The Consulate General of India in Chicago, US, has stepped forward to offer medical and travel assistance to a Hyderabad woman who was discovered starving on the streets of Chicago last week. In a Twitter announcement on Saturday (Indian time), the Consulate stated that they have been in touch with Ms. Syeda Zaidi and provided support, including medical aid and an offer to facilitate her return to India.
The woman, identified as Syeda Lulu Minhaj Zaidi, had traveled to the US to pursue a master’s degree but was found in a distressing condition, having lost her belongings due to theft and experiencing depression.
The concerning situation came to public attention when Amjed Ullah Khan, a spokesperson for the Majlis Bachao Tehreek (MBT), a political party in Telangana, shed light on her plight.
After learning of her plight, Syeda Wahaj Fatima, the woman’s mother, wrote a letter to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, urgently requesting his intervention to bring back her daughter to India at the earliest.
The Consulate General of India in Chicago expressed satisfaction that they were able to get in touch with Ms. Zaidi and offer assistance. They confirmed that she is in a stable condition and has been able to communicate with her mother in India. However, there has been no response yet regarding her acceptance of the support offered for her return to India.
The Consulate emphasized their commitment to providing all necessary help to Ms. Zaidi and ensuring her well-being.
“This is to state that my daughter Syeda Lulu Minhaj Zaidi resident of 41-48, Sadullal Nazar behind Eid Gah, Moula Ali, Medchal District, Telangana State went to pursue her Master’s in Information Science from TRINE University, Detroit, USA during Aug 2021 and was studying and was in touch with us. Since the last two months, she was not in touch with me, and recently through two Hyderabadi youths we came to know that my daughter is under deep depression and her entire belonging has been stolen due to which she is on the verge of starvation and being spotted on roads of Chicago, USA,” the letter read.
“It is requested to kindly ask the Embassy of India. Washington DC, USA, and Indian Consulate in Chicago, USA to immediately interfere and bring back my daughter as soon as possible back to India. Necessary action taken in this regard may be informed,” she added.
MBT spokesman stated that they had appealed to External Affairs Minister Jaishankar to bring her back. “After my tweet, I received a reply from the Ministry of External Affairs and the Indian Consulate of Chicago that she is not in a condition to travel immediately.”
“We are trying to send her parents to Chicago to take care of the girl. The parents do not have passports. We have appealed to IT Minister KTR (Telangana) to help in getting them passports and also a visa from the US Consulate in Hyderabad. Many individuals and organizations have come forward trips to the US,” he said.
“We also got a quick response from the government. We thank Jaishankar, EAM, and Indian Consulate in Chicago, and also all the organizations that have come forward to help them,” Khan added.
Earlier, the MBT Spokesperson tweeted, “Ms. Syeda Lulu Minhaj Zaidi from Hyd went to pursue MS from TRINE University, Detroit was found in a very bad condition in Chicago, IL. Her mother has appealed @DrSJaishankar to bring back her daughter. Would appreciate immediate help.”
