Vijayawada: A 94-year-old woman, who gave up her Indian citizenship over two decades ago after becoming a US citizen, has now appealed to the Centre to restore her citizenship so that she can spend her final years in her native village in Bapatla district of Andhra Pradesh.In an emotional plea to Bapatla district collector V Vinod Kumar, Kondragunta Mahalakshmamma said she wished to live in her native Chinthagumpala village of Chinnaganjam area and be laid to rest in India. “I am nearing 95. My only wish is to spend my final days in my motherland and have my last rites performed in my village,” she said.Mahalakshmamma moved to the US after her husband’s death and became a US citizen on July 27, 2000. She returned to India in 2018 and has since been living in Chinthagumpala. Her son, Dr K Pitchaiah, is an oncologist and director at NRI Medical College, Guntur.She submitted an online application on June 1 seeking restoration of Indian citizenship under relevant provisions. During the inquiry, she affirmed her commitment to uphold the Constitution and laws of India.A video of her taking the oath of allegiance recently went viral. Officials clarified the oath is a mandatory step in the citizenship process. As she has hearing impairment and does not understand English, the June 23 oath at the collectorate was translated into Telugu. Her son read it out, and she repeated it before the collector.Collector Kumar said the application and documents have been forwarded to the Union ministry of home affairs, and the final decision now rests with the Centre.
