US Embassy Issues Visa to Family of Injured Indian Student
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Synopsis
The US Embassy has granted a visa to the family of Nilam Shinde, a comatose Indian student in Washington due to a road accident. The family will soon travel to be by her side, after facing multiple visa rejections.
Key Takeaways
- US Embassy expedited visa for family.
- Nilam Shinde remains in critical condition.
- Family's journey from hopelessness to hope.
- Cousin urges for visa process reform.
- Driver arrested after the incident.
Washington, Feb 28 (NationPress) The US Embassy has issued a visa to the family of an Indian student who sustained severe injuries in a road accident in Washington and has remained unconscious since.
The student, identified as Nilam Shinde, 35, who is pursuing her post-graduate studies at California State University, suffered multiple fractures in her arms and legs after being struck by a vehicle from behind on February 14.
She underwent brain surgery and has been in a coma ever since.
While Shinde's condition remains critical, her family reported that there have been slight improvements in her health.
The family, from Satara district in Maharashtra, had nearly lost hope of seeing Shinde after multiple visa applications were denied. They will now be taking the next available flight to the United States.
Members of the family, including Shinde's father, cousin, and uncle, are set to visit her.
In a statement to NDTV, Shinde's cousin Gaurav expressed gratitude for the smooth visa interview process and thanked media outlets as well as Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and NCP(SP) leader Supriya Sule.
He also mentioned that they would seek a loan to cover the travel expenses.
Gaurav urged the government to reform the visa process, stating, 'No other family should endure what we experienced. Emergency procedures need to be revised.'
It is important to note that the family initially applied for a US visa immediately after learning of the accident, but was given an interview slot for the following year.
Following intense appeals to political leaders and the media, Supriya Sule addressed the issue, prompting intervention from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) which led to an expedited visa interview for the family.
The driver responsible for the incident, Lawrence Gallow (58), was arrested five days later on February 19.
