Prof A Gopinathan Nair

  

PROF A GOPINATHAN NAIR

Professor A Gopinathan Nair(Gopi/ Gopi Sir) was the younger one among my maternal uncles. His image  etched in memory is that of a handsome young man fond of sports. A kids’ hero! After completing his meritorious School education in Adoor he joined College in Trivandrum and passed out with a first class degree, BSc (Chemistry). Soon after he joined FACT, Cochin as a chemist. 

After the Second World War ended in 1945, the Freedom Struggle had gathered momentum across India. Alongside,  several educated young men and women in Travancore and Cochin (Kingdoms) and Malabar( Part of Madras Presidency) got attracted towards Communism. Soviet Union followed by China championed the cause of Communism and Socialistic Pattern of Society (Socialism). The Western Bloc led by USA advocated Capitalism and Free Market. The stage was set for a bitter Cold War. It was also a period of political turmoil in the Indian subcontinent. 

Gopi was ideologically inclined to the left and he started taking part in the Communist movement covertly. It was a time when the Communists had eminent leaders like EMS, AKG,MN, Achutha Menon, TV Thomas and KR Gouri. The revolutionary Communist movement made deep inroads amongst the agricultural labourers and factory workers. The ruling dispensation was ruthless in trying to suppress the movement through coercive measures. Iron hand of the Government forced the Communist leaders and party cadres to go underground. You may recall the Punnapra-Vayalar revolt and its aftermath. The hunt for Communists became more organised, well coordinated and relentless since then.

Gopi got to know that he had become a target. In order to avoid arrest he fled from Cochin, rushed back to Adoor and went into hiding. That’s when he got admission for Masters in Aligarh Muslim University ( AMU). He escaped to Aligarh and joined a post graduate program, MSc, Chemistry. AMU was one of the best universities in India, at par with Banarus Hindu University. While at the AMU campus Gopi took an active part in the political discourse. By the time he finished studies, significant transformation happened in his thinking and views. He had matured and mellowed down albeit continued to believe in Socialism through democracy and peaceful political means. 

He chose a teaching career and joined NSS College, Changanaserry as a lecturer in the Chemistry Department. He earned the reputation of a brilliant teacher at the very start of his career. On transfer to Pandalam NSS College he was promoted to Professor and Head of Department, Chemistry. His reputation went up not only as a teacher but also as an effective administrator. His journey continued to MG College, Trivandrum, NSS College, Mattannur and finally to NSS College Ottappalam where he was elevated as Principal. He had a glorious innings as Principal. On retirement from NSS College Ottappalam he was in great demand  as Principal and Visiting Professor in different Parallel Colleges. 

Kochammavn had a major role in my growth and development. He moved me to Pandalam from Pallikkal as soon as I finished Class 6. I did my classes 7 to 9 in NSS Boys High School, Pandalam. For three years, I was under his wings. I was adjudged the best Class 9 student across all NSS Schools in the State! 

Kochammavan was a voracious reader. Thanks to him I got to read Readers Digest and Illustrated Weekly of India. I started reading English fiction from his collection. He also helped me with my essays and speeches. 

He was fond of playing tennis, watching movies and acting in plays. I still remember his role as Othello, a riveting performance! It was  routine to see a movie once a week in Pandalam National Talkies (movie hall under a thatched roof)!

When I was studying in Regional Engineering College, Calicut I could visit him at Ottappalam and Palakkad. I noticed a happy home with a ‘made for each other’ couple. I was thoroughly impressed by Thankam Ammavi  who was a Professor of English in the same college. She was friendly, articulate lively and affectionate. It was instant rapport as she narrated the unnatural passing of the celebrated novelist  T A Rajalakshmi who was her colleague and a close friend. Incidentally, Rajalakshmi was my professor in NSS College, Pandalam when I was doing 1st Year BSc (Physics). In fact, I had become her fan like my mother as  both loved reading her novel “Oru Vazhium Kure Nizhalukalum “ published serially in Mathrubhoomi Weekly!

In their Palakkad (Chandranagar) home I could meet with other members of Ammavi’s  family in a warm and vibrant ambience. A senior family member took me to their house in Chittoor for a short visit. Needless to say, I thoroughly enjoyed the bonhomie and hospitality. I could  get a feel of the cultural difference between Travancore-Cochin and Malabar, as well! 

Ammavan and Ammavi  visited us in Jaipur when I was the Commanding Officer of an Army Regiment. They loved to visit the historical monuments in the Pink City, the National Capital and Agra. They also enjoyed the stay in our Officers Mess and the company of my colleagues and their families from different parts of the country.

Ammavi used to write copious letters to Shanta keeping us updated and well informed. She had a flair for writing and an inimitable style to make the communication  lucid! 

Gopi Sir led a simple life, dedicated to his work and devoted to the family. He was a reservoir of knowledge, an effective administrator and an excellent teacher. And a compassionate human being who believed in equality and social justice!  He earned the love and respect of his students and staff and made

 lasting contributions to the society in the field of education!

I felt most comfortable in his company to have a drink, light a cigar, crack a joke or engage in a serious conversation! Enjoyable, enriching and enlightening experience! In sum, he was a guide, a friend, and a philosopher to me!