Meet 4 Sainik School Friends Who Reunited After 40 Years at the Place Where Their Journey Began

In July 2025, four childhood friends who once shared wooden benches and youthful dreams at Sainik School Kazhakoottam returned to their alma mater—not as wide-eyed students, but as senior officers commanding critical formations of the Indian Armed Forces. Their emotional reunion after four decades served as a powerful reminder that friendships forged in discipline and purpose can endure a lifetime and evolve into collective service to the nation.

The officers—Lieutenant General Vijay B Nair, Major General Vinod T Mathew, Major General Hari B Pillai, and Air Vice Marshal K V Surendran Nair—all hail from the 1985 batch of Sainik School Kazhakoottam (near Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala). During an alumni meet, they were honoured as guests of honour alongside chief guest Air Marshal Balakrishnan Manikantan, another distinguished alumnus. The gathering also witnessed the inauguration of a 150 kW solar power plant on campus, symbolising their continued commitment to the institution that shaped them.

The Alma Mater That Nurtured Leaders

Sainik School Kazhakoottam was established to prepare young boys for careers in the armed forces through rigorous academics, physical training, and value-based education. The 1985 batch proved particularly prolific: approximately 14 students from the class eventually joined the military. Fellow alumnus M.A. Anil Kumar, a former regional manager with the Kerala State Co-operative Agricultural Rural Development Bank, recalled how regular visits by serving officers during their school years profoundly inspired the young students. “Talks by serving officers during our school days had been a major source of inspiration,” he noted.

For these four friends, those early interactions planted seeds that would blossom into distinguished careers spanning counter-insurgency operations, international peacekeeping, disaster relief, and the training of future leaders.

The Four Officers: Profiles of Excellence

Lieutenant General Vijay B Nair, AVSM, SM (Palakkad, Kerala) A native of Palakkad, Lieutenant General Vijay B Nair commanded the Indian Army’s Northern Command (headquartered in Udhampur) at the time of the reunion. His illustrious career includes pivotal roles in counter-terrorism operations in Jammu & Kashmir, a significant contribution to Operation Sindoor, service with the Indian Peace Keeping Force in Sri Lanka, and command of the UN Multinational Force in Congo. With nearly four decades of service, he has held key staff and instructional appointments, including Chief of Staff of Northern Command, before assuming charge as Commandant of the Infantry School, Mhow, on 1 May 2026. His decorations include the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM) and Sena Medal (SM).

Major General Vinod T Mathew, YSM (Thodupuzha, Kerala) Hailing from Thodupuzha in Idukki district, Major General Vinod T Mathew served as General Officer Commanding of the Karnataka-Kerala Sub-Area. His operational experience spans counter-insurgency duties in Assam and Manipur, leadership of critical rescue and relief operations during the devastating Chooralmala-Mundakai landslide in Wayanad in 2024, and United Nations peacekeeping missions in both Congo and Sudan. Known for his calm leadership under pressure, he continues to oversee defence operations across the southern states.

Major General Hari B Pillai (Kundara, Kerala) From Kundara in Kollam district, Major General Hari B Pillai holds the appointment of Additional Director General of the Bengaluru Regional Recruitment Zone. With extensive field experience in counter-insurgency operations across Kashmir and the Northeast, as well as a UN deployment in Congo, he now plays a vital role in shaping the future intake of the Indian Army through transparent and efficient recruitment processes.

Air Vice Marshal K V Surendran Nair, VSM (Thrissur, Kerala) A Thrissur native, Air Vice Marshal K V Surendran Nair (full name: Kariat Vadukkoote Surendran Nair) is recognised as one of the Indian Air Force’s most accomplished fighter pilots, having logged extensive hours on the MiG-21, MiG-29, and Sukhoi-30MKI. At the time of the reunion, he served as Chief Instructor (Air) at the prestigious Defence Services Staff College (DSSC) in Wellington, where he mentors and shapes the next generation of tri-service officers and aviators. His instructional role continues the legacy of inspiration that first motivated him as a schoolboy.

The Emotional Reunion and Shared Memories

The July 2025 alumni meet was more than a nostalgic gathering—it was a homecoming rich with reflection and purpose. The four officers walked the same corridors, revisited classrooms, and interacted with current students, many of whom sat in the very benches they once occupied. They spoke candidly about how the school’s emphasis on character, discipline, and patriotism had prepared them for the rigours of military life.

The inauguration of the solar power plant added a forward-looking dimension to the event, reflecting their desire to give back tangibly to the institution. Photographs from the occasion capture the four in uniform, standing together with quiet pride—front row and second row—embodying both personal achievement and institutional legacy.

A Legacy That Inspires Generations

What sets this story apart is not merely individual success, but the enduring power of friendship rooted in shared values. These men did not merely rise through the ranks; they carried forward the ethos of Sainik School—integrity, courage, and selfless service—into every command they held. Their collective journey from schoolboys dreaming of the uniform to senior leaders safeguarding the nation exemplifies the transformative impact of Sainik Schools across India.

Today, as Lieutenant General Vijay B Nair guides the training of infantry officers at Mhow, Major General Vinod T Mathew oversees southern defence operations, Major General Hari B Pillai ensures the Army’s recruitment pipeline remains robust, and Air Vice Marshal Surendran Nair moulds future strategic leaders at DSSC, their influence continues to ripple across the armed forces.

The reunion at Kazhakoottam in July 2025, later amplified through social media including a widely shared post by The Better India, has resonated deeply with serving personnel, veterans, and aspiring cadets alike. It serves as living proof that the bonds formed in youth—strengthened by discipline and purpose—can stand the test of time and contribute meaningfully to national security.

In an era often dominated by fleeting connections, the story of these four Sainik School friends reminds us that true camaraderie, when anchored in shared ideals and service to the nation, becomes a lifelong force for good. Their journey began at Kazhakoottam four decades ago. It continues today—stronger, wiser, and still inspiring the next generation to dream in uniform.