An 18-year-old Indian student and recipient of the UAE's prestigious Golden Visa tragically died of cardiac arrest during Diwali celebrations in Dubai on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, leaving his family and community in profound grief. Vaishnav Krishnakumar, a first-year BBA marketing student at Middlesex University Dubai, collapsed suddenly at an event in Dubai International Academic City, according to reports from local media outlets like Gulf News and Khaleej Times. Despite being rushed to a nearby hospital, medical personnel declared him dead on arrival, with no prior history of heart issues noted by his family. The incident occurred amid joyous festivities marking the Hindu festival of lights, casting a sombre shadow over the expatriate Indian community in the UAE.

Vaishnav, originally from Karazhma in Chennithala, Alappuzha district of Kerala, had been living in Dubai since birth, alongside his younger sister Vrishti, as his father, VG Krishnakumar, had been employed there for over two decades. The Golden Visa, a long-term residency programme introduced by the UAE in 2019 to attract investors, entrepreneurs, and exceptional talents—including outstanding students—had been awarded to Vaishnav, recognising his academic promise. Described by relatives and educators as a smart, intelligent, compassionate, and inspiring young man, he was deeply embedded in Dubai's vibrant Indian diaspora, with most of his friendships formed there. His family had only recently visited their native Kerala two years prior for a house-warming ceremony, highlighting their rooted yet expatriate lifestyle.

The Dubai Police Forensic Department is conducting investigations to ascertain the exact circumstances of the collapse, as the family grapples with uncertainty and the logistical challenges of repatriating his remains. Vaishnav's uncle, Nitish, a Dubai resident, expressed the family's bewilderment, noting they lack a "clear picture" of what transpired and are coordinating paperwork to transport the body to Kerala for final rites, with hopes of flying home on Friday, October 24. In Alappuzha, relative and neighbour Gopi Karnavar shared memories of the family's infrequent visits, underscoring Vaishnav's upbringing as a product of Dubai's multicultural environment. The cremation is scheduled for Saturday on the premises of their newly built home, allowing loved ones a chance to bid farewell in their ancestral village.

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Tributes poured in from Vaishnav's educational institutions, amplifying the ripple of sorrow across his circles. Middlesex University Dubai issued a statement lamenting the "deeply affecting" loss to their community, while GEMS Our Own Indian School—where he completed his schooling—postponed upcoming events in his honour, remembering him as a talented student "loved by all". Teachers and classmates echoed these sentiments, portraying him as bright and caring, whose untimely passing has united the Indian community in Dubai and Kerala in shared mourning. Survived by his parents, VG Krishnakumar and Vidhu Krishnakumar, along with his sister Vrishti, Vaishnav's story serves as a poignant reminder of the fragility of life, even for young achievers chasing dreams abroad, as investigations continue to provide closure for those left behind.

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