Odia expat in UK wins laurels for 25-yr-long voluntary services in critical care

Berhampur: Rekha Senapati, hailing from the silk city, presently settled in Manchester, UK, has received the prestigious Mayor’s Citizenship Award in recognition of her voluntary services for people with life-threatening and terminal illnesses, besides encouraging women’s empowerment.Heather Fletcher, the ceremonial mayor of the city of Salford, presented the award to 59-year-old Senapati at a function on Wednesday in Manchester. “Rekha has dedicated over 25 years of voluntary service for people with life-threatening and terminal illnesses, and encouraging women’s empowerment,” Fletcher said, describing it “a very well-deserved award” on her social media page.“It’s the recognition of my selfless service to the people suffering from critical illnesses, especially from cancer,” said Rekha, wife of Dr Siba Senapati, a weight loss surgeon.

Rekha said she was continuing her services to the people with fund-raising and also organising social, cultural and religious events, etc. She has raised around £1,00,000 from various charities, including British and Hindu communities over the years.Rekha established an organisation in Manchester, where she housed people suffering from critical diseases, including cancer, and took care of them. Besides, she has also organised different festivals of Odisha.

Her family has been taking a lead role in establishment of Jagannath temple in Manchester and organising Rath Yatra.Rekha and her husband, who are settled in the UK for over 30 years, started his community service 25 years ago. In recognition of her service, she has also received several awards in the UK. Some of these included a popular choice award from an inspiring Indian woman in 2025 held at the Houses of Parliament in London, people’s choice award at the Odisha Society National Convention in 2025, Lifetime Service Award from Kaushalya UK 2025, held at Birmingham and Shakti Award in March among many others.Rekha’s brother, K Ravi Kumar, who was running a business in silk city, said they were very proud of her achievements. “A woman of Berhampur has received recognition by the ceremonial mayor in Manchester, and is really proud not only for his family, but for the entire silk city” he said.