my attempts to Punjabi-ise him. Mom will miss cooking urad chane ki daal for her favourite ’Madrasi’. We will miss his cheerfulness, his deep rooted Indianness. Travel well Krish!
We are all deeply saddened by this news. We were grateful to have met Akka and Krishnan Athimber during our trip in 2022 after a long time. We spent a wonderful time together, talking about life, coaching, and many memories. Athimber and Akka even ordered pot biryani for my husband, knowing how much he loves biryani—he truly cherished both the meal and the precious time spent with them.
Very sad to know, Bindu. Deepest condolences. Take care.
Uma Seshadri Sujji Kumar ….. Shillong Days
This is truly the saddest news. You always told me to make time for what’s truly important. And now I know I didn’t. Krishnan was always a constant. It’s hard to know he’s in a different plane and not in this one. But I know he’s always looking out for you Bindu. Sending love and hugs.
It is so difficult to comprehend that Krishnan’s physical presence is not among us. I feel extremely fortunate to have had the opportunity to spend quality, one on one time with him when he stayed with us during your trip to the US. A gentleman to the core! His admirable qualities are his genuine caring nature, curiosity, sensitivity and attentive listening skills. May you find strength everyday in the teachings of the Master and reinforce the fact that Krishnan is always by your side. Harih Om
Krishnan was a gentleman in every sense of that word. A very soft-spoken and affable person providing counterbalance to Bindu’s exuberance. A sanatani and bharathiya to the core, he was well versed in both TN and national politics. I have witnessed first-hand his kindness even to people who were not very kind to him. What a shock and what a loss.
Just the thought of him leaves my hearth with a kind of warmth that few other people can. His sincerity, his simplicity, his compassion for the less fortunate, his graciousness, his sense of humour, there is so much about him that enriched the lives of all those who came in touch with him. It is incredibly heartbreaking that he left so early when he had so much more to give.
The love that he had for Bindu was so visibly deep and so intense, I can still never think of one without the other. For me, it will always be BinKrish, inseparable.
Bindu – wherever Krishnan is, he is watching you with pride and encouraging you to keep up all the fantastic work that both of you have started. My love and thoughts are with you and Chitti at this impossibly difficult time. May Krishnan’s soul achieve eternal bliss and may the almighty give you all the strength you need to rebuild your lives and carry on with all the amazing things that you and Krishnan started together.
Bindu – no words, just hugs and lots of love💙💙💙
Dear Bindu, I met him once and I was impressed with his politeness and just the way he was around you. You gave me a book when my sister passed 12 years ago. It’s was a good calming read. Souls just travel. Sending you lots of love and hope you can find the strength.
I’m sorry to hear about Krishnan’s passing. I so fondly remember your trip with him to our place in Newtown, our trip to NYC, and wrapping up with a sunset ferry tour to see Lady Liberty. Although I met him just once, I was immediately fond of Krishnan – based on everything I had heard from Senthil and the warmth he exuded when we met. It wasn’t like the first time, but rather like someone I had always known. I cannot imagine how hard this is for you. I’m sending you much love, peace, and strength as you navigate this new territory of life. I’m sure he’ll continue to guide you and bring you smiles when you need them most.
Some developments are difficult to process and then there are some that are beyond processing. Krishnan chose demanding paths and stayed the course. Everything you wrote about Krishnan is so evident even to me – when even after knowing him across decades I might have interacted all of 10 days. He lived his whole self always. We still use cold press – the benefits of which you both showed while staying with us. Be it FCRA or the cold press or JA strategy, with Krishnan it is always effortless. Genuine soul, genuine being, rock solid – SUPER STAR! MAY YOU FOREVER SHINE IN THE STARS from up there!
Dear Bindu,
One big hug to you.
I have known Krishnan Uncle first as Amma and Appa’s friend. He was the man with a cool bike. He rode it like he owned the roads of Chennai. As a child, I thought he was a stuntman. To-date it will be the most thrilling bike rides I have ever been on.
I have plenty more memories, but this will remain my most favourite of them. I pray for you. This stillness you feel now is something I can understand to some extent. I wish we can talk sometime soon. Lots of love. Nisha
Heartfelt sympathy for your loss, Om Sad Gati to the departed soul.
Krishnan athimber and Bindu akka were such easy people to deal with, they have a knack for putting people at ease, completely non judgemental, friendly and straightforward. I loved how much Krishnan athimber loved to eat ice cream and the laughter that soared the sky when akka and athimber tuned in together. I feel lucky to have reconnected with them after a long time and cherish every single memory I had with them. Reality is hard to face and I am at a loss for words. Whoever has met athimber through me are all speechless. I keep telling myself that Athimber cannot leave akka, he is around and he is around and thats all that matters.
Extremely saddened to learn of the untimely demise of Sri Krishnan . Prayers for sadgati to the departed and strength to you all to bear this huge loss.. I am sure Bindu that the inspiration he would continue to provide you and the mission from up there would help to achieve your objective . Incidentally I have been reading your blogs for almost s decade . God bless .
N A Viswanathan IAS RETD
This feels so heavy. I loved seeing the two of you together. I know how much love was there, and I hate that you have to carry this now.
I am wishing you strength for the days ahead and I hope his memories keep finding you in small, gentle ways, the kind that still feel like love.
I feel lucky I got to meet him last year on my birthday. I will hold onto that. – Dilip
Krishnan Sir was not just a mentor to me—he was truly a father figure, not only in my life but in the lives of so many students and mentees. A rare soul who lived every day with honesty, integrity, and quiet compassion.
Every conversation with him felt like learning a life lesson—shared in such simple words, yet leaving a deep impact.
I keep remembering what he once told me:
“Ashutosh, what we really enjoy in life is the joy of relationships.”
That one line says everything about how he lived his life.
It still feels unreal that Krishnan Sir is no longer with us. I had spoken to him recently about a new initiative, and as always, he immediately said yes—to guide, support, and bless the work. That was him… always giving, always present.
Hardworking, disciplined, empathetic, punctual, wise—mentor, teacher, guide, guru. You name it, he was it. A human being you don’t come across often. For me, he truly felt like a living embodiment of Lord Krishna’s values.
You will be deeply missed, Sir. Your words, your blessings, and your way of life will stay with us forever. 🙏
Dearest Bindu,
This news has been incredibly difficult for us to process. We have so many fond memories with Krishnan that we cherish deeply and will always hold close.
Krishnan—his intellect, his humour, his empathy, his passion, his friendship, his love for swimming and travel, and the values he lived by—made him a favourite of everyone who knew him.
I still remember him sharing how particular his grandfather was about shuddhi, yet Krishnan somehow managed to get away with everything, even with him. It feels as though he has done that once again… quietly slipping away.
The sparkle in his eyes will be missed more than words can express. He took such immense pride in you—your abilities, your work, and the love you showed for Aunty and the entire family.
Please know that we are holding you close in our thoughts and prayers, and we share in your grief.
Deepa and Kapil
I am heartbroken after hearing this. I was looking forward to his fast recovery and to having a nice conversation with him after his bypass surgery.
He was a great mentor and a father figure to me. Our conversations, whether over phone call, video call, or in-person, were always full of learning and insight for me. I always looked forward to our conversations.
We met for the first time in 2020, when he taught me belief in myself and my work. Since then, he has taught me a lot of things – self-sufficiency, humility, attention to detail, creating engaging content, tracking the right metrics, and most of all how to maintain ethics in a world where it is becoming increasingly hard.
Krishnan Sir is the most punctual, disciplined, dynamic, meticulous, and ethical person I have ever known. He was, is, and will always remain a great source of learning and inspiration for me.
I consider myself a little unfortunate that we didn’t get many pictures clicked together. We have a few from a launch program, our Bhopal trip, and most recently, at my marriage reception where I didn’t know that I was meeting him for the last time.
I will cherish all these memories and many more that we have created together. I will miss him a lot.
Take care Bindu Ma’am. I am sending my thoughts and prayers with the hope to meet you soon.
Dear Bindu,
My deepest condolences.
My prayers and thoughts are with you and your family during this difficult time.
Om Shanti!
Navendu
Dearest Bindu
Simply no words to express his loss, he was always larger than life, warm, exuded positiveness in every interaction and engaging. In a world where many just exist without a larger purpose, he stood out and shined. Continue his good work and contribution as I am sure you will.
Hello Bindu mam.
Sorry to hear about Krishnan , I have met him couple of times and I always remember him as a lively person.
Can’t imagine him not being there in this journey with you. His presence will always be there.
Though I knew Krishnan only for a short while, ISB Alumni, his life reflected compassion, selflessness, and a deep love for serving others. He lived with purpose and embraced life fully, touching hearts in ways that will continue to inspire. May his soul find eternal peace, and may Bindu and family and loved ones find strength and comfort during this difficult time.
‘Nachi, Kichi is no more ‘ this was the devastating news from Bindu on the 23rd evening which completely shattered me. I didn’t show my emotion as I knew what Bindu would be going through. I was with Kichi till the 21st Jan and was happy with his recovery post his bye pass surgery. While saying good bye to him I gave a kiss on his forehead and told him that I will meet him after he gets discharged from the hospital. That was my last interaction with Kichi. Even though his surgery was very complicated according to the surgeon neither me or Bindu didn’t even for a second feel that his life was in danger.
I lost a brother who was a part of my life for 62 long years. Post my parents death Kichi was both a mother and father to me. Much more than a brother he was my best friend. Whenever I felt low I used to call Kichi and he would give me his usual pep talk to lift my spirits. We used to share our happy journeys we had together right from our school, college and cricketing days . We both are huge Modi followers and every election will be followed by a long conversation with him.
During our conversations many times he had expressed his desire to meet Amma one more time. Now he has gone permanently to meet Amma.
I wish I could meet Kichi once to express gratitude to many things he has done to me and convey how much I, Kousalya and Dhanush loved him and valued his relationship. Dhanush has lost a great mentor. Nothing in this world can replace Kichi.