Leicester's First Asian Female Lord Mayor Manjula Sood Dies at 80
Manjula Sood, aged 80, a pioneering Leicester councillor and the city's first Asian female lord mayor, has died. She served as lord mayor from May 2008 to 2009 and was widely recognized as a dedicated servant to both the Leicester community and the wider UK.
Born in India, Sood moved to Leicester in 1970 to pursue a PhD and subsequently worked as a primary school teacher for around 20 years. She became Leicester's first female Hindu councillor in October 1996, winning a by-election following her husband's death. She represented the Stoneygate ward as a Labour councillor and later served as assistant mayor.
During her tenure as lord mayor, Sood was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) and received an honorary Doctorate of Laws from the University of Leicester. She was known for balancing her political responsibilities with raising two children and caring for her elderly mother.
Tributes have been paid by politicians including Conservative MP Shivani Raja for Leicester East, Independent MP Shockat Adam for Leicester South, and Labour MP Liz Kendall for Leicester West, all praising her as an influential community leader and an advocate for women and diverse communities.
Sood's personal history reflects her journey from a 25-room house in Ludhiana, India, to a modest flat in Leicester with few comforts. Her grandfather encouraged her to make Leicester her home and Britain her country.
At the time of publication, details of her memorial service had not been announced. The family has requested privacy and asked that no home visits be made.
