Tanaji Shinde set to attend an interview at Mumbai’s US Consulate Office
KOLHAPUR: Tanaji Shinde (62) of Vadgaon village in Satara’s Karad tehsil has been fighting to secure an emergency visa to join his comatose daughter at Sacramento in California, after her Feb 14 accident. Following a 10-day battle, he is set to attend an interview at Mumbai’s US Consulate Office on Friday, paving way to be with his only child.
Shinde’s daughter, 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.
UC Davis Medical Centre, run by the California State University where Nilam was pursuing MS in engineering, has issued a recommendation letter to the US Embassy in India, urging expedited visa approval for Shinde. The initial application process, however, doesn’t differentiate between regular and emergency visas, causing frustration for the anxious father. “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.
Nilam’s cousin, Gaurav, is following up with the US Consulate in Mumbai. “Ever since the issue gained limelight, we have received call from chief minister Devendra Fadnavis’s office. Even deputy CMs Ajit Pawar and Eknath Shinde are helping. We got a call from the consular office to raise emergency visa request after the slot opens. Our interview is scheduled on Friday. The university teachers and students have offered help by arranging one-way ticket to California.”
Gaurav works with an IT firm in Pune and has applied for a month’s leave to help his cousin and uncle.
