Leicester, England, UK: Indian-born Manjula Sood, a prominent local leader in the United Kingdom and a trailblazer in public service, has died at the age of 80 on December 24. She was widely recognized for becoming the first Asian woman to serve as lord mayor in the UK.

Born in India, Sood relocated from Punjab to Leicester in 1970 while pursuing doctoral studies. She later completed her education and went on to work as a primary school teacher for nearly two decades, according to information shared on her official website. In 1973, she also made history as one of the earliest Asian women to teach in Leicester.

Her political journey reached a milestone in October 1996 when she became Leicester’s first female Hindu councillor. She secured the position through a by-election held following the death of her husband, Paul, earlier that year. In May 2008, she achieved another historic first by being appointed both Leicester’s and the United Kingdom’s first Asian female lord mayor.

During her one-year term as lord mayor, Sood received national and academic recognition. She was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) and was conferred an honorary doctorate of laws by the University of Leicester.

After her passing, a statement published on her website expressed deep sorrow over the loss, describing her as a devoted mother and grandmother and a committed public servant to the Leicester community. The message noted that details regarding a memorial service would be announced later and requested privacy for the family, asking well-wishers to refrain from visiting the home.

In addition to her role as lord mayor, Sood also served as assistant mayor and as a Labour councillor representing the Stoneygate ward. She was further honored in 2006 as the first Asian woman to receive the Leicester and Rutland Women of the Year Award, recognizing her contributions to civic life.