Family of Maharashtra Woman in Coma Gets Visa to Visit Her After US Accident
The family of Neelam Shinde, a 35-year-old student from Maharashtra’s Satara district, has finally received urgent visas to travel to the United States. Neelam has been in a coma since a devastating road accident earlier this month left her with severe injuries. The news brings relief to her father, Tanaji Shinde, and her brother, who can now rush to her side as she fights for her life in a US hospital.
Neelam, a Master’s student at California State University, was critically injured on February 14 when a four-wheeler hit her in Sacramento, California. She suffered serious damage to her head, hands, legs, and chest, requiring immediate brain surgery. Since then, she has remained in critical condition in the intensive care unit at UC Davis Medical Center. Her family learned of the accident two days later, on February 16, through her roommates.
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For over 10 days, Neelam’s family struggled to secure visas to be with her. Tanaji Shinde told reporters, “We’ve been trying for a visa since we heard the news, but it wasn’t easy.” The earliest available visa slots were reportedly for 2026, leaving the family desperate. They reached out to local leaders, including NCP (SP) MP Supriya Sule, who appealed to India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar for help.
The breakthrough came on Thursday when India’s Ministry of External Affairs intervened, urging the US government to expedite the process. By Friday morning, Neelam’s father and brother had secured visa appointments at the US Consulate in Mumbai. “We thank everyone who helped us in this difficult time,” said Neelam’s uncle, Sanjay Kadam.
The accident, suspected to be a hit-and-run, has led to the arrest of a suspect, though details remain under investigation. Neelam’s family hopes to provide her with emotional support as she battles for recovery. This case has also spotlighted the challenges Indian families face in emergencies abroad, with calls for faster visa processes growing louder. For now, the Shinde family’s focus is on reaching Neelam and praying for her survival.
