Kondragunta Mahalakshmamma, a 94-year-old [1] woman from Andhra Pradesh, renounced her U.S. citizenship in 2024 [4] to reclaim her Indian identity.

Her decision highlights the deep cultural and spiritual significance of ancestral ties for some members of the Indian diaspora, prioritizing traditional rites over the benefits of foreign nationality.

Mahalakshmamma had lived in the United States for years and became a U.S. citizen in 2000 [2]. She eventually returned to India in 2018 [3], but remained a foreign national until her recent decision to formally sever ties with the U.S. government.

Now residing in the Bapatla district of Andhra Pradesh [5], the woman said the move was driven by a desire to spend her remaining time in her homeland. "Only wish is to spend my final days in India," she said [6].

For Mahalakshmamma, the legal status of her citizenship was tied to the location of her eventual death. She expressed a specific need to be recognized as an Indian citizen to ensure her traditional customs are honored in her birthplace.

"Want to die as an Indian," she said [7].

She further detailed her requirements for her funeral arrangements, noting the importance of her ancestral home. "I want my last rites to be performed in my native village," she said [8].

The process of renouncing U.S. citizenship is often complex, but the 94-year-old [1] woman sought the change to align her legal identity with her personal, and spiritual goals. Her return to the Bapatla district [5] marks the final stage of a journey that spanned decades and two continents.

“"Want to die as an Indian"”

This case illustrates the concept of 'reverse migration' among elderly expatriates who prioritize cultural heritage and religious fulfillment over the legal and economic advantages of Western citizenship. In many Indian traditions, the location of last rites and the status of the deceased are central to spiritual peace, making legal citizenship a prerequisite for specific ancestral burial or cremation customs.