Today (25th January 2010), N.N Sathyavrathan, former course director of Kerala Press Academy and veteran journalist, passes away. He was also the news editor of Mathrubhumi daily,one of the leading newspapers in kerala. He also worked in newspapers like Kerala Kaumudhi and Deenabandhu. He was 77. Sathyavrathan is survived by his wife Rohini and children Asha, Deepa and Rupa. He was course director in Kerala Press Academy for 15 years. His life was dedicated to nurturing journalists. Kerala Press Academy was the premiere institution in the state for Journalists. I was a student there in the 2004-05 batch after my graduation in  Chemistry. I don’t have any colorful memories there. I was a below average student but I got so many dreams from there. Sathyavrathan sir always scolded me. His assignments made me unhappy. I always found reasons to avoid his eyes. He had pet students there but I was not one among them.  Sathyavrathan sir always hated back backbenchers. Once he threw my own  assaignment on my face. But he was a good journalist and a good teacher. He taught all the prominent journalists in the state. I have a job now because of him.
I quote him ’self excel is the only way to success’ -motivating one,  isn’t it? I wrote it in diary and sometimes remember. When our course completed me I went there to meet him with my friend. I was always a late student for the course. He mentioned it and told me that I was hard working and improved a lot. Those words gave me inspiration and the words still echoes in my ears.
The journalist fraternity in the state mourns on his death, I join them. I hope his soul rests in peace, with prayers………..