young Indian woman from San Jose remains in a coma after a devastating accident earlier this month, triggering an outpouring of support from community groups as her father struggles alone to navigate complex medical and legal challenges far from home.
Arti Singh was returning from a professional networking event on November 9 when she was struck by a vehicle while crossing the road near her residence. She has remained unconscious since the collision and is undergoing intensive treatment at the Santa Clara Valley Medical Centre, where doctors have already performed major surgeries to her neck and stomach to support her breathing and feeding, a media release said.
“My daughter is still not opening her eyes. I talk to her every day, hoping she can hear me. I have no one here—just her, and the hope that she will wake up,” her father, Sumiran Singh, said.
Sitting by her bedside day and night, he added, “I don’t know who he is. I don’t know anything else. I just want answers.”
According to the San Jose Police Department, the collision was not a hit-and-run. However, the driver’s identity has not yet been made public. Singh said authorities only informed him that the driver was a man in his 50s and was uninsured at the time of the crash. Police have provided no further updates regarding his condition or any potential charges, leaving the family frustrated by the lack of information.
Singh also does not have access to Arti’s documents, devices, or personal belongings, complicating communication and routine decision-making. Community supporters say language barriers and unfamiliar administrative processes have made his situation even more daunting.
The Overseas Organisation for Better Bihar (O2B2), a Northern California-based community group, learned of the accident and quickly stepped in to support him.
“This is every parent’s nightmare,” a representative said. “Singh is alone here with no family support. Our community is doing everything possible to make sure he is not left to struggle in silence.”
The group has been accompanying him to hospital appointments, government offices, and legal agencies while also launching a fundraising campaign to help cover accommodation, transportation, meals, and other essential needs.
“This situation is heartbreaking,” an O2B2 spokesperson said. “When we met him, he didn’t even know where he would sleep. We cannot allow a father to suffer alone in a foreign land while his daughter fights for her life. We are urging the Indian community in the Bay Area to come forward and support Arti and her father in any way they can.”
Community volunteers have echoed the call for broader assistance and greater transparency from local authorities.
“We are praying for Arti every moment,” a volunteer said. “We want her to wake up. And we want her father to know he is not alone.”
Community leader Ajay Bhutoria has also taken up the matter with the District Attorney’s office while coordinating additional support for the family.
As Arti continues to remain in critical condition, messages of solidarity and prayers have been pouring in from across California and beyond. Her father keeps constant vigil at her bedside, whispering through tears, “Wake up, beta. I’m right here.”
Pedestrian-involved accidents have become a growing concern across several U.S. cities, including in California, where dense traffic corridors and limited safe crossings have renewed calls for stronger safety measures. Many Indian students and young professionals in the Bay Area—one of the largest diaspora hubs in the United States—often rely on walking or shared transportation, increasing their vulnerability to road-related risks.
The Indian Consulate in San Francisco has, in recent years, expanded its outreach to families dealing with medical emergencies, accidents, and complex legal situations amid the region’s growing Indian population. Community organisations, including cultural and regional volunteer groups, continue to mobilise quickly to support individuals in crisis far from home.
Chiranjeevi Faces Backlash for Controversial Comment at Telangana Rising Summit
Megastar Chiranjeevi is facing criticism on social media following a comment he made during his appearance at the Telangana Rising Global Summit. The actor attended the event alongside NITI Aayog Vice Chairman Suman Bery and industrialist Anand Mahindra.
While speaking on stage, Chiranjeevi recalled how he was invited to the summit, mentioning that ministers had approached him while he was “dancing with a girl” during a film shoot at Annapurna Studios. His remark drew swift backlash online, with many users calling it a “poor choice of words.”
Chiranjeevi said, “You may wonder why a film star like Chiranjeevi is here when every other chief guest belongs to finance, automobiles, or politics. Honestly, even I wondered the same.” He added that Chief Minister Revanth Reddy had personally wanted him at the event and sent Deputy CM Bhatti Vikramarka and IT Minister D. Sridhar Babu to the film set to invite him.
Describing the moment, he said, “Do you know what position I was in when they came to invite me? Evaro ammai to dance chestu unnanu Annapurna Studios lo (I was dancing with some girl at Annapurna Studios). I felt very awkward and had to stop shooting for a while.”
The clip quickly circulated on X (formerly Twitter), triggering mixed reactions. Some criticized the remark, with comments such as: “Bringing up a ‘girl’ topic was totally unnecessary,” and “At some point, we should stop inviting celebrities who cannot control their words to events like this.” Others felt the comment reflected carelessness rather than intent, with one user noting, “I think when we grow up, we lose control over our choice of words.”
On the film front, Chiranjeevi will next be seen in Vishwambhara, slated for a Summer 2026 release. He also has Mana Shankara Vara Prasad Garu and an untitled film with director Srikanth Odela in the pipeline.