Service No : IC-69773L
Date of Birth : July 30, 1985
Place of birth : Pune(Maharashtra)
Service : Army
Last Rank : Major
Unit : 2/1 GR
Arm/Regt : 1 Gorkha Rifles
Operation : CI & IS Ops
Martyrdom : January 11, 2019
Major Shashidharan Vijay Nair hailed originally from Nedumbassery in Ernakulam, but grew up in Khadakwasla in Pune home to the prestigious National Defence Academy. Son of late Shri Vijayan Nair and Smt Latha Nair, he had a sister Sheena as his sibling. His father served in Central Water and Power Research Station and took early retirement owing to his poor health. Born on 30 July 1985, Maj Nair studied from two Kendriya Vidyalayas in Girinagar and the NDA at Khadakwasla. He then went on to graduate in science from Fergusson College Pune in 2006. He always nursed the idea of serving in the Armed Forces and joined the National Cadet Corps (NCC) during his college days.
He excelled in all aspects of training in NCC and proved to be the best cadet of his batch. He was also a good athlete and a keen basketball player. Maj Nair led a tough life right from his young and carefree days, when his father passed away during the second year of graduation. During his college days, affectionately called “Shashi” among friends, he would cycle 20 km every Sunday, sharp at 6 am to reach Fergusson College to attend NCC classes and physical drills. He was very punctual about all his NCC drills and never missed a class. He was a fitness enthusiast and would quickly master every physical exercise, given to him. He would not only motivate his fellows to maintain physical fitness but encourage them to excel in academics as well.
Following his passion he eventually passed the Combined Defence Services Examination and got selected to join the OTA Chennai. He passed out on 10 Dec 2007 as a Lieutenant at the age of 22 years. He was commissioned into 2/1 GR battalion of 1 Gorkha Rifles Regiment, a Regiment known for its intrepid soldiers and numerous battle exploits. After joining his unit, he soon learnt the required field craft skills and also learnt Gurkhali language as he was now a Gorkha Regiment officer. After serving for a couple of years, he got married to Ms Trupti, an MCA graduate from Pune on 24 April 2012. By 2019, Maj Nair had served in various operational areas including high altitude areas and the LOC. He had also served as an instructor in the cadet-training wing at the CME (College of Military Engineering), Pune.
Nowshera IED Blast: 11 Jan 2019
During 2019, Maj Shashidharan Nair’s unit was deployed in Rajouri district of J & K under the command of Col Lalit Jain. The unit was manning the forward posts in the Nowshera sector along the LOC. The Nowshera sector often saw ceasefire violations and infiltration attempts by the militants from across the border. The infiltration bids invariably were accompanied with artillery shelling and increased activity by the BAT(Border Action Team) of Pakistani forces. In another such attempt by the BAT, an IED (Improvised Explosive Device) was planted in the foot track along the LOC to target soldiers patrolling the Lam area in Nowshera sector. On 11 Jan 2019, one Reconnaissance and Surveillance team was tasked by 2/1 GR to carry out the recce of the area under its AOR (Area of Responsibility).
The team came under attack by an IED blast and one Junior Commissioned Officer and two more soldiers got injured. Later one young soldier of the unit Rifleman Jiwan Gurung succumbed to his injuries. Maj Shashidharan Nair informed his CO, Col Lalit Jain, who then set off for the blast site. In the meantime Maj Shashidharan too proceeded for the blast site along with his QRT (Quick Reaction Team). On reaching near to the blast site, Maj Shashidharan immediately launched the combing operation to secure the area against any other IEDs. He also directed his troops to occasionally fire at the surrounding bushes to flush out hiding terrorists if any on either side of the blast site. As the operation was fraught with tremendous risk, Maj Shashidharan was himself leading it, like a true military leader.
At around 3 PM, as Maj Shashidharan reached about 20 meters form the blast site, he sensed something amiss and ordered his team to halt. Without caring for his own safety, Maj Shashidharan said that he would move alone first and they should follow him only if he signaled. But as Maj Shashidharan stepped forward, he came under a massive IED blast and was severely injured. His CO Col Lalit Jain who had also reached the site by then and other troops could not move forward as the area was not sanitized and any movement entailed great risk. Maj Shashidharan Nair soon succumbed to his injuries and was martyred. Maj Shashidharan Nair was a committed soldier and a fine officer, who led from the front and laid down his life in the service of the nation.
Maj Shashidharan Nair is survived by his mother Smt Latha Nair, wife Smt Trupti Nair and sister Sheena.
Vishwesh Kumar Jha
2022 at 4:37 pmWe will always indebted to you for your service to the nation.Sir you have inspired a lot of people.We will sure meet at one day.Jai Hind
Renjith VR
2022 at 4:42 pmMere words cannot express the pride we feel to have such brave souls guarding our Nation but even more pride we feel is when we see how their families supported them to do so. You have our respects for it is the strength in you that has protected this strong Nation and its sovereignty. You are as much as a brave soul as he was.
He lives on through his dedication and spirit for the Nation. We salute him and you for protecting us all.
Being in Navy for almost 20 + years, and being a part of this initiative, i am feeling my self rewarded to show my gratitude to the martyr. Jai Hind. Jai Bharat
Ivan Arokiaraj David
2022 at 4:48 pmA Poem as an appreciation to Mr Nair,
Try not to remain at my grave and sob.
I’m not there, I don’t rest
I’m a thousands words that blow.
I’m the jewel gleams on day off.
I’m the daylight on aged grain.
I’m the delicate harvest time downpour.
At the point when you stir in the mornings quiet,
I’m the quick inspiring surge
Of calm fowls in surrounded flight,
I’m the delicate stars that sparkle around evening time.
Try not to remain at my grave and cry,
I’m not there, I didn’t bite the dust.
Ivan David
Ayu Menoky
2022 at 4:49 pmDear Sir,
Thank you for all you have done our country. May your honoured soul rest in peace.
With lots of respect and gratitude,
Ayu Menoky.
Hrishita Surve
2022 at 4:50 pmIn reply to Major(Dr) Pradeep Menon.
A BIG SALUTE TO YOU MAJOR SHASHIDHARAN AND YOUR FAMILY. YOU WILL ALWAYS REMAIN IMMORTAL IN OUR HEARTS FOREVER SIR. WE WILL NEVER FORGET YOUR SUPREME SACRIFICE. JAI HIND.
Sasi menon
2022 at 6:16 pmA million salute to you Sir
Kapil Katarya
2022 at 6:18 pmWe salute to your great sacrifice and noble service to our country.God bless you and your dear ones.
Dilip kumar
2022 at 6:23 pmA gentleman and soldier.A thousand salutes,deepest respect.A supreme example for all future generations.
May your martyrdom be never forgotten.
Jai Hind.Jai Hind ki Sena.
Deepak Thapa
2022 at 6:24 pmSalutations to the brave and fearless
Vasanthi Subramanyam
2022 at 6:26 pmA great soul