A dream life built together in India's tech capital was tragically cut short for three young women from Bengaluru when a routine pilgrimage turned into a nightmare. AM Navya (26) and HC Manasa (27) lost their lives in a devastating bus accident, while their close friend, Milana Narayanamurthy (26), survived but is now grappling with profound shock and loss.
A Bond Forged in College, Strengthened in Bengaluru
The trio's story was one of deep friendship and shared ambition. They first met as students at Malnad Engineering College in Hassan, a bond that continued to grow after they all pursued their MTech degrees in Bengaluru. Their professional journeys also aligned, with both Navya and Manasa securing positions as software engineers at companies based in the city's bustling Manyata Tech Park.
Living together as paying guests, they became inseparable. Friends describe them as a unit—commuting together, travelling to their hometowns, and celebrating every milestone. Their long evenings were filled with conversations about their careers, their futures, and, recently, their impending weddings. Both Navya and Manasa were brides-to-be, with Manasa's preparations already in full swing and Navya's wedding scheduled for April 28 and 29.
A Fateful Journey for Spiritual Solace
Seeking a brief respite from their demanding work lives, the three friends decided on a short trip to the Sigandur temple near Sagar in Shivamogga district. On Wednesday night, they boarded a sleeper-coach bus, looking forward to spiritual solace and a break from the city's pace.
Tragically, their bus met with a severe accident. The collision proved fatal for Navya and Manasa, who were burnt to death. Milana, though injured, survived the crash. In the chaotic aftermath, it was Milana who made the first, dreadful call to Navya's father, Manjappa, informing him of the accident but having no news of her two friends.
Families Shattered, A Future Lost
The news has left their families in Hassan district shattered. Navya's father, an agriculturist and hotelier from Ankanahalli village, was inconsolable. "Her engagement was already done. We had almost completed 80% of the wedding preparations," Manjappa said, breaking down. "The wedding hall was booked, jewellery was bought… but now I don't even have my daughter."
He recalled speaking to his daughter just hours before her journey. "Yesterday around seven in the evening, Navya spoke to me and my wife. She told us she was going to Sigandur temple with her friends," he shared, clinging to the memory of their last conversation.
Meanwhile, at the Hiriyur taluk hospital, Milana remained in a state of severe trauma. Relatives reported that the shock and grief had rendered her largely silent, unable to process the sudden loss of her two dearest friends. The accident has not only claimed two promising young lives but has also irrevocably altered the life of the survivor, leaving a close-knit circle of family and friends in Bengaluru and Hassan mourning a future that will never be.
