Truly,
Aravind."
Solution: The solution was as easy as it showed in the immediate,simple
reponses from the experienced managers:
The suggestions were to get the /etc/nsswitch.conf file to its original
state(say by moving the /etc/nsswitch.files there) and also to just get
rid of the files in /var/nis directory on the machines and reboot them.
Lo and behold ...all is well that ends well.
Thanks to all the wonderful people out there especially the ones who
enlightened me .
Its,
Aravind.