The Indian community in Dubai, along with people in India, is in shock after the death of an 18-year-old from Kerala who suffered a cardiac arrest during a Diwali celebration in Dubai. Vaishnav Krishnakumar reportedly collapsed during the festivities and was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he was declared dead.
Vaishnav was no ordinary teenager. He had a brilliant academic track record, scoring 97.4% in the 2024-25 CBSE Class 12 exams, with perfect marks in both Marketing and Entrepreneurship. His achievements were recognised when he was awarded the prestigious UAE Golden Visa, a rare honour given to students with exceptional academic performance. Here's his story..
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Who was Vaishnav Krishnakumar?
Vaishnav Krishnakumar was an 18-year-old student from Alappuzha district in Kerala. He lived in Dubai with his father, mother, and sister. His father, V.G. Krishnakumar, has been working there for over 20 years, while his mother, Vidhu Krishnakumar, is a teacher at GEMS Our Own Indian School, where Vaishnav studied. He was pursuing his first year of BBA in Marketing at Middlesex University Dubai. He was the Head of the School Council. According to his LinkedIn profile, he served as the President of the Model United Nations Club and the Debating Society. Despite his numerous leadership roles, he always credited his success to the guidance he received from those around him. He always mentored younger participants and led conferences, always inspiring others with his dedication and leadership.
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Vaishnav and his Big Dreams!
Vaishnav always had big plans for his future. He started his career as a social media marketing intern at a private firm in Dubai as one of its youngest members.
What is UAE's Golden Visa program?
Krishnakumar was a recipient of the UAE Golden Visa. This is a special long-term residence visa that lets foreigners live, work, and study in the UAE for 5 or 10 years without needing a local sponsor.