The family of Nilam Shinde, the Indian student in coma after a road accident in California, has finally been granted visa by the US embassy. The visa was issued on Friday after an interview at Mumbai's US Consulate office.
Informing about the development, the student's father Tanhaji Shinde said that they had received a call from the embassy and were granted visa within half an hour. He also mentioned that the family received help from both the central and the Maharashtra government.
"I received a phone call from her roommate on February 16. However, she didn't tell me about the accident. Later, she informed Neelam's uncle about it. She is still in coma, however, her condition has improved slightly. We came here (to the embassy). They took our interview and granted Visa in half an hour. We will leave (for the US) tomorrow. Both the Cental and Maharashtra government helped us a lot. The media also helped us. My daughter is in coma, we can't do much. I just wish she gets well soon," he said.
Nilam Shinde was taking a walk at Sacramento when a speeding vehicle hit her. She sufferedsevere fractures to her legs, skull, left arm, and a brain injury which left her in coma.
Meanwhile, Shinde's uncle Sanjay Kadam praised the Centre and state government for their help and requested that the process of getting an emergency visa be eased.
"Neelam sustained major injuries, and she is in coma. The central govt and state govt did a good job, and we have now got the Visa. Earlier, we were trying to book a slot (at the US Consulate) via agents, but then this news reached the govt through the media, and the govt helped us... We request the Indian govt that the process of Emergency Visa should be eased," he said.
The Indian consulate in San Francisco had expressed solidarity with Shinde's family and assured all support to them.
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