Daijiworld Media Network - Washington

Washington, Feb 28: The US Embassy has granted visas to the family of Nilam Shinde, a 35-year-old Indian student who has been in a coma since a road accident in Washington on February 14.

Shinde, a postgraduate student at California State University, suffered multiple fractures after being hit by a car from behind. Following brain surgery, she remains in critical condition, though her health has shown slight improvements, her family said.

Her father, cousin, and uncle hailing from Maharashtra’s Satara district will now travel to the US, after struggling to secure an emergency visa. Initially given an interview slot for next year, the family had lost hope but continued appealing to leaders and the media.

After NCP (SP) leader Supriya Sule intervened, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) expedited their visa process. Maharashtra Deputy CM Eknath Shinde also extended support.

Nilam’s cousin Gaurav thanked the media and political leaders but urged the government to revise emergency visa procedures. “No family should go through what we did,” he said, adding that they would take a loan to travel.

Meanwhile, the accused driver, Lawrence Gallow (58), was arrested on February 19, five days after the incident.