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Jalandhar, November 30
A Punjabi family, currently settled in Connecticut, has been pleading with the US embassy in Delhi to issue a visa to a relative who can donate kidney to a member suffering from renal problem.
Emreen Bharara, 22, whose father Gurvinder S Bharara (56) hails from Ropar, has even been building up a public campaign in the US, asking people to sign a change.org petition, in their favour.
In the petition, she has written, “My dad is in dire need of a kidney transplant. His nephew Gursimran Bharara (in Ludhiana) is a medically declared match and is willing to donate his kidney. The evidence in the form of validation by the transplant team has been submitted to the US consulate in New Delhi. Gursimran has applied for a B2 medical emergency visa numerous times, but the requests have been denied repeatedly. The authorities seem to believe that Gursimran will not return to India after the procedure.”
Sharing the details in a telephonic conversation, Emreen said, “Gursimran is father of two, including a two-month-old baby. His wife and parents are in Ludhiana. There is no reason why he won’t return. We are bearing all medical costs related to the transplant, including his insurance cover. My father cannot come to India since he is weak and his immunity level is low.”
She said, “My father was only 16 when he left Punjab. He worked hard in the US to set up his business and ensure good education for my brother Ashieshpal Bharara and me. His kidney problem started as he had been a diabetes type II patient for 20 years. His kidney is working to only 5 per cent of the capacity. He is currently undergoing a surgery which the doctors say will help in extending his life for another few months. If he gets a successful transplant, he can live for 15 more years. But the authorities do not seem to understand that”.
Emreen said, “If things do not work, I may have to visit Delhi in December to personally plead with the authorities”.
Her mother Tarjeet Bharara, who hails from Amritsar, too has shared the petition on her social media accounts. More than 8,400 people have already signed the petition.
The US embassy authorities said they could not answer individual visa queries owing to confidentiality of the issue. “The press section may help you on Monday,” said an officer.
