Hyderabad: The Consulate General of India in Chicago has extended medical and travel assistance to Syeda Zaidi, a woman from Hyderabad, who was discovered starving on the streets of Chicago last week.
The consulate expressed relief at reaching Ms. Zaidi and offering support, including medical aid and the possibility of returning to India.
Although she has spoken with her mother in India, she has yet to respond to the offer of help. The consulate remains prepared to provide any necessary assistance. S
yeda Lulu Minhaj Zaidi, who initially went to the US to pursue a master’s degree, was found malnourished and suffering from depression. The situation was brought to light by Amjed Ullah Khan, a representative of the Majlis Bachao Tehreek (MBT) party based in Telangana.
Syeda Zaidi’s plight prompted her mother, Syeda Wahaj Fatima, to urgently appeal to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar for intervention and the prompt return of her daughter to India. In her letter, she shared that Syeda had been pursuing her Master’s in Information Science at TRINE University, Detroit, USA since August 2021. It came to light that Syeda had been out of touch with her family for two months, and it was only through the efforts of two youths from Hyderabad that they discovered her dire circumstances in Chicago.
She was on the brink of starvation, having lost all her belongings, and was found wandering the streets of the city. The appeal sought immediate assistance from the Embassy of India in Washington DC and the Indian Consulate in Chicago to facilitate her return.
An MBT spokesperson disclosed that efforts were made to engage External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar to arrange for Syeda’s repatriation, but it was communicated by the Ministry of External Affairs and the Indian Consulate in Chicago that her condition did not permit immediate travel. Plans were underway to send Syeda’s parents to Chicago to care for her, although they faced a challenge since they lacked passports. To address this, a plea was made to IT Minister KTR of Telangana to assist them in obtaining passports and visas from the US Consulate in Hyderabad. The spokesperson expressed gratitude for the swift response from the government, the assistance provided by S Jaishankar, and the Indian Consulate in Chicago. Various individuals and organizations had also stepped up to support the cause.
In summary, Ms. Syeda Lulu Minhaj Zaidi’s alarming condition in Chicago, Illinois, after pursuing her MS at TRINE University, Detroit, prompted her mother to urgently seek the help of Dr. S Jaishankar and the Indian authorities for her safe return. The Indian Consulate in Chicago has extended assistance, and efforts are being made to ensure her well-being and eventual repatriation.
