Meet Krishna Krish : A Journey from Trauma to Purpose

Hi there, and welcome! Thank you for taking the time to read about me and my journey. Let me introduce myself: not just with facts, but with a story. A story of struggle, resilience, and a mission that led to the birth of the ‘Understanding Men Program’, a dedicated initiative to explore and address the challenges men face in today’s world.

I am Krish Umar @ Krishna Krish, a 34-year-old from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. By profession, I work as a Logistics Executive for a Singapore-based I.T company at Mont Kiara, KL. But beyond my career, I am a weird activist, a storyteller, and someone who believes in the power of change.

I am the eldest in my family, with two younger brothers – one of whom I heartbreakingly lost in December last year. Life has been a relentless teacher, shaping me through experiences that many would find unimaginable.

The Journey That Shapes Me

This path I walk today was never planned. It was born out of trauma:  the kind that leaves deep scars but also fuels purpose.

‘The trauma of identity crisis, growing up in a broken family, witnessing constant conflicts between my parents’

‘The trauma of migration, leaving behind a familiar village to adapt to the chaos of the city’

‘The trauma of loss, saying goodbye to many people i’ve loved’

‘The trauma of violence, from being bullied to entangling myself in the underworld of gangsterism’

‘The trauma of survival, having faced both being killed and attempted suicide

‘The trauma of feeling unloved, navigating life with an emptiness no child should endure’

But amidst the darkness, God had a plan for me. I was given the gift of academic success, the presence of kind-hearted people who showed me love, and the opportunities to learn, grow, and heal.

And so, in 2015, with God’s grace, my journey began.

From a reserved, introverted boy who preferred working behind the scenes, I transformed into someone willing to step forward, to speak, advocate, and take action. I immersed myself in youth empowerment, women’s rights, mental health awareness, history, human rights, interfaith and intercultural dialogue, and national unity-identity-language advocacy. Through my involvement with various local and international organizations, I learned that change is possible – but only when we dare to start.

A Decade of Activism & A New Mission

This year marks 10 years since I first stepped into the world of community service. It has been a journey filled with highs and lows, victories and betrayals, love and heartbreak, support, and resistance. But every step has been a lesson, shaping me into who I am today.

Now, my focus is on something deeply personal and critically needed – the ‘Understanding Men Program’. A space to explore the struggles men face, the unspoken battles they fight, and the impact they have on the world around them – especially on women. This initiative is not just about men; it is about creating a better society for everyone.

Join The Mission

Below, you’ll find details of my recent work. If you wish to follow my journey, feel free to connect with me on Instagram, Facebook, and other social media platforms.

Thank you for being here. Let’s work together to build a better world of understanding, healing, and empowerment.

KRISH UMAR BIN ILLANGOVAN

Education: Malaysian Higher School Certificate (STPM) St. John’s Institution Jalan Bukit Nanas

Positions Held:

  • Executive Committee of Unity, Human rights, GEMA Malaysia Youth Organisation (2024-present)
  • Program Committee Member, BDS Malaysia (2024-present)
  • Treasurer, E-Dakwah Organization (2024-present)
  • Co-founder and Editor of Portal Storiesoftm.com (2015-present)
  • City Coordinator, Facilitator at Southeast Asian Youth For Humanity (SEAY4H) (2023-present)
  • Regional Coordinator, Makkal PhoenixTNG Switzerland (2023-present)
  • Assistant secretary EWRF Foundation Subang Jaya (starting 2025)
  • Committee Member, Balsans Edutainment Toastmasters Club (2023-2024)
  • Media Coordinator, 1TamilanzSangam & Naam Tamilar Organization (2015-2017)
  • Deputy President & Program Coordinator, Sentamizhar Peravai Malaysia (2018-2020)

Involvement:

  • Program Director and Head facilitator of ‘Suara Lelaki: A Safe Space to Be Heard, Support & Grow’ initiative (2025).
  • Facilitator for the Valor-XY Men Mental Health Seminar ‘When Men Hardwork + Heartwork (2025).
  • Program Director and Head facilitator of ‘Character Building & Moral Education Workshop’ for SMK Bandar Baru Sri Sendayan multiracial students (2025).
  • AV Assistant for the “International Women’s Day” event by MIASA (2025).
  • Master of Ceremonies for the Organizational Management Workshop BPO x GEMA (2025).
  • Facilitator for the ‘Mapping’ of Indigenous Peoples by Epic Homes (2025).
  • Winner of the ‘Social Impact Leadership’ and ‘High Engagement’ Awards in the Volunteer Development Program (VDP), 20 Community Projects by Rythm Foundation (2023).
  • Head Delegate, City Coordinator, and Facilitator for the Strategic Planning Workshop of Southeast Asian Youth For Humanity (SEAY4H) in Yogyakarta, Indonesia (2024).
  • Assistant Head Delegate, City Coordinator, and Thematic Facilitator for Youth Groups at the ‘SEA Dialogue Cities’ Conference in Davao, Philippines (2024).
  • Malaysian Delegate at the SEA Dialogue Cities Conference in Bangkok, Thailand (2023).
  • Malaysian Delegate at the 11th International Tamil Research Conference (2023).
  • Delegate at the National Autism Convention, Sibu, Sarawak (2024).
  • Project Director for GEMA Youth’s Independence Month Activities Project (2024).
  • Volunteer for the ‘Jom Bawa Balik Sampah’ & ‘Plogging Merdeka’ campaigns at Dataran Putrajaya in collaboration with GEMA, PPJ, and SW Corp (2024).
  • Committee Member for Volunteer Management at the ‘Freedom For Palestine Rally @ Dataran Merdeka’ (2023).
  • Program Director and Speaker for ‘May 18 Remembrance Day : From Mullivaikal 2009 to Gaza 2023’ at KLSCAH (2024).
  • Fundraising initiative for the preschool education of a child of Eelam Tamil refugee parents in Johor Bahru, in collaboration with Sri Kandaswamy Temple, Brickfields, Kuala Lumpur(2025).
  • Program Director and Speaker for ‘Baha Hilo from the West Bank’ at HSCPS, University of Malaya (2023).
  • Facilitator for the Human Rights Advocacy Workshop for university students by MAHAR Malaysian Humanitarian Aid & Relief at IAIS Malaysia (2023).
  • Media Assistant for the ‘International Conference on Palestine Kuala Lumpur ICPKL 2.0’ (2023).
  • Facilitator and MC for the Mental Health Program for PPR Desa Rejang Setapak residents by Young Minds Malaysia (2023).
  • Facilitator for online mental health series for seniors aged 50+ with Makkal PhoenixTNG (2023-2024).
  • Committee Member and Volunteer in the ‘Food Basket’ project for Indian university students during the COVID-19 MCO with Sentamizhar Peravai Malaysia (2020).
  • Volunteer for the 2020 Malaysian Census at Court Hill Sri Ganesar Temple with the Department of Statistics Malaysia (2020).

Courses, Workshops :

  • Special Workshop on Dialogue Understanding at University of Malaya (2025)
  • Interfaith and Cultural Dialogue Course by KAICIID (2024)
  • SWC Rizal Rashid Communication Workshop (2024)
  • Leadership and Self-Development Course for Reverts by JAWI (2024)
  • Volunteer Development Program (VDP) Training (2023)
  • Erasmus+ EU Project Management Course at Brussels Academy (2024)
  • Leadership in Youth Mental Health and Emergency Treatment Workshop by YMM (2023)
  • Strategic Planning & Media Intern for Batu P115 Parliamentary Election, Parti Warisan (2022)
  • Young Changemakers of Southeast Asia Train-the-Trainer on Transformative Storytelling Program by The Caravanserai Collective & KAICIID (2025)
  • No One Dies Alone Palliative Companion (NODAC) Volunteer Training by Universiti Malaya Medical Centre (2025)

Skills:

  • Writing
  • Public Speaking
  • Program Coordination
  • Multimedia and Website Management
  • Emotional Support
  • Leadership Training and Facilitation

Speaker, Panellist :

  • Invited Speaker at the International Men’s Day Celebration Program by KL Sentral Rotary Club & Global Yoga Wellness (2025).
  • Panellist at the Academy of Islamic Studies Universiti Malaya for ‘Bicara Muallaf : Jiwa Yang Dicari, Islam Yang Ditemui’ (2025).
  • Panellist at the University of Malaya UM-Centre for Civilizational Dialogue (UMCCD) & PROJEK 57 Unity Forum titled ‘Malaysia Harapan Kita’ (2021).
  • Panellist at the University Tunku Abdul Rahman UTAR Symposium titled ‘Youth and Social Issues’ (2023).
  • Invited Speaker at University Technology Malaysia UTM’s ‘Busana Merdeka & Celebration Festival’ (2023).
  • Panellist at TheSambalPod’s Program with Akademi Dr.Har titled ‘National Language or Mother Tongue’ (2023).
  • Panellist at the Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka DBP’s Palestine Forum titled ‘Voices from the Gaza Valley – Universal Human Values’ (2021).
  • Invited Speaker and Panellist at GEMA Forum titled “Humanity’s Voice for Palestine” (2021).
  • Panellist at IKRAM’s Program titled ‘Palestine Night in Our Hearts’ (2021).
  • Speaker at Malaysia Madani’s Solidarity Program ‘Malaysia with Palestine Gathering’ at Axiata Arena Stadium, officiated by the Prime Minister (2023).
  • Invited Speaker for Puteri Muda Islam, Young Muslim Women’s Motivational Program at Raudhatus Sakinah (2024).
  • Panellist at International Islamic University Malaysia UIA’s Forum titled ‘The Role of Youth in the Palestine Crisis’ (2024).
  • Panellist at the Hidayah Centre Foundation – Tabung Haji Iftar Program titled ‘Road to Fitrah’ (2024).
  • Panellist at JPNIN Ministry of National Unity’s unity Program titled ‘Bicara Harmoni’ (2024).
  • Expert Advocate Panellist of ‘International Advocacy’ for MUDA’s Bootcamp TEROKA (2024).
  • Invited Speaker at Motivational Session ‘Life & Career’ for Form 4 & Form 5 Indian Students from SMK Dato’ Mohd. Said, Negeri Sembilan (2024).
  • Invited Speaker at the HIICHIIKOK Orphanage Foundation’s Charity Program (2024).
  • Speaker at the Freedom Film Festival for ‘3 Days Without Food & Water in Gaza’ (2024).
  • Organizer and Speaker at the Online Forum titled ‘Nation & Indian Society Direction’ for National Day (2022).

Mobile (Whatsapp) : +6014-6470704 / +6011 1184 2409

Email : krishnakrisz12@gmail.com / tamizharmedia@kaariventhan

Social media ID : krishnakrisz12

03 April 2025

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