Leicester Community Mourns Manjula Sood, Trailblazing Councillor and Former Lord Mayor
Manjula Sood, aged 80, a dedicated Leicester councillor and the city's former lord mayor, has passed away. Tributes have poured in recognizing her as a committed servant and a community leader. Sood made history in Leicester by becoming the first female Hindu councillor in October 1996, following a by-election caused by the death of her husband, Paul, earlier that year.
In May 2008, she broke further ground by becoming both Leicester's and the UK's first Asian female lord mayor, serving a one-year term. Before her political career, she moved from India to Leicester in 1970 to pursue a PhD and subsequently taught primary school for around 20 years.
During her term as lord mayor, she was honored with an MBE and received an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from the University of Leicester.
Prominent figures including Shockat Adam, Independent MP for Leicester South, and Liz Kendall, Labour MP for Leicester West, have acknowledged her significant impact and dedication to the community. The Federation of Muslim Organisations described her as a shining light known for her compassion and dedication. A biography highlighted the challenges she faced balancing her political responsibility with family duties.
An announcement on her website confirmed her passing, with details of forthcoming memorials yet to be released. Her family has requested privacy and asked that no home visits be made during this time.
