Freedom fighter Anjalai Ponnusamy dies aged 102

 

Anjalai Ponnusamy joined the Indian National Army at the age of 21 but returned to Malaysia after the Japanese defeat during World War II.

PETALING JAYA: Freedom fighter Anjalai Ponnusamy, who fought for India’s independence from colonial Britain, died yesterday, aged 102.

“Anjalai drew her last breath at 5.59pm yesterday, with her daughter Banumathi by her side,” Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Indian Cultural Centre director Ramya Hiriyannaiah told FMT.

Ramya said Anjali died at a hospital in Sentul following a heart attack.

Her passing also drew the attention of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who tweeted: “Anguished by the passing away of the distinguished Indian National Army veteran from Malaysia Anjalai Ponnusamy Ji. We will always remember her courage and inspiring role in India’s freedom movement. Condolences to her family and friends.”

Anjalai was once a soldier who served under the command of Netaji Bose, a name known to Indians here and abroad.

A prominent figure in the struggle for India’s independence, Bose was a contemporary of Mahatma Gandhi, who shared his dream of an India free from British rule.

To accomplish this, he founded the Indian National Army in 1943, albeit with the support of the Japanese, during World War II.

At the age of 21, Anjalai joined the Rani of Jhansi Regiment – the women’s regiment of the Indian National Army – in the hopes of discarding the yoke of British colonialism from the Indian people.

After the war ended with the Japanese defeat, the Indian National Army was disbanded, and Anjalai returned home to continue her life in Malaysia.

During her lifetime, she had the privilege of seeing both Malaya and India gain independence from the British to become nations of their own.

“Anjalai Ponnusamy was the epitome of Nari Shakti, or feminine power. She will be an inspiration for generations to come, putting (the) nation first. She is patriotism personified,” said Ramya. - FMT