Two children who survived a car accident in India that killed their parents have arrived home in Adelaide.
Key points:
- Bhavagna, 9, and Palvith, 6, have finally returned home.
- Her parents Hems Peddagamalla and Rama Batthula died in a car accident in India
- The Adelaide Telugu community has raised more than $ 200,000 for children
Hemambaradhar “Hems” Peddagamalla and his wife Rama Batthula were killed when their taxi crashed near Hyderabad in April.
Her children Bhavagna, 9, and Palvith, 6, survived the crash and had recovered from their injuries at a hospital in India.
There were shouts of applause as the two children entered through the gates of Adelaide Airport on Wednesday night.
Members of the Telugu Association of South Australia, an Indian community, were waiting with gifts for the children.
Hemambaradhar “Hems” Peddagamalla and his wife Rama Batthula with their sons Bhavagna and Palvith. (GoFundMe)
The children were accompanied by Sam and Miriam Kaladari, who will now become their full-time tutors.
Kaladari, who was a close friend of the parents, said that when he came to India to see the children they only wanted one thing.
“The first thing the little one told me was that today I want to go home, he said it 15 times,” Kaladari said.
Palvith, 6, is welcome home in Adelaide. (ABC Adelaide: Ethan Rix)
The Kaladari believe that with the support of the local community they will be able to give children the best possible life.
“We can’t return his parents,” Kaladari said.
“But as a team of people we can offer them the best, whatever their parents wanted for them in their lives.”
Sam and Miriam Kaladari will now become children’s full-time tutors. (ABC Adelaide: Ethan Rix) A notice for a memorial for the couple. (Facebook: Telugu Association of South Australia)
Kaladari said that while Palvith remembered his father the other day, he described him as a “good man” and that he “worked hard.”
Adelaide GP Sudeer Talari was in India to give the news to the children of the death of their parents.
“I gave bad news to my patients, but that was the most traumatic thing to tell the children that their mother and father are no longer there,” Dr. Talari said.
Dr. Talari said it was unbelievable that the children could return home so soon.
“We all thought the kids might take months to come, but it’s been a miracle,” he said.
“We thought there would be so many legal issues.”
Bhavagna was overwhelmed by the amount of gifts she received. (ABC Adelaide: Ethan Rix)
Dr Talari also thanked the Australian High Committee for prompt follow-up on his return.
A GoFundMe page has raised more than $ 245,000 to pay for the funeral of Mr. Peddagamalla and Mrs. Batthula, their mortgage, and the children’s medical expenses.
The Telugu Association has also established a direct debit to provide ongoing support to children and their new guardians.
“The power of the community has been demonstrated here and we all take on that responsibility now,” the family doctor said.
Members of the Adelaide Indian community welcomed the children. (ABC Adelaide: Ethan Rix)