Tributes as Leicester’s Manjula Sood – UK’s first female Asian lord mayor

Tributes have been observed following the death of a councilor who was England’s first female Asian lord mayor.

Manjula Sood, 80, was described as a “dedicated servant of the Leicester community” and also served as deputy mayor and Labor councilor for the Stoneygate area in the city.

According to her website, Ms Sood came to Leicester in 1970 from India, where she was studying for a PhD, and completed her studies before becoming a primary school teacher for nearly 20 years.

She became the city’s first female Hindu councilor in October 1996, after winning a by-election triggered by the death of her husband Paul earlier that year.

Twelve years later, in May 2008, she became the UK’s and Leicester’s first Asian female lord mayor, saying at the time: “This is great news for a great city, especially as a woman who came here to make her home.”

Leicester South Independent MP Shockat Adam said he was taught by Ms Sood and described how she touched “countless lives with her work and kindness”.

He said her death was “a great loss to the city of Leicester”.

Liz Kendall, Labor MP for Leicester West, also paid tribute and said Ms Sood had a “huge impact on Leicester” and “supported women and our incredibly diverse communities”.

Ms Sood moved from a 25-room house in the Punjab district of Ludhiana to a small flat in a property in Leicester’s city center with her late husband.

“There was no carpet, no heating and it was snowing. I told my husband, ‘I’m not staying here,'” Ms Sood previously said. he said.

“But my grandfather told me to make the most of it. He said, ‘Absolutely not, I’ve given you an education, now Leicester is your home and Britain is your country.’

“I’m glad I stayed now.”

Sulaiman Nagdi of the Federation of Muslim Organizations said Ms Sood was “a shining light; a woman of extraordinary compassion, dignity and unwavering commitment”.

“The void he leaves behind is immeasurable. We have lost a guide, a mentor and a beautiful soul whose presence made the world a better place,” he said.

According to the biography section on her website, Ms. Sood “faced and successfully overcame many challenges” in the early years of her career.

“She had to balance learning politics, taking care of her two children, and taking care of her elderly mother,” he says.

During her year-long term as mayor, Ms Sood was appointed MBE and awarded an honorary doctorate of law from the University of Leicester.

A message on the website said: “It is with deep sadness that we share the passing of Manjula Sood, a loving mother, grandmother and dedicated servant of the Leicester community.

“Details of the memorial service will be shared in due course. The family requests privacy at this time and asks for no home visits.”