An Indian student, Neelam Shinde, has been in a coma after being hit by a four-wheeler in California on February 14.
The 35-year-old, a resident of Satara district, Maharashtra, is currently in the ICU of a hospital. The police have arrested the driver involved in the accident.
Her family, desperate to be by her side, has been struggling to obtain a visa.
"We learned about the accident on February 16 and have been trying for a visa since then, but we haven’t received it yet," said her father, Tanaji Shinde.
NCP (SP) MP Supriya Sule has stepped in to seek help from External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar to expedite the visa process.
"This is an alarming issue, and we all need to come together to resolve it," Ms. Sule told NDTV, adding that she has been in constant touch with the family and assured them that the matter will be addressed.
Despite political differences with Mr. Jaishankar, she described him as "very helpful and empathetic" when it comes to issues concerning Indian students abroad.
"My experience with the MEA (Ministry of External Affairs) has been exceptionally good. They always go the extra mile to help," Ms. Sule said, adding that she has also reached out to the US Embassy in Mumbai.
She later took to her official X account, tagging Mr. Jaishankar, to seek assistance in securing a visa for Mr. Shinde.
According to Neelam Shinde’s family, the accident left her with fractured hands and legs, along with severe head injuries.
"The police admitted her to the hospital, and her roommates informed us on February 16. They told us she had been in a major accident," said her uncle, Sanjay Kadam.
"The hospital sought our permission to operate on her brain. She is in a coma now, and we need to be there," he added.
Mr. Kadam mentioned that the hospital provides daily health updates, but the family is unable to book visa slots at the passport office, as the earliest available appointment is next year.
Neelam has been in the US for four years and is in her final year of studies.
