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Father of Maharashtra girl in coma in the US gets visa to visit daughter

The family of 35-year old Neelam was struggling to get an appointment for a visa at the US Consulate for the last ten days.

Neelam, 35, met with an accident after her bike was hit by a vehicle on February 14, and was admitted to a hospital with serious injuries to her head, hands, legs, and chest. (Express Photo)

Father of a student from Maharashtra’s Satara district, who is in a coma in the United States of America after a road accident, on Friday got an emergency visa to visit his daughter and is all set to take flight soon.

“The US Consulate has granted a visa to Tanaji Shinde, father of Neelam, who is hospitalised in California. He along with nephew will fly soon,” said Sanjay Kadam, uncle of Neelam.

The family of 35-year old Neelam was struggling to get an appointment for a visa at the US Consulate for the last ten days after they were informed about the accident on February 16. Family members and friends reached out to the Union and state government via Union minister Murlidhar Mohol, NCP(SP) MP Supriya Sule and few others asking them for help in getting Neelam’s father a visa. The US Consulate on information from the Indian and state government gave a special visa appointment for Tanaji Shinde.

“I am thankful to the union and state government. Chief Minister Devendra Fadanavis also helped us for visa appointment. Now, I want to rush to meet my daughter and focus on her recovery,” said Tanaji Shinde.

Union minister of state for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol said, “I am very glad that the father of the Maharashtra girl hospitalised in the US has got a visa. Thanks to the Union External Effairs ministry and chief minister Devendra Fadnavis for personally looking into the matter.”

He said the family had approached him during his Janta darbar and their case was immediately forwarded to the concerned office. “We have also reached to Maharashtra citizens in California to provide all possible help to Neelam and her family members during the tough time. Neelam is associated with National Aeronautical Space Agency (NASA). We wish her a fast recovery,” said Mohol.

Sule tweeted, “Grateful for the swift help in securing a visa for Tanaji Shinde, enabling him to be with his hospitalised daughter, Neelam Shinde, in the U.S. during this critical time. Thank you to union external affairs minister Dr S Jaishankar, US Consulate for your prompt help.”

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Neelam, 35, met with an accident after her bike was hit by a vehicle on February 14, and was admitted to a hospital with serious injuries to her head, hands, legs, and chest. According to her family, they were told about her accident on February 16 by her roommates, and they have been trying to get an emergency visa for her father since then. She had to undergo immediate surgery for which the hospital sought consent through an e-mail and asked the family members to come to the United States.

According to her family, Neelam went to California for her five-year Master of Science course, and is in her final year. Neelam’s family lives in Vadgaon near Umbraj in Satara, and her father stays with her uncle after her mother passed away last year due to illness. Her brother works with a financial firm in Pune.

Ajay Jadhav

Ajay Jadhav is an Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, Pune. With over 22 years of experience in the industry, he is a highly specialized journalist whose work focuses on the intersection of urban infrastructure, governance, and sustainability. Professional Background Role: As Assistant Editor, he plays a key role in the editorial direction of the Pune bureau, specializing in urban policy and its direct impact on citizens. Education: He holds a Master’s degree in Communication and Journalism from Savitribai Phule Pune University and a PG Diploma in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). He also studied at the prestigious Fergusson College. Impactful Reporting: He is credited with research-based articles on conservancy staff (waste workers) that influenced national policy for better working conditions. He is also known for exposing the contrast between high-end infrastructure (like helipads for leaders) and the lack of basic amenities like schools in their home districts. Personal Interests: An avid trekker and sports enthusiast, his personal interest in the outdoors often informs his reporting on environmental protection and sustainable development. Recent Notable Articles (December 2025) His reporting in late 2025 has been dominated by the upcoming January 2026 Civic Polls in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad, and the city's infrastructure boom: 1. Political Analysis (Civic Elections 2026) "Not friendly but a bitter fight lies ahead between BJP and NCP for PMC, PCMC" (Dec 22, 2025): A detailed look at the intense rivalry between the Mahayuti partners as they prepare for the January 15 municipal elections. "Pune civic polls: Big blow to NCP, NCP(SP) as leaders switch to BJP" (Dec 20, 2025): Reporting on high-profile poaching and party-hopping ahead of the elections. "Ajit Pawar's NCP continues domination in Pune, wins 10 of 17 local bodies" (Dec 21, 2025): Analyzing the results of the local self-government body elections as a precursor to the main civic polls. 2. Infrastructure & Urban Development "Looking Ahead at 2026: Pune to see inauguration of much-awaited Hinjewadi to Shivajinagar metro route" (Dec 22, 2025): An "outlook" piece on the critical Metro Line 3 project expected to finish by March 2026. "Building Pune: PMC to construct double-decker bridge over Mula-Mutha River" (Dec 18, 2025): Detailing a major project aimed at easing traffic between Hadapsar and Kharadi. "Condition of highway from Pune to Kolhapur to improve in a year: Gadkari" (Dec 4, 2025): Reporting on the Union Minister’s assurances regarding one of the state's most critical transport corridors. 3. Civic Governance & Environment "Install sensors, LED indicators at construction sites within 15 days: PMC to builders" (Dec 16, 2025): A follow-up to the "Breathless Pune" series, reporting on new mandates for builders to monitor air quality in real-time. "Errors in electoral rolls: PMC corrects data of 92,466 voters" (Dec 16, 2025): Tracking the administrative efforts to clean up the voter lists before the 2026 elections. Signature Style Ajay Jadhav is known for accountability journalism. His work often bridges the gap between high-level policy and the "ground zero" reality of Pune's residents. He is particularly focused on Sustainable Development, ensuring that as Pune grows into a "Bharat Mandapam" style destination (referring to his report on the Lohegaon project), its environmental and social safeguards remain intact. X (Twitter): @ajay_khape ... Read More

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