A 94-year-old woman from Andhra Pradesh has given up her United States citizenship and formally appealed for the restoration of her Indian nationality, expressing her wish to “die as an Indian” in her native village. The emotional appeal was made by Kondragunta Mahalakshmamma, a resident of Chinthagumpala village in Chinaganjam mandal, during proceedings held before Bapatla District Collector V. Vinod Kumar on Tuesday.
Mahalakshmamma, who had acquired US citizenship in July 2000 after moving abroad following her husband’s death, returned to India in 2018 after living overseas for nearly two decades. Since her return, she has been residing in her native village and has reportedly expressed a strong desire to spend her remaining years in India, surrounded by her roots and cultural traditions.
Officials said the nonagenarian currently holds Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) status in addition to her former US citizenship. However, she has voluntarily renounced her foreign citizenship and initiated the legal process to regain Indian citizenship. As part of the formal procedure, she appeared before district authorities and took an oath of allegiance to the Constitution of India, pledging to fulfil her duties as a citizen.
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During the proceedings, the oath was provided in Telugu to accommodate her age and comfort, and her son assisted her in reading and completing the required formalities. District officials confirmed that she carefully signed the necessary documents in the presence of administrative authorities, marking the completion of initial procedural requirements.
Collector V. Vinod Kumar stated that Mahalakshmamma’s application, along with the verification report, has now been forwarded to the Union Ministry of Home Affairs for final approval. He noted that the process was conducted in accordance with citizenship laws and described the moment as emotional for all those present at the Collectorate.
Speaking to officials, Mahalakshmamma reportedly said she wishes to spend the rest of her life in her homeland and have her last rites performed in India. Authorities said the final decision on her request will be taken by the central government, while local officials continue to facilitate the required legal steps in the meantime.
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