External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Monday extended help to an Indian stranded in the United States after he lost his passport days before he was due to return home for his wedding.
Tagging Sushma Swaraj, Twitter user Devatha Ravi Teja said, "I lost my passport in Washington DC in USA. I have my wedding between August 13 and 15. Traveling on August 10. Please help me expedite my tatkal request and help me in attending my wedding in time. You are my only hope. Please do the needful."
The minister, who saw the message, responded, "Devatha Ravi Teja - You have lost your passport at a very wrong time. However, we will help you reach your wedding in time."
She also requested the concerned embassy to help the man on humanitarian grounds.
Devatha Ravi Teja - You have lost your Passport at a very wrong time. However, we will help you reach for your wedding in time.
— Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) July 30, 2018
Navtej - Let us help him on humanitarian grounds. @IndianEmbassyUS https://t.co/wxaydeqCOX
"Thank you. I will look forward for this. Really great gesture and it means the world. Thank you so much," Ravi Teja responded.
Thank you @SushmaSwaraj ji. I will look forward for this. Really great gesture and it means the world. Thank you so much.
— devatha ravi teja (@devatharaviteja) July 30, 2018
Teja also mentioned that he had raised a request for a tatkal service, but this required a police report, which would have taken five to seven working days.
"I have the report number and the officer's phone number who took the report. Please do help me in getting home in time for my wedding," Teja had requested.
Following Sushma's tweet, the Embassy of India in Washington DC said, "Please send details and tatkal passport application reference number to: cons1.washington@mea.gov.in. We shall assist."
Pl send details & tatkal passport appln reference number to: cons1.washington@mea.gov.in. We shall assist. @SushmaSwaraj
— EmbassyIndiaDC Ppt (@IndiaPassportDC) July 30, 2018
"Thank you @IndiaPassportDC. I have sent over all the details, documents over in an email with subject: passport assistance. Let me know if you would need any other information. Thanks again for helping me out. Looking forward for this (sic)," Ravi Teja tweeted.
Thank you @IndiaPassportDC. I have sent over all the details, documents over in an email with subject: passport assistance. Let me know if you would need any other information. Thanks again for helping me out. Looking forward for this.
— devatha ravi teja (@devatharaviteja) July 30, 2018
Sushma Swaraj is active on social media, especially Twitter, and responds to people in distress who tweet to her for help. Her quick responses have often earned her praise from users as well as Prime Minister Narendra Modi.