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We shared beautiful moments with Swami. He is so loved. His energy and aura would leave anyone laughing. He was such an inspiration. Please accept our condolences.

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“A great soul serves everyone all the time. A great soul never dies. It brings us together again and again.” – Maya Angelou

That was Swaminathan Subramaniam for me. A man who was incredibly high on energy, full of ideas, devoid of expectations or demands and most importantly a man with an open phone book, always ready to connect and refer. Unlike many who are nervous about their connections, he was a man at ease with his reach.

“Saaabbb (Sab) badhiya?” was the usual question and  “No complaints” was his usual reply in every one of the innumerable calls that we had, mostly at odd hours of the day, over the last decade and a half.

I was introduced to him by a friend who is a bureaucrat over a simple phone call. But Swami was not the one for getting introduced and letting go. In 30 minutes, I was talking to the head honcho of a really big fund, which was undergoing its worst crisis, with a majority of their investments having gone bad, and being investigated (perhaps unnecessarily) by regulators.

In fact, Swami was so prompt, passionate and eager to help that person, I thought they were partners or probably had some commercial interest. It was the first and last time I judged him - wrongly.

The next day, the three of us met in a swanky office in South Mumbai’s Worli, to finalise the strategy to be used and the details of the legal team to be engaged. I was supposed to go to Delhi and talk to a few friends from the legal fraternity to finalise the team.

I’m not the most diplomatic of persons. Coming out of the office, I asked Swami straight out, “What's your commercial arrangement on this deal?” For thirty seconds, the lift lobby shook as Swami unleashed one of his trademark laughs. He put his hand on my shoulder and said, “Kanhaiya babu, I am doing this to get you the role of a consultant and to get this issue resolved for my friend, because I know, he will not be able to navigate the complex systemic issues, and you need to get some  good work, to showcase your capabilities. I have done my due diligence on you.”

That was my friend Swami, who without even me asking, or knowing, travelled all the way from Nerul to Worli in a taxi, to find me this assignment.

And this was just the beginning, because something clicked between us in the very first interaction. I drove him back to Nerul and we chatted throughout the two hour drive.

I felt that he knew something about virtually everything on this planet. I was extremely impressed and really excited to know this man.

Like many business pitches, that assignment  never materialised, but I got myself a true friend, a valued mentor, my worst critic and a brother from another mother.

To the world he was a top journalist, a pioneering entrepreneur and innovator, a founder and CEO, but to me, he was just “Swami ”, a go to person for every one of my intellectual shortcomings and many, many priceless introductions and references.

I stayed in his house during the gloom and doom of Covid. A simple house with a huge terrace, a rarity in Mumbai, it was perhaps a symbol of his openness and magnanimity. A fine host, he prepared his trademark filter coffee himself in the traditional steel vessels and gave me a Dhoti to change into.

A disciplined man, he slept at 9.30, and woke around 3 am, while I was still struggling to sleep. We again had a couple of rounds of coffee and chatted till 5 am, which is when I really felt sleepy and went off to dreamland. Swami, who usually worked in multiple time zones, carried on with his calls and mails.

There I met his better half, Deepta, for the first time. Truly the most gracious and humble lady I have ever met. Thankfully, before I blundered into commenting on her domestic skills, I discovered she was the woman managing the entire operation of IRIS along with their partner Balu, who I met a few years later.

After that we spoke on a few hundred occasions, discussed thousands of ideas and met across multiple geographies, sometimes intentionally and at times accidentally. We never did business together, though.
From a struggling software company to a global powerhouse, IRIS today stands as the legacy of the man who always said, “I don’t want to leave any legacy” and believed only in giving back and sharing.

When I moved to Delhi, my partner Ashish Mehrishi and I organised a small get together, where I invited Swami. He graciously flew in from Mumbai and in that gathering of nearly forty people, he knew something about almost everyone and nearly each guest knew him too.

I introduced my wife to him for the first time and they got along famously, a study in opposites with the gregarious Swami and the reticent Mukta forming a quick bond.

Later when we started the digital platform, Shreshth Bharat, and Mukta relaunched her career as an anchor after a break of almost a decade, I forwarded Swami a show that she had hosted. He immediately asked for her number and didn’t stop there. He messaged her, introducing himself as Swami, Kanhaiya’s friend, and then called her to say how much he liked her anchoring. He was a regular at watching her shows and giving her feedback. One day he also called her to ask whether she was being paid or not? He was clear that even though she was the founder’s wife, she should not hesitate in charging a fair value for her skills. Being an entrepreneur himself, he was sure that she would be doing the work pro bono, since startups are always challenged for both funds and good people.

We last spoke about a week ago and he shared an extremely big professional development nonchalantly, as if it hardly meant anything for him. He wanted my opinion on the way ahead, and as usual after half an hour of reasoning, debating and coaxing, he held his ground firmly. I wondered why he even informed me and had the discussion. We decided to meet in the first week of April and discuss the matter further. That April meeting will never come in My life again.

Missing is a small word. You have left me deprived of a lot of life, intellect, insight, references and debates my friend. When the time comes, I am sure you will be a wonderful soul to join in a different universe.

(The above article has been written by Kanhaiya Singh, Journalist turned entrepreneur, Founder and CEO of shreshth Bharat Group)

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Dear Ma’am,

I know how deeply painful it must be for you to come to terms with the reality that Swami Sir is no longer with us. No words can truly ease your grief, but I wanted you to know that his loss weighs just as heavily on us, if not as profoundly as on family, because to many of us, he was family.

Swami Sir had a special way of making everyone feel valued. He fondly called me "BPM", Bhavisya ka Pradhan Mantri—and we shared countless moments of laughter, mentorship, and genuine connection. He wasn’t just a guide; he was the finest mentor I’ve ever had. He introduced me to industry stalwarts and taught me the art of networking, always pushing me to grow. I, too, tried to reciprocate by connecting him to new opportunities, and just a few days ago, he called me excitedly: "Ashutosh, we’re finally signing the MOU with Assam, why don’t you join?"

His warmth was boundless. He’d insist, "Don’t book a hotel in Mumbai, come stay with me," and though he’d scold me with unwavering authority, I listened eagerly, knowing every word carried a lesson. The thought of never hearing that guidance again leaves me heartbroken. Yesterday, seeing him lie there was unbearable; today, the void feels just as stark.

Ma’am, I hope you find solace in knowing how passionately he loved his work. For him, his business, was, his purpose, and he pursued it with unmatched zeal. If there’s any way I can contribute to honoring his legacy or supporting the business he cherished, please don’t hesitate to call on me. I’m determined to find meaningful ways to pay tribute to the visionary leader, mentor, and dear friend he was to us all.

With deepest condolences and unwavering respect,

Ashutosh

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Our deepest heartfelt condolences Deeptha ma

Sama Anna was so special & dear to us - particularly to me - going back to very early childhood

He’s been a trailblazer, role model & one who broke every glass ceiling - he felt worth crossing over

So much cared for his people - always would make time for little minute things in life (come what may) & he was steadfast in this right through

The amount of efforts to reach me by phone the first day I landed in US - and succeeded - is itself worth a book

He called every public phone/pay phone in the dorm (I was put up the first day ) after figuring out where I was put up (all with just one information - Ramesh has just arrived to upstate NY to join SUNY albany) and did not stop till he finally connected with me & heard my voice (this was July 9th 1985 - no cell phones only land lines)

The goal - only to make sure I am comfortable & don’t experience a culture shock on day one of landing in US

What an amount of care, unbounded unconditional love - all expressed by actual action !!!

How many times he connected with me in various ways just to ensure I safe landed & coaxed for my first train ride to come over from Albany to Yale / just goosebumps even thinking about it….

Several several anectodes along the way / notable being how he would insist on timing his visits to our place in Bay Area - so he could be there to watch Shreya play in her varsity tennis games & cheer her (and us)

The way he reached out of the way to help Mayosys (my company) in its first product EATS (Enterprise Asset & Personnel Tracking System) when we were bidding for Delhi T3 airport security system tender / by insisting that we meet your father in Chennai (who was involved in designing Chiangi airport in Singapore) & the resulting inputs made us a finalist in the project bidding (last 3) and most recently

When our father was critical he just flew over and what a breath of fresh air and immediate warmth & positivity - as well as humor he brought by his very presence

I could go on & on

One thing I can add ma (as our Upanishads clearly call out) he’s not gone anywhere

He’s now watching us all from above and now even more present with each of us every moment waiting with his unfathomable energy & drive to guide & lead us in every step of the way

He was much more than an Anna to me

Really a doer / who walked the talk & simply would make anything happen to which he sincerely set his mind to and never ever forgot his journey nor the people who stood by him… success, fame, money nothing ever changed him!!!

I know he is watching me from above as I scribe this

My heartfelt PranAms to you Sama Anna

Deeptha ma - SriVidya and myself are there for anything you need.. being far away in US we may not have had that many interactions, but that does not take away one bit from the intensity & depth of our relationship

You have been such a pillar of support for him & a rock in every way for him in his journey

Our heartfelt PranAms to you & I know you must be going through so much - we really hope wish &

Pray we can partake some of that…

Pardon my long message

But that’s the bare minimal I could do being so far away…

Load n loads of unconditional love

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Dear Deepta...sorry cud not make it today for the final farewell of Mr. Swaminathan. I'm hoping all went well. Hope u have eaten something post the rituals.

I shall always recall Mr. Swaminathan as a cheerful, jolly, happy n helpful person with so much wit n humor. Our brief encounters in the lift always left me in splits bringing a smile on my mostly grumpy face. I also recall how he had organised the vaccination drive at his office for the building....n when I visited your office is when I realised that this humble man I meet in the lift is a giant n an inspiration in his own field.

Surely saying goodbye is hard but he will live on in our memories n the various lives he impacted with his kind words n deeds.

Deepta his legacy shall live on.

While this loss is hard to fill..I pray n hope you find the strength to bear this grief. You are not alone in this...n I hope these don't seem like empty words...we r with u n just a call away.

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Folks - even as I was making my way to Nerul to see Swami, I was telling myself may be this is just a bad dream and Swami will actually castigate me for coming up late! Still trying to process that Swami will not call me at 5 am after seeing that I am online on whatsapp and will miss his 2-3 regular calls per day. I was joking to my team that Swami chats with me more than I chat with my wife! Father figure/elder brother - whatever you may want to call - here is one helluva human being that I got in touch with and whom I will miss very dearly! Would love to complete the process he started - so please pull me in on anything and everything folks. I am sure he will be one happy man to see the Company growing 30x by 2030. That was his last message to me as to how the Carbon folks threw a surprise for an offsite and that they had designed a logo which he was very proud of! I will take a few days to get back to normal for sure. Not too many people have impacted me the way Swami has!

And after I got back from Kili, he spent 45 minutes with me on phone asking me to describe each stage of the ascent and descent! And then he went and told the whole world of investors about this feat as if it was his accomplishment. He was so proud of the fact that I had done it.

So I had different people calling me and asking and I was wondering who told them!

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He was a prankster! Who often used to love playing tricks on others.

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Hello Ma’am,

I think I spent a lot of time overthinking about how to reach out to you and what would be the right time to. But if there’s anything that Sir has taught me, it’s that, ”the right time is whenever you decide to make it right…which means it’s now” I can almost hear him say, ”that’s your problem, you guys treat everything as if it’s a panchvarshiya yojana, get up and get it done”

Lol!

Sir, and his genius for tossing you into the deepest pits!! But as you sink, you realize that the pit defies gravity, and before you know it, you're soaring upwards, without even trying. Typical of him!

And that’s what he did to me. Not once, not twice, but so many times, I’ve lost count.

Back in 2022, out of nowhere, he decided we were doing an Investor week. I was busy arranging meetings and putting together a deck for it. The first email I ever received from him came at 4 am, where he called the deck "shitty and thoughtless" 😂. Then, just 1.5 hours before a meeting with a European client, he calls me and says I’m going to present iConnect. The catch? I had no idea what iConnect was, what IRIS did, or how to even present to a client. I didn’t even have iConnect installed! Thankfully, Ashish was in Mumbai and stepped in to help me. Sir wasn’t even in the office, but walked in just two minutes before the meeting, looked at me, and said, “Start.” 🫣

Needless to say, everything went downhill. 😂 I was completely ill-prepared, had no clue how a demo is supposed to be conducted, and didn’t even know the product!!

He told me I was horrible, which, honestly, I couldn’t deny. 😅Knowing English and knowing how to communicate are two different things, but with Sir, he—no surprises here—knew how to captivate, mesmerize and conquer the person sitting infront of him.

Ofcourse, it didn’t stop there. He kept pushing me to present, giving me more opportunities.

I still remember running behind him into conference rooms while the finance team would look up from their laptops and joke, “Bachchi gayi kaam se”😂. But what he was really doing was pushing me to push my own limits.

He scolded me, laughed with me, and even laughed at me—everything! But Ma’am, I can’t begin to tell you how kind he was. He had no business being so kind!!!When something went wrong or I was secretly panicking before a meeting, he’d step in, remind me to breathe. He would send messages like, “You can do anything if you’re well prepared”, “Why do you think I put you in this situation? Go figure it out, take charge, do it”.

He gave me the freedom to do the work my way, and that meant the world to me. He trusted me. He trusted people. He had hope for people.

Everyone wants to just see that right? Someone, counting on you for even the smallest task, sometimes means you are worth it, in some way! And he knew this✨✨✨

I always say that the confidence I have today is because of IRIS. The culture and standards he set for all of us - Just Golden. When I wasn’t working at IRIS, every third day, I’d find myself thinking about Sir—like, “He would’ve done a background check on this guy” or “He would’ve taken a different approach.” Honestly, it was annoying at times!! How does he never leave you??

Every time he spoke, I was in awe, thinking, "How can someone actually think like that?" He said things so casually, as if they were second nature to him, but for me, it felt like a fireworks going off in my mind—an explosion of insight and brilliance every time he spoke.

I’m sharing an example with you. A note dated back to 2 July 2023 -

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There’s so much I wish I could say, and I’m grateful that after my ghar wapsi, I might finally have the chance.

But one lesson stands out from knowing him, even briefly: the power of living a life of service to others.✨

His deep sense of service was so natural, so effortless, it almost felt beyond human. He was always there for everyone—always present. It still amazes me how he never hesitated to do anything for anyone. I’m so thankful to have met him this weekend, and even more grateful for the chance to work with him and learn from him.

This has been the most impactful professional relationship I’ve ever had, and his influence is beyond what words can express.

The influence he had on me will last a lifetime. Truly, grateful! 🙏🏼

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He was everything to me – my mentor, my guide, and at times, even my parent. Through all the ups and downs of my personal life, he was always by my side. Raised in a small family, I never imagined someone could bring out the best in me the way he did. He constantly pushed me to grow and become better.

I still remember my first interaction with Swami Sir when I joined IRIS as a fresher in 1997. I worked tirelessly, and one day, he asked how I could maintain such focus and work for such long hours. I simply replied, “I enjoy my work, do it with passion, and always give my 100%.” From that moment on, he began assigning me increasingly challenging tasks, marking the beginning of my journey of growth. His feedback was always direct and often tough to hear, but I learned to focus on the deeper lessons, which helped me improve continuously. The most important lesson he taught me was that there is always a solution to every problem, and it’s essential to think outside the box.

Over time, Swami Sir entrusted me with many opportunities, including leading the database team where we worked on MF data, loan data, and company financial statements. When the financial crisis hit and most employees left, very few of us remained. Swami Sir asked me to take responsibility for all the projects in the maintenance phase. Transitioning from databases to technology was challenging, but gradually, I gained hands-on experience across various projects and started leading the technology team. Eventually, I moved into project management and now lead the Customer Success Team.

Throughout this journey, a deep bond formed between us, built on respect, affection, and even moments of disagreement, fostering mutual trust and understanding.

He became like a parent to me, and at times, I acted like a child, even having small arguments with him. I recall one instance during an investor meeting when I was asked to demo GST. In our mock demo, Swami Sir scolded me severely, expressing his dissatisfaction with my presentation. He said, “If someone asks you to summarize the entire Mahabharata in 10 minutes, you should be able to do it.” I responded, “I’ll try, but if the person doesn’t know who Dronacharya, Arjun, or Shikhandi are, what’s the point of explaining the Mahabharata? It would be a waste of time.” He didn’t respond.

The very next week, during IRIS’s 20th-anniversary function, Swami Sir asked me to give a speech. I was firm in my refusal, especially since he had once told me I couldn’t explain things well. Despite his repeated requests, I refused to relent. When a child doesn’t listen, a parent only has one option – to scold them. And that’s exactly what he did. He insisted that I would be named in the event and would have to speak. I made him promise not to interrupt while I was speaking, and he agreed.

After marriage, my name changed from Trupti to Sakshi, but Swami Sir never called me Sakshi. To him, I was always Tripti. He was against changing one’s identity after marriage. Later, when I had children, he started calling me "Mummy." Now, who will call me Tripti or Mummy? I will truly miss this.

I won’t say goodbye to him because I know he will always be with me. I will continue to follow the path he taught me, striving to apply his lessons in everything I do.

I feel truly blessed that God sent such a wonderful mentor and angel into my life. For me, Swami Sir is a legend, one who is "न भूतो न भविष्यती ".

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Hi Aunty, Sending my deepest condolences, love and a lot of strength to you during this time. Swami uncle was such a beautiful part of our childhood, cherish all the time I’ve gotten with him and all the love received. 💕 We’re here for you anyway you need, just a text or call away.

Will remember to celebrate him and keep his fun loving nature, wit and stories going.

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Swaminathan Sir, you left us this morning without waiting for matches. You were equally excited as we are. You were a real inspiration for all of us. We will remember you and carry forward the spirit shown by you. We are all praying for your soul. We will miss you Sir.☹️☹️🙏🙏🙏

Still can't believe...he was so excited about this tournament. Such a lively and loving person. Always smiling. He was extremely fond of kids. Every time we met, he would talk to Sahana, and I am sure all kids could relate to such wonderful moments with him. He was funny, entertaining, and friendly. An extremely energetic person. We never know why these things happen and we surrender ourselves to God's plan. Too early to go Sir. We will miss you 🙏🏾

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Dear Deepta, Chandrasekhar & all in the family.

Please accept my sincere condolences on the passing away of a dear friend and an outstanding human being - our dearest Swami.

We shall miss Swami very dearly as he has left an indelible impression in our minds by his intelligence, sense of equality, generosity and intensity that we all experienced from him.

He had called me on my birthday day Jan 24th. We chatted after a long time and I mentioned to him that I will like to invite him and Deepta for dinner at my club soon. Indeed it was in the works. How unfortunate for me to have missed the opportunity to meet my friend.

May the almighty give you all the fortitude to bear this sudden and irreparable loss. I do understand no words can give you any solace.

May Swami’s soul rest in peace 🙏🏼

I apologise for not being able to make it to the prayer meeting today as my wife too ill and i needed to be by her side.

However, Deepta I look forward to meeting you soon. Please do not hesitate to ask for any support or assistance you might need.

Take care and be strong.

Ernest

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Hi Deepta,

At the outset, kindly accept my apologies for a much delayed reach out.

I was, and still am, at a loss for words. Not because Swami is not apparently with us, but because I don't know how to reconcile his active and kicking presence with words of mourning. For me, that is not the reality.

I logged into LinkedIn serendipitously after years, and the first thing I see is Swami's photo and the note. While the flight response kicked in and I couldn’t process it, it also brought in a sense of wonderment ...that a person whom I’ve met only a countable number of times in my life has cast such an indelible impression of vivacity, life in action, a stream that simply carried everyone gently and happily along.

All my interactions with him have left behind a rub-in of his matter of factly yet vividly alive outlook towards life. He thought vast, implemented big, and never bothered about de-risking an initiative with a pre-conceived notion. The movement of Iris from a data company to a data leader in its space—and the vision of ushering in transparency when everyone, including regulators, was looking the other way—is legendary.

His is a presence that jumps off his words and image right into one’s mind and heart. So when I saw his photo, it was as if he popped out of the frame to say a chirpy “Hi—we haven’t spoken in a long while” kind of presence.

This forever presence of his will tide through all that will be in the future—for you all, and even for those whose lives he touched, which would be innumerable.

While souls like his don't need any after-guidance, he will be in my memory and prayers—more as gratitude than anything else.

Take heart… you, Balu, and the entire Iris family.

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Dear Deepta, I heard today from Aloke that you lost Swaminathan to a heart attack. This is just terrible news, and my heart and thoughts are with you. Swaminathan's great intellect, spirit and charm, rushing out of him in amazing torrents of words and wisdom, won't be something I forget. Please call on me in any way you ever need to. Yours, Rick.

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For me, Swami was a maverick who I first met as a journalist ( while I was at ITC) but very soon as a potential entrepreneur, working with me and someone also very dear at SBI Caps to try to buy an Edutech Company. The deal failed but the entrepreneur in Swami really took off. Soon, he spoke about something called MY Iris which I couldn't understand and wanted one lakh from me as an investment. Seeing I was unsure about parting with my meagre savings he offered to introduce his partner to talk more about the plans. That was a smart move and that's how I met Deepta the domain expert and very quickly was convinced this was a fab couple and Swami was on the right track. Both of us got busy with our own careers and didn't meet that much in person but a simple watsapp, text or call brought us together again like as if we had met just the previous day. That was the magic of Swami. He will be missed, he has gone too early but his impact will remain and in Deepta we know the other half of him is around for all of us. Shamini and I condole sincerely with the family. Will

Miss you dear friend. Keshav

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When I initially met Swami Uncle / Chithya, I do recollect being scared of him. It actually took a long time for me to change the feeling of fear into respect towards him. It reached a point where the more I know about him, my respect towards him only increases. He has a unique combination of being a really big achiever on one side and being very simple and down-to-earth on the other side. Ultimately, I won't believe that he is no more. He is very much alive in our hearts and will continue to inspire all of us in having a 'never say die' attitude.

Ram Ravikumar

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I am deeply saddened to hear about Swami's passing. Words cannot adequately express the profound loss of such a remarkable soul who touched the lives of many, including mine.

Swami was much more than an inspiration, mentor, and guide. He was a man with an extraordinary heart, a true spiritual messenger whose wisdom and compassion lifted me during my darkest moments. I will forever be grateful for his unwavering support—both mental and financial—when I lost my eldest brother in 2002. His kindness and guidance led me to the teachings of Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev, helping me find solace, healing, and a renewed sense of purpose.

An industry stalwart and a vibrant force of energy, it is deeply saddening to think that he now remains still. I carry a sense of regret that I could not meet him during my recent visit to Mumbai; there were so many things I wished to share with him personally—thoughts and gratitude that now remain within me.

Please know that Swami's legacy lives on in the countless lives he uplifted. May his soul find eternal peace and may his principles and acts of kindness continue to inspire us all.

Rest in peace, dear Swami.

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The first time I met Swami, I experienced first hand what people in low-lying coastal areas must endure from time to time. Not so much the precipitation, but the general impression of having been buffeted by what meteorologists would term a Category 3 storm. He seemed to go off in all directions spontaneously. Never having met anyone like him, I decided to be guarded and even mildly reproving in my interactions with him.

That phase didn’t last long. I knew he was one of the lads when I witnessed him disgorge a single opprobrious epithet while in the grip of strong emotion. In a somewhat loose representation of Rene Z.’s character in Jerry Macguire, Swami had me at ‘@&$%#*’.

There was, has been, and always will be one Swami: What you saw was what you got, regardless of age, sex, or creed. If a person’s life may be measured by the number of people they inspired and helped, and the number of lives they changed for the better along the way, Swami crammed two lifetimes-worth goodwill into his senselessly truncated life. And that is something to be celebrated.

Anytime I presented Swami with a personal problem, he’d apply his massive brain to helping me address it: “How can we solve this?” It was apparent that there was no ‘I’ in “problem”.

One of my fondest memories of Swami was an afternoon of cricket that I enjoyed with him. A highly improvised version of the sport, mind you, with a canister of talcum powder serving as bat, and some squishy object standing in as ball. It was a closely contested thing, but Swami pipped me by a vada. Or it might have been a bhajji–I don’t remember the exact rules. We reduced sport to an eating contest, a formula that should, in our shared considered opinion, be applied to most competitive athletics.

Kunju, I might not be able to take away any of your grief, but I may be able to help you carry it for a distance.

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Swami was the kid in white shorts and shirt that I sometimes walked to school with. He was the teenager I played cricket with around Rabindra Sarovar lake, Kolkata. And then I disappeared from Kolkata and his life …. only to connect back decades later.

Quick-fire questions. Indecipherable responses. Preamble-less calls. Pulling you into meeting people you would have never tried meeting. Connecting you to businesses you would never have imagined. Talking business, politics, governance, spirituality, all in a space of 20 minutes. With clarity, knowledge, and 100% commitment. He was a man in incessant hurry.

Like so many have said, his energy was boundless, his wisdom way beyond his years, his connections the envy surely of many, but most importantly, his humility and this intense desire to help, genuine and constant.

A dear and nice friend has left me, but he has left an indelible mark on me. Adios amigo!

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I first met Shyama during the late 70s as part of our Kolkata childhood club LYC, where he was like a kid brother with his cute innocent schoolboy look. We both are students of South Point High School where I was 6 years his senior. We lost contact after 1985 and reconnected again after 30 yrs. I was unaware of his growth and achievements during this period, but our LYC bonding remained as majboot as fevicol ka jod. I last met him in a bangalore wedding in Nov 2024. A well lived life snatched away prematurely. I personally feel the loss of a kid brother. My heartfelt condolences to Deepta. May his soul rest in peace!

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I met him the first time, in Nov'2024, when I went to B'lore to attend Mr Vasudavan's son's wedding along with Mr. Ravi Chandran. We were there for 2 days during which I had conversed with him a few times. He spoke with me in fluent and street-style Bengali, with the geniality and warmth of a friend of many years. Witty and sharp, his company of few hours has stayed with me. He found out about what I did for a living, and even offered to explore ways to work together. All in a matter of two days!

I am sad to hear about his sudden demise. I pray for eternal peace for his soul and offer condolences to his near and dear ones.

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I am deeply saddened to hear about Swaminathan’s untimely passing. His brilliance, integrity, and boundless energy left a lasting impact on everyone who had the privilege of knowing him. This is an immense loss, not just for his family and colleagues at IRIS, but for all who were touched by his wisdom and kindness. My heartfelt condolences to his wife, Deepta, and his loved ones during this incredibly difficult time. May his soul rest in peace. Jay Swaminarayan 🙏🏻

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May he rest in peace…

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It is such a great shock to hear of Swami’s passing. It is hard to talk of Swami in the past tense- there is no one I know who embodied life and energy better than Swami.

I have known Swami since the early 90’s when we were both journalists. And we have been good friends ever since. There are just too many memories and too many thoughts in my head to list at one go. I somehow feel this extract from Kipling describes Swami best:

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,

Or walk with Kings—nor lose the common touch,

If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,

If all men count with you, but none too much;

If you can fill the unforgiving minute

With sixty seconds’ worth of distance run,

Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it.

Swami did a deal with his creator. He got more hours in a day than the rest of us did- there is no other explanation for how much he packed into every minute of his life. Now it is time for him to rest.

And for us to cherish his memories and be inspired by his example.

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Ours is a child like relationship. We quarrel over trivia, tease n maje peace too in minutes.

He used to call me vayu putri n me back at him ever since a few of us began raising funds for isha vidhya rural kids education. He showed off his bare foot shoes shortly thereafter at the NMSA sports ground, leaving us awe struck.. Like what's thaaaat??

I share happy memories with swami anna for being there for me like a father n elder brother when my father passed away in 2020 covid. Am sure he is watching all the drama here n chuckling how he made it ahead of us there... Like so many of his initiatives n ventures

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Sheela, vashi, volunteer, isha foundation

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I was deeply shocked to hear about Swami’s sudden passing. It feels unbelievable that someone so full of energy and drive is no longer with us. I still remember when he and Deepta came to Singapore many years ago, filled with ideas and ambition. Even back then, it was clear that they were working on something big, and it was impressive to see how Swami navigated the world—with confidence, conviction, and an ability to connect with people at the highest levels. Swami’s mind moved at lightning speed—and so did his speech! It was almost mesmerizing to watch him talk; the words would tumble out so fast that sometimes I’d be left trying to catch up, but there was no denying his passion, clarity of purpose, and sheer determination. Over the years, their journey together became nothing short of extraordinary. The entire family is still reeling from this immense loss, and my thoughts are especially with Deepta as she navigates this incredibly difficult time. I wish I had the right words to console her.

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I can’t resist holding back my shock and sadness on learning about Sama. My wife and I had known him right from the seventies when he was still in school. He used to invite us to his home whenever we were in his neighborhood for shopping. He had visited us frequently when we were in Calcutta. He was always full of energy and enthusiasm. Being from the middle class I thought he would go in for a salaried job. Was surprised when he went in for a start up, before the word came into vogue. And he achieved success. Though we had met infrequently after we left Calcutta, we were in touch. In fact, I talked to him just about two months ago. I was amazed about his involvement and thirst for more business. Sad that I will not be able to meet him again. My wife joins me in offering our heartfelt condolences to his wife.

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It is hard to believe that Swami is no more! A larger than life personality who touched so many lives!

He will be missed!

Sincere condolences to dear Deepta

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Swami ! His name will always have an exclamation mark following it!

I’m sure he must be reading all these eulogies and grinning from ear to ear! I can almost hear him say in his honest but brutal way - “ Did I have to die for all of you to say all these nice things about me?”

Yes, we all know of his greatness, his fearlessness, his astuteness and awesomeness, but to me the single most remarkable thing about him was that he could connect with anyone of any age , gender, background instantly and he did this by asking the questions which mattered, ( the journalist in him never died!)

You went too soon and too abruptly- true to your character!

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For us Xaverians, memories of the time that we spent in St Xavier’s College Kolkata and the shared alumni status that it gives us for life helps to form a bond across batches and streams of study. And I proudly shared that bond with Swami, having met him on the Bombay Xaverians group.

I consider it my great privilege to have known Swami. He was a man with a brilliant, razor sharp mind and a quick wit, that would become obvious even in a short interaction. He had reached out to me to help IRIS to build a software for the Broking industry, even exploring possible employment with the company that he had built with Deepta, though I didn’t have enough gumption.

We usually spoke in Bengali, and other than his name, no one would have guessed he was not born into a Bengali family, so unaccented his Bengali was.

All of us in his Xaverian family are shocked and saddened by this sudden tragedy. We have lost one of our best and brightest, but the memories of our interactions with him will remain in our hearts and minds forever.

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Thanks to Isha, Sivakumar and myself came in touch with Swami and Deepta more than 20yrs ago.Their genuine warmth and love for fellow humans was so palpable that drew us to them.

There were numerous occasions to meet and interact with both of you during our stay at Mumbai. Even though the interactions came down after we moved out from Mumbai, the bond of friendship remained strong as ever.

A couple of yrs back, you both were kind enough to take time and drop into our house on your way from ashram to airport. we were extremely happy to meet you both on that day. The meeting led to the collaboration between IRIS and DAA Consulting.

We never dreamt that it will be our last personal interaction with Swami.

YOU WILL BE CERTAINLY MISSED SWAMI particularly for your LOVE, WIT & HUMOUR.

Deepest condolences to our dearest loveable Deepta🙏

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Ask Swaminathan, he will know or he will find a way...is what we believed at Spicmacay through the years he was involved in the movement. His genius was beyond question and he had every right to be arrogant. But far from it. Swaminathan was one of the most humane and grounded persons we have had the privilege of knowing.

Walk in peace into the other realm Swaminathan knowing that you have left this one a better place.

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What can I say about Swami? Blunt, outspoken to the point of irreverence at times…only later analysis would reveal he was right most of the time! For me, he was the man who knew everyone! I had some issue with the organisation where I work, so I asked him if he knew anyone who I could speak with. He asked me if I want to meet the #2 politician in India! That was he. Go straight to the top. A go-getter, a doer, not a talker. His philosophy was simple…tell it as it is. He seemed to have inside knowledge of shenanigans of top industrialists and organisations. I guess if had written a book of his memoirs, it would have shaken the foundations of the industry. He loved to eat. Salted nuts were his favourite. The only problem was he could finish 500 grams effortlessly. So when he came home, we would hide it!!!

The end came as an absolute blow. Still not reconciled to the fact. His working knowledge of business and finance was phenomenal. Going to be an extremely tough act to follow. My sincere condolences to Deepta, Chandrasekhar and all his near and dear. His absence will be felt for a long long time. RIP Swami. 🙏

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Swami ! Not easy to forget !

I met Deepta and Swami on the way to the Isha Ashram in June 2001. We travelled together in the bus from the airport. We were heading for the wholeness program. I was eager to befriend Deepta, the lady whose tinkling laughter caught my ear.

But Swami was difficult to ignore ! He grilled me throughout the journey ! Ribbing and teasing. Later, we received the beej mantra together tying us up in a strange karmic way, working together to bring Sadhguru to Mumbai that October! I was delighted when they shifted home and office to Vashi. My daughters welcomed Swami uncle and Deepta aunty’s presence in their formative years. His passing away from this physical realm seems unreal. What’s real is his love and concern for us. That’s eternal. In tears. Samita.

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I’m shocked and saddened by the sudden passing of my dear friend Swaminathan Subramaniam. We first met in the early 1990s, when I was a rookie correspondent with Business India Television, and Swami a seasoned journalist with the magazine. He was witty (I was often slow to get his jokes), with razor-sharp intelligence and an uncommon empathy.

We hadn’t met or spoken in years when Swami suddenly rang me this past winter. I was in Delhi, working on my novel; he appeared to be stuck in traffic in Mumbai. Without preamble (his trademark style), he asked how I was and when we were meeting, adding that he’d woken up that morning thinking of me and felt compelled to call.

For about ten minutes, we spoke of many things: work, life, the losses of respective parents, the master trait of resilience, the importance of rising early, the joy of pursuing goals that matter, the need for faith, connection, humour and most crucially, the power of gesture.

The ‘catch-up’ we planned on having this spring in Mumbai? It will have to wait until our paths cross in some other dimension.

March has been a difficult, disturbing month. And now this. My prayers and deepest condolences to Swami’s beloved wife Deepta and family. May you rest in grace, my friend: I will remember you as one of the rarest, finest and truest.

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Shocked and saddened to hear the news. I have met him only 2-3 times in 20 years but that was enough to see his keen intellect and passion for using data to enhance governance. May his soul attain moksha. Deepest condolences to his near and dear ones.

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Super Swaminathan or Swami periappa as I knew him was a person who would light up the room when everything was dull and quiet. A person who could get anything he wanted. For him nothing was impossible.

For me, he was someone who was intelligent, reliable, idealistic, and sociable, the qualities that helped him and Deepta Periamma build IRIS. Anyone who had interacted with him will definitely agree that he was kind, jovial, thoughtful, caring, understanding, and had no ego.

Every conversation with him was a unique learning experience. Even if it was a witty joke, there would be a lot of takeaway moments after speaking with him.

You would never know what he would start talking about, but it would definitely be worth the time.

It’s going to be tough and unimaginable knowing he’s not going to be there.

My love and thoughts are with Deepta Periamma at this difficult time.

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After three days of disbelief and numbness, the loss of a versatile, talented and acutely intelligent friend and batch mate sunk in finally. It also came as a reminder that our countdown had started. Again Swami proved that he was ahead of his time.

I had last met him in person fifteen years ago when he used to come to my Nielsen office in Mumbai, peep in and say “ki korchhish” ? Though his official meetings used to be with others, he always took out time to sit and chat and sometime joined me for lunch with basic dal chawal from the canteen. That was the kind of friend he was, simple and a good human being above everything he had achieved.

In recent years he has been close to us through his WhatsApp postings in our college group. His postings, as back in college days, often started thought provoking enjoyable repartee. He will be missed a lot.

My deepest condolences to his near and dear ones and thank you Deepta for giving us the opportunity to write a few lines remembering him. Swami, wherever you are, bhalo thakish. 🙏

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Hello Deepta

My heartfelt condolences. Really will be missing my childhood para friend. We were playing cricket together but he was always in my opposition team. His off spinners and cutters were a treat to watch. Me being an all-rounder, he used to give me a funny look whenever I used to whack his bowling.Those were the days which we cannot forget. Here in Mumbai I was helping IRIS raise some Equity with funds and family offices and was in constant touch with Swami and his team. During his recent visit to Kolkata he met our common friend Sunil Shyamsuka and Vijay Chinnkkwani and B Hari who all have expressed their deep condolences. Life has to go on but he will always be remembered as a person who stood by his words his friendly spirit and upright nature.

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I call him dada. Know him since iris were in Lower Parel office and often he use to come to Accommodation Times and interact with my father Murari Chaturvedi. The only guy who sat on editor’s desk. Brilliant, intelligent and a true human being. Lots of respect and love. Condolences to the family, May God gives you courage to carry his legacy.

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Shama Attimber was a person of immense warmth, quick wit, and deep intelligence—qualities that touched the lives of so many.

I had the privilege of many memorable meetings and  conversations with him, but the ones that I hold closest and stand out most vividly in my memory are the very first and the very last.

The first one took place when I happened to fly back with him from Mumbai to Bangalore after attending a family event. Though he had been married to Deepta Akka for many years by then, until that point, I had only met and spoken to him briefly and for short periods of time.

That journey gave me my first real opportunity to get to know him. I was eight months pregnant, and the flight was delayed. He sat next to me on the flight and was trying to lighten the mood.

He asked me when my birthday was and when I told him, he said, "Oh, that was just a few days ago—we should celebrate!" He mentioned that he would get the captain and crew to wish me. I laughed, didn’t believe him, and brushed it off as a joke.

A few minutes later, I was stunned to hear a message over the overhead announcement system wishing me a happy birthday. A crew member even came up to me with a cupcake. I was speechless, and he just grinned and said, "I told you!"

The last time I had a face-to-face conversation with him was when we met at my aunt’s house in Chennai. He was explaining the economics of corruption in such simple terms that it completely blew my mind.

Those few days in Chennai were probably the best time I had with him and Deepta Akka together. I kept telling him that we needed to continue the conversation and that I would record it next time, and he laughed.

His visit to Chennai was cut short as he had to rush to the U.S. to be with a cousin whose family member was seriously ill.

That was who he was — always there for anyone who needed him, whenever they needed him.

He not only did great things, but also the small things in a great way.

Thank you Shama Attimber for being a part of our journey, for the love, wisdom, and kindness you brought into our lives.

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May your soul rest in eternal peace...Om Shanti 🙏

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Deeply saddened by the passing. Shall always remember his warm, energetic and proactive personality. Went out of his way to refer my CV as an intern in IRIS IPO.

Om Shanti..🙏

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Deeply saddening.

Swaminathan Sir was gem of person.

He did wonders for my career, made me a strong human and was kind hearted. I remember spending time with him during IRIS' IPO.

He gave a beautiful letter in front of a lagre crowd and appreciated my efforts at the listing ceremony That's something I'll cherrish for life. He went out of the way and referred me for my professional growth.

Please accept my condolences 🙏

Pray for his soul to rest in peace 🙏🙏

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The entire school friends of 1977-79 batch of South point is shaken by your sudden absence. Enlighten the place wherever you are dear friend.

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Will miss him and his different talks. He was instrumental in so many things which supported Isha foundation. Even though I didn’t agree to few of his points but at the end too he proved himself right. Always a different person. Will be remembered and missed. Stay strong deepta akka.

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Indeed Shocking...Devastated to hear this....Sama...the vibrant live wire no more....unbelieveable! My Deepest Condolences....Sama ...Rest in Peace with your Favourites!❤

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Shocking news indeed. Will miss his vibrant personality bubbling with energy and enthusiasm. Pray for his noble soul to rest in peace 🙏

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So sorry to receive this very sad news - our thoughts and prayers are with Deepta, Chandrashekar & his family and each one of you. I remember Sama’s helpful nature ever so often … in fact just a few days ago on Aunty Nilima’s death anniversary … how the brothers were always there for Lora & Sujata. He was extraordinarily helpful to me too. I never forgot his kindness. May his dear soul rest in peace.🙏🏽

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I'll miss Swaminathan and his knowledgeable conversations. I just can't put my grief in my words.

Stay happy, my friend, wherever you may be.

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I am shoked and saddened by this news. Swami was not just a business partner, but a close friend and deer hunan to my heart. May his soul rest in peace. My sincere condolences to Swami's family, friends and to IRIS'S management and employees. Om Shanti.

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O have never been so much at loss of word , nothing that o have heard in this world has been as shocking as this news . Swami Sir will be there in our memories for ever . Om Shanti

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its shocking Subramaniam Swaminathan sir is nothing less than a legend . When i was doing the Internal audit of IRIS , Swami sir used to tell me “Mayur, get the nerves of my company and shatter us in the audit committee thats how we and you will grow!

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The first time Swami called me to office, I had not done my homework as to who he was, how he looked and so I land up in the office and see this man in a t shirt and loose shorts walking around. My mind was mentally tuned to meet the CEO (in formal wear) and hence I ended up asking him as to where Swami is and that I have come to meet him. His response - you are looking at him! What started as a client relationship 6 years ago morphed into something very dear over the years and my day felt incomplete if Swami had not made his customary 2-3 calls to me. I always joked to my team that I chatted with Swami more than I did with my wife and it was kind of true. He would tell me every aspect of the business that he was trying to address and would need my comments on what I felt about some of the steps he was taking to push Iris to the next orbit. The reason we got close possibly was down to a few traits that Swami had which mirrored in me; a) he was brutally frank and honest b) he and I are the early risers. If he saw my whatsapponline at 4:30 am - he would message or call and ask me what I was up to (he knew my schedule) c) both of us shared an intense love for sports. I could go on and on about Swami but two important qualities that made him stand apart were his complete commitment to ethics (come what may) and the fact that he was the most wonderful human being I have ever met in my life. I will miss you a lot a Swami and I have lost a big supporter of someone with whom I could share my accomplishments. But I am sure you will be smiling away from there and watching each step of ours!

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Deeply saddened by this news. He was not just a leader but someone who remained deeply connected to the people and was always approachable to everyone.

Om Shanti. May his soul rest in peace.🙏

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I am deeply saddened to hear about the passing of Sawmi Sir. I had the privilege of working with him during the first six years of my career, and his guidance and support had a lasting impact. He will be greatly missed. My thoughts are with his family and loved ones during this difficult time.

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Remembering S Swaminathan

Swaminathan was an entrepreneur, innovator and a true maverick. A journalist turned entrepreneur, he transformed financial reporting with his company, IRIS Business Services. He identified a key problem, built a focused solution, and hustled relentlessly to make standardised financial reporting a reality.

Beyond this, he was a dear friend and a steadfast supporter of the Indian IT industry and NASSCOM. Among the many ways he helped me, one stands out—his contribution to The Maverick Effect. He was one of the earliest readers of my manuscript, offering meticulous proofreading and 32 sharp, thoughtful inputs. His attention to detail, eidetic memory, and commitment to accuracy were extraordinary. For fact-checking, he even reached out to an ex-cabinet minister, ensuring the book had no inaccuracies.

Swaminathan was generous in both critique and appreciation. When IRIS went public in 2017, he invited me to hit the ceremonial gong at the BSE. When I asked why, he simply said, “Without NASSCOM, I wouldn’t have become an entrepreneur.”

That was Swaminathan - always generous with his time, always ready to help, yet never seeking the spotlight. His passing is a reminder of the silent yet powerful impact people like him have on our lives and our work. Though he is no longer with us, his wisdom and warmth continue to live on in the pages of The Maverick Effect and in the countless lives he touched.

Rest in peace, Swaminathan. Your legacy is one of brilliance, innovation and friendship 🙏

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Remembering S Swaminathan Swaminathan was an entrepreneur, innovator and… | Harish Mehta

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Remembering S Swaminathan Swaminathan was an entrepreneur, innovator and a true maverick. A journalist turned entrepreneur, he transformed financial reporting…

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A very sad day that can't be described in words. Swami had become one of the family and never felt like an in-law. I will never forget how back in 2017 he canceled his flight at the Bangalore airport just minutes before departure and came back to Malleshwaram when he learned that my mother had passed away. He stayed in Bangalore for two days until I reached there. There was no rational reason for him to do that, but that is who he was. This is going to be hardest on Deepta. I don't have the words to console her. She is an incredibly capable and strong person, but she is going to be tested, so unfairly. Malathi and I hope and pray she finds the inner strength to deal with this devastating loss.

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This is really shocking
Deep sorrow but he was a man with surprises
The energy was crazy yet so profound .
Will be immensely missed
Rip Swami sir 🙏

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I’m deeply saddened to hear this. I knew Swaminathan, and I had the privilege of sharing platforms with him—those moments are etched in my memory. His warmth, intellect, and quiet strength stood out in every interaction. He wasn’t just a leader you looked up to—he was someone who made you feel seen, heard, and valued.
Swami embodied grace, wisdom, and humility in equal measure. He inspired not just with his words but through how he lived and led.
My heartfelt sympathies go out to his family during this incredibly difficult time. His light will continue to guide so many of us. Om Shanti !!

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One of the most inspiring persons I have met in my life! His wit, sharpness and grit was envious. Our first interaction was 25 years ago and we always stayed in touch! Its surreal to know that only a day before, we wished him on his birthday (and he acknowledged). Will miss you dear Swami.

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He made people feel—valued, seen, and capable of more.

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He made people feel—valued, seen, and capable of more.

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I’m heartbroken to hear about the passing of Swaminathan S—Swami Sir to so many of us.

He wasn’t just a leader; he was a force of nature. Calm yet sharp, kind yet commanding, always carrying wisdom that made you pause and reflect. Every interaction with him left you better—more thoughtful, more grounded.

Swami Sir believed in people. He gave us space to grow, challenged us to think deeper, and always led with purpose and integrity.

His legacy is not just in what he built at IRIS, but in how he made people feel—valued, seen, and capable of more.

Rest in peace, Swami Sir. You left the world better than you found it. We’ll carry your spirit forward. Om Shanti 🙏

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Dear IRIS Business Services.

On behalf of everyone at OPEX Consulting Limited,
we extend our deepest condolences on the sudden
and profound loss of your CEO.
Please know that our hearts and thoughts
are with you during this difficult time.
His visionary leadership and unwavering dedication
not only inspired your team but also
left a lasting impact on the entire industry.

We stand with you in honoring his legacy.

With sincere sympathy,

OPEX Consulting Limited

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I was deeply saddened to hear about the sudden demise of Swami Sir. Please accept my heartfelt condolences.

Swami Sir has touched the lives of many, and I am proud to say that I am one of the luckiest few who had the privilege of working closely with him during the early days of IRIS. You will be dearly missed. It was far too soon for you to leave, and I will forever be grateful for the invaluable guidance you shared with me. I can truly say that I have never met a more selfless person in my life.

Rest in peace, Sir. 🙏

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This is truly shocking and hugely saddening. SS was a dear and wise friend. Learnt so much from him. Always looked forward to his calls - either commenting on a column or giving gossip or just alerting me to something interesting. What a shame. What a pity. How truly tragic. RIP SS 🙏

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I am deeply shocked and saddened to hear about the untimely demise of Mr. Swaminathan S.

I had the privilege of connecting with him very recently—just last week, in fact—and I still remember the excitement and passion in his voice as he spoke about building something meaningful for the MSME and SME market. We even spoke about doing something together.

He was a person with tremendous energy, clarity of thought, and an unwavering drive to create impact. It’s heartbreaking to imagine that someone so full of life, ideas, and purpose is no longer with us.

My heartfelt condolences to his family, the IRIS team, and everyone whose lives he touched. His legacy will live on through the countless people he inspired and the visionary work he championed.

May his soul attain Sadgati. Om Shanti

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I am deeply saddened to read this news. During my tenure at IRIS Business Services Limited I had the privilege of sharing journey with Swami Sir from the IRIS office in Vashi to the client office in Fort, Mumbai, it was filled with wisdom, laughter and stories of his past pranks - truly reflecting his remarkable personality and leaving a lasting impression on me.

There are very few people whom I make it a point to wish on their birthdays every year, and he was one of them. Just two days ago, I sent him my birthday wishes and as always he responded within minutes. His kindness, wisdom, and leadership will forever remain in my cherished memories.

My deepest condolences to Deepta Rangarajan in this difficult time.

May his noble soul rest in peace. He will be deeply missed.

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I knew Swami when we were students at St. Xavier's Calcutta. I am shocked and saddened by his passing. May his family and his colleagues at work find the strength to weather this difficult time.

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Swami and I were classmates in college. A brilliant person, who was always helpful in matters big and small. While I regret that we didn't meet all these years, I am fortunate we shared some good moments in Kolkata four decades ago.

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Yesterday, I received the devastating news of Swami sir's passing. It left me shaken. His infectious energy and zest for life made it hard to believe he was gone.

I visited his residence to pay my last respects. Seeing him at peace, with his expressive face, was a poignant reminder that life can be fragile. It felt as though he might suddenly sit up and share one of his signature witty remarks.

What struck me was the outpouring of love and respect from current and former Iris staffers. Swami sir had a profound impact on countless lives, leaving an indelible mark on everyone he met. Each person had a unique story to share, testament to his remarkable connection with others.

As I reflected on my own time at Iris, now nearly two decades past, I regret not having stayed in touch. I often thought of dropping by his office for a chat, but unfortunately, I kept putting it off.

Swami sir's legacy lives on through the countless lives he touched. RIP

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Heartfelt condolences. Can't believe he is no more. He was full of energy and someone who was confidence personified. There was nothing that he could not do. Surely he never thought so. Sad to lose someone like him. Om Shanti 🙏

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I met him only 3, 4 times... But his influence on me will be forever... He was a conscious visionary to teach me what to do and what not to do... He wanted to do lot to the SME entrepreneurs of India and he wanted me from Tamil Nadu to work along with him... I missed great opportunity and a great entrepreneur... His soul rest in peace in heaven...

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Shocked and saddened .. He was a man of exceptional intelligence, high integrity and achievement yet someone who was always approachable by all.. I first met him when he was a media person and I was a banker but over the years we spoke a few times about whatever he was evangelising .. and whilst I probably have met him less than a dozen times always thought of him as a friend .. Om Shanti

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Very sad to know the untimely demise of a friend and tech leader who influenced everyone around him. He guided us in hashtag#MCA to start business reporting of top companies using XBRL and a pioneer in the field. One will surely miss his one liner pokes. Rest well Subramaniam Swaminathan wherever you are, ॐ शांति

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Swami, I am deeply saddened by your departure. I remember that evening in Mumbai when we went for a two hour walk and talked about every topic imaginable, from business to personal, from the stars above to the depths of the sea below. I wish we could do that again. You're deeply missed, but never forgotten.

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Dear Team at Iris,
Some of you must know me others who don’t I was one of the earliest team members of Iris. I have known swami sir since 1995. He was not only my mentor but considered me as family. Please accept my heartfelt condolences.

Swami Sir, you will always have a special place in our hearts. Will miss you always.

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Swami Sir’s magical personality brought out the best in everyone. Sitting right next to him, I was always in awe of how he handled situations and people. He believed in me, pushed me, and celebrated every win. Though my time at IRIS was short, his lessons and kindness left a lasting impact.
Sir, your spirit and wisdom will always stay with me.
You’ll always be remembered, Sir. 🙏

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He was one of a kind - just try and get another who has following JD:

leader (boss, front runner, innovator, trailblazer, pathfinder)
witty (humorous, amusing, funny, comic, sparkling, scintillating, lively, entertaining, clever, quick-witted, sharp-witted),
sarcastic (cutting, sharp, stinging)
brilliant (gifted, talented),
caring (kind, kind-hearted, warm-hearted, concerned)
careless (incautious, reckless),
wise (enlightened, astute, shrewd, informed)

well, in short, a good man

am sure IRIS ppl will add many more, I hardly knew him but enough to know him.

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Shocked and saddened at the loss of a very dear friend. A brilliant mind, an energetic insider everywhere. Spiritual and strong. His loss will be hugely felt, in so many circles and at so many times. Warm wishes to the family and we stand by, if ever there’s anything that remains to be tackled, besides the sense of missing.

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It’s a terrible feeling. Swami was a club mate and is my school alum. He was a rare combination; a very nice guy, empathetic, extremely hard working and successful. His family, his IRIS team, business associates and countless friends will miss him terribly!
Swami however will live in our collective memories for a long time.
Salud my friend! Till we meet again!

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Shocked and deeply saddened. Such a warm person, we used to go on long walks on palm beach road where I was privileged to benefit from Swami's wisdom on wide ranging subjects. Great man. May the departed soul rest in eternal peace. Om Shanthi

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My childhood dost and eternal prankster with ready wit and a winning smile- travel in love and light, Swamy…

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Very surprising and sad. Had worked very closely with Mr Swaminathan during my hashtag#CII days. We always had some or the other debt as he had an evolved perspective on every topic. I respect his sharp business acumen. He was a good human being at heart.
May be rest in peace. Om Shanti 🙏

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I began my career with Myiris.com in 2005 and will always be grateful to Swami Sir for his unwavering support, motivation, and guidance. He was a true leader, he led the pack with grace and resilience, embracing both success and failure with a smile. His wisdom and kindness left a lasting impact on everyone around him. Sir, you will be deeply missed. Om Shanti 🙏

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It is very sad and shocking news. I remember him as a soft, less speaking and a great personality with sharp observation and business acumen. I had the privilege of travelling with Swami Sir a year ago 8-10 April 2024 to Uganda and Kenya with an Indian business delegation. We sat adjacent to each other on the plane. Will remember his smiling face. Rest in peace Dear Swami Sir. Will miss your presence. Om Shanti 🙏🙏💐💐

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He used stand tall behind you for all your challenges!

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He used stand tall behind you for all your challenges!

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This is so deeply shocking and saddening! Nothing new I can say about his role in building the IRIS and touching the lives of so many people so positively. If he liked you for your work and character, he used stand tall behind you for all your challenges!

May his soul attain the shanti and sadgati and a well deserved place in Baikunth Dham! Aum Shanti!

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My condolences:

Met Swami in the 2nd year when he joined us. He was like a force of nature - rotor mouth and razor sharp mind. After the Shakti concert, he introduced me to Carnatic music. We then met when we were both on the US and he was in Yale. We stayed in touch and he would periodically visit DC and we would meet. He had morphed into a successful businessman by then. He then discovered running and pushed me to run as well - thanks Swami for my bad left knee 😂.

I have periodically met him in Mumbai- where he would make the trek from Navi Mumbai. Meeting him was like a blast of invigorating air. He was always discussing two topics at the same time in sharp staccato bursts. Fabulous! Cannot believe that we have lost this force of nature. RIP Swami old buddy. Will miss you.

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Friend, brother, mentor, confidant, or protector

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Friend, brother, mentor, confidant, or protector

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Swami Ji, I am devastated. I don't even know how to describe you—friend, brother, mentor, confidant, or protector. There are very few people in this world who have loved and cared for me the way you did. Just knowing that you were there for me gave me enormous strength. My family and I are in deep grief and shock. Our friendship transcends this material world.

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Truly unforgettable and greatly appreciated.

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Truly unforgettable and greatly appreciated.

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Anyone he touched recalls the warm reception and enthusiastic hospitality. Visionary Leader and wildly generous entrepreneur. Influential through his words and deeds. Kind and embracing professional who mentored us all. He will be greatly missed and more so remembered by the people whom he influenced, helped, guided and lead. Thank you for your time with me and the many others. Truly unforgettable and greatly appreciated.

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Swamiji (as I called him jokingly) spoke at a speed that only Deepta akka could decipher. I always imagined how fast his brain worked if his speech was that fast! His connections were wide and varied, but never shallow. He had genuine interest in the lives of people. His generosity was matchless.

Perhaps he was too honest to be in business and I always felt that he and Deepta worked too hard. His death came as a devastating shock and while the rest of us are deeply mourning his passing, I don't think he would have had it any other way!

You've left the world a better place by your presence, Shama!

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The name whips up so many emotions.. A loved friend, a lovable companion, an enthusiast of his special brand of humour very which hits you after a good two minutes of delivery. His was the lips that spake of life and the endurances, of correcting habits for a long stay at the wicket, the accents of his words spake the echo of friendship in in its fulsome warmth of ecstatic energy he projected 24/7 a true friend vanishes into the blue ... Let ufind glory beyond stars stars your

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A profound loss to Team IRIS.
A void in the industry.
An irreparable loss to the country.

A true visionary, Swami foresaw power of data ahead of times. He made us believe in the power of dreaming big. His meetings always began with "What if...", and from those words, we built products once thought unimaginable.

Under his guidance, we transformed from a service-led company into a product-driven force.

The greatest tribute to Swami’s legacy is to bring his vision to life—building a truly transparent financial ecosystem.

Let’s make it happen.

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Sama Uncle is one of the most influential people I’ve met in my life. Apart from being very successful, he was charismatic — one of the best people I’ve ever spoken with. I remember every moment I’ve spent with him, and I’m deeply saddened after hearing about his untimely passing. He was a legend and will always remain in my heart.

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Very disappointed to hear the demise of Mr. S. Swaminathan - CEO Iris Business Services Ltd. He was an extremely jolly gentleman and thorough technocrat and visionary. Under his leadership, Iris has become a monopoly business in India in Regtech and competing giants like Work Eva. I had a unique opportunity of meeting him in 2021. You’ll be missed sir

@XBRL_IRIS

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He was always bubbling with energy. He had very clear vision for IRIS & void will be difficult to fill in. Never happened to meet him but had talk with him in few concalls. Hope he attains divine peace & his nurtured leaders take IRIS to his dream.

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Swaminathan’s sudden demise is just shocking! A brilliant man, with the highest values! Have lost a friend and mentor! My condolences to his wife Deepta and his colleagues at IRIS. This is an irreparable loss. RIP!

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I am deeply saddened to hear about Swami’s untimely passing. I had the privilege of knowing him closely during the early days of IRIS and the launch of http://myiris.com. I fondly remember his boundless energy and his infectious enthusiasm. My heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, and colleagues. May his soul attain peace.