Hyderabad: According to news reports, the Consulate General of India in Chicago, USA, has extended a helping hand to Syeda Zaidi, a woman hailing from Hyderabad who was discovered in a distressing state on the streets of Chicago last week. The consulate has been in touch with Zaidi and has offered comprehensive assistance, encompassing medical aid and arrangements for her return to India. They have verified that she is presently in a stable condition and has already communicated with her mother in India.
Expressing their contentment over establishing contact with Ms. Syeda Zaidi and extending support, which includes medical aid and facilitating her return to India, the consulate conveyed their readiness to provide any necessary assistance. The consulate shared these updates through a tweet, emphasizing their commitment to aiding her in every possible way.
Syeda Zaidi, aged 37, embarked on her journey to the United States in August 2021 to pursue a master’s degree. She had been enrolled at Trine University in Detroit and maintained communication with her family. However, approximately two months ago, her correspondence ceased, causing concern among her relatives.
Zaidi’s family became aware of her dire situation after a video surfaced depicting her in a frail and disoriented state, struggling on the streets of Chicago with meager belongings. In the video, a compassionate individual can be heard comforting her and pledging to arrange food. He advises her to return to India to seek the necessary care and support.
Earlier, Zaidi’s mother, Fatima, addressed a letter to the External Affairs Minister, S Jaishankar. In the letter, Fatima conveyed her daughter’s dire circumstances, indicating that she was grappling with depression and near-starvation after her belongings were stolen. Fatima implored the minister for assistance in repatriating her daughter to India.
While the Ministry of External Affairs and the Indian Consulate in Chicago have acknowledged the urgency of the situation, they have revealed that Zaidi’s immediate travel is not feasible. Efforts are underway to arrange for Zaidi’s parents to travel to Chicago to provide care and support, even though they currently lack valid passports.
In pursuit of aiding Zaidi’s parents in securing passports and visas through the US Consulate in Hyderabad, political parties have reached out to Telangana IT Minister for assistance. The objective is to facilitate the parents’ journey to Chicago and ensure the well-being of their distressed daughter.
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