After a year-long struggle for survival, 36-year-old Neelam Shinde from Satara was cremated in California on Wednesday following her decision to donate her organs. She succumbed to a lung infection on March 28, having been in a coma prior to her passing.

Neelam had traveled to California to pursue a five-year Master of Science degree, and she was nearing the completion of her studies. During her time in the United States, she had also completed an internship at NASA. Her family resides in Vadgaon, a village near Umbraj in Satara district. Following the death of her mother last year due to illness, Neelam’s father has been living with her uncle, while her brother is employed by a financial firm in Pune.

Neelam, who was involved in a severe accident on February 14 of the previous year, sustained critical injuries when her motorcycle was struck by another vehicle. Her injuries included significant trauma to her head, arms, legs, and chest. “Neelam passed away on March 28 due to complications from a lung infection. She had previously consented to organ donation, and all necessary procedures were performed before her cremation on Wednesday in California,” explained Sanjay Kadam, Neelam’s maternal uncle residing in Satara.

Immediately after the accident, Neelam required urgent surgical intervention, which necessitated her family’s presence in the U.S. The hospital requested consent for her surgery via email, prompting her family to travel to California.

Last year, her father, Tanaji Shinde, was able to secure an emergency visa to visit his daughter, thanks to the assistance of Union Minister Murlidhar Mohol and NCP (SP) MP Supriya Sule.