Magsaysay awardee Neelima Mishra's US visa cleared

The American Consulate in Mumbai today cleared the US visa for Magsaysay award winner Neelima Mishra after rejecting her application last week, sources close to the social activist said.

The Consulate had on last Friday rejected the application of Mishra, winner of the 2011 Magsaysay award for her rural development work in North Maharashtra, stating that her unsatisfactory social and economic status did not permit clearance of visa for her to travel to the US, her secretary had said.

The Consulate officials had however, called her up in the evening on Friday asking her to approach them again with the letter of visa rejection on Monday.

"Today, she gave a fresh interview in the morning and she was assured that her visa will be dispatched to her within two days," Amol Kolhe, Secretary to Mishra told PTI.

The activist credited with exceptional work in forming women's self help groups and developing a micro-credit network in rural areas of Jalgaon district in Maharashtra, will be going to Chicago to deliver a key note address at the 9th International Conference organised by India Development Coalition of America on her concept of model self sustaining village.