I spent 20 years with Pillai Sir and learnt valuable...

I spent 20 years with Pillai Sir and learnt valuable lessons of life. In the years that I was with him, I spent more time with him than I did at home. His words were like pearls of wisdom. I learnt life’s skills from him more than all that was taught to me in my school. He was a selfless man, who never wanted anything for himself; he did everything for his students and his family. He did it every day until his last breath.

Lately, he had devoted his entire time to farming on a land that he had bought. From morning to night, he would plant trees it had become his passion. He would tell me that, Ganesh, you or I will not live but these trees will remind our children and grandchildren of us and they will understand their value. Pillai Sir had planted 2,500 trees on his own.

He would tell me that why does a human being make such a fuss of life when all that he needs to live is 250 gms of rice, 50gms of dal and five rotis? He believed in simple living and high thinking. He used to generously distribute money to us and did not take a pie home in the last four to five years.

I got more love and affection from Sir than I did from my family. I still visualize him working in the farm and don’t have the courage to go there and work without his presence. However, I must do so for his sake.

"Sir will always be remembered for making a difference in our lives"

We, the students and alumni community of Sri Balaji Society remain forever grateful to Pillai Sir for making a difference in our lives

Deepak Rai
Alumni, Sri Balaji Society, 1999-2001 Batch

I vividly remember the first time I saw and heard Prof. M.S. Pillai Sir. Circa 1999, at my alma mater campus, Sri Balaji Society where on Beloved Bala Sir’s invitation, he graced the National Corporate Seminar and blessed us students of the first batch. The sense of purpose and passion with which Pillai Sir spoke will continue to make a profound impact on us.

As they say, when the student is ready, the teacher arrives, seventeen years later while at the campus, I asked Prof. Biju Pillai Sir about Pillai Sir to which Biju Sir responded-Pillai Sir is in fact, at the campus taking a workshop. Not wanting to let go of the opportunity to interact and learn, I requested Pillai Sir if I could join him for lunch to which he obliged. By this time a few alumni friends joined as well and what transpired was a discourse over lunch where Pillai Sir shared his perspective on life, living, Bharat, world and everything in between-wisdom of ages. We will never forget his ease, clarity of thought and words of compassion. He was an eternal giver, a teacher.

On another occasion, we were planning for a surprise for beloved Bala Sir at our alumni meet in Pune where on the request of the alumni, Pillai Sir gave us an opportunity of a lifetime to interview him on his journey and the very special friendship and the bond he shared with beloved Bala Sir.

Later that evening, I was fortunate to share a car ride with Pillai Sir from our campus to his residence. He had conducted a full day workshop, followed by an incredibly fascinating interview and still continued pouring his wisdom with simplicity, energy and alertness.

We, the students and alumni community of Sri Balaji Society remain forever grateful to Pillai Sir for making a difference in our lives.

We are forever grateful to Pillai Sir for living a life of significance.