Protest against the use of abusive word Savarna to denote Nairs

 

The word Savarna Hindu is being widely used by vested interest groups to mention Nairs and other so called forward caste communities overtly and abuse them covertly. In the context of Kerala sections of fake intellectuals, especially those who are part of Muslim groups with extreme views, use the word Savarna Hindu when they want to abuse Nairs in their articles on the social problems in Kerala.

Many people, especially Nairs don’t bother to think what is the meaning of the word Savarna. Several consider it as a honorific title. Using the word Savarna to denote certain communities like Nairs and using another word Avarna to denote certain other communities is part of a larger game plan to divide Hindu society into two warring groups and then gain supremacy over them.

In the general context the word Savarna means those who are included in the Varnashramadharma ie those inside the four fold Varna division of Brahmin, Kshatriya, Vaishya and Shudra. It is now being widely used by abusers in the sense that those who are fair coloured. Abusing people by the colour of their skin is definitely a type of racial abuse.

By pointing out that Nairs are fair coloured and they look different from people belonging to other backward communities seeds of hatred are being laid in the minds of people. Nairs never oppose this as many think that being called Savarna is an honor. This is a wrong approach. Calling Nairs Savarna tantamount to abusing them as calling people by their colour is an abuse.

If Savarna means those who are fair coloured, the a large section of Syrian Christians and majority of Muslims in Kerala are also Savarnas. Why nobody calls them Savarna Christian or Savarna Muslim. None dares to call them. But Nairs are called Savarna Hindus and they don’t bother to oppose it.

Nairs and intercaste marriages

What happens when Nairs make intercaste marriage?

Kerala society has undergone tremendous change in the last 25 years and inter caste and inter religious marriage are as much realities in current Kerala society as arranged marriages. Now it is foolish to think for Nairs to stop intercaste/interreligious marriages. But a strategy to cope up with the situation when your son/daughter is going to marriage his/her love from another caste/religion is very much essential.

It will help you to face the reality and if possible continue to maintain relationship with them. When a nair girl/boy marries from another religion or caste, especially lower caste, the nair partner of the couple slowly loses his/her identity completely. Thus when intercaste marriages increases, number of nairs is likely to decrease in future and nair tradition may eclipse.

In this case Nairs should definitely look at the example of how minorities face such situation. Normally, they agree to such marriages on one condition. The partner from other religion should convert to their religion. This way they ensures that their culture is preserved and their numbers are on the rise.

The foolish orthodox sections among Nair community goes by the example of how Namboothiri community in Kerala faced such situation in the past. Namboothiris ousted their grils who even touched males from other communities. Thus Namboothiri community declined. In fact, Nairs themselves benefitted from that practise earlier. Those children born to nair ladies from Namboothiri husbands became Nairs and this contriubted to increase in number of Nairs and spreading of Nair culture in the past.

Modern day orthodox Nairs would be amazed to know that Mannath Padmanabhan once thought of converting others to Nairs. In his autobiography he wrote once he announced it in a public meeting while wondering himself as who would be interested. But to his amazement a Namboothiri came forward and said he wanted to become a nair. Somehow or other conversion programme did not continue.

But present Nairs should demand that those who want to marry their sons/daughters take membership in NSS and declare themselves as Nairs. NSS should give membership to all those who are willing to be known as Nairs. I am sure converted Nairs should work for the interests of Nair community better than somebody is born as Nair and he is ashemed to declare his caste in public and thinks that his acts should be called progressive.

A community can grow only by accepting others to its fold. By others I mean those who approve the culture of Nair community and takes pride in it. What Nairs should do is to convince all those who are intelligent and cultured to convert themselves as Nairs. Thus the best people in the society should come to Nair fold. Thus Nair community would grow without violence or harming any others.

Instead of thinking locally Nairs should think globally. Cultured people from other countries should be made aware of the glorious history of Nairs who were always tolerant and industrious. Thus Nair community should grow beyond the boundarires of Kerala and India.

Changing Kerala politics; What will Nairs and Ezhavas do?

Kerala Politics, Nairs and fifth minister to Muslim League in Kerala

Despite the veil of secularism, Kerala's political fronts, have always been controlled by two prominent 'minority' groups of Christian Church and Indian Union Muslim League and to a lesser extent by major Hindu caste groups of Nairs and Ezhavas. While the Congress lead United Democratic Front has been open in their alliances with caste groups, the Communist Party of India (Marxist) lead Left Democratic Front (LDF) preferred secret understandings. Despite the influence of these communal forces in Kerala politics, there had always been a balance of communal interests and resultant peace in Kerala and mutual respect.

But the current developments in Kerala politics following so called minorities gaining upper hand in Kerala politics seems to have upset the social equilibrium in Kerala. These political changes have their root in the changing demography of Kerala, influx of foreign money especially from the Gulf and waning influence of politcal ideologies like socialism, communism and Gandhism among present day Kerala youth.

History of communal politics in Kerala

While the Congress lead front's support used to come from Christians, Nairs and Muslim population, Left front's support base was a group consisting of Ezhavas and scheduled castes. A section of economically backward Nairs and Christians also used to support Marxists. Muslim support to left groups has always been minimal generally. Though this is the basic truth, it should be forgotten that the leadership of CPI (M) and its parliamentary face was constituted by upper caste Hindus (Mostly Nairs) the policies of the party were pro-minority and backward community; a complex situation indeed.

Till 1990's Nairs constituted a major chunk of leadership both in Congress and CPI (M). In a way it had helped Nair community in the sense that Nair leaders often helped many individuals belonging to nair community. But they did not help community as a whole. It should also be noted that individuals of Nair community got help not because of any deliberate strategy of Nair leaders. The leaders helped their acquaintances and friends among whom naturally there were a lot of Nairs and indirectly Nairs have benefited

Impact on policies.

But the policies of governments that ruled Kerala from the time of formation till now harmed interests of Nairs in particular and Hindus in general.  Nairs never gained the benefits of job reservation as they are considered upper castes. Nairs lost their land where they cultivated food grains following land reforms. Minorities who owned large tracts of land where they cultivated cash crops named them as plantations and escaped from land reforms. Sections of minorities who were traders were not at all affected by land reforms or socialist reforms. Even trade unions which showed militancy in areas where Hindu traders flourished were meek at minority dominated markets.

Further, Muslims in Kerala never faced any discrimination on the basis of their religion got the tag of backward community and gained reservation benefits. It was a mockery of all norms that Muslims in Kerala were tagged as backward. The fact that normally Muslims in Kerala were called 'Muthalali' (meaning the one who handled wealth) in central Kerala and Sahib in southern Kerala shows they had much social respect and were socially forward. The development of Gulf countries and migration of Muslim community members to the GCC brought them enormous wealth and currently they are economically much better off than poor Hindus.

While the communists branded Nairs as bourgeois based on the fact that they owned considerable tracts of land before 1950s, and unleashed propaganda that they were responsible for all social ills, Leftists dare not brand minorities who own major chunk of wealth in Kerala as Capitalists. They are afraid of it.

By their unity, minorities always managed to safeguard their interests in Kerala and politics was a tool in their hands for the purpose. Hindus took ideology to their heart and lived for it but other communities don't allow ideologies to influence their personal or religious life. Earlier, minority groups in Kerala cleverly managed to make Nair leaders lead them and do all favors for them. Many Nair leaders did not recognise the intention of minorities and fell into their trap. Policy decisions of Kerala government always favored minorities while there was no opposition from Hindus.

Fifth minister to IUML and resultant controversy

Now if that is the situation why is the current grudge of NSS and SNDP over granting a fifth minister to Indian Union Muslim League in Kerala?

Here is the complex answer. Till 1990s minorities allowed Nair leaders (also read Hindu leaders) steer Kerala's political parties and state administration and do things for them. The Hindu leadership was satisfied with the leftovers thrown at them by organised minorities and the Nair and Ezhava masses were blissfully ignorant.

By 1990's situation changed. A cleverly organised coup saw K. Karunakaran falling from the grace of Congress High Command and the unquestioned rise of minority leaders in the Congress. It seems that certain organised minority groups decided that there is no need for a Hindu face to get things done and now we can do things which we need. Thereafter chief ministers of Kerala from Congress have been A.K. Antony and Oommen Chandy.

Present problem in Kerala is the result of changing demography. Currently in Kerala Hindus have become minority. The number of Muslim majority assembly seats have increased and so naturally the respresentation of that group in Kerala assembly is high. Therefore they demanded more ministers and got it. In the next 20 years Kerala's demography will undergo more changes and Muslim League is likely to demand the post of chief minister in a UDF rule. In the left front rule also representation of minorities in the leadership will have to be increased.

Christian leadership in Kerala which had allied with Nairs in the past may not do that in future. It would be better for them to tie up with IUML and share the benefits. When the Hindu community is divided NSS and SNDP leadership cannot get much.

Now those leaders are in real panic. They are likely to lose their influence almost completely in the next two decades. They have already started feeling the heat. Nair massess have already lost the race. Ezhava leadership was earlier wooed by IUML for political reasons. Now changing demography means IUML does not need their support also. So SNDP leadership is also likely to lose.

Alarm bells have already rung at Changanassery and Kanichukulamgara. The NSS and SNDP leadership have woken up. But it seems to be seen whether they can do anything now. They are already behind in numbers and money power. The need of the hour is far sighted policies. This can help them to survive at least. But regaining past glory seems almost impossible. Anyway NSS and SNDP needs to analyse the social and political situation of Kerala immediately and chalk out a strategy to face adverse social changes and ensure social justice. Or else their all out defeat will come quicker than they expect. 

Narayana Panicker and NSS an impartial analysis

The new of death of NSS president P.K. Narayana Panicker who was better known as the general secretary of NSS till last year, is the headline of channel news on February 29. This will be a page one news, perhaps headline of all dailies in Kerala on March 1, 2012.

Death is a time when everybody is supposed to praise the deceased. Even those who troubled the deceased when he was alive will shower praises after death. They will say the death has created a gap in social life which cannot be filled.

However this write-up will try to impartially assess Narayana Panicker, called respectfully as Panicker Sir by his admirers. Panicker became treasurer of NSS in 1977. He became the general secretary of NSS in 1983, December following the then secretary Kidangoor Gopalakrishna Pillai vacating the position continued for around 27 years.

Kindangoor, who had been called Kidangoorji by followers resigned to become high commissioner of India in Singapore. Kidangoor when he returned to Kerala after eight years tried to remove Panicker from general secretary post but had to eat a humble pie. Panicker had grown all powerful in those years aided by the Bhishmacharya of Kerala politics K. Karunakaran. But he moved away from Karunakaran later and is said to have turned down requests for help from Karunakaran.

Panciker's hallmark was his simplicity. His life and work remained simple. This won him many admirers. He always stayed away from controversies unlike leaders of some other communities in Kerala who love controversies. But the negative side was fear of controversies often lead to inaction.

During his long innings as head of NSS, the organisation started few new institutions. But Panicker believed that he had helped to preserve the organisation's assets. His opponents point out that while NSS and Christian Church owned the largest number of educational institutions till around 1990, Currently NSS is way back compared to others. This is because, SNDP, Muslim organisations and Christian institutions started many new But NSS started only a few.

Though many social organisations in Kerala started Medical Colleges after 1990s NSS under Panicker could not. Panicker was of the opinion that it is not viable to start Medical Colleges.

Panciker filed a lot of cases in courts demanding economic reservation (reservation based on income rather than caste. Panicker claimed that the order of Supreme Court of India implementing creamy layer concept (which excludes those backward community people with very high income from reservation) as a victory of NSS.

However those who opposed him point that though creamy layer is implemented it does not mean that economically backward from so called upper castes would not be able to gain benefits from creamy layer. The creamy layer concept insists that those vacancies arising out of excluding upper strata of backward communities should be kept aside and be filled when eligible candidates from backward communities themselves apply. Narayana panicker never replied to this.

NSS had floated a political party NDP in 1980s. It had MLAs in Kerala assembly once and ministers. Narayana Panicker in around 1994 decided to disband NDP. According to Panicker there was no benefit to the community from NDP. However, his opponents said Panicker's inability to control party MLAs was the reason of disbanding the party. Anyway some Congress leaders used this opportunity to build their career.

Narayana Panicker once teamed up with SNDP leader Vellappally Natesan to form a Hindu pressure group but swiftly backed out. While Panicker's followers accuse Vellappally of subverting the alliance, his critics note that here also Panicker's inability to work in a broad set up lead to collapse. There had also been accusations that the some Congress leaders played a key role in subverting the alliance as they feared the formation of a Hindu pressure group in Kerala.

Narayana Panicker who is said have the tacit support of Hindutva organisations in the beginning distanced himself away from RSS and BJP when he became powerful. He was mainly responsible for maintaining NSS as a secular organisation and has been admired by people from other communities for this. But sections among Hindus point out that NSS did not stand for Hindu cause under Panicker and unknowingly served the cause of other communities.

Panicker was the man who drafted the idea of equidistance from ruling, opposition fronts in Kerala. This way he avoided criticisms from both fronts by maintaining his own type of neutrality. Though on a personal level it won him admirers, it is doubtful whether Nair community benefited from the policy. Often in policy making governments in Kerala neglected nairs. However NSS under Panicker always claimed victory.

Panicker's interaction with media was never friendly. He was always hostile to negative questions and would get angry and could not handle media tactfully. Though he was a person of integrity he was not a man of action. He lacked the broad vision to make NSS grow beyond the border of Kerala. During his time the Nair community did not gain much. Institutions of NSS did not progress much under him.

The most fatal blow to Nair community, ie approval of the idea of reservation in appointments to Devaswom board occurred when Panicker was NSS general secretary. Devaswom board was one place where Nair community members could compete and win as many posts as possible based on merit.

Famous Nairs

Freedom fighters


Velu Thampy Dalawa: Dalawa of erstwhile Travancore Kingdom

and was the first freedom fighter from Kerala to organise an uprising against
the British on a massive scale. He committed suicide before British caught him

Sir Chettur Sankaran Nair: Was the President of Indian National Congress and leader of Indian NationalCongress before Mahatma Gandhi. Only Malayali to become the president of Indian National Congress. Was also member of Viceroy’s executive council in British India

V.K Krishna Menon: Was the defense minister of India; One of the most intellectual politicians India had ever witnessed; He held Masters degree in Psychology and Political Science from University College of London and London School of Economics. While in England was a member of Labour Party and was secretary of India League in England from 1929 to 1947. He was elected as MP in Indian parliament from Mumbai, Midnapore and Thiruvananthapuram 

Captain Lekshmi Seghal: Lead Rani of Jhansi regiment in the Indian National Army of Subhas Chandra Bose during independence struggle. Married to Prem Kumar Saghal at Lahore. She belongs to Anakkara Vadakketh Tharavadu in Palakkad. Daughter of Ammu Swaminathan 

K.Kelappan: (Kelappaji) Kerala Gandhi, freedom fighter, first

president of Nair Service Society (NSS)

K.P. Kesava Menon: Fought with Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose in

INA. Later Congress leader and editor of Mathrubhumi daily

Barrister G.P. Pillai: Leader of Travancore State

Congress

C. Krishnan Nair: One of the 72 volunteers who participated

in Salt Satyagraha; marched with Gandhiji to Dandi. Was the Congress MP from
Outer Delhi from 1952 to 1962. Also was the president of Delhi Pradesh Congress Congress
Committee

Vaikom Padmanabha Pillai: Called Kuthira Pakki, He was

commander of Ambalappuzha king as well as the Travancore Nair Army,
which defeated Tipu Sultan

Madhavan Nair (Nair San, Japan): Was a member of INA, fought

along with Japanese soldiers against the British, later became a well known
businessman in Japan

M. Madhavan: Freedom fighter and Mayor of Mumbai from 1965-66

C.K Govindan Nair: Was a freedom fighter and former president

of Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee

K. Madhavan Nair: Freedom fighter and director of Mathrubhumi

daily

N. Sreekantan Nair: freedom fighter and leader of RSP

T.M. Nair : founder of Justice party in Tamil Nadu

Kaitheri Ambu Nambiar:: commander of Kerala Varma

Pazhassi Raja's army in Kottayam, as well as his brother-in-law.

Pallichal Pillai (Also known as Vanchimuttam Pillai) -

leader of the Attingal Riot of 1721, the first uprising against the British in India

Famous Nair Politicians and Rulers

M.G. Ramachandran: Former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu and one of the most popular politicians India ever seen. Was a film star before he entered politics.

K. Karunakaran: Four times chief minister of Kerala, former union industry minister, was a member of Congress working committee. Karunakaran was one of the most influential leaders of Congress in India when he was alive. Was a staunch loyalist of Indira Gandhi
P. Krishna Pillai: Founder of Communist Party of India. Was fondly called Sakhavu (Comrade); Was born at Vaikom; Was a member of Congress initally and secretary of Congress Socialist Party
A.K Gopalan: Was the leader of opposition in Lok Sabha; one of the tallest leaders of Communist movement in India; popularly known as AKG
C. Achutha Menon: Was the chief minister of Kerala and known as an upright politician

Prakash Karat: General secretary of CPI (M) in India; Born to Menon parents from Palakkad. Is married to a Bengali comrade Brinda Karat

Rajeev Chandrasekhar: Union minister of state for electronics and information technology, skill development and entreprenuership.He is an MP from Karnataka and a leading industrialist
PS. Sreedharan Pillai: Former president of Kerala BJP, currently governor of Goa
Prof MGK Menon: Was one of the leading space scientists in India and was a minister of state for science and technology in Government of India

E. K. Nayanar: Chief minister of Kerala three times, well known for his down to earth approach and earthy wit. Longest serving chief minister of Kerala known for his clean corruption-free political career

Pattom A. Thanu Pillai: Was the second chief minister of Kerala. Was also governor.

P.K Vasudevan Nair: Leader of CPI. Was the chief minister of Kerala for a short period.

Panampally Govinda Menon: Was chief minister of Tiru-Kochi and later union minister of law and railways. Known for his expertise in law.

K.K Nair: Was a staunch Hindu and an MP of Jansangh from Faizabad; He was earlier district collector of Faizabad in Uttar Pradesh and had allowed Hindus right to worship at Ram Janmabhoomi temple.

Jaya Jaitley: Leader of Samata party

K.P Unnikrishnan: Was a cabinet minister in union government; he held the portfolio of surface transport 

C.V. Ananda Bose: Governor of Bengal at present.  A former IAS officer, Mr. Bose was principal secretary to former Kerala CM K. Karunakaran in the past and was also a principal secretary in the union government 
Kummanam Rajasekharan: Former President of Kerala unit of BJP. He is well known for leading agitations to protect rights of Hindus in Kerala and agitation to protect the ecology of Aaranmula

C.V. Devan Nair: Was the President of Singapore

O. Rajagopal: Former union minister and member of BJP national executive several times

Ramesh Chennithala: Former president of Kerala Pradesh Congress Committe. Was formerly AICC secretary and Youth Congress national president. Was also home minister of Kerala. and Leader of Opposition in Kerala; now MLA from Haripad

Shashi Tharoor MP: Former U.N. Under secertary general and India's former minister of state for human resource development

KC Venugopal MP: AICC general secretary (in charge of organisation) Former Minister of state for aviation; MP from Alappuzha in Kerala; hails from Kannur district

Kodieri Balakrishnan: Politbureau member of CPI (M). was CPI (M) Kerala Secretary

CV Ananda Bose : Governor of Bengal; Mr. Ananda Bose was an IAS officer and had held many very important posts in Kerala and Central Government in Delhi; He is the founder of Nirmithi Kendra which popularises affordable housing and had been in many important committee of the UN.

K. N. Balagopal, Finance minister of Kerala at present

P. Rajeev: Industries minister of Kerala at present 

V.D Satheeshan: Kerala Opposition leader. He is the MLA from North Paravoor, Ernakulam

Billy Nair: Former (1929-2008) South African Political leader, Was a member of National Assembly of South Africa

Famous Nair bureaucrats 

Sir NR Pillai: Narayanan Raghavan Pillai was the first cabinet secretary of India. He served from 1950-53. He was born into an ancient Nair family "Elankath" in South Travancore . Diwan Nanu Pillai was his ancestor. Mr. Pillai served as secretary genral of external affairs and India's ambassador to France after retirement. BBC Presenter Nisha Pillai is one of his grandchildren

 

V. P. Menon- First secretary for princely states in independent India. Confidant of Sardar Vallabhai Patel. Secured the formal accession of hundreds of princely states in India using diplomacy and determination. 

KPS Menon: India's first foreign secretary; his son KPS Menon (junior) was also foreign secretary; his grand nephew Shivsankar Menon was also India's foreign secretary. He was India's National Security Advisor.

KPK Menon: Was finance secretary of India

Sardar K. M. Panicker- Diplomat and Diwan of many of India's erstwhile princely states. His daughter Devaki Panicker was the wife of M.N. Govindan Nair who was secretary of  Communist Party  in Kerala

Jyotindra Nath Dixit- Son of Munshi Paramu Pillai and India's National Security Advisor (2004-05) 
M. K. Narayanan- Was India's National Secuity Advisor; headed Research and Analysis Wing (RAW); now Governor of West Bengal

TKA Nair: Was principal secretary to Prime Minister; later director at Prime Minister's Office of India

KM Chandrasekhar : Was the cabinet secretary of India from 2007 to 2011. His father Kesava Menon was Railway Services Commission Chairman. Mr. Chandrasekhar born in Ittiyanath family in Thrissur was a Kerala cadre officer and had served as principal secretary of industries in Kerala. He is now in the director board of many top companies in India. 

G. Mohan Kumar: Was defence secretary of India from 2015-17. He was born in Thiruvananthapuram. His father Gopinthan Nair , was a  professor 

Shivsankar Menon: Was foreign secretary of India; later National Security Advisor of India

GK Pillai: He was home secretary of India from 2009-11. Born into a Nair family in Kollaam Mr. Pillai's wife Sudha Pillai is also an IAS officer.
K Vijayakumar: Former Director General of CRPF. Now senior national security officer and advisor to home ministry. He is a Tamil Nadu cadre IPS officer. He had lead the commando team that killed forest brigand Veerappan

MKK Nair: Was a celebrated IAS officer and top management expert in India; served as MD of Bhilai Steel Plant, secretary at union government and chairman and MD of FACT
T. P. Sreenivasan - India's Ambassador to the United Nations, and Governor for India, International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna

B. R. Nair - Former Chairman of Indian Railway Board
K. Sankaran Nair - Former Head of Research and Analysis Wing
M.K Damodaran- Chairman of the Securities and Exchange Board of India

 P.Madhava Menon - Former Secretary Ministry of Labour and Director ILO ( India) 
Shashi Tharoor - Under-Secretary-General for Communications and Public Information of the United Nations; Currently Minister of state for human resources affairs in India.

Technocrats, scientists, and CEOs

S. Somanath: Current chairman of ISRO; He is an expert in space launch vehicle technology and played a stellar role in the design and development of India's heavy lift launch vehicle GSLV MKIII. He is a native of Thuravoor in Alappuzha dstrict of Kerala. His father Sankara Panicker was a school teacher 

Anil Menon: is the medical director of SpaceX, he has been selected by the NASA to be trained as an astraunaut, He is an emergency medicine physician and holds the rank of Lt. Colonel in th US Airforce. His father is from the south Indian state of Kerala, and mother from Ukraine

V. N. Rajashekharan Pillai - Was acting Chairman, University Grants Commission, India 

E. Sreedharan: Legendary engineer, was chairman of Delhi Metro; instrumental in making Konkan Railway a reality

G: Madhavan Nair, was chairman of Indian Space Research Organisation, during his period  ISRO undertook a big leap

K Radhakrishnan: Former chairman of ISRO, is a native of Thirussur district in Kerala

Late Prof. MGK Menon: Internationally known physicist, First Keralite to become the chairman of ISRO; he had also served as the minister for science and technology in the ministry of VP Singh

Famous Nair Diwans

Velu Thampi Dalava- Diwan of Travancore

Thottekkat Diwan Kochugovinda Menon - Diwan of the erstwhile princely state of Cochin 
Thottekkat Diwan Sankunni Menon - Diwan of the erstwhile princely state of Cochin 

Paliath Achchan- Former prime minister of the princely state of Kochi 

Famous Nair Generals and Commanders of Para-military

Admiral R. Hari Kumar: India's Chief of Naval Staff; took charge on November 10, 2021

Lt General Sarath Chand: (2017) Has been vice chief of Indian Army. Gen Chand is a native of Kottarakkara in Kollam district in Kerala and an alumni

Lt.General K. P. Candeth -GOC-in-C Western Command(Indo-Pak war hero, played a crucial role during liberation of Bangladesh)
Lt. General P. E. Menon - Formerly North Eastern Army Commander 
Lt. General Satish Nambiar: Was deputy chief of Indian Army- Headed UN Forces in Kosovo 

Air Marshal Raghunath Nambiar - Was Deputy Chief of Staff Indian Air Force (2017). He is the current IAF DCS
Air Chief Marshal K. N. Nair - ex Airforce Chief 

Lt Gen V.K Pillai: Was Delhi area commander of Indian Army; Currently General officer commanding of Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh
Lt Gen V M Nair: Is the commanding in chief of Kangra based 9 corps
Lt Gen Prakash Menon: Was the commandant of prestigious National Defence College New Delhi; Expert in counter insurgency 

Air Vice Marshal Narayan Menon 

Para-military

Vijaya Kumar: Was Director General of India's Central Reserve Police Force: As head of Special Task Force He killed notorious forest poacher Veerappan; Currently senior advisor at India's Home Ministry

Famous Nair Businessmen and Business leaders

B Ravi Pillai: He is assessed as the second richest Keralite with a wealth of over $ 4 billion. Chairman Nasr Al Hajri Corporation; a business conglomerate based in Bahrain and managing director of Petrochem based in Saudi Arabia. Pillai who hails from Kollam has business interests throughout GCC and owns mines in Australia. He is reportedly expanding to Hongkong also.

PNC Menon: Chairman of Shobha group, a construction major based in Bangalore, India, he has Oman citizenship. He owns Service and Trade, biggest interior decoration company in Oman with a pan Gulf presence.

Leena Nair: Leena Nair is the next CEO of  the renowned French fashion brand Chanel. Her appointment was annunced in December 2021. She will take charge in January. Her family is from Kerala but had migrated to Kolhapur in Maharashtra earlier. Leena Nair is currently a British citizen. Her husband Kumar Nair runs his own financial service company. She has 2 children; Aryan and Siddharth

Ottapathu Ramachandran: Is the owner of Choppies, a Botswana based multinational retail chain. Son of Govindan kutty Nair and Kunjikkutty Amma, Ramachandran hails from Ollur in Thrissur district in Kerala. Choppies alone has a turnover of over Rs 7000 crores. Ramachandran owns many other businesses also in Africa. 

Late C.K. Menon: Managing director of Doha based Behzad group; stakes in transportation, marketing of car accessories and engineering machinery. One of the biggest companies transporting oil and gas in Qatar, Behzad group has business interests in several GCC countries and England.

V.K Rajasekhara Pillai: Awarded Pravasi Bharatiya Samman at the meet held in Bangalore in 2017. He is the chairman of Bahrain based National Group of Companies. He business empire is spread over GCC and South East Asia. National Firefighting Company WLL is his flagship comapny which is headquartered in Bahrain. Mr. Pillai is a native of Mannar, near Mavelikkara in Alappuzha district.

Pambvasan Nair: He is the founder of Amad group of companies. Mr. Nair who hails from Palakkad is one of the top industrialists in Bahrain and is a well known philanthropist too

Hari Menon: Co founder Big Basket He is reported to be the CEO of the company. He is the son in law of Mr. E. Sreedharan, former head of Delhi Metro. 

Late CP Krishnan Nair: Was chairman of Leela group which owns a chain of hotels throughout India, garment factories and software parks. One of the most respected names in hotel industry in the world, Nair is a multifaceted personality who began career as an official of Indian Navy during pre independence period and had participated in freedom struggle.

Late Dr KTB Menon: KTB Menon was one of the biggest Indian businessmen based in Kuwait ever. A young Menon joined the family business of Al Gharabally family. Later Abdulla Gharabally and Menon together established ASH Al Gharabally Co in 1958 which grew as one of the biggest firms in Kuwait. He was one of the biggest construction contractors based in Kuwait. He died at Bangaluru reportedly because of heart attack. But some people believe that his death was under dubious circumstances.

GA Menon:  Founder of Magnecomp International based in US, UST Global, Toonz Animation etc, Menon was a visionary businessman who was a truly international entrepreneur who estab Magnecomp which is currently the world's second largest manufacturer of suspension assemblies with operations in the U.S., Hong Kong, China, Thailand, and Singapore, according to UST Global

Shivsankaran Nair: CEO of British Borneo Oil and Gas Ltd; Nair has interests in oil and gas, shipping, manufacturing, construction etc. His business interests are spread over Central Asia, Africa and China. He was in the news in international dailies for being the Chinese agent for acquiring oil exploration rights in African companies. Nair brokers deals for China and is based in Malata.

Tan Sri Datuk Ravindran Menon: Co founder and group managing director of Ara Group, a conglomerate based in Malaysia.The group is mainly into construction of infrastructure and owns airports.

Rajeev Chandrasekhar MP; Currently Union Minister for Electronics; Owns Jupiter Capital, a Bangalore based venture capital fund; owner of Asianet News; He owns a Kannada daily too. He is the son in law of TPG Nambiar and was one of the partners of BPL Industries Ltd

TPG Nambiar: Founded BPL Industries india; 
Reji Menon: Oil magnate based in Ukraine; Founded Asianet and was its chairman till he sold it to Rupert Murdock
Rajan Pillai: Known as biscuit king, Pillai was once chiarman of Britannia Industries; He comes from a top business family based in Kollam and his father K Janardhanan Pillai was once the largest cashew exporter in India. Rajan died under tragic circumstances after he was imprisoned at Tihar Jail following a case filed by his former business partner at a Singapore court.

K Ravindranathan Nair: Is currently the largest cashew exporter in India and is a well known philanthropist. He owns Vijayalakshmi Cashew Company at Kollam. Nair produced almost all of the award winning films of well known directors Adoor Gopalakrishnan and Aravindan.

Chandran Menon: Founder of Kolhapur based Menon group a pioneer in automobile component manufacturing industry in India. Group companies include Menon Pistons Ltd, Menon Bearings Ltd, Menon Piston Rings Ltd, Menon & Menon etc.

M.K. Nair; founded Mumbai based Petron Engineering Construction Ltd: He sold his majority stake to a Khazhak company.

Ajyachandran Nair: Managing Director, Alka Contracting, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Udayabhaskaran Nair: A Nagpur based big businessman, chairman of Nairsons group which is one of the top coal services company in India; owns hospitals, medical college, software and processed food companies; An active BJP worker, Nair contested as BJP candidate in assembly elections in Kerala.

Raj Nair: Chief technical officer and group vice president of Ford Motors, United States

Famous Nairs in Film industry (Film actors, directors, singers....)

Adoor Gopalakrishnan- Movie director and Dadasaheb Phalke Award Winner (2004) 

G Aravindan: Well known film director, won national award several times

P Padmarajan: Was one of the most popular directors Malayalam film industry ever witnessed; He combined popularity with artistic values, directed some of the memorable films in Malayalam

Priyadarshan: Is one of the top film directors in Bollywood and Mollywood (Malayalm film industry) He is the first Malayali to become big in Bollywood with several Hindi super hits to his credit.

Mohanlal: Is the mega star of Malayalm film industry; Has won the best actor award at national level in addition to several other awards nationally and internationally

Jayan: Was the first real superstar in Malayalam film industry known for his macho image. Died tragically in his early 40s.

Vasu Menon Legendary film producer; Prouced many famous Hindi, Tamil and Malayalam films His hindi films included Khandaan, Nai Roshni, Waris etc. He owned Vasu Studios at Chennai

Seema: Daughter of Madhavan Nambiar, she was was the topmost heroine in Malayalam film industry in 70s and 80s. Paired with Jayan in several hit movies. Still continues to be active in film industry and television.

Jayabharathi: Was one of the real superstars in Malayalam film world; cousin of Jayan; Acted in many superhit Malayalam and Tamil films

Suresh Gopi MP: Super star in Malayalam film industry known for his action roles; Has won best actor award at national and state levels. Currently a member of Rajya Sabha and leader of BJP

Dileep: One of the superstars of Malayalam film industry; He has won many awards; was married to famous actress Manju Warriar. Currently divorced her and married Kavya Madhavan

Kay Kay Menon: One of the top actors in Bollywood. Has won many awards; He is born and brought up in Mumbai

KK (Krishnakumar Kunnath): Is one of the leading singers of Bollywood. Son of C.S Nair and Kanakavalli, he is born and brought up in Delhi and Mumbai. His hits in 2012 includes songs in Ek tha Tiger, Aakash Vani, Jism 2, Makkhi etc.

MS Viswanathan: One of the most famous music directors in Tamil, MS Viswamathan was born in Elappully, Palakkad Kerala. His father was Subramaniyan and grand father Krishnan Nair. He grew up in very difficult circumstances. Was taken to Chennai by his uncle Appa Nair where he developed his career later.

Shashilal Nair: Was one of the top directors in Bollywood;

MN Nambiar: Was one of the top actors in Tamil film industry. His son Sukumaran Nambiar was national treasurer of BJP

Malaysia Vasudevan: Was one of the most famous Tamil Playback singers. His parents Chathu Nair and Ammalu hailed from Ottappalam in Palakkad from where they migrated to Malaysia for a livelihood. 

Prithviraj Sukumaran: Son of former hero in Malayalm film industry Sukumaran. He has presence in Bollywood also. A budding super star

Bharatan: One of the top directors in Malayalam film industry; Has produced many super hits; He combined artistic values with commercialism

Shobhana- One of the top heroines in Malayalam film world; winner of national award and well known dancer

Nedumudi Venu: One of the top actors in Malayalam film industry; has won many awards.

PN Menon: Was one of the top directors in Malyalam film industry in yesteryears. 

M Krishnan Nair-One of the famous Malayalam film directors of yesterdays. He had directed films in Tamil also. His famous film in Tamil Rickshawkkaran won a national award for MGR. Former Kerala chief secretary and poet K.Jayakumar is his son

Shaji Kailas: One of the most popular Malayalam film directors; His hits include Thalasthanam, Aaram Thamburan and Bharatchandran IPS

Adoor Bhasi - Actor
Ragini, Padmini and Lalitha- The sisters were actresses and dancers and ruled south Indian film Industry in 50s and 60s.
Murali Nair - Movie director
Navya Nair- National award winning actor
Madhu- Malayalam movie actor. Honored with Padmashree in 2012

Sukumaran: One of the top heroes of yesteryear. Prithviraj is his son 

Vinayan: One of the most popular directors in Malayalam film world currently

Revathi Menon - Actress and director
K. S. Chitra - One of the most famous Playback Singers of South India. Chitra has sung many popular songs in Malayalam and Tamil. Her bhajans are also equally famous.
G. Sujatha - Playback Singer
T K Rajeev Kumar - Filmmaker

M.G. Radhakrishan: The late musician is known more as a music director though he has made his mark as a singer too. He has tuned many popular film songs in Malayalam.

MG Sreekumar: National award winner and one of the most popular singers of Malayalam film industry.

P.Leela: Was one of the top singers in Malayalam and Tamil film industry. She was also known for his devotional songs on Guruvayoorappan

Famous Writers (modern era)

Vallathol Narayana Meon: One the topmost poets of modern ear. He revived Kathakali and founded Kerala Kala Mandalam with the help of like minded

Changampuzha Krishana Pillai: The most popular romantic poet in Kerala during modern times

G Sankara Kurup: Renowned poet and first winnerr of Jnanapith award from Kerala

Takazhi Sivasankara Pillai: One of the most famous novelists; winner of Jnanapith award

MT Vasudevan Nair: Renowned Malayalam Novelist, was editor of Mathrubhumi daily and also winner of Jnanapith award

ONV Kurup: Well known poet; lyricist and winner of Jnanapith award

T Padmanabhan: Renowned fiction writer; has won Kerala and Kendra Sahitya Academy award

Classification of castes and its impact on Nairs

Ploy behind the concept of forward and backward castes

The idea of classifying different groups in Hindu community as forward and backward castes is a clever ploy initiated by different political parties and state and union governments in India to destroy the social system which was exising at a period and enable political parties to create their spheres of influence. Nairs are one of the groups which suffered most from this.

Caste system in the sense that it was perceived in 1950s had a very limited history compared to history of Hinduism which is thousands of years old. Many have misinterpreted caste as Varna whereas the truth is they have very little in common.

The whole idea of reservation is based on the wrong notion that certain castes below a line are upper castes and certain castes below the line are lower castes.  According to this wrong notion all those named upper castes had enjoyed all types of privileges from time immemorial and all lower castes were subjected to severe oppression by upper castes.

In actuality in the caste system which came into existence in the country around A. D. 1500, the notion of upper and lower castes is relative. That is one caste which can be considered as upper caste when compared to a particular caste could be considered a lower caste by another group. One caste which is considered upper caste in one particular locality is considered lower in another locality.

Now how could such an irrational system form the base of so called scientific levelling process known as reservation. While reservations were initially meant for a period of around a decade, various governments which ruled the country have extended their limit several times for the sake of vote bank and it is likely to continue for another century.

In the context of Kerala Nairs who are warriors and later farmers by profession had to bear the brunt of all those gimmicks. It is to be noted that Brahmins consider Nairs to be Shudras (lower caste).

Though the leaders of India's independent movement might have mooted the idea of reservation with a genuine concern for the then socially backward groups later it became a political weapon in the hands of political parties.