Berhampur: A 59-year-old woman of silk city who is presently settled in Manchester, UK, has been felicitated with the British Citizen Award (BCA) — the People’s Choice — in London for her contribution to community services in the UK.Rekha Senapati was felicitated with a citation at a function held at the House of Lords, Palace of Westminster, London. She was the only India-born British person to receive such an award. The BCA was presented to the persons in 26 different categories.With over 25 years of voluntary service, she has supported the patients, worked for women’s empowerment and disadvantaged communities in Greater Manchester and the UK. She has raised funds for health charities and some other works. Along with her husband Dr Siba Senapati, a weight loss surgeon, she has organised the Rath Yatra for the last eight years in Manchester.“I have thanked the BCA organization for felicitating with this prestigious award. It’s the recognition of my selfless services to the people suffering from different illness,” she said. In March, she received the Mayor’s Citizen Award, people’s choice award at the Odisha Society National Convention 2025, Lifetime service award 2025 and many more.Holding a master’s degree in political science from Berhampur University, Rekha, who settled with her family in the UK, was trying hard to keep alive the culture and tradition of India, especially Odisha in the UK. Wearing a silk saree of Berhampur, she has received the BCA award, which highlights her love of the Odisha culture, even though she has been settled in the UK for the last three decades, said K. Ravi Kumar, who was running a business in Silk City here.
