Tributes have been flowing in for a popular Indian businessman killed during an argument at the One&Only Royal Mirage hotel, over taking photographs.
Prominent real estate broker Mahendran Yadav was “a generous and humble man” who always had a smile on his face, according to dozens of comments posted on Hotelier Middle East's sister title Arabian Business, which broke the news of his death on Monday morning.
Several friends and colleagues of the managing director of Emirates Homes Real Estate, who had lived in Dubai for 15 years, made the point that he was not the type to engage in arguments, while others referred to his sincerity during business.
“A great person and he will be missed by us all. Mahendran brought the highest level of etiquette to our business and was a support and friend,” Lucy Bush from Cluttons real estate agency posted on Arabian Business.
Another prominent real estate developer, Safi Qurashi, who has known Yadav since the day he landed in Dubai, told Arabian Business the Indian would be missed by many in the emirate.
“Over the last 11 years we became not only good business associates but also good friends. He was a true gentleman, honest, trustworthy and ambitious,” Qurashi said.
“He had an amazing smile when you met him which would just make you smile back. He was so positive in life and at the same time generous and kind hearted … It is hard to imagine that I will never see him again.
“Today we have lost a lovely human being, and a friend to so many people. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife and young family to give them patience in such trying times.”
A statement from Emirates Homes Real Estate on the Arabian Business Facebook page referred to his popular style of managing staff.
“He will always be remembered. He's a man with a big heart, he's not a boss around his staffs but a REAL FRIEND, and especially a FAMILY in our HOME(Emirates Homes Real Estate)” the comment says.
Kalpesh Sampat commented on Arabian Business’ story: “My Dearest Mahendran........Keep smiling always. In heaven as you did during your time here. I am honoured to say you were a very dear friend, and I am humbled, and eminently privileged to have known you. RIP.”
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“I can't believe this! Mahendran was like a brother to me, helped me through my stay in Dubai and such a generous and humble man...R.I.P My brother you will be truly missed,” Abz wrote.
In India, Kantha Perumal said she only met Yadav once but her managing director, who was his close friend, often used Yadav’s story of moving up the ladder to motivate his own staff.
“Our MD who is the closest friend of mahendran sir told a lot about him to motivate us, how hard was his life at the beginning, he started his journey from servant at a hotel, then a cleaning labor at a hospital then a driver he was sincere to his job given to him. that made him get his deserved life later,” the post on Arabian Business says.
“Its really a sad news for us too, when i heard this news i was really shocked, i just saw him once here in chennai when he came to see his good old friend our MD. such a wonderful person he is! Deep condolences”.
Yadav died after twice being hit in the head by a Gulf national who had asked him to stop taking photographs on his phone in the shisha lounge at the One&Only Royal Mirage hotel on Sunday night.
Yadav was rushed to hospital suffering cardiac arrest but died on Monday about 7.30pm, with a large group of people gathered outside the Rashid Hospital.
The alleged attacker has been arrested by police, who said in a statement on Tuesday they were treating the death as unintentional. Police have not commented on whether he has or will be charged.
In the statement, police said the Gulf national, who was sitting near Yadav with his fiancée, became concerned that some of the photos contained images of the couple and requested hotel staff ask them to refrain from taking any more photos.
When this request was dismissed, he approached the group’s table and an argument ensued.
The Gulf national then struck Yadav, causing him to fall to the ground and hit his head, the statement said. An ambulance was called but he was unable to be saved.
Along with multiple comments posted online, Qurashi said Yadav was “the least confrontational person you could meet”.
“I am deeply saddened and shocked with what happened. It is hard to imagine in such a tolerant city like Dubai such a thing could happen and I am sure that justice will be served to Mahendran and his family and to ensure nothing like this happens again. He was the least confrontational person you could meet, no matter what the situation he would just smile and the smile was enough to erode any anger anyone could have.”
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