Please accept my condolence on the passing of your beloved Suku. 

Suku was one the nicest and most caring people I’ve ever had the privilege of working with. He was so bright, and could find the essence in any opportunity or problem, yet, he always put service and people first. 

He will always be remembered.  

I had the privilege of working closely with Suku during his time at Parafin, and I’m truly saddened by his passing. From the start, he went out of his way to make me feel welcome, inviting me to the GTM offsite even though I was new, and generously sharing insights to help me get up to speed.

Earlier this year, we attended a partner conference together in Atlanta, and I got the chance to know Suku beyond the workplace. He told me stories from his time in Silicon Valley in the ’90s, stories full of heart, resilience, and quiet wisdom. It was clear to me then that he had lived a life full of purpose and experience, and I left that trip with deep admiration for him.

Sending my heartfelt condolences to The Ramanathan family and loved ones. Suku will be missed.

- Harry Wang

Suku

T. K. Rengarajan

19 Jul 2025

It is hard to come to terms with the fact that Suku is no more.

He was my friend, hero and a role model from REC Trichy days. My admiration for him remains undiminished even as I miss him now.

He burned brightly.

He carpe’ed every diem.

He compressed a long lifetime’s worth of experiences in his short life.

Today the light is extinguished.

I’m anguished.

It is but a small consolation that I shared my admiration for Suku widely through the years. Verbally to him, Viji, kids and friends. In personal messages to him. In public messages to family and friends.

Suku knew he was loved and admired by many.

It feels authentic to share my admiration in the moment as it were.

May he stay in eternal bliss at the feet of the Lord.

Love,

Ranga

*****

Starting 16 Sep 2023

*

Suku,

Thank you for giving us a glimpse of your extraordinary life. It is my privilege.

🙏🏾

Ranga

*

One of Suku’s impactful gifts to me has been the pointer to “Atomic Habits”. I’m now thinking consciously about building habits. This has been invaluable to me.

*

I love Suku’s approach.

Save on toothpaste.

Spend on calligraphy.

I take my coffee black.

Then indulge in desserts.

Save on staples.

Spend on treats.

😂

*

Awww. Thank you Suku for the kind words. It means a lot to me since it comes from you. Since most people withhold positive reinforcement most of the time, thank you for taking the time to write the note.

Obviously we’re quite imperfect, as my cricket foot-in-my-mouth flap amply illustrated.

Onward then.

Every pleasant day on Gems is a good day.

*

The gift of Suku keeps giving.

These days I try to harvest good habits from family & friends to see if I can adopt what works for them.

So when we were totally enjoying the breeze at Tharangambadi beach, I asked them.

1. Prioritized family relationships

2. ⁠Listened more

Who said which?

Well, you just have to ask them!

😂

*

I was totally bragging to everyone that I was on first name basis with Suku, who had just been elected President. A beautiful way to wake up. 😂

*

A gem of a piece Suku.

A succinct summary of the innovator’s dilemma and self-disruption.

Cloud had exactly the same issue at Microsoft. It took much to overcome the entrenched vested interests in “on premise” software. SQL was over a $7B biz. Cloud was piddly ~$1M. That bet has turned out well at MSFT.

Pls do share your amazing writing!

BTW, when are you going to retire so you can write more on Gems? 😂

*

Dear Suku,

I know you have a hectic professional and personal life.

Thank you for sharing the article that provides a good overview of happiness research. Quite a treat for someone aspiring to ripple happiness.

At the risk of missing the “Big Finding”, is it…

“Human Connection”?

Also, I’d love your own thoughts on your readings and experiments on happiness. Boy, I know you can write.

So, spill a few sentences from time to time my friend!

*

Beautiful vignettes in just a couple of sentences Suku. Thank you!

I am so very delighted that Gems has been a source of meaningful connections with all Gems who express themselves. Unclear about lurkers.

No other group that I’m part of abounds in meaningful connections.

I very much appreciate the engagement with every one of you, Gems!

No exaggeration.

*

Suku’s article refers to this popular 13-min TED talk.

My takeaways:

• Most studies of human lives depend on memory

• ⁠Memory is at best faulty and at worst manipulative.

• ⁠The Harvard study interviewed over 700 teenagers every couple of years in person in their homes, got blood samples, got medical records etc

• ⁠This contemporaneous recording but done over decades has unparalleled veracity

The gist of the 13-min talk!?

It’s what Suku said.

“Human connection” of course!

It’s not the cholesterol stupid.

It’s relationships we can count on.

May the deepening relationships between us Gems make us happier!

https://youtu.be/8KkKuTCFvzI?…

*

He looked great: tall, handsome smiling. He excelled in class. Science Talent scholar. Dazzled during Festember. Won long distance races. And he wrote ROTGAD. Was there anything the man could not do? He was my idol. Still is.

I’ve kept in touch with him more or less over the years. Our meetings were limited more by my bad time management than by his openness. Every meeting increases my respect for him. Today didn’t disappoint. His thoughtfulness, self-awareness and eloquence are extraordinary.

It was my pleasure and privilege to be treated to dinner by Suku tonight.

*

Even more poignantly, Suku shared that his high-flying wife Latha highlighted that a certain percentage of our classmates on our 40th reunion will not be around for the 45th.

I think about that often. It made the reunion more precious and sweeter.

I now try very hard to have at least one happy interaction with each Gem and each classmate. Most have been very generous in enabling such a happy interaction.

PK’s diligent HBD & Anniversary announcements are a gift to us. It reminds me to touch base as it were.

I’m grateful.

There is no cure for birth or dealth save to enjoy the interval - George Santayana

*

Suku, the charmer is at a far different level altogether!

I admire him even more because of this aspect.

Thank you Suku for all your guidance and leadership these past few months. Since day one, you’ve been an incredible impact on my recent career in marketing. 

I’ll never forget your smile at the start of every morning and the end of each day. I’m truly honored to have called you a mentor and friend.  

- Ray

CONDOLENCE MESSAGE

I was deeply shocked and shattered upon hearing the news of Sukumar’s passing. Sukumar was my junior, both at Orissa Sunabeda Public School—where he was five years younger—and later at REC (now NIT) Trichy. From our earliest days in school, Sukumar’s ever-present smile and boundless positivity brightened the surroundings for everyone. He was eager, super-intelligent, and always aspired to follow  , even expressing a wish to be a house captain like me.

I still recall how he would cheer me on during school cricket and football matches, and how he was there to help me when I was hurt. His kindness and enthusiasm left an indelible impression on me. In 1979, as I was finishing my final year at REC, I had the pleasure of receiving Sukumar and his father when he joined as a new student. I fondly remember helping with his admission formalities and the warm welcome we shared. Later, I even had the privilege of meeting his father again at  Bangalore.

Sukumar’s love for learning and his exuberant spirit were evident in everything he did. His sparkling eyes always conveyed immense warmth, positivity, and curiosity. Even after he passed out from Frank Anthony Public School and then NIT with flying colors, I followed his achievements from afar, occasionally reading his articles in college magazines. Life took us on different paths—I joined the Indian Army, and we, unfortunately, lost touch over the years.

The news of his untimely loss is simply not replaceable. My heartfelt condolences go out to his wife Latha children, and his younger brother Jai Kumar whom I remember fondly as well. May God give you all strength during this painful time and help you bear this great loss. I will forever cherish Sukumar’s bright, beautiful smile, his kindness, his infectious joy and wonder, his love of good company, food, and fun. He was truly a go-getter and a beacon of positivity.

May his soul rest in peace.

God bless you all and give you strength and solace.

With deepest sympathy,

Colonel Premkumar Parthasarathy

9962591368

skampuk@gmail.com

Chennai 

What a remarkable person! Sukumar was truly sui generis. 

I first met him at Sun Microsystems, where we were peers. His unconventional thinking stood out even in the valley of convention-defying people.

The ease with which he created an unconventional investor career; the way he built a social group of people who were all connected through him; his courage in leaving his job to do humanitarian work in East Timor; his delightful, insightful writings: All were inspirations to me and many others. 

He is gone too soon; we have lost a bright light. 

Rest in peace, Sukumar.