Swaraj comes to aid of woman in distress

In prompt response to a request by a woman, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Tuesday directed Indian Embassy in Washington to give visa to an Indian to attend his father’s last rites despite the the mission being closed for two days for Vijaya Dashmi and Moharram.

Swaraj’s directive to the Embassy came after one Sarita Takru, a resident of Karnal, appealed to the External Affairs Minister on twitter to give visa to her US-based son Abhai Kaul so he can attend his father’s creamation.

“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,” Swaraj tweeted.

Soon after Swaraj’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 on 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,” Takru 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. Later Swaraj further tweeted, “Our Embassy has contacted your son in US. He should submit application and collect visa from our Consulate in Chicago.@saritakru @KaulAbhai.”