Professor M. S. Pillai has been an enormous inspiration...

Professor M. S. Pillai has been an enormous inspiration in my life. He was a simple soul and an unassuming person, who created extraordinary people. He never expected anything in return but gave his whole and soul to whosoever came to him. I see him as a true Gandhian, firm in his values who transformed the lives of innumerable people

The turning point in my life

Professor M. S. Pillai was my relative he was my father’s younger cousin brother. I had heard about him at our place, but I never met him till 1992. I remember, I had just completed my graduation and was waiting for my results, and one day, early in the morning when I went to see his brother, I ran into him.

By then, Professor Pillai had retired from the Indian Air Force and was working as a visiting faculty at Symbiosis in Pune. It was the first time I was meeting him and I vividly remember him standing in the garden in front of the house. He called me and asked me who I was. I told him my father’s name. He asked me about my education and I answered that I had just completed my graduation. Apparently, in our whole family, the first person to complete graduation was Prof. M. S. Pillai and in the generation after him, I was the next. He then asked me about my future plans, to which I expressed my desire to do my post-graduation. Later, he said that if I wished to do MBA, I could come to Pune and he would help me out. I said yes and that was the turning point in my life. If I had not met him, by chance, that morning in our village, perhaps my life would have taken a different turn.

Inner strength of my life

In 1993, I came to Pune for further studies and met Professor Pillai and stayed with him. As the admission process was almost over, he still promised that he will to try his best. One day, he asked me to accompany him to visit Dr Ashok Joshi at IndSearch, an MBA institute in Pune. He recommended me as his relative and requested Dr Ashok Joshi for any possibility to accommodate me, in their MBA programme. Luckily, there was a vacant seat and I was offered admission for the Masters programme in Computer Management at IndSearch—thanks to the recommendation of Prof. Pillai.

When I arrived at Pune, I was just an ordinary person from rural Kerala. Later I completed my post-graduation at IndSearch and those days getting a job was not very easy. I was a fresh pass out and had applied for the post of faculty, at IndSearch. Many had come for the interview for the same post, but I was selected by Dr Ashok Joshi and I would say again it was all because I was Prof Pillai’s relative. That was my merit. And this time he had not even recommended me.

For over eight years I worked in IndSearch and then one day I happened to meet Dr. (Col.) A Balasubramanian, President, Sri Balaji Society. It was our first meeting and Bala Sir gave me a job offer at Sri Balaji Society. Later, Bala Sir designated me as the Director Information Technology, Sri Balaji Society. There was no such post existing at that time in Sri Balaji Society. Bala Sir had created a post for me and again it was because he wanted to give a job to Professor Pillai’s relative. I owe it all to Prof. Pillai for what I am today and whatever I have achieved in my career journey till now. Whatever I achieved in my life was not because of my merit, but was always because I was ‘Professor M. S. Pillai’s relative’. That was the true brand value of Prof. M S Pillai and I was the beneficiary.

There were occasions in my life when I had to face hardships I had lost my just born child and it was a traumatic situation for me to cope, but Prof Pillai was always by my side to support me. Just a year back I completed my PhD and again it was all possible because of Professor Pillai’s guidance. He personally helped and guided me, all through. All credit for whatever I am in my life today goes to Prof. Pillai, and for me, he is my second father. I was born in the year 1972 but in the year 1992 I had a rebirth. I feel very proud to say that he was my inner strength, throughout my life.

“He had a different angle for looking at things in life. He himself was a very simple man of even simpler tastes, but he has converted so many ordinary people into extraordinary professionals”

Life lessons from him

Professor Pillai was a very disciplined, systematic, and highly professional person, and I have learnt many life lessons from him. When a man like him shows so much confidence in you, you can’t go wrong in your life in fact you start correcting what is wrong in your life. The depth of knowledge he had on various subjects, was phenomenal. He had an answer to any questions on any subject. He had a different angle for looking at things in life. He himself was a very simple man of even simpler tastes, but he has converted so many ordinary people into extraordinary professionals.

He had a spiritual side…

He had a spiritual side—I have not seen him visiting any temple, but every day before he left his house, he would light a lamp and pray for others’ well-being and that was his spirituality. If you spoke with him for an hour, you would find that he had a totally different outlook on anything and everything. He told me once that he prays for only two people one, for Prof Balasubramanian, for his long life, for the so many good things he was doing for education and students. And his second prayer was for Prime Minister Narendra Modi, for the changes of betterment he was bringing within the country, as a devoted person.

He devoted his whole life for his students

He was always concerned about his students. For him students were his family. People came to Prof. M. S. Pillai for his guidance. He had done a lot of ‘mind surgeries’, through counseling. At times he was tough and uncompromising, but at heart he was very loving and passionate about his students. He was a true teacher at his heart he loved his students, like a father loves his own kids. You will be overwhelmed by how the alumni who studied under his guidance, adore and love him. It is heartening to know how his students came forward and contributed to set up Prof. M. S. Pillai’s dream project, the Sadhana Centre for Management and Leadership Development (SCMLD), in Pune.

“You put your heart and soul in anything you like and you can’t be a failure. Professor Pillai always put his hundred percent in whatever he did— whether it was teaching or farming, his involvement was total”

He was a people transformer

He wanted to provide very affordable education to student. He led a need-based, rather than want-based life. He introduced Yoga in management education almost 25 years before Yoga became popular. He would take part and advise students to take part in cleanliness drives. He would advise students to clean public streets and toilets and lead them in various cleanliness campaigns, personally picking up the broom. When he was the director of SCMHRD, it was the number one institute in Pune, ahead of SIBM and competing with IIMs. His concepts regarding education were very unique.

A born farmer

He enjoyed farming and was very happy doing that. He was a farmer’s son and grew up working in the fields. In his early life in the village, he would regularly go to the nearby town to sell agriculture produce and return home with groceries packed in newspapers. At that time our village in Kerala hardly had any access to newspapers. He would collect all these old newspapers to read.

After he left SCMHRD, he bought land in the outskirts of Pune city and started farming, and was successful at it. You put your heart and soul in anything you like and you can’t be a failure. Professor Pillai always put his hundred percent in whatever he did whether it was teaching or farming, his involvement was total.

I feel I am blessed and grateful to the almighty that I had, Prof Pillai in my life for a long 27 years. I really feel that he is still around with me, and so I don’t miss him.

To Sir, with Love & Respect...

American historian, Henry Brooks Adams, has rightly said, “A teacher affects eternity; he can never tell where his influence stops”. As a tribute to their beloved teacher, Prof. M.S. Pillai, some of his alumni recall memories that have been etched in their hearts forever

Tarun Mathur, Entrepreneur,
alumnus, SIBM

“A friend, a mentor and a guide”

Prof. Pillai was my teacher; he taught me a lot and while he was kind enough to invite me as a faculty, I thought I should just keep learning. I used to love to visit the institute because I learnt something from every person I met there. I think he taught us one very important lesson - he said it is always the organization, then the team and then the individual. Today, what binds us is this institute called Symbiosis and we are very fortunate that in our journey we met Prof. Pillai, Dr S. B. Mujumdar and years later, Vidya Ma’am. Everything we learnt here, it transformed our lives.

After Prof. Pillai became my teacher, at some point later, he became more like a friend, a mentor and a guide. I don’t think I took a single step in my career without calling him up and seeking his advice. We are here to celebrate somebody that taught us so much. He taught us to do the best, where we can. Become a better person every day. That means we should look at ourselves and say how we can better our tomorrow than our today. If somebody is in HR today, they will hear these words, IQ, EQ, AQ (Intelligence quotient, Emotional quotient, Adaptability quotient) and CQ (Creative quotient)-he taught us how to be creative, hard working and ethical. Let’s remember him for all the goodness he taught.

“He has added value to our lives”

He proved to all of us saying that strong commitment, attention to details and being sincere to ourselves, should be the core of any human being

Bobby Kuriakose,
Director-HR, Forbes Marshall
and alumnus, SIBM

I met Prof. Pillai, in 1988, when I joined SIBM. I remember, the first year, he made us really run around. I belonged to the most notorious class in the history of SIBM.

My first personal contact with him came, when I completed my summer training, in the first year. When I came back, I went to meet him, because he had told me to do a project interacting with certain Naxalites in Kerala, who were managing a strike. So, I had to go to the forest, spend a few days there and then return. As soon as I met him, the first thing he asked me was about the project. I said it went off well and gave him all the details. Then he said, “without wasting time, go to the first year batch and catch hold of a big-nose and bob cut girl from Bhilai.” I went to the class and asked who is from Bhilai, rest is history Suman (who is my junior) and I have completed 28 years of married life. From then onwards we have been quite close with the Pillai family as he was the one who facilitated our marriage.

Once during a campus placement, I was selected by Forbes Marshall (previously called as J N Marshall). He called and very optimistically told me to try it out woking there, it was a small company with 11 crore annual turnover at that time. He told me that he had met Far had Forbes, the owner’s son and promised him that I will spend minimum five years in the company. On the 4th of June this year, I will begin my 30th year with Forbes Marshall.

American writer, Maggie Gallagher, once said, “There are many tough jobs in the world, but one of the toughest jobs is to be a teacher”. My mother who taught for almost 35 years, (she is 84 now) in Kerala, told me, “Your job as a professional is much easier compared to that of a teacher because at the teacher’s level, you have to create the mood and then develop the child. Corporate managers get someone who is already moulded, so it becomes much easier for you to take on from there”.

And here is a man who took life head-on, went ahead with the teaching profession and also had his own ideas about the entire learning process, the entire change and mindfulness that a human being should have and he proved to all of us saying that strong commitment, attention to details and being sincere to ourselves, should be the core of any human being. And, I don’t want to explain much about what he has done in each of our lives, but as an American educator, Stephen Covey has mentioned, “It depends on how someone influences your life, is what counts”. And, I see in this room, so many of us and each one of us will have stories to say about how Prof. Pillai has added value to our lives and to our families and helped us to be better human beings across.

Actually, it should be a celebration because that’s the way he would have liked it to be. We have a responsibility to ensure that his legacy is passed on to the future generation as he was a rare personality.

“The journey never stops”

In 1995 when I first met Prof. Pillai in SCHMRD, his mission at that time was to create a bunch of key individuals who are willing to give more than what they would get. Incidentally, I was discussing the future of education and he actually was helping me prepare the new architecture of education system. It is he who actually created a new architecture of the education system, way back during his SIBM and SCHMRD days. It is for us to take it forward. I am sure just like me as a parent, most of us have tried or are doing our best to imbibe the values whatever we have learnt from Prof. Pillai in our kids. So the journey never stops; the legacy continues.

Manish Mishra (1995 - 1997 Batch)

“If there is a problem, find a solution to get over it”

The only reason I graduated from SCHMRD is because of Pillai Sir. I say this because on the third day after I joined SCHMRD, I wanted to leave the place. I said I don’t like the place and I want to leave. He said do you have any other admissions. I said I don’t have any admission? And my dad had said that he cannot find one and I have to manage the education on my own. Pillai Sir said that you have a problem; now find a solution. That became my cornerstone throughout my SCHMRD days. For example, we had issues with a particular professor; I thought what he was teaching was not right. So I went to Pillai Sir and told about it. He said, “What you will do?” and I said that I can teach. So he actually pulled the professor out and he made me teach my own class. He would say, “For every problem, don’t tell me that you have a problem, if you can find a solution then find a solution”. I tell my kids the same, “Don’t tell me that there is a problem, tell me if there is a way to get around it”. I think that stayed with us. This is something our batch has learnt from him. For a person like Pillai Sir, who has been an integral part of our lives, we have to make sure that the legacy goes on.

Diwakar Pingle, (1994 - 1996 Batch)

“He will be with us all through our life”

Anyone that Pillai Sir touched, he always left something to be remembered

Vineet Patni,
Alumnus (1993 -1995 Batch),
SCMHRD and Advisor and
Angel Investor

I’m here primarily on three capacities - one, as a student of Prof. MS Pillai, as we all are; second, of course as a representing alumnus, which could be students or anyone whom he met and thirdly, as part of the very important first 1993-1995 batch of SCMHRD.

I still remember going to SCMHRD, I’m sure 1993-95 group will remember too and entering a room on the first floor. We walked in and they said this is the institute and we were trying to figure out where is the institute. It took us a little time, but we realized there was this one gentleman who was there. I still remember asking that gentleman, where is the institute and who is running it? He replied, I’m the director of the institute and we said okay, and that’s where the conversation started. All he said was, “Give me two years of your life, I will transform you and if I fail, I will be going to be there with you all your life”. That was a very touching message I still remember. Not only we gave two years but he has stayed with us all our lives.

Anyone that Pillai Sir touched, he always left something to be remembered. Sir once talked about the importance of stone and diamond and he always gave the credit to the stone and not to the diamond. He would say “Be a soldier, that’s what is important. Keep doing your work and you will make a difference”. Last night I was trying to think why he talked about stone and a diamond because you can always find a diamond in a stone but you can never find a stone in a diamond.

“His teaching methodology was exemplary”

So many people in future generations will never experience the methodology of teaching that Pillai Sir followed through SCHMRD and SCMLD and all of us who have experienced this, know that creating this format of education, is not just difficult; it is impossible for anybody else to understand what it is. Only those who have experienced it can come back and say, what it means and how it has changed us as individuals. His methodology has been very special, it is very difficult to document it and to put a structure to it. When SCMLD was created, I was with him full-time for three months to make it happen. It was like making a call and the whole world was ready to help. Sir has put forth lot of innovative structures in education; probably it needs some of us to come forward and understand, imbibe, absorb and take them further.

Neeraj Gemawat (1995 - 1997 Batch)

“He will always be my best teacher and the best mentor”

I feel truly blessed and fortunate to have studied under Prof. M. S. Pillai and getting the opportunity to know him and interact with him. I will cherish those moments for my lifetime. The values and lifestyle he inculcated in us through meditation and Vipassana are something I value much more now, than I did back then. I would want to practice them and live up to his expectations. I think he is the best teacher who worked tirelessly and spent all his time with students. I wish I had an opportunity to thank him for everything he did. I wish I could tell him how much I respect him. He will always remain the best teacher for me and the best mentor.

Apeksha Gupta, Alumni, SCMLD (2007 - 2008 Batch)

“His training methodology was ahead of its time”

The day we stepped into SCMLD, our learning started. The first learning was that your character shows through your interaction with other, specially with the underprivileged. Another learning was that nobody is wrong or right–it all depends on the situation and what you take away from it. The scoldings, the teaching, and whatever we received was a part of the learning. His pattern of education was innovative and unique and it moulded us into what we are today. We were different before we met him, than we are now. We all miss him and I am sure we won’t get a person like him again. I hope to carry forward his legacy.

Anand, Alumni, SCMLD (2006 - 2008 Batch)

“Ethics, honesty and fairness were his mantras”

I feel very fortunate that I got the opportunity to spend two years of my life with Prof. Pillai in the formative years of the institution, which he was trying to build. He expected all his students to have a certain level of academic excellence. He tried to push us beyond the limits of capability we even knew we had, through the process of value based learning. He taught us to be ethical and honest and fair with all the people we dealt with. He conducted meditation programmes where we experimented with Vipassana. This was unheard of at that time. Now you see mindfulness as part of several corporate environments, but it was never seen at that time. Last year, I myself did a 10 day Vipassana course. In a short period, Prof. Pillai was able to inculcate so many values in his students, who are today spread across geographies. His teachings have led to a great deal of success in his students. I would like us all to take this time and celebrate values that he taught us and see if we can continue to carry forward these values into the next several years of our life.

Manoj Ramnani, Alumni, SCMHRD (1995 - 1995 Batch)

Yesrab Ali Mirza, Global Mortgage
Portfolio Head, Retail Banking and
Wealth Management, HSBC

“Rock of inspiration”

Tireless, indefatigable and selfless are some of the adjectives that come to mind whenever I think of MSP Sir. To him, no idea was a bad idea and no moment was a dull moment. He was always welcoming and always ready for more. The institution and the common goal always took priority over his personal needs. That’s why he towered over his peers and was a rock of inspiration and support to all of us students. He touched everyone he worked with in such a positive way and, so I feel really proud to call myself his student. I am sure heaven is a better place now and if there is anything that needs improvement, I am confident he will make it better.

“A visionary and an educator par excellence”

When I think of Prof. Pillai, I am reminded of a person who was a visionary and an educator par excellence. He was one of a kind leader, a man on a mission to educate and bring up leaders of the future. Leaders who would be nation builders, leaders who would make their mark wherever they go. He toiled day in and out to achieve this. Behind the tough facade that he carried, he was a compassionate visionary. He perfected the art of delivering tough love. The kind of love which is sometimes misunderstood. It is the kind of love we would want to give our children to secure their future. He will always remain in the hearts of all the students whose lives he has touched and transformed.

Ravi Chiriwala

“His philosophy left a profound impact on my life”

It is a sad day for me to realize that Prof. Pillai is not there with us anymore. His words of wisdom and his philosophy left a profound impact on my life. There is so much I have learnt from him. I shall always remember how he taught us to learn by doing; to always have a deep passion in doing what you are doing. I miss him dearly, and I hope his family and his loved ones get the strength to overcome his loss. As for me, I hope to keep his legacy going.

Pavi Gupta

Teacher with utmost wisdom and practical knowledge

No amount of words can reveal this man’s awesomeness and selflessness. So I choose to just say, how can I ever repay you

Megha George, Category
Manager, Firstcry.com (Pune)

I joined Sadhana Centre For Management and Leadership Development (SCMLD) in the 2008-2010 batch, with much resistance. Being from Pune, I had never heard much of this college. At a social gathering, my father happened to meet Prof. Pillai and had decided that his children will go there. And he ensured both my brother and me joined. I tried to reason out with my father but he said, “I will always do what’s best for you and one day you will thank me”.

I believe my father strongly believed in Pillai Sir’s principles and like my father rightly said, I am forever indebted. Pillai Sir had everything, from being a father figure to a teacher with utmost wisdom and practical knowledge.

The tiresome and gruesome regime of two years of 365 days and 12 hours was beyond comprehension back then, but exactly what one needs in today’s competitive world. He was just getting us ready to face it all so that we do not feel the stress and pressure of the corporate world.

Whatever I am and wherever I will be, I owe it to this lovely human being. He guided me when I most needed it and rebuked when I just had to be - all this only to make me grounded. He was perfect!

No amount of words can reveal this man’s awesomeness and selflessness. So I choose to just say, how can I ever repay you, for whatever you have offered, is still due.

Irfan Khan, SCMLD
(2010-2012 Batch),
working at present with
Bhansali Engineering &
Polymers Ltd

My Spiritual Father

It’s very difficult to pen down my memories of my beloved Prof. Pillai in limited words. My relationship with Sir grew after passing out from SCMLD. I used to call him whenever I needed him, in fact, he was the one who surprised me by his random short phone calls (Ha Irfan…kaisa he? Abhi wahi kaam kar rha he? change nahi kiya job? etc). He was so humble and kind. One day I called him up and asked him to visit Jaipur and meet my company’s chairman. He quickly accepted my proposal and gave us his full two days to teach us management principles and business values and ethics without charging a single rupee. Prof. Pillai was not born by chance; he came on this planet with a great purpose of the lord. To educate the uneducated, to serve the un-served, to love and heal the neglected and to transform the lives of millions. I truly feel myself blessed and honoured that Prof. M. S. Pillai was a part of my life. He was my true leader and guru.

Why people call Pillai Sir as ‘BAAP’

There had been and there will be moments of success, pride, joy as well as failures and disappointments. BAAP has taught to me accept both equally

Swapneel R Kherdekar,
Founder, Aadau Solutions
(SCMLD Batch 2012 - 2014)

The interview went on for around 50-55 minutes. They asked me mostly about SCMLD and its processes, my personal life, daily schedule and a few things from my specialization. After finishing some formalities, I went back to attend the lecture. Half an hour later, our placement coordinator came into the classroom and called us.

“Congratulations! Both you and Sudeep have been selected.” Raju Sir congratulated both of us. It was a great moment.

Moments later, we got a call from Pillai Sir. “Swapneel, idhar aao.” I entered his cabin and he said “Baitho.” He offered me a chair. Hesitantly, I sat down. Sudeep was also there with me.“Have you understood your work?” We nodded in affirmation.

“Are you happy with it?”

A chord struck somewhere inside me. He didn’t ask about salary, other benefits or how much package others were getting. I knew he won’t. He always insisted upon selecting a job which you like and are passionate about rather than the one, behind which crowd runs.

We were fitting in criteria. Working with a new company, which has started just a few months ago was not everyone’s cup of tea. Surely, they were offering a good package but working in semi-urban or rural area was not something which most people were wishing to do.

“Yes Sir” We replied.

“Good. All the best. Be happy!” He wished.

One by one everybody started leaving his room. Lastly, only I and he were left in the room.

I bent down to take his blessings. As I touched his feet, tears automatically started flowing through my eyes. Today was the day I was waiting for years. There was no regret, no harsh feelings for failures I have been through, no sadness. The only feeling was gratitude. I sensed his hand on my head, giving blessings. A stream of moments during the last 18 months started streaming in my mind within fractions of seconds. Because of this man and processes of SCMLD, which were conceptualized and laid down by him only, I could change myself in those 18 months.

After a few seconds, I composed myself and stood up. I saw, there were few tears in his eyes too. Those were tears of happiness. He knew what I had gone through before coming to SCMLD. Today it was one of those days when all that hard work, struggle and the pain was giving its fruits. Surely, placement wasn’t the only purpose of mine to join Sadhana but yes, it was one of the main objectives for me. A few minutes later I called my parents, both of them were very happy. They also asked the same question: “Beta, are you happy?”

Just like Pillai Sir, they also didn’t ask me about how much salary I would be drawing, what was the package others were getting or what are the other benefits. Today I realized why people call Pillai Sir as ‘BAAP’. He is just like our parents, for he was always concerned about our happiness, discipline, growth and a bright future.

When I look back, I feel I was destined to be here. At one point of life, when I was facing so many failures and it appeared that life is full of darkness, a small ray of hope was there which used to tell me, “These days will be gone. Everything is happening for a reason. It will take some time to realize God’s plans.”

Today, when I look at my life, I realize that the small ray of hope was nothing but the inner voice. Call it God’s grace, blessings or anything you want; I am always grateful to God for this gift. I know, there is a very long journey I have to cover. There had been and there will be moments of success, pride, joy as well as failures and disappointments. BAAP has taught to me accept both equally.

This was an attempt to share my story with all of you, which is incomplete without the sculptor known as Prof. M. S. Pillai. Maybe it will inspire and give hope to someone. Some may like it, some may not. But again, as he always used to say: “Talk to express, not to impress”.

He gave me a roadmap that helps me even today

He very politely explained to me the difference between working for and working with a company, and this lesson has helped me throughout

Meeta Sharma,
City Head, Dine out business,
Zomato, Chandigarh

I am currently working with Zomato and heading the ad sales business for the food tech giant in Chandigarh. I started as a sales manager and had it not been for my brief interaction with Prof. Pillai before accepting the offer letter, I would not have reached here in three years. Being my impulsive self, I went up to Sir and told him that I want to sit for more companies before accepting the offer made by Zomato. He not only explained me the importance of the role but also helped me understand how I could grow in the organization. He very politely explained to me the difference between working for and working with a company, and this lesson has helped me throughout. Pillai Sir for me is and will always be a yardstick.

Every time I am in a dilemma I go back to my two years with him at Sadhana. For a lot of people, education is a business, I am glad in this world of commercialization I was able to find a silver lining. During my career of five years, I have managed many marketing campaigns.

At Sadhana, I was supposed to design a campaign for the admissions team. I gave it a lot of thought and designed a pamphlet and presented it to Sir. I thought that it to be my best work. I stood in front of Sir with high hopes, but a few minutes later the whole pamphlet was filled with red marks and so was my face. This repeated 5-6 times and I did not get approval but in the process, I ended up learning a lot.

I will always cherish my meeting with Sir on the 21st of August, 2018. I was in Pune and requested Sir to meet me. He did not refuse and agreed to meet. I went there with a friend and had the pleasure of meeting Pillai Sir and Pillai ma’am. After the meeting, Sir blessed me and it meant the world to me. My friend and I discussed with Sir and his lovely wife for hours. My friend asked me, how can a person have such a positive aura, be so pure and be so full of love. I told her it is rare and you are lucky to have witnessed it.

Key learnings from Prof. Pillai: Be childlike and not childish (I still use this to keep my team on track); be nice, even though it is the most underrated quality; create something of your own and do not copy paste.

He wanted us to be good human beings

He wanted us to be good human beings individually and to share our positivity with family and community

Sulal Mathai,
Director of MDA Migration, Services
SCMLD, 2005 - 2007 Batch

I was blessed to study at Sadhana Centre for Management and Leadership Development (SCMLD), founded by Prof. Pillai. Those two years transformed me. I was privileged to work closely with Prof. Pillai, assisting him in student placements. Working with him was a huge task. He was very demanding and every day brought new challenges. His mind was always working at such top speed that it was difficult for youngsters to keep up.

I would like to share an incident, which occurred in 2006 when we were preparing the placement brochure for 2005-2007 PGDM batch. While I was assisting Pillai Sir, a call came from his home in Kerala informing him that his father was ill and in critical condition. Pillai Sir was faced with the choice between leaving work to tend to his father or to continue working. I was quite shocked when he decided to continue working.

Next morning he was not in his office. When he arrived in the afternoon he closed the door. I saw that he had bowed down in front of the lamp praying. His father had passed away early that morning and he had been at home making the funeral arrangements. He had missed the opportunity to see his father that last time, because of what he saw as his responsibility to his students.

He called an open house and shared the news with his students. He didn’t need sympathy. There was work to be done and he was staying back to supervise it. I had never met such a brave and selfless person. I found it difficult to continue working on the placement brochure. Pillai Sir insisted that we complete the task on time. I asked him how he had made such a difficult decision and how his family had responded.

He told me how he had been home and met his father three months before and when he was leaving, his father looked at him and smiled. At that moment he knew instinctively that he was not going to see his father again. He explained that he chose to remember that smiling face rather than the one he would have seen at the funeral.

We worked all of the next 48 hours with the graphic designer completing the brochure on time. The 2005-2007 batch was successfully placed across India. The impact of this incident on me and many other students was profound. Pillai Sir had compromised his important personal commitments for the welfare of his students. Unfortunately, we can’t thank him enough for the work he did, but we can remember him and his teachings and continue his work.

He wanted us to be good human beings individually and to share our positivity with family and community. That’s what he envisioned and when we do it I am sure he will continue to smile at us from above.

Me and Prof. M. S. Pillai

This disciplinarian, Professor M. S. Pillai brought many tough souls amongst us to the ground. One thing he did force into all of us was hidden humility and made us more polite

Manish Chhabra, SCMHRD,
Nashik (2002 - 2004)

I was taught a lot of good things when I was a kid in primary school. As the later years approached, a rat race began. Life was all about competing and winning. It isn’t a bad thing to be competitive by the way, but somewhere in between, we do need a refresher dose of moral education, of good values, of ethics.

My sheer luck brought me to SCMHRD in 2002. A dear friend of mine filled up my form for SCMHRD. I knew little about the school then. And see what I have become today- a better person (so I feel). I am a proud student of the initially intimidating Prof. M. S. Pillai.

We don’t like criticism, generally. And forget about lectures on moral education, especially when you are hot-headed after being graduates, or more so if you have worked for a few years. That’s an age when we feel we know everything and that we are going to capture the world.

But this disciplinarian, Prof. M. S. Pillai brought many tough souls amongst us to the ground. One thing he did force into all of us was hidden humility. He made me more polite, I must accept. And I remember an incident that I must share.

We once went for this outbound activity to emphasis on environment protection in Nashik. A large group of mostly unwilling students took placards to spread awareness. It wasn’t a very well organized programme then. And we were all management students mismanaging the small event. I was quite upset about the mismanagement at the end of the event. Many of the placards had been thrown in the forest area we went to. After all, we were talking about environment protection!

So I wrote a strongly worded letter to our Director Prof. M. S. Pillai complaining about the worthlessness of the event. He took my point very well. But made me feel ashamed to the core for one arrogant word in my letter. I had mentioned ‘bloody placards’ in the letter.

Since that day, I have never been rude even in the worst of situations. I have never spoken harsh words ever since. I must differentiate here in harsh words, and strong words. I am capable of making strong and bold statements today, but without being rough with words.

As Mr. N.R. Narayana Murthy of Infosys once said, “We can disagree in a meeting, without being disagreeable”.

No doubt I felt bad and humiliated that day. And I have never revealed this to anyone (I was the lone student called in his office that day) till I wrote this article in the memory of Late Prof. Pillai. Well, I stayed in his books ever since. He remembered me for the good things I did, most of all for the greening efforts at SCMHRD, Nashik campus. And I was lucky to meet him on a few different occasions thereafter, personal and formal.

In fact, I met Sir almost a month before his sad demise, at his son’s book launch to which he had invited me personally. It was a pleasure to meet him. Alas, I didn’t know that that was to be my last meeting with him. He was his modest self that day as well and we had our last brief tete-a‐tete.

Summer of 1989

He would say, “An HR person should be simple and humble”. We can have fun for two years and achieve nothing but if we were willing to work hard we could find some purpose in our life ahead

Reema Jacob, SIBM, Pune Ex Regional
Head – HR, Nokia Networks Pvt. Ltd.

As a fresh graduate, I too landed at SIBM, Senapati Bapat Road, Pune with anxieties and mixed feelings of hopes and dreams like any other youngster for Group Discussion and interview after clearing the written test.

The Group Discussion started with Dr George Judah’s warm welcome and his effervescent smile. He then introduced Prof. Pillai to us. A topic was given and the usual scene started.

During the GD, I made some glances at the observers and each time I looked at his face there was a calm but amused smile keenly observing us students. Then came the interview round. His questions were basic, simple yet good enough to evaluate us, which I learnt later in my career.

Luckily after all the process was over and I got selected and we landed up in his first lecture.

His clichéd quote, “An HR person should be simple and humble” was the rhyme of students on campus. He told us that we can have fun for two years and achieve nothing but if we were willing to work hard we could find some purpose in our life ahead.

Book reviews and submissions were rejected with beautiful remarks in red, if they did not meet his standards. His ability to go in-depth of things, comprehend and look ahead of the curve always fascinated me. He never lost his cool but that unnerving smile when we used to goof up was good enough to put fear in us. His ability to stand by his principles, values and beliefs against every odd, every loss was like an enigma…confusing, challenging and mesmerizing. In this, materialistic world that we live in here was one man who lived by character.

The lure of power, position and money never swayed him. He could hold his own under any circumstances. Much after we passed out I remained in touch with him. Like a friend, a parent and a guide, Sir was always a call away. Always positive, motivating and encouraging at all times. Never give up…only cowards give up he would say. It is a test of fire that makes fine steel, No pain, no gain...and the list goes on.

I had spoken to him last in December 2018 and he was looking forward to a peaceful life doing what he always wanted to do-farming!

The unfortunate and untimely news shook all of us. It was like the sudden end of an era of selflessness, discipline, character and the true meaning of the word “Guru”.

But Sir, you are here with all of us…we do reflect on your teachings, emulate you somewhere or the other. You are a guiding light and am sure all of us would remember you in the tough times of our corporate careers and life in general.

I feel truly blessed to be his student and he has left indelible footprints on the sands of time during a short phase in the journey of time that we shared together.

Kushal Mamarde, Founder
and Director, Fab Media Works

Pillai Sir’s thought process is invincible and a game changer

Open house concept was a new experience to me wherein Pillai Sir used to come and discuss numerous topics with students. He was equally strict with the teaching and non-teaching staff and thus, when he was around, there was an equal amount of fear and respect for him. As the relationship became older, I became extremely open with him. I remember once I took permission to go home post classes by telling true reason that our cat has given birth to three kittens and I wish to go to see them (I’m from Pune but had opted for boarding during the first year), Pillai Sir taught me that it’s important to maintain 100% clarity and transparency.

He had a super close bond with parents as well, especially my mother. Pillai Sir was not just a Management Stalwart but he was also a true student since he was always hungry for more knowledge. He used to love to listen to the personal and professional experience of others. He never showcased any ego while discussing smallest of things. Pillai Sir’s thought process was invincible since it can be a game changer for any individual, institute, organization, nation, or the world.... and given an opportunity, I can even share about the timetable, activities, different marking index, and so on.

He used to listen to all types of doubts or issues and suggest solutions. During my student hood, internships, as well as in November 18 when my wife and I met him and spent around one and a half hours together at Pendse Sir’s birthday celebration, he listened to our experience and suggested various thoughts. I feel my personality has become strict with a tadka of humour while discussion with vendors or my team or anyone because of the influence of Pillai Sir on me. He has gone only physically; he remains alive in me and I believe I will be able to transfer his teachings in as many lives as I can.

Dr. Yogesh Pahuja (SCMHRD
1993 - 1995) Ex-SCMLD Director
Academics & MDP + core faculty HR.
Current Designation: Founder & MD
Happiness Studio, Ahmedabad

The role of a mentor in our lives is priceless

The learning and blessings of the mentor continue even if the mentor is physically present or not. It is unimaginable, the impact that Prof. Pillai had on several lives and one of them being mine. From being a student at SCMHRD in 1993-1995 to serving SCMLD, the faith and the journey is truly enriching. I owe it to Prof. Pillai for instilling the values of “go and get it” approach, “being hands-on”, “micro-detailing”, “never take things for granted” and above all that I consider is “gratitude”, which you can only feel it and experience it. I understood the meaning of TRUE HR and developed the sensitivity towards the ‘humans’ in the profession. I lovingly recall him addressing me as “arrey YP....suno..” Prayers and fond memories are what we have to remember and will remain in our hearts forever. A good heart stopped beating, a good soul ascended to heaven. We part with our beloved mentor in pain but with a purpose to carry on the legacy and values he instilled in all of us. He was truly a blessing in my life and I will always miss him.