US embassy grants visa to family of comatose Indian student Neelam Shinde, father to leave tomorrow
The United States embassy on Friday (Feb 28) granted an emergency visa to the family of Indian student Neelam Shinde, who suffered a road incident in California and is currently in a coma.
Neelam Shinde’s father Tanhaji Shinde said that the family will leave for the US on Saturday (March 1).
This comes after the India’s External Affairs Ministry took the matter in their hands after Shinde’s family appealed for the visa.
The family got a call from the US Embassy in Mumbai to appear for a visa interview today.
Who is Neelam Shinde and what happened?
Neelam, who used to live in Mumbai, went to the US four years back. She was hit by a four-wheeler on February 14 in California after which she was admitted to UC Davis Health Hospital where she underwent brain surgery. Since then, she has been in a coma.
Shinde, a postgraduate student at California State University, was hit from behind by the vehicle and suffered injuries in both arms and legs.
She suffered injuries to her head, hand and chest.
The Indian Consulate General in San Francisco has been providing assistance to them and said that they are in constant touch with Shinde’s family.
Also read: MEA takes up takes up with US visa issue of family of Indian student Neelam Shinde
Who all got the visa?
Neelam’s father and cousin were granted the visa, after which they expressed gratitude to the central and state governments and NCP-SP MP Supriya Sule for their assistance.
“We have got the Visa, and we will be going (to the US) tomorrow. Both the Maharashtra and Central governments heard us, and we got the Visa… When CM Devendra Fadnavis came to know about the incident, he helped us get the Visa. Everyone, including Supriya Sule, helped us,” he said.
“A speeding car hit her on 14th (February). We received a call on February 16 about the accident… We have finally got the Visa. The politicians, including CM Devendra Fadnavis, helped us get the Visa. I will accompany Neelam’s father to the US, and we will be going tomorrow,” Gaurav Kadam, Neelam’s cousin said.
Investigation continues
The US police officials have arrested a man who hit Neelam Shinde with his car in San Francisco, California. The accused fled the scene, leaving her behind, NDTV reported.
The Sacramento police department said the 58-year-old accused, Lawrence Gallows, had been arrested after his vehicle crashed into Shinde’s on Fair Oaks Boulevard.
Also read: ‘Illegal migration is not worth the risk,’ US embassy sounds alarm amid reports of deporting Indians
(With inputs from agencies)
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