India Tribune Newsdesk
Chicago: Two young women from Telangana lost their lives in a tragic car accident in California, United States, leaving their families and the Indian community in deep shock and grief. The victims have been identified as Pullakhandam Meghana Rani (25), a resident of Garla mandal, and Kadiyala Bhavana (24) from Mulkanoor village, both in Mahabubabad district. The accident occurred on December 28 while the two were travelling with a group of friends during a Christmas holiday trip.
Meghana Rani and Bhavana had moved to the United States nearly three years ago to pursue their Master’s degrees. Known as bright, ambitious, and hardworking students, both were in the final stages of completing their education and actively seeking job opportunities. The two were close friends and lived together, sharing dreams of building successful careers abroad. Meghana, fondly called “Chikki” by her family and friends, was described as a kind and vibrant soul who always put others first.
According to reports, the tragedy unfolded near the Alabama Hills in California, a region known for its difficult terrain. While navigating a challenging stretch of road, their vehicle reportedly went out of control, veered off the road, and plunged into a deep gorge. Local authorities have launched an investigation to determine the exact cause of the crash.
The sudden loss has devastated the families, both emotionally and financially. Meghana belonged to a lower-middle-class family; her father runs a Mee-Seva centre in Garla, while Bhavana’s father serves as the Deputy Sarpanch of Mulkanoor village. The grieving families have appealed to the Telangana government and the Ministry of External Affairs to urgently intervene and coordinate with the Indian Consulate in San Francisco to expedite legal formalities and repatriate the mortal remains to India for the final rites.
A close friend, Sairam Patturi, has set up a GoFundMe campaign to raise funds for Meghana Rani’s repatriation and funeral expenses, with overwhelming support from the Telugu diaspora and well-wishers in the United States. As investigations continue, the tragedy stands as a painful reminder of lives full of promise lost far from home, leaving behind families struggling to cope with an irreplaceable loss.
