IIT Madras Engineer Dies Hours After Emotional Airport Goodbye to Wife and Son in Abu Dhabi

Hariraj Sudevan, a 37-year-old IIT Madras alumnus and senior offshore construction engineer in Abu Dhabi, tragically passed away from a heart attack on October 6, 2025, mere hours after bidding farewell to his visiting wife and son at Abu Dhabi International Airport. The accomplished professional, who had called the UAE home for 12 years—11 with a Dubai-based firm specializing in subsea pipeline installations—left behind a devastated family and a circle of friends reeling from the sudden loss.

His father-in-law, Ashokan KP, speaking from Kerala, expressed the family's profound grief: "We are all devastated and finding it difficult to accept the reality that he is no more." Hariraj's academic journey, marked by a B.Tech from CUSAT in Kerala and an M.Tech from the prestigious IIT Madras, underscored his dedication to excellence in engineering.

The fateful day began with bittersweet normalcy for Hariraj, who had cherished 10 days with his daughter Dr. Anu Ashok and grandson Ishaan Dev Hari, holders of UAE residence visas that allowed regular family visits every six months. After seeing them off on their evening flight back to Kerala, Hariraj picked up his roommate Sujith from the airport and joined his best friend Digin Thomas—known to him since their engineering days at age 17—for a joyful celebration of Digin's daughter's birthday.

The evening unfolded with cake-cutting, gifts, and playful moments with Digin's children, whom Hariraj adored. A video call with his newly arrived wife and son followed dinner, but around 11:40 PM, Hariraj suddenly felt uneasy, complaining of breathing difficulties and sweating profusely. Despite swift CPR by paramedics and a desperate 30-minute effort at a nearby hospital, he could not be saved.

Digin Thomas, who accompanied Hariraj's mortal remains back to Alappuzha district for the funeral on October 8, 2025, shared poignant memories of their 20-year friendship forged in Mumbai and Dubai. Living in the same compound, the duo shared an unbreakable bond, with Hariraj's controlled diabetes managed through diet, yoga, and regular badminton keeping him vibrant. Hariraj had eagerly planned a trip to Kerala later that month for Ishaan's 10th birthday on October 27, a tradition he upheld without fail. "He was very close to his grandmother, brother, parents—especially his mother, whom he called every day," Digin recalled, noting the overwhelming sorrow at the funeral attended by schoolmates, university peers, and colleagues. A junior, Amal Gireesh in Dubai, lamented, "He is gone too soon. It is a big loss for all of us."

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Tributes poured in, painting Hariraj as a beacon of joy and support. Digin's wife, Sini Susan, eulogized him as "more than just a brother," the "life of our family" whose absence leaves a "bare and empty" void, robbing the children of his infectious laughter and generosity. Friends and family gathered to bid farewell, remembering his perpetual smile and approachable demeanor that bridged professional rigor with personal warmth. Hariraj's story, though cut tragically short, resonates as a reminder of life's fragility, even for those at the peak of their careers.

As Hariraj's loved ones navigate this irreplaceable loss, his legacy endures through the lives he touched—from family milestones to engineering feats in the UAE's demanding offshore sector. The outpouring of grief from Kerala to Abu Dhabi highlights the profound impact of a man who balanced ambition with unwavering familial devotion, ensuring his memory lives on in hearts forever changed.

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