Subscribe Now! Get features like
A 94-year-old woman from Andhra Pradesh, India, has garnered significant attention after she renounced her U.S. citizenship and requested the authorities to reinstate her Indian citizenship, expressing her desire to spend her remaining years in her birthplace.
Kondragunta Mahalakshmamma, originally from Chinthagumpala village in the Chinaganjam mandal of Bapatla district, recently approached district officials with a heartfelt plea to expedite her citizenship application. A video capturing her interaction has since gone viral on social media. The post on X mentioned, “I WANT TO DIE AS AN INDIAN’: 94-YEAR-OLD GIVES UP US CITIZENSHIP.”
Accompanied by her son, Buchaiah Choudhary, Mahalakshmamma met with Bapatla District Collector J. Venkata Murali on Wednesday, requesting that the authorities hasten the process of reinstating her Indian citizenship.
Following the passing of her husband, Nagabhushanam, Mahalakshmamma relocated to Petersburg, Virginia, to reside with her son, who is an oncologist. She obtained U.S. citizenship in July 2000 and lived in the United States for nearly 18 years before returning to India in 2018.
After her son joined NRI Hospital in Mangalagiri, she decided to permanently settle in her hometown. Since her return, she has consistently voiced her wish to regain her Indian citizenship and spend her remaining years in her homeland.
The 94-year-old woman informed the officials that she has already renounced her U.S. citizenship and has submitted an application for Indian citizenship via the government’s online portal. She expressed that her ultimate wish is to be laid to rest in her native village.
“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 appealed.
She also guaranteed the authorities that she would adhere to the Constitution of India and follow all relevant laws if her citizenship is reinstated. She expressed her desire for legal acknowledgment to live the rest of her life as an Indian citizen.
The district collector informed her that her application would be handled according to the established procedure. Once the necessary inquiry is concluded, officials will prepare a report for the Andhra Pradesh government, which will then send its recommendation to the central government for a decision regarding her citizenship application.
Meanwhile, several reacted to the viral video of the woman, one X user wrote: “They only reason she is fit to stand even at age of 95 is coz she lived in us in clean healthy air and had non adulterated food .”
Many users criticised the woman’s move, with some asking why she wants to come back to India after spending over 20 years in the US.
“I don’t agree… All these years she left india and now she wants to come back? She should not be given actually…,” another commented.
“When did collectorates begin granting citizenship.The grandmother and her relatives very well know the due process. You are just posting for likes and RTs,” a third user wrote.
Shweta Kukreti has over 8 years of experience in covering Indian and world politics. She joined the Hindustan Times in 2024 and is primarily assigned to the US desk. She currently works as Deputy Chief Content Producer and reports on a wide range of topics, including US politics, immigration issues (especially H-1B visa) and major global events. Shweta strongly emphasizes team operations, which encompasses monitoring news, delegating tasks, editing, developing comprehensive coverage strategies, and crafting engaging, and data-informed narratives. She received the Digi Star Award at the Hindustan Times within a year of joining for her broad coverage of US politics. In 2025, she earned both a promotion and a redesignation, a significant achievement recognising her contributions and the strong value she brings to the team. She has previously worked with the Indian Express, HTDS, ANI and Republic World. Seniors in all the media organisations recognised her work. Regarding education, she earned a BA (Hons.) in Political Science and a master's degree from Delhi University, and she pursued a PG Diploma in English Journalism from the Indian Institution of Mass Communication (IIMC). She also holds a diploma in Women's Empowerment and Development from IGNOU University and a French certification course from Alliance Française de Delhi. If not working, you can find her exploring the hills and engaging in adventurous activities in Rishikesh and Himachal Pradesh. She loves to play badminton, volleyball, and chess, and spend time with her friends and family. She also enjoys spiritual activities.
Leave a Reply