An emotional reunion took place over the weekend as four distinguished alumni from Sainik School Kazhakoottam, all graduates from the class of 1985, returned to their old school, reminiscing about their shared journey and highlighting their remarkable military careers.
Lieutenant General Vijay B Nair, Major General Vinod T Mathew, Major General Hari B Pillai, and Air Vice Marshal K V Surendran Nair were celebrated as guests of honour at the event. The gathering was made even more special with the presence of Air Marshal Balakrishnan Manikantan, who served as the chief guest.
A significant moment during the reunion was the inauguration of a 150 KW solar power plant on the school campus. This initiative not only represents a commitment to greener energy but also symbolizes a lasting contribution to the institution that played a pivotal role in shaping their careers.
M A Anil Kumar, a fellow 1985 graduate and former regional manager at the Kerala State Co-operative Agricultural Rural Development Bank, shared that approximately 14 of their classmates joined the armed forces. He emphasized the influential talks by serving officers in their school days, stating that these interactions served as a profound source of inspiration for their futures.
Lieutenant General Vijay B Nair, originally from Palakkad, currently commands the Indian Army’s Northern Command in Udhampur. He has led significant counter-terrorist operations in Kashmir and was instrumental in Operation Sindoor, with a notable service record that includes missions in Sri Lanka and as the head of the UN Multinational Force in Congo.
Major General Vinod T Mathew hails from Thodupuzha and serves as the General Officer Commanding of the Karnataka-Kerala Sub-Area. His experience includes leading relief efforts during the devastating Chooralmala-Mundakai landslide in Wayanad and operational roles in insurgency-affected regions in Assam and Manipur. He has also participated in UN missions in both Congo and Sudan.
Major General Hari B Pillai, from Kundara, is currently the Additional Director General of the Bengaluru Regional Recruitment Zone. With extensive experience in counter-insurgency operations in Kashmir and the Northeast, he too has been deployed with the UN in Congo.
Air Vice Marshal K V Surendran Nair, originally from Thrissur, is recognized as one of the Indian Air Force’s most skilled fighter pilots. He has a distinguished flying record with MiG-21s, MiG-29s, and Sukhoi-30s and currently serves as Chief Instructor at the Defence Services Staff College in Wellington.
The alumni gathering also featured professionals from a diverse range of fields, including medicine, engineering, civil service, aviation, and international organizations. However, the most inspiring aspects of the event were the stories of these four friends, whose childhood aspirations have driven them to serve their country with honor and distinction.
