Ananda wanted all donations to be anonymous, says friend

 

Former Malaysia Hindu Sangam president A Vaithilingam said tycoon Ananda Krishnan placed great importance on education and economic growth, donating to both generously. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA: 

A long-time friend of billionaire Ananda Krishnan who died at the age of 86 on Thursday says the tycoon would only agree to donate if his name was not mentioned publicly.

A Vaithilingam recalled how Ananda started supporting the Tamil Hindu Sangam during his tenure as president of the representative body for Hindus in Malaysia.

“Please don’t mention my name for any contributions.

“Mention that the contributions came from MCEF (Malaysian Communities Educational Foundation), not from Ananda Krishnan,” Vaithilingam recalled in an interview with Bernama.

He said only after these terms were agreed upon did Ananda begin contributing to the Hindu body and other foundations.

Vaithilingam described how, year after year, from 2003 to 2009, the Tamil Hindu Sangam presented detailed reports and plans, which were carefully reviewed by certified accountants.

“Each time, Ananda would praise their thoroughness, focussing on the impact of the work rather than seeking any personal credit,” Vaithilingam said.

Vaithilingam first met Ananda in 1946 in Brickfields and their friendship grew stronger over the years, evolving from childhood companions to close adult friends.

Ananda, Vaithilingam noted, placed great importance on education and economic growth in the country.

“He was always willing to consider contributing when it came to both,” he said.

Recalling their earlier days, Vaithilingam mentioned how they used to study the Tamil language together at the Vivekananda Ashram.

“He was always camera-shy and reserved, much like his mother,” Vaithilingam said.

“Ananda’s mother would often visit my family and we would bump into each other at the temple. Like her son, she always avoided the limelight, sitting quietly in a corner, and that humility was passed on to him.”

Ananda, who died in Switzerland, is survived by a son, who later became a Buddhist monk, and two daughters. His wake will be held at his residence on Jalan Berhala, Brickfields, tomorrow. It will be open to the public from 5pm to 9pm.

Regarding his son’s decision to pursue a spiritual path despite the vast fortune he would have inherited, Vaithilingam said Ananda was happy and supportive of his son’s journey, accepting it with grace.

Ananda had a close attachment to Brickfields as he grew up there.

He rose up to be one of Malaysia’s most prominent business figures and was listed among the country’s wealthiest individuals.

A Harvard Business School graduate, Ananda started Usaha Tegas and later founded Maxis Communications and Measat Broadcast Network Systems.

According to Forbes’s real-time billionaire list, Ananda’s net worth stood at US$5.1 billion as of Nov 27, 2024, ranking him as the 667th richest person in the world.- FMT