Saptari, April 14 -- year-old Satodevi Sada, an inhabitant of Shambhunath Municipality-3, Kachandaha, lives with her son and granddaughter, but none of them possess Nepali citizenship. Sans the official document to prove her national identity, the family has remained stateless for three generations.

Satodevi was married to Dhuthar Sada of Kushaha in Dakneshwori Municipality-4, who also lacked citizenship. Following his death 25 years ago, she returned to her maternal home and has lived there since. "He tried many times to obtain citizenship, but no one helped," Satodevi recalled. "Even on his deathbed, he worried about dying without getting citizenship."

Her fears now echo her late husband's. "I worry I too will die without ever being r...