Aishwarya Thatikonda's friend appeals to KTR, US Embassy to expedite transportation of her mortal remains to India

HYDERABAD: Sai Vikas, a resident of Hyderabad and a close friend of Aishwarya Tatikonda who died in the Texas shooting, expressed shock and his deepest sympathies for his friend's tragic demise.

"On the weekend, Aishwarya and my other friend went to Texas outlet mall for shopping," Sai Vikas recalled the tragic incident. "There was an unexpected breakout of gunfire. She was shot, and my other friend was hit with three bullets and is still undergoing treatment," he said.

Aishwarya, a project engineer with Perfect General Contractors LLC, studied with Sai Vikas from class 9 through intermediate. Sai Vikas, Aishwarya, and their friend Shreyash Reddy, the injured in the incident, went to the same school and were close buddies.

"Aishwarya used to be like a leader for all the girls in the class," Sai Vikas recounts Aishwarya's activism at her school and college, where she addressed girls' issues. "She used to address all of the females' problems at school and college," he added.

According to Vikas, the triggered gunshots on Aishwarya's face made it difficult to recognise her facial features. Sai Vikas has pleaded with both the US Embassy and Telangana Minister KT Rama Rao to expedite the transportation of her mortal remains to India.

KT Rama Rao, who is noted for his rapid responses on social media, responded instantly to Sai Vikas' plea and assured that his staff would take care of his request.

MVSR, Aishwarya's alma mater, mourns her demise

Asst Prof in MVSR College of Engineering R Sri Ranjani and her husband Dr R Prashanth — both of whom teach Civil Engineering subjects at the college — were very fond of Aishwarya and her brother Srikanth.

Dr R Prashant Kumar, coordinator civil-engineering students association and his wife Sri Ranjani said Aishwarya was a brilliant student and very active in academics and also other activities in the college. Dr Prashant and his wife are teachers in civil engineering. Sri Ranjani said Aishwarya used to evince a lot of interest and take the lead in technology related activities other than the curriculum.