A weekend trip turned into an unimaginable tragedy for two young Indian women in the United States. Pullakhandam Meghana Rani and Kadiyala Bhavana, close friends who had travelled from Telangana to pursue their American dream, lost their lives in a devastating car accident in California.
The Fatal Journey and Immediate Aftermath
The accident occurred on Sunday when the car the women were traveling in plunged into a gorge near Alabama, California. Both Meghana Rani and Bhavana were killed on the spot. They were returning from a short trip with a group of friends. Other occupants of the vehicle sustained serious injuries in the horrific crash.
According to reports, both women hailed from the Indian state of Telangana and had moved to the United States approximately three years ago to pursue their master's degrees. They were part of a close-knit group of friends who had embarked on the weekend excursion.
Families in Mourning and a Community's Effort
The news has sent shockwaves through their families and communities back in India. Meghana Rani, affectionately known as 'Chikki', was from Garla village in Khammam district, Telangana. Her father, Nageshwara Rao, runs a Mee-Seva centre. Bhavana's father serves as the deputy sarpanch of Mulkanoor village. Both women were described as belonging to lower-middle-class families, their education in the US a testament to their aspirations and hard work.
A fundraiser has been initiated to support the repatriation of Meghana Rani's body to India. The appeal describes her as a kind and vibrant soul who always prioritized others. "She moved here from Garla Khammam in India, Telangana with dreams and a heart full of love," the fundraiser states, highlighting the profound void left by her sudden passing.
A Plea for Support and a Dream Cut Short
The online fundraiser includes an emotional request from the family for assistance during this difficult time. "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," the message reads.
The tragedy underscores the vulnerabilities faced by Indian students abroad and has united the diaspora in grief. The incident near Alabama, California, serves as a somber reminder of how quickly lives can change, cutting short the promising futures of two young women who had journeyed far from home in pursuit of their goals.
