The tragic passing of Vaishnav Krishnakumar, an 18-year-old Dubai resident, has left his family, friends, and community in mourning. Vaishnav, a first-year student at Middlesex University and a former pupil of GEMS Our Own Indian School, suffered a sudden cardiac arrest during a Diwali celebration on Tuesday. Despite being rushed to the hospital, he could not be saved. His final rites were conducted on Saturday afternoon in his hometown of Alappuzha, Kerala, surrounded by grieving family members. The family had arrived in Kerala earlier that morning after a heart-wrenching journey from Dubai. On Friday evening, hundreds of parents, teachers, and friends gathered at an embalming center in Al Muhaisnah to pay their respects. Attendees described the atmosphere as overwhelmingly emotional, with many sharing heartfelt memories of Vaishnav’s positive influence on their lives. Social media has been flooded with tributes, with friends and acquaintances recalling his kindness, leadership, and ability to inspire others. His school and university also posted touching messages, with the school postponing several events in his honor. Vaishnav is survived by his mother, Vidhu, a STEAM teacher at GEMS Our Own Indian School, and his eight-year-old sister.