The U.S. Embassy on Friday (February 28, 2025) granted emergency visas to the family members of Neelam Shinde, an Indian student from Maharashtra’s Satara, who is in a coma after a serious road accident in California.
Family to Travel to U.S. on Saturday
Neelam, who suffered severe injuries to her head, hand, and chest, has been hospitalized since February 14. Her father, Tanhaji Shinde, confirmed that the family will leave for the U.S. on Saturday to be by her side.
“We came to the embassy, they took our interview, and granted the visa in half an hour,” said Mr. Shinde. “Both the Central and Maharashtra governments helped us a lot. The media also played a crucial role.”
He added that Neelam remains in a coma, but her condition has shown slight improvement.
MEA Intervenes After Social Media Appeal
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) took swift action on Thursday after Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) leader Supriya Sule raised the issue on social media. The MEA facilitated the visa process for Neelam’s family to travel urgently.
“My daughter is in a coma, we can’t do much. I just wish she gets well soon,” said Mr. Shinde.
Neelam’s case highlights the challenges faced by Indian students abroad and the importance of timely intervention by authorities in emergency situations.
