'I Want To Die As An Indian': 94-Year-Old Woman Renounces US Citizenship, Returns To Native Village In Andhra Pradesh

For millions of Indians, moving to countries like the United States or Canada is often seen as a dream. But for 94-year-old Kondragunta Mahalakshmamma, the dream is to return home, not just physically, but as an Indian citizen once again.

The elderly woman, who became a US citizen over two decades ago, has made an emotional appeal to the Indian government to restore her Indian citizenship. Her final wish, she says, is to spend the rest of her life and die as an Indian in her native village in Andhra Pradesh.

Meet Mahalakshmamma, a 94-year-old from Bapatla district, Andhra Pradesh, who quit her US citizenship and asked for Indian citizenship.

She went to the District Collector with folded hands, saying her only wish is to spend the final days of her life in her motherland and have… pic.twitter.com/bUpFhu84eA

— Vikas Alwys (@VikasAlwys) June 26, 2026

"Collector garu, I am nearing 95 years of age. My only wish is to spend my final days in my motherland as an Indian citizen. I want my last rites to be performed in my native village. I have already given up my US citizenship. Please help me obtain Indian citizenship at the earliest," she said.  

ALSO READ: e-Passport Fees To Rise From July 1: Fresh, Tatkal, And Reissue Charges Set to Go Up; Apply Now To Beat The Hike

Left India After Husband's Death

Mahalakshmamma, who hailed from Chinthagumpala village in Andhra Pradesh’s Bapatla district, had shifted to the US following the demise of her husband, Nagabhushanam, and lived there with her oncologist son K Buchayya Choudhary. In 2000, in July, she became a US citizen.

But as years passed by, Mahalakshmamma missed her motherland even after living for more than two decades. In 2018, she returned to India and settled in her native village again.

Emotional Citizenship Plea

Her request for Indian citizenship recently came up during a public grievance hearing before Bapatla District Collector Vinod Kumar.

As part of the legal process, Mahalakshmamma voluntarily renounced her US citizenship and applied online for the restoration of her Indian citizenship. During the hearing, she took the oath of allegiance to the Constitution of India in Telugu, pledging her loyalty to the nation and promising to fulfil the duties of an Indian citizen.

"Following the oath, district staff present official documents for verification. She is guided carefully to sign at designated places as part of the legal formalities. The process concludes with a district official announcing in English that the oath of allegiance has been successfully taken in the presence of the Collector and District Magistrate," NDTV quoted Collector Vinod Kumar.

Officials verified her documents and completed the required formalities before forwarding her application.

Final Decision With Home Ministry

Although Mahalakshmamma currently holds Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) status, she wants to regain full Indian citizenship.

District Collector Vinod Kumar said the nonagenarian feels her remaining years are limited and wishes to breathe her last as an Indian citizen. Owing to her age, officials provided her with a printed copy of the oath in Telugu, which was read out with the help of her son.

ALSO READ: Operation Sindoor: Names Of 6 Personnel Killed In Action Revealed For First Time; Govt Honours Them At War Memorial

Calling it a deeply emotional moment, the Collector said the application, along with the administration's report, has now been forwarded to the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), which will take the final decision on restoring her Indian citizenship.

The district administration said all legal procedures under the Citizenship Act have been completed, and the matter now rests with the Home Ministry.