Siddhant Vitthal Patil, an Indian man working in San Jose, California, has been reported missing after a trip to Glacier National Park in Montana. His family in India is appealing to the Indian government for assistance in finding him.
Siddhant’s maternal uncle, Pritesh Chaudhari, based in Pune, has been actively coordinating with the Indian consulate in Seattle. Chaudhari has shared Siddhant’s last known location, received from his Apple Watch and mobile phone, with the consulate. Despite these efforts, the consulate has indicated that Siddhant is “presumed to be dead,” leaving his family in shock and despair.
“Siddhant’s parents are devastated. I have provided all the necessary information to the embassy and even spoken to his friends,” Chaudhari stated. He has requested a thorough investigation into Siddhant’s disappearance but has not yet received a satisfactory response. “I feel helpless after receiving the email that Siddhant is presumed dead. An NGO worker is helping me as much as possible,” he added.
Chaudhari has also contacted India’s External Affairs Minister, S Jaishankar, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging them to engage with the US government. The family continues to hold out hope that Siddhant is still alive. “Apple has sent all the text messages from Siddhant’s phone, but they are encrypted. We requested the embassy to help decode them, but so far, nothing has been done,” Chaudhari explained.
Siddhant’s employer, Cadence Design Systems in San Jose, is also pressing the US Congress representative to take action. However, any significant steps can only be initiated by the Indian consulate. The Indian embassy has communicated that current high water levels in the area complicate search efforts, and it may take weeks or even months for the water to recede enough for a more thorough investigation. Meanwhile, drones are being used to scan the area.
On July 8, the Indian Consulate in Seattle provided an update, stating, “The consulate is in touch with the office of the Governor of Montana and is following up regularly. A search operation was conducted yesterday, and another round of search and rescue is underway today by the National Park Rangers. The consulate is keeping Siddhant’s friends and family updated.”
Reports suggest that Siddhant went missing while visiting Avalanche Creek with friends. It is believed that he lost his balance on a large rock, fell into the water, briefly resurfaced, and then was swept away by the current into a gorge. His family and friends are anxiously awaiting further updates and hope for a positive resolution.
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