Union External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj receives a deluge of requests for assistance from Indians in foreign countries on Twitter. From medical aid to visa concerns, the minister is known for her deft handling of all the issues raised by Indians in need.

In fact, due to her prompt response and redressal of the problems connected to the calls for help, Swaraj is hailed by many as one of the most efficient ministers in the government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

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Thursday was any like other day in office for the EAM. She received a request from an individual who sought Swaraj’s help for the issuance of a new passport as his original passport had got damaged.

The individual, Sheikh Ateeq, identified himself as a medical student in the Philippines and urgently sought Swaraj’s help in obtaining a new passport because he wanted to come back home to India as his health was deteriorating and he was short of money.

In two tweets, Ateeq wrote:

“Dear ma’am @SushmaSwaraj I greatly need your help. Is there anything u can do to rush the process of my passport as it is damaged. I need to get back to my home, India. My health is deteriorating and I cannot shoulder the expenses anymore as I’m student.”

“@SushmaSwaraj I m from J&K doing medicine course here in philippines  my passport got damaged i applied for new one 1 month ago i request u plz help me to get it as i literally need to go home for medical check up.”

As was expected, the EAM responded promptly. But this time she took note of the individual’s Twitter bio.

“If you are from J&K state, we will definitely help you. But your profile says you are from ‘Indian occupied Kashmir’. There is no place like that. @indembmanila,” she wrote while tagging the official Twitter handle of the Indian embassy in Manila.

If you are from J&K state, we will definitely help you. But your profile says you are from ‘Indian occupied Kashmir’. There is no place like that. @indembmanila https://t.co/Srzo7tfMSx

— Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) May 10, 2018

At the time of writing, Swaraj’s tweet had been liked 4.4K times and retweeted 2.4K times.

It appears that Ateeq changed his bio after Swaraj’s tweet. About an hour later, Swaraj posted another tweet, this time instructing the Indian ambassador, Jaideep Mazumdar, in the Philippines to assist the “Indian national”.

“1. @SAteEQ019 – I am happy you have corrected the profile. 2. Jaideep – He is an Indian national from J&K. Pls help him. @indembmanila,” read her tweet.

1. @SAteEQ019 – I am happy you have corrected the profile.

2. Jaideep – He is an Indian national from J&K. Pls help him. @indembmanila https://t.co/rArqxIQoN3

— Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) May 10, 2018

Hundreds reacted to Swaraj’s tweets. While some claimed that the man will “change his bio” once the government helps him, others said India’s help will make him “believe in India” and its tradition of benevolence.

To get the work done, he changed the place to JnK. Once u help him it will be changed back?!

— Mr. Sharma (@MrSharmaTweetz) May 10, 2018

#ProfileChanged because he need your help, after taking ur help he do the same. Plz think before help like these thankless ppl.#जय_हिन्द।

— Sharanabasappa B (@SharanaBiradar) May 10, 2018

Though he has changed his profile to J &K, no need to help him..Jaise hi kaam ho jaayega, waapas ‘India Occupied Kashmir’ kar dega apni profile mein..And he will start spewing venom again

— NSK (@nandanskulkarn1) May 10, 2018

You are pretty. He holds an Indian passport and its your duty to help him. You are representing Indians,not bjp.

— Saileena (@saileenas) May 10, 2018

Whatever may it be. He is our guy with our passport.. 🙂
Lets help. If we can…

— Umashankar (@Umashankarin) May 10, 2018

I agree, we should help him and make him believe in India. If we taunt him he will go further away.

— Srihari Karanth (@sriharikaranth) May 10, 2018

Yes its deactivated. Our leaders are great to help even such people who may now again betray us…. hope he gets some good will for India now.

— Kushal Shah (@skushal2) May 10, 2018

It may be mentioned that Ateeq’s Twitter account was unavailable at the time of writing this report.

Just six days ago, on 4 May, Swaraj had asked India’s Consul General in Dubai, Vipul, to urgently locate an Indian national Irfan Zargar from Srinagar after a social activist from J-K informed her of his disappearance.

“Irfan Zargar  S/O Late Bashir Ahmad Zargar  R/O Channa Mohalla Chattabal Srinagar who was Working in a Private company in Dubai is Missing from Last 5 Days . Requesting for help in locating him,” wrote Guftar Ahmed while tagging the EAM, J-K CM Mehbooba Mufti and other top officials.

“Vipul : Irfan Ahmad Zargar is an Indian national from J&K state. Please spare no efforts to locate him,” responded Swaraj.

Vipul : Irfan Ahmad Zargar is an Indian national from J&K state. Please spare no efforts to locate him. @cgidubaipic.twitter.com/CbcmHEqlDK https://t.co/3BFdFsWZSj

— Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) May 4, 2018