Wife of Indian techie killed in US attends Donald Trump's speech

Washington : The wife of Indian techie, who was shot dead in Kansas last year, attended Donald Trump's first State of the Union address on Wednesday. She was invited by a Republican leader from Kansas, Kevin Yoder.

Sunayana Dumala, the wife of Srinivas Kuchibhotla - the Hyderabad engineer who was shot dead at a bar in Kansas in February last year - is on the guest list, Mr Yoder said.

"Each year, I have the privilege of inviting one guest to attend the president's State of the Union address. This year, I have invited Sunayana Dumala, widow of Srinivas Kuchibhotla, the Indian immigrant who was tragically killed in the hate crime shooting last year at in Olathe," Mr Yoder tweeted.

In a case of hate crime, the Indian techie was shot dead by a man who first yelled "get out of my country" then shot at Srinivas Kuchibhotla and his friends, who were in the bar to have some food.

White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders told reporters that the theme of the address is "building a safe, strong, and proud America".

It will be must-watch TV event, she said as she gave details of the guests.

"Some of these individuals' stories are heroic, some are patriotic, others are tragic. But all of them represent the unbreakable American spirit, and will inspire our nation to continue growing stronger, prouder, and more prosperous," Ms Sanders said.

(Inputs from agencies)