Sainik School Kazhakoottam's legendary teacher N Balakrishnan Nair no more

Thiruvananthapuram: N. Balakrishnan Nair, the former chemistry teacher of Sainik School Kazhakoottam (SSK) and perhaps the teacher whom his former students admired and loved most, passed away in Bangalore early on Tuesday. He was 83. Mr Nair was a source of inspiration for many students who made it to the top echelons of Indian armed forces. No wonder, more than 70 of them turned up at Bangalore when ‘NBN Sir’ was laid to rest at the Kalpalli crematorium in the evening.

“He was the legend of our childhood,” Lt Gen. Cherish Mathson, general officer commanding, Sudarshan Chakra Corps, reminisced about his teacher. “I remember the smile and the pride of a teacher on his face whenever we correctly analysed a salt in the chemistry Lab. I remember the same smile and a pat on my back, which is rare, when I got a distinction in chemistry in school final exam.” Gen Mathson said he still remembered hiding behind a bush in the night near his house to hear him play lovely melodies on his violin.

“We can vouch that he was an exceptional teacher and an exceptional human being,” T. K. Chandramohan, founder president of Sainik School Kazhakkoottam Old Boys Association, said. “He was a polyglot, adept in speaking Malayalam, English, Hindi, Sanskrit and Russian.” Dr. Sabu M. George, internationally acknowledged crusader against female foeticide and an alumnus of SSK, said NBN kept in touch with all his former students. Mr Nair is survived by son B. Pradeep Nair. His wife Madhavi had passed away earlier.