Four Esteemed Sainik School Alumni Reunite for Emotional Military Tribute
In an emotional gathering on Saturday, four distinguished alumni of Sainik School Kazhakoottam, who graduated in 1985 and subsequently assumed significant military roles, returned to their school for a heartfelt reunion.
The event honored Lieutenant General Vijay B Nair, Major General Vinod T Mathew, Major General Hari B Pillai, and Air Vice Marshal K V Surendran Nair as guests of honor. Air Marshal Balakrishnan Manikantan, another alumnus, presided as the chief guest of the reunion.
During their visit, the officers took part in the inauguration of a 150 KW solar power plant on the campus, contributing to the school's commitment to sustainable energy and leaving a lasting legacy at their alma mater.
M A Anil Kumar, a peer from the 1985 batch and former regional manager of the Kerala State Co-operative Agricultural Rural Development Bank, noted that approximately 14 classmates joined the armed forces, inspired largely by motivational talks from serving officers during their school years.
Lieutenant General Vijay B Nair, hailing from Palakkad, currently leads the Indian Army's Northern Command in Udhampur. His career includes significant contributions in counter-terrorism operations in Kashmir, a pivotal role in Operation Sindoor, distinguished service in Sri Lanka, and leadership of the UN Multinational Force in Congo.
Major General Vinod T Mathew, originating from Thodupuzha, serves as the General Officer Commanding of the Karnataka-Kerala Sub-Area. He notably led relief efforts during the Chooralmala-Mundakai landslide in Wayanad, has firsthand experience with insurgency in Assam and Manipur, and has participated in UN missions in Congo and Sudan.
Major General Hari B Pillai, from Kundara, holds the position of Additional Director General of the Bengaluru Regional Recruitment Zone. His career is marked by extensive counter-insurgency operations in Kashmir and the North-East, along with UN deployment in Congo.
Air Vice Marshal K V Surendran Nair, based in Thrissur, stands out as one of the Indian Air Force’s top fighter pilots, having flown MiG-21s, MiG-29s, and Sukhoi-30s. He currently holds the role of Chief Instructor at the Defence Services Staff College in Wellington.
The reunion also attracted a diverse array of professionals worldwide, including doctors, engineers, civil servants, commercial pilots, and UN officials. However, the most inspiring narrative was that of these four friends whose early aspirations led them to distinguished service to their country.
