Elderly Woman of Andhra Renounces US Citizenship, Seeks Indian Citizenship Restoration

94-year-old woman, Kondragunta Mahalakshmamma, has appealed to district authorities in Bapatla district seeking restoration of her Indian citizenship before her death. 

A native of Chinthagumpala village in Chinaganjam mandal, Mahalakshmamma moved to Petersburg, Virginia, after the death of her husband Nagabhushanam to live with her son, oncologist Buchaiah Choudhary. 

She acquired US citizenship in July 2000 and lived there for nearly 18 years before returning to India in 2018. She has since been residing in her



native village after her son took up a position at NRI Hospital in Mangalagiri.

Having relinquished her US citizenship, she has applied online for Indian citizenship. On Wednesday, accompanied by her son, she met District Collector J Venkata Murali and urged him to expedite the process so she could spend her final days and have her last rites performed as an Indian citizen. 

The collector assured that the application would be processed as per procedure, with a report to be submitted for state and central government review.