Hariraj Sudevan, 37, an engineer from India working in the UAE, passed away just hours after seeing off his visiting family at the airport, leaving friends and relatives devastated.He died of a heart attack on October 6, merely hours after dropping his wife and son at Abu Dhabi International Airport as they returned to their hometown in Kerala.Speaking to Gulf News over the phone from Kerala, his father-in-law Ashokan KP said: “We are all devastated and finding it difficult to accept the reality that he is no more.”Hariraj’s daughter, Dr Anu Ashok, and grandson Ishaan Dev Hari had spent 10 days with him before returning home on Sunday evening.“They have UAE residence visas. So, every six months, they come and stay for a few days with Hari,” said Ashokan KP.Hariraj had also planned to fly down later this month to attend his son’s 10th birthday celebrations.“He used to visit for every birthday of his son Ishaan Dev, and this time, he had already planned his leave. He was supposed to be with us for the celebration on October 27,” his father-in-law added.Hariraj had been working in the UAE for 12 years, including 11 years with a Dubai company as a subsea pipeline installation engineer, before moving to Abu Dhabi as senior offshore construction engineer last year.His best friend Digin Thomas, who knew him for more than 20 years, accompanied Hariraj’s mortal remains to his hometown in Alappuzha district where the funeral was held on Tuesday.“We have known each other since we were 17 when we joined our engineering course. We were together in Mumbai and Dubai,” said Digin.He added, “We live in the same compound here, but in different buildings.”
The tragic night:
Digin recalled the events from that day. He said that Hariraj had dropped off his wife and son and then picked up his roommate Sujith, who returned from Kerala, from the same airport.“It was a special day for us, because it was our daughter’s birthday. So, after returning from the airport, he came to my apartment, and we spent some nice time together. We had a cake cutting ceremony, and he gifted my daughter and played with my children. All my children are very close to him,” he added.Digin said that Hariraj had come with Sujith, and around 9 pm both returned. By then, his wife and son had reached home and video-called him. Afterward, he had his dinner and was browsing something on his tablet, according to Gulf News.“It was around 11:40pm that he felt uneasy, and then Sujith called me and another friend from their building, and the ambulance also,” said Digin.He rushed to Hariraj’s house in his car and within two minutes, the ambulance arrived. Hariraj had complained of breathing difficulties and was sweating.Paramedics performed CPR and used devices to revive him before rushing him to a nearby hospital. “Doctors tried for almost half an hour to revive him, but they couldn’t save him,” Digin said.Digin said Hariraj was diabetic but it was under control with diet and yoga. He also played badminton regularly.Remembering Hariraj, Digin said that he was very close to his grandmother, his brother and his parents, especially his mother, whom he called every day without fail.“It was heartbreaking to see the grief of his family including many cousins at the funeral,” Digin said.Hariraj had completed his B.Tech from CUSAT, Kerala and M.Tech from IIT, Madras, one of India’s most prestigious institutions.“He will always be remembered for his smile and friendly behaviour. Several friends and colleagues came to bid him farewell before we took him home. Many of his friends from school and university attended his funeral also,” Digin added.One of his juniors living in Dubai, Amal Gireesh, said: “He is gone too soon. It is a big loss for all of us.”Paying tribute, Digin’s wife Sini Susan wrote: “He was more than just a brother. He was the life of our family, and without him, our future feels like a mere skeleton — bare and empty. He was the one who brought joy, laughter, and fulfillment to our lives. You were with us for years, and your presence made life richer. Your loss is unbearable, and the void you’ve created can’t be filled. The kids will miss your fun, gifts, and laughter. You were a great brother, always supporting and caring for us.”
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