Hyderabad: An NCC cadet was crushed to death by a rashly driven truck on Tuesday morning when she was on her way to the RRC Stadium near Rail Nilayam to attend the three-day rehearsals for Independence Day.
B. Swapna John, 19, a BSc II year student of Railway Degree College, Tarnaka, had started from her home at Beerappagadda in Uppal at 5.30 am to attend the rehearsals.
“She was walking towards Rail Nilayam and the truck which was heading towards Alugaddabavi hit her, killing her on the spot,” said Gopalapuram inspector S. Rama Chandra Reddy. Driver Parasuram abandoned the truck and fled.
Her parents said Swapna had aspired to become a police officer and fight atrocities against woman.
She regularly participated in NCC camps and was preparing for the selections for next year’s Republic Day Parade at Delhi.
Swapna’s parents, John, a daily wage worker and Neelamma, who works in a private hospital, had migrated from Giddalur of Prakasam district in AP. Her elder sister Prasanna is a nurse at a private hospital, while her younger brother Jayaraj is studying in Class 4.
“Her one wish was to take part in the Republic Day parade at Delhi. Last year, she tried but was not selected. She was preparing seriously for 2016,” said Lieutenant Mallikarjun, in-charge of the Railway Degree College, 18/3 NCC Battalion.
“She always wanted to become a police officer and serve the nation. She would feel very sad when an incident of attack on women or girls happened. She said she would fight atrocities against women,” said Uma, a childhood friend of Swapna.
In addition to being a bright student, she had a passion for singing and sports. She was a sincere and punctual cadet.
“She was the only girl who gave a tough competition to the male cadets from our battalion. She performed the drill very well. No one could beat her in the drill,” said cadet junior under officer Madhu Kiran, who leads the college team during the parade. Parents have shifted her body to their native Giddalur for the final rites.
