US embassy grants visa to family of Indian student Nilam Shinde, in coma after accident

NEW DELHI: Father and brother of Nilam Shinde, who went into a coma after getting injured in a road accident in California, have been granted the US visa on Friday to visit the victim. The visa was issued after both attended an interview at Mumbai's US Consulate Office.
"Nilam sustained major injuries, and she is in coma. The central government and state government 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 government through the media, and the government helped us. We request the Indian government that the process of Emergency Visa should be eased," the maternal uncle of Nilam Shinde, Sanjay Kadam told news agency ANI.
Nilam (35), was taking a walk at Sacramento when she was struck by a speeding vehicle, sending her flying 40 feet.
She suffered severe fractures to both legs, her left arm and skull, besides a traumatic brain injury that left her comatose. Doctors at UC Davis Medical Centre said Nilam's chances of recovery might improve with her father by her side, which would also aid in making crucial medical decisions.
On Thursday, the Indian consulate in San Francisco posted an update on X on the Nilam Shinde case, extending its support to her family.
Also read: Indian consulate on hospitalised Indian student: 'In constant touch with hospital, family'
In the statement, the consulate expressed its "sympathy and solidarity" with Shinde's family and assured that it has been in constant touch with the hospital, her family, and friends.
"We have been rendering all possible assistance and will continue to remain engaged to support her and the family," the post read.
"Nilam is my only child. She visited me last Feb after her mother's passing. On Feb 12, we had a lengthy talk on the anniversary of my wife's death. She regretted not being able to come home, citing her final semester of MS engineering at the university. Two days later, we received the news of her accident through a friend at the university," Shinde, who retired as a bank peon few years back, told TOI.
Nilam earned her BE computer science degree from Sinhgad Institute in Pune, subsequently entered the workforce and completed a one-year internship at Nasa. Four years ago, she enrolled at California State University to pursue MS in engineering. Baramati MP Supriya Sule took up the cause of the distressed father after his plight was brought to her attention by former Karad North MLA and minister Balasaheb Patil. Sule, a member of NCP (SP), promptly raised the issue with the ministry of external affairs, seeking urgent assistance to expedite the visa process.
"My aim right now is to get him on the first flight to California. I am in touch with Shinde through Balasaheb Patil. We also need to look into the process, which does not differentiate between regular and emergency visa applications. But I will take up the policy matter with MEA S Jaishankar after Shinde reaches the US to be with his daughter. I hope she comes out of it stronger," Sule told TOI.