The Editor Who Taught Us to Love the Capital: Remembering N.R.S. Babu

A veteran journalist’s journey from a hesitant outsider to a city’s captive, guided by the mentorship of a legendary editor.

The fear was palpable. For a young reporter from Malabar, Thiruvananthapuram was once a distant, intimidating fortress of unfamiliar power dynamics and skepticism. That anxiety, however, was dismantled by a single, gentle smile from N.R.S. Babu. As a primary source for this reflection, the account of a journalist arriving in the capital in the early 90s reveals how the city’s legendary editors—Babu and S. Jayachandran Nair—transformed a nervous recruit into a lifelong resident.

Babu’s influence went beyond the newsroom. When the young reporter fretted over the city’s reputation, Babu offered a perspective that proved prophetic: "Don’t hate any place blindly. Every city has its share of good and bad. Live here, and you will understand." Thirty-five years later, that initial apprehension has vanished, replaced by an unbreakable bond with a city that refuses to let go. This story of N.R.S. Babu serves as an original touchstone for anyone navigating the transition from a regional outsider to a part of the capital's beating heart.

A Legacy of Mentorship

N.R.S. Babu was not just a newsman; he was a guardian for the incoming generation of writers. His ability to clear the fog of anxiety with a mix of professional discipline and personal warmth remains a defining memory for many who passed through the doors of Kerala Kaumudi and Kalakaumudi. In an era where newsrooms were often perceived as cold, competitive spaces, Babu provided a "cradle" for talent.

The transition for the young reporter began in 1988 with the Santosh Trophy coverage and solidified during the 1991 Nehru Gold Cup. These assignments were more than tasks; they were initiations into a professional culture where the editor served as both a compass and a shield. While the name ആര്.എസ് ബാബു (N.R.S. Babu) is currently trending as a subject of discussion, the core of his legacy lies in this quiet, foundational role he played in shaping the careers of dozens of journalists who now occupy desks across the state.

Why it matters

The importance of this narrative lies in the changing nature of mentorship in Indian journalism. The current climate often favors speed over the deliberate, grounded training that editors like Babu and Jayachandran Nair championed. Watching a brilliant mind—who once mastered the art of concise, impactful storytelling—struggle with the fragility of memory is a sobering reminder of the human cost behind the bylines we read every day.

This reflection highlights a deeper pattern: the institutions that shape our careers are often built by individuals whose greatest contributions remain invisible to the public. It serves as a reminder that the "power" of the press is not just in the politics it covers, but in the human networks that sustain the next generation of reporters. As the capital city continues to evolve, the lessons taught by the editors of the 80s and 90s remain the bedrock upon which current political reporting stands.