In a heart-warming story of friendship, discipline and service to the nation, four childhood friends from Sainik School Kazhakoottam returned to their alma mater after nearly 40 years. What made the reunion special was not just the passage of time, but the remarkable journey each of them had undertaken since leaving the school. The boys who once sat together on wooden benches, shared dreams and prepared themselves for a life of discipline had returned as senior officers of the Indian Armed Forces.
The four officers, Lieutenant General Vijay B Nair, Major General Vinod T Mathew, Major General Hari B Pillai and Air Vice Marshal K V Surendran Nair, belong to the 1985 batch of Sainik School Kazhakoottam, located near Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala. Their reunion took place during an alumni meet in July 2025, where they were honoured as distinguished guests. The event also saw the presence of Air Marshal Balakrishnan Manikantan, another proud alumnus of the school.
For the students and staff of Sainik School Kazhakoottam, the occasion was deeply inspiring. It was a rare moment when four former classmates, all of whom had risen to high ranks in the armed forces, returned together to the same campus where their journey had begun. Their presence served as a powerful reminder of the role Sainik Schools play in shaping young minds and preparing future leaders for the nation.
Sainik School Kazhakoottam has long been known for its contribution to the armed forces. Established with the aim of preparing students for careers in the military, the school combines academic learning with physical training, discipline, leadership and character-building. For generations, it has motivated students to dream of serving the country in uniform.
The 1985 batch of the school holds a special place in this legacy. Around 14 students from the batch are said to have joined the armed forces, making it one of the notable batches in the school’s history. For many of them, the inspiration came during their school days, when serving officers visited the campus and interacted with students. These talks left a lasting impression on young cadets and encouraged them to work towards a career in the defence services.
Lieutenant General Vijay B Nair, AVSM, SM, hails from Palakkad in Kerala. Over the course of his distinguished military career, he has served in several important operational, staff and instructional appointments. He has been associated with counter-terrorism operations in Jammu and Kashmir and has also served with the Indian Peace Keeping Force in Sri Lanka. He has contributed to United Nations peacekeeping operations, including command responsibilities in Congo.
At the time of the reunion, Lieutenant General Vijay B Nair was serving in a senior appointment connected with Northern Command. He later assumed charge as Commandant of the Infantry School, Mhow, on 1 May 2026. The Infantry School is one of the Indian Army’s most prestigious training institutions, responsible for shaping officers and soldiers in infantry tactics and leadership. His decorations include the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal and Sena Medal, reflecting his distinguished service and dedication.
Major General Vinod T Mathew, YSM, comes from Thodupuzha in Kerala’s Idukki district. He has served as the General Officer Commanding of the Karnataka-Kerala Sub-Area. His career includes operational experience in counter-insurgency areas such as Assam and Manipur, as well as service in United Nations peacekeeping missions in Congo and Sudan.
Major General Mathew is also known for his leadership during relief and rescue operations after the Chooralmala-Mundakai landslide in Wayanad in 2024. During that difficult time, Army teams played an important role in rescue and support efforts, and his leadership was widely appreciated. His career reflects the Army’s role not only in guarding the nation’s borders but also in helping citizens during natural disasters and emergencies.
Major General Hari B Pillai, from Kundara in Kollam district, has also built a distinguished career in the Indian Army. He has served in challenging operational environments, including counter-insurgency areas in Kashmir and the Northeast. He has also served in a United Nations mission in Congo, adding international peacekeeping experience to his military profile.
He currently holds an important appointment connected with recruitment in the Bengaluru Regional Recruitment Zone. In this role, he contributes to one of the most crucial functions of the Army: selecting and guiding future soldiers and officers. His work ensures that the next generation entering the Indian Army is chosen through a process that values merit, discipline and commitment.
Air Vice Marshal K V Surendran Nair, VSM, from Thrissur, represents the Indian Air Force among the four friends. A highly experienced fighter pilot, he has flown aircraft such as the MiG-21, MiG-29 and Sukhoi-30MKI. His journey from a young student at Sainik School Kazhakoottam to a senior officer of the Indian Air Force is a source of pride for the institution.
At the time of the reunion, Air Vice Marshal Surendran Nair was serving as Chief Instructor Air at the Defence Services Staff College in Wellington. DSSC is one of India’s most respected tri-services institutions, where officers from the Army, Navy and Air Force are trained for higher command and staff responsibilities. In this role, he continues to mentor and inspire future military leaders, just as he was once inspired as a schoolboy.
The alumni meet was not just a formal gathering. It was an emotional homecoming. The four officers revisited the classrooms, corridors and familiar spaces where they had spent their formative years. They interacted with students and shared memories of their school life, the discipline they learnt, the friendships they built and the values that guided them throughout their careers.
The event also witnessed the inauguration of a 150 kW solar power plant on the school campus. This added a meaningful and forward-looking dimension to the reunion. It showed that the alumni were not only returning to celebrate their past but also contributing to the future of the institution.
For the current students of Sainik School Kazhakoottam, seeing four former students in senior military ranks was a moment of great motivation. Their story proved that dreams born in school can become reality through discipline, hard work and commitment. It also showed that friendships made in childhood can remain strong even after decades of service, postings and responsibilities.
The story of these four officers is special because it is not only about individual success. It is about shared beginnings, common values and lifelong commitment to the nation. Each of them chose a path of service and rose through the ranks with dedication. Together, they represent the spirit of Sainik Schools across India.
Their reunion after 40 years carries a message for young defence aspirants: the journey to success begins with small steps, strong values and consistent effort. The classroom, the parade ground, the hostel and the playground all play a role in shaping character. For these four friends, Sainik School Kazhakoottam was not just a school; it was the foundation of a lifetime of service.
Today, Lieutenant General Vijay B Nair, Major General Vinod T Mathew, Major General Hari B Pillai and Air Vice Marshal K V Surendran Nair continue to inspire thousands of students, cadets and defence aspirants. Their journey from school friends to senior military leaders is a proud chapter in the history of Sainik School Kazhakoottam.
Their story reminds us that true friendship, when built on discipline, respect and shared purpose, can stand the test of time. Four decades ago, their journey began together in the classrooms of Kazhakoottam. Today, their reunion stands as a shining example of brotherhood, leadership and service to the nation.
