The family of 35-year-old Neelam Shinde, who has been in a coma for 19 days at a California hospital, arrived on Monday after getting an emergency visa last week. According to NDTV, the family also met the hospital authorities and an official from her university.
Shinde, who suffered a road accident, is showing signs of improvement, according to a family member. Her uncle, Sanjay Kadam, said that the pressure on her brain has reduced, and she underwent surgery after the consent of the family.
Mumbai, Maharashtra: Indian student Neelam Shinde remains in a coma after a road accident in California. Her family, struggling for 10 days to obtain a US visa, has finally received approval
Neelam’s father, Tanaji Shinde says, “We finally got the visa and will now go to… pic.twitter.com/1q7hb4i920
— IANS (@ians_india) February 28, 2025
Neelam was hit by a four-wheeler on February 14 and suffered a traumatic brain injury that left her comatose, besides fractures and injuries to her chest, arms, and legs. She has been admitted to the UC Davis Medical Center near Sacramento.
Shinde’s family got the information about the accident on February 16, and then they applied for a visa. However, they said that the visa interview slot they got was for next year. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) earlier assured that it had taken up the matter of requesting a US visa for the family of Shinde.
“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 a coma. However, her condition has improved slightly. We came here (to the embassy). They took our interview and granted visas in half an hour. We will leave (for the US) tomorrow (Saturday),” Tanhaji Shinde told news agency PTI.
#WATCH | Accident of Indian student Neelam Shinde in the US | In Mumbai, the maternal uncle of Neelam Shinde, Sanjay Kadam says, “…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… pic.twitter.com/j3vE3NKGOM
— ANI (@ANI) February 28, 2025
He also thanked the Centre and the Maharashtra government for the prompt action. Tanhaji also thanked the Centre and Maharashtra government for the prompt action.
“Both the central and Maharashtra governments helped us a lot. The media also helped us. My daughter is in a coma. We can’t do much. I just wish she gets well soon,” Tanhaji Shinde said.
Meanwhile, the local police are investigating the accident, and the driver of the vehicle that hit Shinde has been arrested. The family said that the priority is to ensure that she gets proper treatment and recovers, and then they will take the legal action.
