The government has decided to award Bangladesh citizenship to British national Lucy Helen Frances Holt, 87, who has been living and doing social works in the country for the last 57 years.

The decision was taken at an inter-ministerial meeting held at the Secretariat on Monday, said deputy commissioner of Barisal Md Habibur Rahman, reports the UNB.

On February 8 last, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina handed a passport with 15-year multiple Bangladeshi visa to the British woman, who wished to breath her last on the soil of this country as he had to bother with renewing her visa every year.

Lucy, daughter of John Holt and Frances Holt, was born in the British town of St Helens in 1930.

Incidentally, her date of birth, December 16, may well have foretold her bond with the country she would devote most of her life to. She would visit it for the first time in 1960, when it was still East Pakistan.

Lucy came and joined the Barisal Oxford Mission for the social work they were involved in, and taught primary school children. She never left, falling in love with the soil and people of this country.

Lucy also has worked in Jessore, Khulna, Naogaon, Dhaka and Gopalganj during her 57 years here.

She briefly returned to the UK after retiring in 2004, but again came back to the Barisal Oxford Mission the same year.

In retirement, she is teaching English and mental development to the distressed children. Besides, Lucy collects funds from the rich for distressed children.

Lucy made outstanding contributions to Bangladesh’s Liberation War efforts, taking care of the war-wounded while working at Jessore Catholic Church.

As the war raged on, Lucy volunteered at the Fatema Hospital in Jessore, offering her services as a care-giver to the war-wounded civilians.

Barisal Metropolitan Police honoured Lucy on December 16 last year for her invaluable contributions to the Liberation War.

Lucy has expressed her last wish to be buried in Bangladesh soil, and also to gain citizenship.