External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Tuesday directed the Indian Embassy in Washington to issue a visa to US-based Abhai Kaul so that he can attend his father's funeral in India and perform the last rites.
The Indian Embassy offices in the United States were closed due to Dussehra and Muharram. But Swaraj directed the authorities to open the office after she received information that Kaul would not be able to get his visa to India due to the holiday at the embassy.
Swaraj's orders came after Kaul's mother Sarita Takru reached out to her through Twitter informing her of the situation and requesting her to issue a visa as soon as possible so that Kaul could attend his father's cremation. Kaul also tweeted to her for help.
Swaraj immediately responded to Takru's plea and asked the Indian Embassy to get in touch with Takru and her son so that the visa could be issued.
@SushmaSwaraj lost my husband ystrday. My only child, Abhai Kaul, Am citizen, can't get Indian visa before Local Thursday. Is this human?
— Sarita Takru (@saritakru) October 11, 2016
This dreadful wait must end. Please give my son Indian visa in US so his father may be cremated. Please support. Need empathy. — Sarita Takru (@saritakru) October 11, 2016
Please please do something so our only child can see his father.
— Sarita Takru (@saritakru) October 11, 2016
@SushmaSwaraj pitaji Ka dehant ho Gaya, Chita ko Agni dene tatkal Indian visa zaroori. Chutti ki wajah se THU tak wait. Aapki madat milegi? — Abhai Kaul (@KaulAbhai) October 11, 2016
Swaraj responded asking Kaul to submit his application and collect his visa from the embassy.
I am sorry to know about the sad demise of your husband. Just wait - I will help you. https://t.co/KSvgSZtq8R
— Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) October 11, 2016
Our Embassy in US is closed for Vijaya Dashmi and Moharram. I have sent a message. We will open the Embassy and give visa to your son. https://t.co/W5may5dy0H — Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) October 11, 2016
Mr. Abhai Kaul (USA)
Mrs,Sarita Takru (Karnal) https://t.co/oFgBHadyJC— Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) October 11, 2016
Our Embassy has contacted your son in US. He should submit application and collect visa from our Consulate in Chicago.@saritakru @KaulAbhai — Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) October 11, 2016
Both the mother and son later thanked Swaraj for helping them out in their hour of need.
@SushmaSwaraj. Wish all departments would work like yours. Regards.
— Sarita Takru (@saritakru) October 11, 2016
@SushmaSwaraj MEA. Thanks a lot. — Sarita Takru (@saritakru) October 11, 2016
@SushmaSwaraj eternally grateful for ur compassion and help. Just got visa from Chicago consulate. Officers very accomodating & helpful.
— Abhai Kaul (@KaulAbhai) October 11, 2016
Earlier, Swaraj had also helped a Pakistani bride, Priya Bachani, to travel to India for her wedding. It was over media reports that the bride's family had failed to get a visa due to escalation of tensions between India and Pakistan following the Indian Army surgical strikes and the Uri attacks. Naresh Tekwani, who hails from Rajasthan's Jodhpur district, is set to marry Priya of Sindh province in Pakistan in Jodhpur on November 8.
आप चिंता न करें. हम वीज़ा दिलवा देंगे. Pl do not worry. We will issue the Visa. pic.twitter.com/yubcZXcQKG https://t.co/8jUPo6VUvi — Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) October 7, 2016
The Indian High Commission in Islamabad issued a visa to Priya and her family a day after Swaraj tweeted assuring help to the families.
