Palakkad, 12 Nov (H.S.): Radha, a Thailand-born woman who spent part of her childhood at an Indian National Army (INA) camp in Bangkok and treasured memories of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose’s affection, has died aged 88.

Known as “Kerala’s adopted daughter”, she lived at Pothuvattil in Karalmanna, near Cherpulassery. Her funeral was held at 10 a.m. on Thursday on the premises of her home.

Radha came to Kerala as the adopted daughter of Dr Krishna Pothuval, a native of Karalmanna and a prominent INA activist living in Thailand, and his wife Narayanikutty Pothuval. Narayanikutty, who was also associated with the INA, gave the child her Malayalam name.

Her early years unfolded amid the INA’s struggle for India’s independence, when figures such as Captain Lakshmi were active in the movement. She lived alongside Bose’s regiment in Bangkok before arriving in Kerala in 1946, aged seven.

For Radha, the freedom fighter remained a warm, playful presence in her childhood memories.

Her son-in-law, Palakkad District Information Officer I.R. Prasad, said she remembered Bose hiding behind a pillar and suddenly appearing to startle and amuse her. Those affectionate encounters stayed with her throughout her life.

She also frequently recalled an occasion when Bose gave her a coin. Although too young to understand its value, she kept it carefully because it was his gift. By evening, however, the coin had gone missing, leaving her in tears for a long time.

Alongside these tender recollections were memories of the fear and destruction of the Second World War. Radha witnessed bombing raids and later told family members how she had crouched beneath a building with wooden flooring to escape the attacks.

Her recollections brought together a child’s experience of wartime Bangkok and an intimate glimpse of the affection she received from one of the leading figures of India’s struggle for freedom.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman