### Urgent Visa Granted to Family of Comatose Indian Student Neelam Shinde After 12-Day Ordeal Neelam Shinde, a 35-year-old Indian student, has been in a coma since a serious car accident in California on February 14, 2025. After a prolonged struggle, her family was granted emergency visas by the US Embassy, allowing her father and cousin to travel to California to be by her side. The visa was issued on March 1, 2025, following urgent appeals and intervention from the Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) [https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/mumbai-news/after-12-day-ordeal-kin-of-student-in-icu-finally-gets-us-visa-101740771399603.html]. ### Breakdown of the Situation and Response 1. **Accident and Medical Condition** - Neelam Shinde was critically injured in a hit-and-run accident in California, leading to her being hospitalized in a coma at UC Davis Medical Center [https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/india/us-embassy-grants-visa-to-family-of-indian-student-in-coma-after-california-crash-12952763.html]. - Her family, residing in Maharashtra, India, has been deeply concerned about her condition and has been seeking to travel to the US to support her during this critical time [https://www.indiatvnews.com/news/world/neelam-shinde-us-emergency-visa-family-indian-student-coma-india-us-diplomatic-intervention-2025-02-28-978340]. 2. **Visa Application Process** - The family faced significant delays in obtaining visas, prompting them to make desperate appeals for assistance [https://www.gulfnews.com/world/asia/india/indian-student-in-coma-nilam-shindes-parents-granted-emergency-us-visa-interview-1.500048309]. - The MEA intervened, facilitating communication with US authorities to expedite the visa process [https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/law-order/3281776-swift-visa-action-family-rushes-to-injured-indian-students-side-in-us]. 3. **Outcome and Next Steps** - The US Embassy granted the visas on March 1, 2025, allowing Shinde's father and cousin to board the next available flight to California [https://www.ndtv.com/video/us-embassy-grants-visa-to-family-of-comatose-indian-student-nilam-shinde-908190]. - The family is expected to arrive shortly to provide emotional and physical support to Neelam as she continues her recovery [https://www.outlookindia.com/national/us-embassy-grants-visa-to-family-of-indian-student-in-coma-details]. ### Supporting Evidence and Data - **Timeline of Events:** - **February 14, 2025:** Neelam Shinde is involved in a serious car accident in California. - **February 27, 2025:** Family begins urgent appeals for US visas; MEA intervenes [https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/law-order/3279640-urgent-visa-proccurement-for-injured-indian-students-family]. - **February 28, 2025:** US Embassy schedules emergency visa interviews for family members [https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/international/us-grants-emergency-visa-interview-to-father-of-critical-indian-student]. - **March 1, 2025:** Visas granted, family prepares to travel [https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/mumbai-news/after-12-day-ordeal-kin-of-student-in-icu-finally-gets-us-visa-101740771399603.html]. ### Conclusion and Summary of Findings **The situation surrounding Neelam Shinde highlights the critical intersection of medical emergencies and international diplomacy.** 1. **Accident and Medical Condition:** Neelam remains in a coma following a serious accident, prompting her family's urgent need to be by her side. 2. **Visa Process:** The family faced significant challenges in obtaining visas, which were resolved through diplomatic intervention. 3. **Outcome:** The US Embassy's swift action allowed her family to travel to California, providing them the opportunity to support Neelam during her recovery. This case underscores the importance of timely diplomatic efforts in addressing urgent humanitarian needs [https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/law-order/3281776-swift-visa-action-family-rushes-to-injured-indian-students-side-in-us].