May your memory bring solace to those who knew you and serve as a reminder to cherish the relationships that enrich our lives. Our deepest condolences are with your family and the near and dear ones you have left behind.

You helped me all my life - in school with maths, in professional life with great connections, guiding me closely when I started my entrepreneurial innings much later in life. Will always remain indebted to you

We met last on 9th of this month - had a great time together with schoolmates - you left early on that day too!

The ever smiling friend - keep smiling

Thank you for the time you spent with us.

Extremely saddened by the loss of Swami. Recall our days walking to school and sharing “hojmi”, and hours spent at Iris discussing business and partnerships. We went our own ways for the better part of 4 decades but got back without missing a heartbeat. Always sharp, quick-witted, humble to the core, phenomenal vision, optimist, great networker … and a fantastic human being. Love you man! Adios, amigo!
Sincere condolences to Deepta Rangarajan, K Balachandran and to the entire Iris family.

However it made me realise what he said in the latest IRIS CARBON GTM meet over this last weekend ‘Even if I drop dead, this company will move on’ has turned out to be true. I have heard him say this multiple times, never expected this will come true this fast.

I gathered courage and put myself together with the belief and a stronger need for every IRISian to continue the legacy he has left behind. We may not be even a 1% of what he was, but together even if each of us do out 1% of what he was, we are 550 times stronger.

He is the most unconventional CEO ever I have seen or ever will be.

1. Getting to know people, more than what one can imagine : He made an attempt to know every single person who joined IRIS, no matter what age, where they are from or what they do. This unique trait in him is something which got people bonded to him like nothing else. He would know the minutest details of their lives, families, problems, success stories and what not. He touched the life of every person he met.

2. Ethics and integrity: He lived and breathed ethics and values, it was an integral part of his personality. The thing which I will never forget is the fact that when IRIS was going through tough times in 2015, when employees had to go through salary cuts, he was the one who decided he will not take a single rupee of salary until all dues are cleared. It took about 8 years for the last employer due to get cleared in 2023 and that was then he started taking salary. The list goes on this write up is not enough to cover them all.

3. Making an impact: He believed in always think creative, think unconventional, there are a 100 ways to accomplish something to make a difference. His inclination towards making on impact on economies- for India and abroad is what he breathed and lived for. His ideas were larger than life, he believed in it and made every attempt to make it happen. Sometimes we were finding it hard to catch up to his pace and no matter what we did always fell short. Such high were his ideas, expectations and thinking.

4. The prank master with a heart: One would never know what was he up to. During my early days of joining IRIS, one evening I was leaving office late than usual. He and Deepta were headed home too. He asked me where I lived, I told him the locality, he said he lives in the very next building and offered me to drop. I was hesitant, he insisted he and Deepta are going to the very same place and just to hop on the car. After I got dropped, he travelled about 2-3 kms in the opposite direction to head back home. I was touched by this kind gesture of this. He did not have to drop me, the fact that he did is something I would never forget in my life. He also knew if I know where he lived, I would not hop on that car. He knew his people so well, it was almost so real the way he told he lives building next to me. I am sure every IRISan has their own story to tell and relate too. Yet again he made a mark on everyone he met. The list goes on The fact that I put this together on a 2 hour flight to Mumbai is not something I thought I could do. Swami sir always believed things should be business as usual, no matter what. A sense of greater responsibility perhaps is what has made me put this together.nbsp;We will not let you down, but do our best to take IRIS forward. You will be missed, always.

My deepest condolences and prayers to Deepta, Balu, the entire IRIS family to find strength to deal with this. Om Shanti

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.

I had the privilege of working at IRIS for the first three years of my career, and Swaminathan Sir was more than just a leader—he was the head of our IRIS family. Many leaders refer to their employees as family, but he genuinely treated us that way. I still remember how, when our team performed exceptionally well one month and the company made significant profits, he doubled our entire month's salary as a token of appreciation. In my entire career, I have never come across another CEO or boss like him.

Despite being the CEO, he made sure to connect personally with every employee. Every month, during the company’s monthly meetings, he would directly address all employees and discuss the company’s performance with complete transparency. His approach made every employee feel valued and involved.

Swaminathan Sir had an outstanding academic and professional background—he was an economist trained at Yale University, a consultant to the World Bank, and a media executive. He was deeply passionate about transparency, good governance, and the use of XBRL for quality data. His influence extended beyond the corporate world, as he was actively engaged in global politics and policymaking and had even played a role in organizing World Cup cricket tournaments.

His sudden passing is an irreparable loss. May his soul rest in peace. He will always be remembered with great respect and admiration.🙏🙏

Just last week, he called me early in the morning to discuss a court judgment and its impact on AI. I had no idea it would be our last talk. It still doesn’t feel real.

He wasn’t just a teacher, he was someone who truly cared. He corrected us when we were wrong, celebrated our wins, and always pushed us to think bigger. Losing him is a personal loss for me and so many others.

Even with all his wisdom, he never made us feel small, instead, he laughed with us, joked with us, and made us believe we were capable of great things. That was his magic.

To anyone lucky enough to still have a guiding light like him, call them. Sit with their family. Listen to their stories. These bonds are life’s real treasures, and we only realize their worth when they’re gone.

I hope he finds peace. We’ll miss him deeply, but his lessons and kindness will stay with us forever.

Om Shanti.

A sharp analyst. A man of precision. A man of profundity.

He spoke little yet packed, but when he did, every word mattered.

A quick word here, a thought there—never one misplaced.

He could be firm. He could be blunt.

Intent was always pure, always positive.

Kind and generous in his own way,

he never sought the limelight, never asked for recognition.

Yet, his clarity of thought and depth of wisdom made him stand apart.

He was always hungry to learn.

Every new idea, every challenge—he absorbed it all,

processing it with his sharp intellect and unshakable values.

Integrity and ethics were the pillars of his very existence.

He didn’t just preach them—he lived them.

Even when it came at great personal cost,

he never wavered, never compromised.

What a lesson he was to the capitalist world—

he lived a life that showed his honesty when he could aped others,

but with his way of standing tall with his values intact.

Alas, this rarity of a human is not around.

Only he could live like that.

Only he could show us the way.

If only more of us could walk his path,

the world would be a kinder, stronger, better place.

But then, he was one in a million.

Perhaps, one in a billion.

A few days ago, I spoke to him to wish him on his birthday.

In his usual way, he didn’t bother about himself.

Instead, he asked about my health and that we meet soon—to chat about my book.

That was him. Always thinking ahead. Always investing in others.

And oh, how he could speak! When he did.

458 words a minute—almost as if he knew

his time on this earth was short,

as if he had to share everything he could,

leave behind every insight, every thought, every spark—

with as much positive impact as possible.

Swami, I will miss your friendship.

The world is poorer for your absence today.

But the cosmos? The cosmos is richer.

I can almost see them welcoming you,

rejoicing in the presence of a soul so rare, so luminous.

Go well, Swami.

You will be deeply missed.

Deeply spiritual and yet scientific, his ideas were way ahead of its time. He built India's first financial portal Myiris.com. A portal long dead and yet the brand still alive.

Love him or not, one could only admire his intelligence, wit and humour. He spoke his mind mincing no words and had a heart larger than anyone that I know of.

A live wire who changed the face of Indian cricket, he not only built and nurtured IRIS Business Services Limited but touched countless lives through his generosity.

A master story teller, he taught many the art of communication. Be it politics, industry, media, entertainment, sports or public service, he not just knew people but had countless anecdotes to share of his experiences.

A brilliant writer, with his journalism experience, I know of a few stories he authored but never cared to publish. His blog (https://www.sswaminathan.com), aptly titled Abol Tabol,(which means the Weird and the Absurd), was punctuated with long periods (sometimes years) of silence but whenever he wrote it was an incisive commentary on the topic.

He didn't have many followers on Twitter but going through his Twitter timeline, one realised the number of people he met and made an impact on a daily basis.

He loved classical music and admired all forms of art. His desire to promote upcoming talented artists has been left unfulfilled.

His interest and knowledge in all types of sports was enviable. A slow marathon runner who timed his runs well, he could coach a novice in any game. His win last month at IRIS Badminton tournament in mixed doubles was a testimony to his fitness.

Tough in his talks with colleagues, the ease with which he mingled with kids effervescently was remarkable. The impact he created on young minds to think on their own and follow their hearts has left an impression on many to pursue their dreams

Educated at Yale,in Economics, he joked about his two years in Jail (Y in Bengali is pronounced as J).In the fast changing world driven more by Artificial Intelligence, he relied more on common sense intelligence poking fun at Engg/MBA grads on their lack of it.

Carrying boundless energy, he was a man of action believing in getting things done.

Living truly to the IRIS ethos of building transparency, driving growth, Swami's life was clear and transparent like a clean river. flowing constantly as a sign of growth and eventually meeting its end destination.

Your sudden departure reminds us of the transient nature of life and even in your passing away you leave behind a message of carrying on in this journey of growth, transparently.

Swami, you will not just be missed but remembered for the rest of my journey on this planet.

So long, until we meet again.

Om Tat Sat

Once, Swami sir and his colleagues were traveling in a cab, and the driver's phone kept ringing. He was ignoring some calls while responding to others. Swami sir noticed this and, after some time, said to him, "Do you know how many lives are in your hands? Please drive carefully and avoid using your phone while driving." The driver, respecting his words, ignored all calls until they stopped at a hotel. After having breakfast, Swami sir asked him, "Who were all those people calling you?" The driver replied, "Sir, today is my birthday, which is why so many people are calling me."

As soon as Swami sir heard it was his birthday, he immediately asked some of his colleagues to arrange for a cake and celebrate by cutting it. This simple yet thoughtful gesture truly reflects how Swami sir was!! Always mindful of others, kind-hearted, and selflessly caring.

• To be a good human being

• To care for others

• To put others before oneself and many more….

I have countless stories about him, and I consider myself incredibly fortunate to have had his guidance in shaping my career. He was always there for me, not just professionally but personally as well. Whether it was helping establish the Surat office or stepping in with immediate support when my father suffered a major stroke, his presence was a constant source of strength. Whenever I tried to express my gratitude, he would humbly say, “It’s a call from God.” And I truly believe that he was, indeed, sent by God.

Swami shouldered the burden of IRIS through every challenge, ensuring its stability and growth. Now, as IRIS enters a phase of success and prosperity, it is heartbreaking that he is not here to celebrate with us. But that is the mark of someone truly extraordinary—he dedicated his life to a mission, and now it is our turn to carry it forward.

His vision of “Made in India for the World” reflects his deep commitment to both IRIS and the nation. It is now our responsibility to realize his dream and take IRIS to new global heights.

May his soul rest in peace.

Sir, we will always love and remember you.

I had the opportunity to work with him on a project where he would call me at any time, ask for state-wise data, and say, "Jaldi de, mujhe samne wale ko chamkana hai!" That’s when I started carrying my laptop even while traveling for personal work.

Even my family felt sad when I informed them about Sir. He had visited my home during the Surat office inauguration and even celebrated Mitansh’s birthday in the office.

Truly missing our gems!

I still vividly remember my interaction with Swami sir, which took place shortly after I joined IRIS. It was triggered by a disturbing incident similar to the Nirbhaya case in Delhi, which had left him deeply moved. He promptly gathered all the female employees in the board room and tasked us with creating an SOS app for women in distress. His vision was for IRIS to contribute meaningfully towards combating female exploitation in India.

I volunteered to handle the database aspect of the project, and Swami sir, impressed by my clarity, entrusted me with leading the project. Although the project didn't come to fruition due to the immediate verdict, our meeting left a lasting impression.

What struck me was that when we met again five-six years later, Swami sir still recalled our discussion in vivid detail. His remarkable memory left me astonished.

His sudden passing has created a void that cannot be filled. I extend my heartfelt condolences to Deepta ma'am, IRIS Business Services Ltd, and his family members.

That was the last interaction we had on Monday evening—our shared birthday. Never did I think it would be the last time I’d speak to him.

Swami Sir was more than a mentor; he was a true leader who believed in giving everyone opportunities to learn, grow and share ideas. He constantly pushed us to think beyond the obvious, always full of new ideas.

Just a few weeks ago, he called me after seeing my LinkedIn post about our upcoming webinar. He said "I have an idea." He wanted us to explore a multilingual broadcast for the webinar. He added, "Look, Vaishali, it might not work out... but try to karte hai." That was his relentless spirit—fast in execution, fearless in experimentation.

Whenever he was in the office, he made it a point to connect even if just for a few minutes. His presence, guidance and learnings will always stay with us.

Swami Sir, you will be deeply missed. Your lessons will continue to inspire us. 🙏

You fit a lot in a bit

Like a good Haiku.

Just this Monday on his Birthday , I wished him Happy Birthday , and his immediate response was, 'Happy Birthday to you too.' At the time, I brushed it off, but now, after his sudden passing, his words keep echoing in my mind. My birthday is still two weeks away, yet somehow, it feels like he already knew something beyond what we could see.

I am grateful for the time he has given me and I will be true to incorporate his teachings.

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,

When I heard the news, memories of my time with Swami came flooding back—each one a testament to his remarkable qualities. It’s truly perplexing how someone could be so exceptional in so many ways.

Typical Swami

It was early 2002, and I was in my first year of MBA. As is customary in business schools, junior batch students handle the logistics for company placements. I was managing IRIS’s visit for our senior batch when I first met Swami—who, even then, insisted that we all call him just that. Typical Swami!

During that visit, he noticed I had skipped breakfast and insisted I join him and his colleagues for lunch. Shocking but Typical Swami!

A year later, when it was my turn to sit for placements, I applied to IRIS. To my surprise, the CEO remembered me from the previous year. Typical Swami!

Being from Rajasthan, one of the questions I was asked during my interview was to defend the "Sati" ritual. Typical Swami!

I was offered a position at IRIS, with a joining date of July 9. But on June 9, I received a call from HR asking where I was. Confused, I told them I was in Kolkata visiting my grandmother but could be in Mumbai the following week if needed. Swami took the phone and said, “Spend time with your grandmother. Come only when you’re ready.” Typical Swami!

At IRIS, he taught me things no textbook ever could—proofreading emails (before autocorrect existed!), informing people if running late, writing concisely yet effectively, making polite but firm requests, staying organized, and always being prompt. The list is endless. Typical Swami!

He gave me, a first-year management trainee, the confidence to interact with VPs, Ambassadors, and CEOs, to conduct interviews, and to write for a magazine. His mentorship was a gift. Typical Swami!

When family circumstances required me to move back to Jaipur, he personally met my parents to convince them to let me stay in Mumbai. Who does that?? Typical Swami!

And when I had to leave anyway, he found a way for me to continue working remotely from Jaipur—something unheard of in 2004. All thanks to Swami. Typical Swami!

When I got married, he flew all the way to Kolkata to attend. Typical Swami!

Years later, when I moved to Chicago, he made it a point to visit me during his short trip. Typical Swami!

When I returned to India and was looking for work that allowed me to stay in Kolkata, he asked me to meet him in Mumbai—and then created a position for me where none existed. Typical Swami!

Working with him, there was only one rule—get things done. Don’t wait for them to happen, even if it means stepping out of your comfort zone. Typical Swami!

The lessons he taught me professionally are invaluable, but what he taught me beyond that is even more profound. And here’s the truth—what is typical of Swami is atypical of anyone else. I do not know a single person who met him and remained untouched by his presence.

I deeply regret not making it to the 20th-anniversary celebration last year due to the cyclone. Now, more than ever, I wish I had.

His iconoclasm, his supreme intellect, his compassion, his relentless attitude—these will all be deeply missed. The world is poorer for his loss.

I hope we can all keep his legacy alive.

I always wanted to believe that I was his pet, the baby cousin who could do no wrong. Of course I was pampered with handpicked gifts that he got for me from the US in the 80s, the restaurants he would take me to when I was a hungry hosteller, the cricket tickets, my first computer, and so on…

Probably I hero-worshipped him, though if anyone said that, I would have promptly said Absolutely Not!!! He was always teasing me, and I would struggle to find the prefect cheeky, humorous response. If I gave a befitting reply, he would be proud.

Subconsciously, I always sought his approval. And that was a challenging task! It would annoy me that he was so stingy with his praise. But I know that it came from the high level of expectation that he had from me. Not in terms of high grades or material success, but in terms of work ethic, empathy, creativity and having a mission in life. He knew I was lazy and I needed his constant kicking.

Hope I can because a fraction of the person you wanted me to be, Sama. I know you will have your eye on me.

@iris_swami

@XBRL_IRIS

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!

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.

Stay happy, my friend, wherever you may be.

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 🙏🙏

Om Shanti..🙏

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.

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.

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. 🙏

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. 

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.

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.

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. 🙏

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

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🙏

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.

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!

He will be missed!

Sincere condolences to dear Deepta

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

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

Ram Ravikumar

Miss you dear friend. Keshav

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.

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

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 🙏🏾

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

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 ".

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! 🙏🏼

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 -

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!

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.

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

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

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)