NEWS

Councillor Manjula Sood - Doctor of Laws – Response

Conferment of Honorary Degree, University of Leicester Graduation Ceremony, 8th July 2008 3pm at De Montfort Hall

Chancellor, Vice-Chancellor, Pro-Chancellors, fellow honorand, dignitaries, all graduates, ladies and gentlemen, what a great honour to stand here and receive an honorary Doctor of Laws degree. This was something- a dream - which I never, ever thought of when I came here to Leicester.

My dream when I came here to join my husband was to start a new life and, in that life as you have been told, it was extremely cold and I didn’t want to stay here.

On the instructions of my Grandad I just walked around the streets of Leicester and the first building which came was the School of Education on University Road, and that’s where the first chapter of my dream was written. Thank you Chancellor for giving me that opportunity in 1970; that made my destiny. And since that day I didn’t look back.

This University gave me skills, qualifications, knowledge, so that I could make something with my life. And it has been a great honour to serve the city of Leicester, and Leicester is a great, vibrant city. Anybody who comes here loves this city, they don’t want to go back. This is the beauty of this multicultural city.

Sitting here, when I was looking at all of you, those graduates, it has reminded me of my time; that in 1971 how proud I was about myself, and this is what I’m going to tell you today. From here you are going to go into the wider world. You will be making your own destiny. But never give up on your dreams. Because somewhere, somehow, they will come true. Have your self-confidence, empower yourself, but at the same time, look after you health as well and never forget your roots, where you were. And your parents and your tutors who have given you this lovely life and this qualification.

I would like to say a big thank you to my two sons, Manish, Mitesh, my daughter and my mum, who have been a great part of my journey; and all the citizens of Leicester. And my dream, you can see, from Leicester University and the first citizen of the city and to make history to be first Asian female Lord-Mayor in Britain. If I can achieve it you all can achieve it. Thank you all.

This is an edited version of the response by Manjula Sood

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