Want last rites in my village: 94-year-old Andhra woman gives up US citizenship

In an emotional homecoming, a 94-year-old woman originally from Andhra Pradesh's Bapatla district, has given up her US citizenship and officially regained Indian citizenship to spend the final days of her life in her motherland.

Kondragunta Mahalakshmamma from Chintagumpala village had moved to the US with her son after the death of her husband and later became an American citizen.

However, despite spending several years abroad, she continued to long for her roots and decided to return to the village where she was born.

Her only wish, she said, was to live her remaining days in India and have her last rites performed in her hometown.

“My only wish is to spend the final phase of my life in my motherland. After my death, I want my last rites to be performed in my native village,” she said in her appeal to the Bapatla District Collector.

Following her request, the required legal procedures were completed and Mahalakshmamma was granted Indian citizenship.

At a ceremony held at the Bapatla Collectorate on Wednesday, the District Collector administered the oath of allegiance and handed over her Indian citizenship documents.

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