On Tuesday, November 30, 2021, Admiral Radhakrishnan Hari Kumar took charge as the 25th Chief of the Naval Staff.
Present to witness her son rise to the apex of the Indian Navy was his mother Vijayalakshmi Radhakrishnan.
In scenes we don't recall seeing earlier at the elevation ceremony of a previous service chief, Admiral Hari Kumar touched his mother's feet, then his proud mother gave her son an affectionate hug and kissed the medal that affirmed his promotion to admiral of the fleet on his chest.
Please click on the images to view a son's affectionate salutations to his mother.
IMAGE: Admiral Hari Kumar seeks his mother's blessings after assuming charge as Chief of Naval Staff during the Handing and Taking over ceremony on the South Block lawns in New Delhi. Photographs: ANI Photo
IMAGE: Mrs Vijayalakshmi Radhakrishnan hugs her son who will now steer the Indian Navy through the turbulent challenges of confronting China's naval ambitions.
IMAGE: The tender smile on Mrs Radhakrishnan's face says it all.
Photographs curated by Anant Salvi/Rediff.com
Feature Presentation: Mahipal Soni/Rediff.com