California: Indian student Neelam Shinde, a final-year university student in the United States, has been in a coma for 10 days after being hit by a four-wheeler in California on February 14. The police have arrested the driver, and Neelam remains critical with head injuries and multiple fractures.
Her family in Satara, Maharashtra, learned about the accident two days later, on February 16. Her father, Tanaji Shinde, has been struggling to obtain a US visa to be by her side. With Donald Trump’s stricter immigration policies, he has sought help from Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has stepped in, with officials confirming that they have taken up the visa request with the US authorities. Meanwhile, NCP (SP) leader Supriya Sule has urged External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar to intervene.
As the family waits for assistance, they remain desperate to reach Neelam, who recently underwent emergency surgery. The case highlights the challenges faced by Indian families navigating visa approvals during medical emergencies abroad.
