The matter came up for hearing before Bapatla District Collector V Vinod Kumar at the Public Grievance Redressal System Hall in the Collectorate on Tuesday.
Mahalakshmamma, a native of Chinthagumpala village in Chinaganjam mandal, moved to the United States following the death of her husband, Nagabhushanam. She lived with her son, oncologist Dr K Buchaiah Choudhary, and acquired United States citizenship in July 2000.
After spending nearly two decades abroad, she returned to India in 2018 and settled permanently in her native village. Since her return, she has voluntarily initiated the process of relinquishing her United States citizenship and submitted an online application seeking the restoration of her Indian citizenship.
As part of the legal procedure, Mahalakshmamma recited the oath of allegiance in Telugu under the guidance of an official. Through the oath, she pledged true faith and allegiance to the Constitution of India and affirmed her commitment to fulfil the duties of an Indian citizen.
Collector V Vinod Kumar stated that, following the administration of the oath, district officials verified the required documents and guided Mahalakshmamma through the legal formalities, including signing the prescribed documents at designated places. The proceedings concluded with a district official formally announcing in English that the oath of allegiance had been successfully administered in the presence of the Collector and District Magistrate.
The Collector said Mahalakshmamma currently holds Overseas Citizen of India status as well as United States citizenship. He added that, believing she was approaching the final stage of her life, she expressed a heartfelt desire to spend her remaining years in her homeland and pass away as an Indian citizen. According to the Collector, she appeared before him along with her son on June 23 in accordance with the prescribed procedure.
Considering her advanced age, officials provided the oath document in Telugu, while her son assisted her in reading it aloud. She subsequently completed all the required legal formalities.
Her application, along with the district administration's report, has now been forwarded to the Ministry of Home Affairs for consideration and final approval. Collector Vinod Kumar described the proceedings as a deeply moving and emotional moment for everyone present.
During the hearing, Mahalakshmamma told officials that her wish is to live the rest of her life in her homeland and have her last rites performed in India. The Collector assured her that every procedural step was being carried out strictly in accordance with the provisions of Indian citizenship law and clarified that the final decision rests with the Ministry of Home Affairs.
The case has drawn attention for reflecting the enduring emotional bond many people maintain with their country of birth, as a woman nearing one hundred years of age seeks legal recognition to end her life as a citizen of the nation where she was born.
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