Two young Indian-origin women from Telangana lost their lives while travelling with friends in the United States in a tragic car crash in California, according to police and media reports. The accident took place late Saturday evening and reports reveal that car lost control while passing through a difficult stretch near the Alabama Hills, veered off the road and plunged into a deep gorge. Both women died on the spot, others travelling sustained serious injuries.
Who were Meghana Rani and Kadiyala Bhavana?
The victims have been identified as 25-year-old Pullakhandam Meghana Rani, a resident of Garla mandal, and 24-year-old Kadiyala Bhavana from Mulkanoor village. Both villages are located in Telangana’s Mahabubabad district. The two women had moved to the United States nearly three years ago to pursue their Master’s degrees. Reports said they were in the final stages of completing their education and were actively looking for job placements. According to local media, both were described as bright and ambitious students by those who knew them.
Meghana’s father, Nageshwara Rao, runs a Mee-Seva centre in Telangana. Bhavana’s father is the deputy sarpanch of Mulkanoor village. Their families are in deep shock and grief following the sudden loss.
Request for help
The families have appealed to the Telangana government and the Ministry of External Affairs for urgent assistance. A fundraiser on Gofundme has also been set up to bring Meghana Rani’s body back to India. The fundraiser note reads, “Meghana Rani(Chikki) moved here from [Garla Khammam in India, Telangana] with dreams and a heart full of love. To those who knew her, she was a kind, vibrant soul who always put others first. Her sudden departure has left a void in our lives that can never be filled.She was an Indian national, unmarried, and belonged to a lower-middle-class family from Garla village, Telangana, India.”
It further read, “We humbly request your support during this extremely difficult time. Any contribution, no matter how small, will help us give my Sister a dignified farewell and will mean more to us than words can express.” Authorities are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the California crash.
This is the second such tragic incident involving the Indian community in the US this week. Earlier, Yashwanth Kumar Goshika, a 33-year-old resident of Dallas from Telangana, died in his sleep. Reports said he was suffering from a health condition related to sleep apnea. A separate fundraiser has been set up to help bring his body back to India.
