None from college had courtesy to call on us: Aishwarya’s father

Tears in everyone’s eyes. The only difference was some cried inconsolably, a few wept silently and many broke down cursing the fate.

More or less this was the situation at the respective houses of the three students of VNR Vignana Jyothi Institute of Engineering and Technology who died in Himachal Pradesh tragedy. Bodies of G. Aishwarya, A. Vijetha, Laxmi Gayatri and Banothu Rambabu were flown into Begumpet airport in the early hours of Tuesday.

While the body of Rambabu was sent to his village in Nalgonda district, the remaining were shifted to their houses at Alwal, Madhurangar and Kukatpally. From school van driver Abdul Majeed to Malkajgiri MLA C. Kanaka Reddy, scores of people paid homage to Aishwarya at her house in Alwal.

Many of them tried to console her father G.V.R. Durga Dass, only to break down. “Such a lovely lady she was. I drove her to St. Ann’s school in Bollarum from her LKG days to 10 standard. Was hoping to see her as an engineer and attend her marriage,” said shocked van driver Majeed.

For Majeed, her friends, neighbours and relatives, Aishwarya was not just a promising engineering student but a decent and well-behaved youngster. “Nothing can fill the void her untimely and sad demise created in our lives. Her memories are going to haunt us for the rest of our lives,” said her brother Abhishek sobbing.

Aishwarya’s father Durga Dass too was disturbed but controlling his emotions, he went ahead with the final rites. “People known and unknown to me called, consoled and stood by me in this tough time. But none from college didn’t even bother to share our sorrow by coming here or informing us about what had happened,” he said.

Mr. Dass said it was not fair on the part of the college management and staff describing their handling the situation as indifferent.

Pall of gloom

A pall of gloom descended in the Madhuranagar of S.R. Nagar as the body of A. Vijetha arrived in the colony. Cutting across caste and creed residents dropped in to be with the family in the moment of grief. Leaders of different political parties and local social activists also dropped at the house.

The final journey started from the residence to Punjagutta cremation grounds. Friends and relatives followed the procession and participated in the final rites.

(Additional reporting from Asif Yar Khan)