Famous kiss that got etched in Malayali minds; K. Radhakrishnan mourns loss of his mother

THRISSUR: 'Speaker, Minister, MP, MLA' - even as he climbed the political ladder, his mother Chinna was the only support for K. Radhakrishnan. Chinna came to Thonnurkara from the Pullikanam tea estate in Idukki. Chinna came to Chelakkara with her eight children after the death of her husband Kochunni.

K. Radhakrishnan's mother, who toiled tirelessly to make a living, not only embodied the value of hard work but also instilled it in her children. This lesson resonated deeply with Radhakrishnan, shaping his life and ultimately contributing to his success as a minister in 1996.

When he came down from hut to take the oath, Chinna gave her son a kiss on the cheek. The image of the kiss is still etched in the minds of Malayalis. He learned the value of leading a simple life from his mother. Radhakrishnan was in Delhi to attend the Parliament session when his loving mother passed away. He returned home immediately after getting the message.

Living in a leaking house

Radhakrishnan, who did not own even a piece of land, took a loan from the cooperative bank after acquiring some land from his mother Chinna. This was to build a small house. However, the construction of the house stopped halfway when he ran out of money. The house started leaking. Yet, Chinna and Radhakrishnan continued living in the unfinished house with a smile on their faces.

"My mother, who was always my support and shade in life, is no more." - K. Radhakrishnan, MP (sharing a picture with her mother on Facebook)