CHENNAI: Itâs a sheet of paper her family treasures â the letter Barack Obama wrote on behalf of Sujatha Adsumilli is not just a recommendation that helped her get a US visa, itâs proof of the Presidentâs generous spirit.
When Sujatha wanted to visit the US four years ago for her son Vijaya Kumarâs housewarming ceremony, the US Consulate in Chennai denied her a visa as she was a widow and they considered her a âpotential immigrantâ.
ââ She had no intention to stay in the US. My brother just wanted her to be present for the function,ââ says Sujathaâs older son Ramesh Kumar, a Chennai-based intellectual property rights lawyer.
Vijaya Kumar, who migrated to the US over a decade ago, built a house in Chicago in 2004. Though his motherâs visa application was rejected, he resolved not to hold the âgrahapravesamâ (house-warming ceremony) till his mother was there. He wrote a letter to his senator Barack Obama, explaining the problem and seeking his help.
On October 4, 2005, Barack Obama wrote a six-line letter to the state department, and sent copies to the US embassy and consulate in India. It read: ââ My constituent, A Vijay Kumar, recently contacted my Chicago office regarding his desire to obtain a non-immigrant visa for his mother from the consulate in Chennai, India. His motherâs name is Sujatha Adsumilli (Passport #F0771408). I would ask that you please give this matter every consideration under department of state guidelines.ââ
The consulate in Chennai completed the formalities in a jiffy and handed Sujatha a multiple-entry visa valid for 10 years. She attended her sonâs grahapravesam function and stayed with his family for six months. ââ Without Obamaâs help she could not have visited Vijaya Kumarâs house,ââ says Ramesh.
During her stay, Sujatha visited Barack Obamaâs office to thank him personally. Though she could not meet him, his staff welcomed her and assured her that her message of thanks would be conveyed to him. ââObama is a kind-hearted man,ââ says 60-year-old Sujatha. ââIâm sure he will reach out to the needy across the globe,ââ she says with a smile.