External Affairs minister Sushma Swaraj has come to the aid of a distressed son who was unable to get through to the Indian mission in the US to attend his father’s funeral.
The Mission was closed for Vijaya Dashami on Tuesday and on account of Muharram on Wednesday, which meant the aggrieved son would have to wait for another two days to secure his visa to travel to India.
However, Swaraj on Tuesday directed the Indian Embassy in Washington to provide visa for an Indian man after his mother approached the minister on Twitter.
Swaraj's directive to the Embassy came after Sarita Takru, a resident of Karnal, appealed to the External Affairs Minister on Twitter to provide visa to her US-based son Abhai Kaul so he can attend his father's cremation.
"Our Embassy in US is closed for Vijaya Dashmi and Muharram. I have sent a message. We will open the Embassy and give visa to your son," Swaraj tweeted.
Soon after the minister’s instruction, the Indian Embassy asked Takru to share Kaul's contact details with it so that visa can be granted expeditiously.
Takru said her husband died on Monday and she had expressed anguish after knowing that the embassy will be closed on Tuesday and Wednesday.
"...Can't get Indian visa before Local Thursday. Is this human?"
"This dreadful wait must end. Please give my son Indian visa in US so his father may be cremated. Please support. Need empathy," she tweeted.
To this, Swaraj responded, saying, "I am sorry to know about the sad demise of your husband. Just wait - I will help you."
The External Affairs Minister is known for her prompt response to Indians in distress abroad.
(With inputs from PTI)
