New York: After days of desperate appeals, the US has finally granted an emergency visa to the family of an Indian student lying in a coma after a road accident in California. Nilam Shinde, 35, is in a critical state after the accident on February 14. Her family in Maharashtra's Satara had been trying to get a visa since then.
The family, including Shinde's father, cousin brother, and uncle, will be taking the next flight out to the US.
"The visa interview process was very smooth. We have even received the printed copy of the visa. We will take the next flight out to the US. We are thankful to the media, Eknath Shinde and Supriya Sule," Shinde's cousin, Gaurav, told NDTV.
They will also be taking a loan of Rs 5 to Rs 6 lakh to go to the US. "Financially, if the government helps us, it would be great. We are not aware of her hospital bill yet," he said.
Shinde, a post-graduate student at California State University, was hit from behind by a car on February 14. She has suffered fractures in both arms and both legs and also required emergency brain surgery. She has been in a coma since then.
Her family learnt of the accident two days later, following which they had applied for a visa to go visit their comatose daughter in the US. However, the interview slot they got was for next year. The family then made appeals to the media and politicians. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) intervened after the incident was highlighted by NCP leader Supriya Sule, resulting in an expedited US visa appointment interview slot for the family.
