Tan Sri Tatparanandam Ananda Krishnan

Something interesting to share to you guys today.

Just in case you don’t know who is the handsome guy above, let me inform you something amazing about him.

Tan Sri Tatparanandam Ananda Krishnan is a Tamil Malaysian of Sri Lankan Tamil origin businessman and philanthropist. According to Forbes latest annual list of wealthiest people, Tan Sri Ananda Krishnan is the fourth wealthiest man in South East Asia and ranked 93th wealthiest man in the world. Nicknamed TAK, he is now currently estimated to have a net worth of US$ 9.9 billion.

Ananda Krishnan was born in 1938 in Brickfields, Kuala Lumpur's "Little India" to Tamil parents, who were Sri Lankan immigrants. He studied at Vivekananda Tamil School in Brickfield, Kuala Lumpur and furthered his studies at Victoria Institution, Kuala Lumpur. Later, as a Colombo Plan scholar, he attended the University of Melbourne, Australia for his B.A. (Honours) degree majoring in political science. During that time he boarded in the Melbourne suburb of Hawthorn. Following that, Krishnan obtained a Master in Business Administration at Harvard University, graduating in 1964.

What had he done that made him such an amazing and a successful entrepreneur? First of all, he is a businessman. Krishnan first entrepreneurial venture was a Malaysian consultancy Usaha Tegas. He set up Exoil Trading which went on purchasing oil drilling concessions in various countries, then went into gambling sector in Genting, stud farm in Australia and runs a Hollywood cartoon studio. He started to diversify as he enters the multimedia industry in the 90’s. Currently, Tan Sri has multiple business interest which he is well-known including those within the media (ASTRO), satellite (MEASAT) and telecommunication (MAXIS) industry to name a few. On top of that, he also owns  Tanjong PLC, which provides us TGV cinemas. He is just a fantastic guy.

To add on some interesting fact about Tan Sri, the pictures below shows his house in Australia.

He gives a name for his house and could you guys guess what the name is? Its called “Kia Ora” which is a Māori language greeting in other words mean “welcome”. This multimillion dollar house consisting a large open deck space, a heated swimming pool, two fireplaces, beautifully landscaped gardens with stunning native plants, and breathtaking views from all sections won the prestigious 2006 Housing Industry Association Hunter Home of The Year Award in Australina House of the Year contract.

Ananda Krishnan who is a self-made billionaire keeps a determinedly low profile but is rapidly expanding his business empire. In a rare interview, given in Malaysia, he said “ I have heard some people say I have a low profile. Why should somebody be high profile, anyway? I am just doing my job. If you say I have a low profile then by definition it menans I should be high profile”. I totally agree with his saying as we should be down to earth all the time although we are successful or wealthy.

Another amazing fact about Tan Sri is his family, married with 3 children, his only son, Ven Ajahn Siripanyo is actually a monk. How wonderful to know about that? The son is a heir to billions but he lives a life as a forest monk instead. In a news article by Business Bhutan, “ The monk who flew in a jet” , when Tan Sri invited his son for a meal, his son politely rejected him. He said he is now a monk and just like other monks, he had to beg for his food. He  now has to depend on other people’s generosity to sustain himself. A point to think of, why would a the son of an immersely wealthy family becomes a monk? For a very good reason of course.

The picture highlights the meeting of Tan Sri Ananda Krishnan and his son during his son meditation retreat in Penang HIll on April 24, 2012.

Tan Sri Ananda Krishan is also a devout Buddhist. How wonderful… Tan Sri is also popular known as a great philanthropist, especially in the field of education. Tan Sri also funds scholarships and school programs. I am so excited to read that Ananda Krishan has a son who has decided to devote his life to the Three Jewels. Doing so is not only a great blessing for himself but also for his father and family. I rejoice and pray that Mr Ananda and his family will always be blessed by the three Jewels just like when Siddhartha Gautama left his palace and riches to seek enlightenment.