Why is this Kerala loco pilot nicknamed 'Rajadhani'?

The whistle pierced the morning air on November 1, 1992, as the Rajdhani Express prepared for its maiden journey from Gundakal to Bengaluru. At 11.10 am, the first Rajdhani Express from Gundakal to Bengaluru blew its whistle and began its maiden journey. At the helm was Ramankutty Nair of Hemayil Vettil, Paruthipra near Shoranur.

At the time, the train was one of the fastest in the country. Ramankutty Nair took his place in the diesel engine, fitted with an air-braking system, and the train slowly pulled out with its horn resonating through the station. From that day on, the people of Shoranur affectionately added ‘Rajdhani’ to his name.

Ramankutty Nair’s family has a long-standing connection with the railways. Born as the second son of the late Mallissery Raman Nair of Shoranur and Puthen Mariyil Ithukkutty Amma of Malleshamangalam, Thiruvilwamala, he followed in his father’s footsteps. Raman Nair, too, had chosen the railway as his career path.

Ramankutty Nair, now 91, joined the Railways as an apprentice fireman on September 20, 1955, at Gundakal in Andhra Pradesh. Over the years, he served as Assistant Loco Foreman, Power Controller and Junior Fuel Inspector, steadily building a career.

Destined to drive the Rajdhani
In the 1990s, as demand grew for a new train on the New Delhi–Bengaluru route, the Railways approved the introduction of a Rajdhani Express, which was launched on November 1, 1992.

Recognising his expertise, the Railways appointed Ramankutty Nair as one of the loco pilots for the inaugural Rajdhani Express service from Gundakal. He underwent special training three months before the launch.

On November 1, 1992, at 11. 05 am, Ramankutty Nair, accompanied by fellow loco pilot L S Karkani from Gundakal, stepped into the train’s cabin. As the whistle blew and the 16-coach Rajdhani began its journey to Dharmavaram and onward to Bengaluru, Ramankutty earned the distinction of being the first loco pilot from the Gundakal Division to drive the Rajdhani Express on its maiden run covering 308 kilometres.

A career of excellence
Over his 38-year career, Ramankutty Nair won several accolades, including the Fuel Economy Award, the Maintenance of Loco Award and recognition as the Best Loco Pilot by the Railway General Manager for his exemplary service.

He retired in 1993 and spent the next 30 years in Shoranur before moving to his daughter’s residence in Coimbatore. Ramankutty Nair is married to Hemavathi, a relative of the former Maharashtra Governor K Shankaranarayanan. The couple’s children are Bindu, Sunil, and the late Rajesh.