Andhra's 94-year-old renounces US citizenship to die as Indian
Synopsis
At 94, K. Mahalakshmamma stood before a district collector in Andhra Pradesh and declared she wanted to die as an Indian — after voluntarily surrendering a US citizenship she had held since 2000. The file now sits with the Union Home Ministry, but the moment itself has already gone viral.
Key Takeaways
Mahalakshmamma , 94, from Chintagumpala village, Bapatla district , took an oath of allegiance to the Constitution of India before District Collector V.
She had acquired US citizenship on 27 July 2000 and lived in America for nearly two decades before returning to India in 2018 .
She submitted an online application for citizenship restoration on 1 June ; the district inquiry was held on Tuesday.
The oath was administered in Telugu due to her severe hearing impairment and limited English comprehension.
The file has been forwarded to the State Secretariat and will go to the Union Ministry of Home Affairs for a final decision.
TDP MP Sana Sathish Babu and Health Minister Satya Kumar Yadav publicly praised her decision.
K. Mahalakshmamma, a 94-year-old woman from Chintagumpala village in Bapatla district, Andhra Pradesh, has formally applied for restoration of her Indian citizenship after voluntarily giving up her American citizenship — driven by a single wish: to spend her final days, and be cremated, in her native village. The oath-taking ceremony was conducted before Bapatla District Collector V. Vinod Kumar on 24 June 2025, fulfilling the legal requirement under the Citizenship Act.
The Oath and How It Was Administered
Because Mahalakshmamma has severe hearing impairment and does not understand English, the oath of allegiance to the Constitution of India was translated into Telugu. Her son read the Telugu version aloud, and she repeated it before the District Collector, who also served as the District Magistrate.
In an emotionally charged exchange, she told the Collector in Telugu: 'Collector Garu, I am nearing 95 years of age. I want to die as an Indian.' A video of the moment, showing her taking the oath with her son's assistance, has since been widely shared across social media platforms.
Her Journey: From Andhra to America and Back
Mahalakshmamma moved to the United States following the death of her husband, Nagabhushanam, to live with her son Kondrugunta K. Pichchaiah, an oncologist. She acquired US citizenship on 27 July 2000 and lived in America for nearly two decades. She returned to India with her family in 2018.
Her son is currently the director of NRI Medical College in Guntur, and the family has been residing in their native village since their return. Mahalakshmamma submitted an online application on 1 June seeking restoration of Indian citizenship and also approached the State Secretariat with the same request. The district administration took up her application for inquiry on Tuesday.
What Happens Next
After the oath-taking, the District Collector completed the remaining formalities and forwarded the file to the State Secretariat. From there, it will be sent to the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, which holds the authority to take the final decision on granting citizenship. The process could take several weeks, depending on the ministry's review timeline.
Political Reaction
Telugu Desam Party (TDP) Rajya Sabha member Sana Sathish Babu called her story 'deeply moving' in a post on social media platform X. 'Her choice is a powerful reminder that no passport, no Dollars can replace the bond with one's roots, no nation can replace one's motherland. Stories like hers inspire us to cherish our heritage, remain connected to our roots, and take pride in our nation,' he wrote.
Andhra Pradesh Health Minister Satya Kumar Yadav also reacted, saying: 'Her decision fills me with pride. It is a fitting reminder to those who belittle Bharat that nothing compares to the love for one's motherland.'
The case is now before the Union Home Ministry, and a final decision on restoring Mahalakshmamma's Indian citizenship is awaited.
Point of View
With speed. A 94-year-old woman with a documented return, a family rooted in the state, and a pending application since 1 June is still waiting on the Union Home Ministry. The emotional optics are powerful, but the bureaucratic timeline is not built for urgency. If the MHA does not fast-track cases like hers — elderly, infirm, with a clear humanitarian basis — the gap between the political praise and the administrative reality will be hard to ignore.
NationPress
26 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is K. Mahalakshmamma and why is she in the news?
K. Mahalakshmamma is a 94-year-old woman from Chintagumpala village in Bapatla district, Andhra Pradesh, who voluntarily gave up her US citizenship and has applied for restoration of Indian citizenship. She took an oath of allegiance before the Bapatla District Collector, expressing her wish to spend her final days and have her last rites performed in her native village.
When did Mahalakshmamma acquire US citizenship and when did she return to India?
She acquired US citizenship on 27 July 2000 and lived in the United States for nearly two decades before returning to India with her family in 2018. She had moved to the US after the death of her husband to live with her son, an oncologist.
What is the process for restoring her Indian citizenship?
Mahalakshmamma submitted an online application on 1 June seeking citizenship restoration and approached the State Secretariat as well. After the district-level oath and inquiry, the file has been forwarded to the State Secretariat, which will send it to the Union Ministry of Home Affairs for a final decision.
Why was the oath administered in Telugu?
Mahalakshmamma has severe hearing impairment and does not understand English. The oath of allegiance to the Constitution of India was therefore translated into Telugu, and her son read it aloud so she could repeat it before the District Collector.
How have politicians reacted to her story?
TDP Rajya Sabha MP Sana Sathish Babu called her story 'deeply moving' in a post on X, saying no passport or dollars can replace one's roots. Andhra Pradesh Health Minister Satya Kumar Yadav said her decision filled him with pride and called it a reminder of the love for one's motherland.
