KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 2: As the country continues to pay tribute to Ananda Krishnan, recalling his huge contributions to the country’s corporate and social landscape via companies such as Astro, Maxis, Measat, Usaha Tegas Sdn Bhd, many more are also paying their personal tributes to the late philanthropist for having been their inspiration, shaping their education and careers.
Among them, Sidartha Rakuram, a software engineer with Astro, recalled in his LinkedIn post how his father, Rakuram Gandhi, who worked at Maxis for over 30 years, always spoke of Ananda with deep respect, highlighting his intelligence and commitment to creating opportunities for countless individuals.
“His impact on Malaysia’s corporate and social landscape is profound. His companies, Astro and Maxis, played pivotal roles in shaping my education and career,” Sidartha wrote in his post. He added that Ananda’s vision and legacy of innovation and dedication to boosting the Malaysian economy will inspire generations to come.
Ananda, who passed away on Nov 28, 2024, in Switzerland, was the founder of Maxis, a significant contributor to national development since 1995, playing a pivotal role in the advancement of telecommunications technologies in the country.
Rakuram Gandhi, Senior Technology & Telecommunications Regulations Specialist with Maxis stated, “A milestone in this journey was the launch of Malaysia’s first MEASAT satellite, MEASAT-1, in January 1996 by Maxis, then known as Binariang.”
Pix 1: Ali R. Ebadi (right) Advisor to the Board of Directors of Measat during a satellite launch in 2022. Pix 2: Europe’s satellite launcher Ariane 4. Pix 3: Rakuram Gandhi, Senior Technology & Telecommunications Regulations Specialist with Maxis (left) with Ali R. Ebadi (right).
These efforts among others have enabled widespread access to information, communications, and entertainment across the country. Astro’s ability to provide “clean” and carefully curated content since 1996, by leveraging the MEASAT satellites’ robust infrastructure, is vital. This alignment with local cultural values fosters a shared sense of identity and respect in Malaysia. Maxis’s commitment to connectivity and innovation continues to drive the nation forward.
Ali R. Ebadi, who has known Ananda for over 30 years, now the advisor to the board of Directors of Measat, remarked, “Ananda Krishnan was an extraordinary individual, a fast reader, and an intelligent man with a keen understanding of technical details. He was well-read, with extensive knowledge about satellites, making him far from an ordinary businessman.
“His approach was no-nonsense, and he was very sharp on the details. Ananda was deeply involved in his work, striving to build trust through his actions and dealings with those working in his companies. Whenever we met, he frequently inquired about me and my family’s well-being. He took great care to ensure guests were well taken care of at social events, reflecting his meticulous nature. He was also health-conscious, favouring nutritious food and remaining active through swimming, one of his favorite pastimes.”
–WE