South Asian Heritage Month

What is this month about?

The month was established to honour and celebrate South Asian history and culture. It is an opportunity for everyone to appreciate the countries in South Asia and learn new things about their heritage.

When does the month take place?

The month takes place every year on on 18 July to 17 August, ending on the anniversary of Partition.

The Indian Independence Act received royal assent from King George VI on 18 July 1947, and the Radcliffe Line, which divides India, West Pakistan, and East Pakistan, was published on 17 August, by Cyril Radcliffe (date lawyer).

Which countries are in South Asia?

Here is a list of the eight countries that make up South Asia:

• Afghanistan
• Bangladesh
• Bhutan
• India
• Maldives
• Nepal
• Pakistan
• Sri Lanka

When did the month start?

The first South Asian Heritage Month event was launched by the South Asian community in the UK in July 2019 at the House of Commons.

The Grand Trunk Project, The Partition Commemoration Campaign, City Sikhs, and Faiths Forum for London worked together to create the month.

Why is this month important?

Along with providing learning opportunities for others, the month enables people of South Asian heritage to reclaim their history and identity by sharing their own stories and experiences.

What does it mean to people of South Asian heritage?

Here is what South Asian Heritage Month means to one of our employees at Inclusive Employers:

Tanisha Singla – Senior Consultant, Inclusive Employers

“I often joke that Indian people are everywhere I go in the world. This is usually out of shock at how far and wide we have travelled.

As a community we have been a crucial part of the labour market in the UK and globally travelling to where the work is, leaving families behind and the safety of the familiar.

This story is not unfamiliar to me or many others hearing stories of my grandparents, parents, aunties and uncles making the long (working) boat journey to the UK, Kenya, Africa and Uganda.

Last year marked 50 years since my mum and her family were expelled from Uganda forcing them to start a new life in Leeds in the UK. I have a lifetime of stories to pass on to my children and I am incredibly proud of the journey my family made.

By celebrating South Asian Heritage month, we hear the voices of the past, the journeys unknown and celebrate the positive impact we have had and continue to have as the South Asian Diaspora.”

How to celebrate South Asian Heritage Month in the workplace

If you need ideas, take a look at our suggestions below:

Asking colleagues for their experiences

Ask colleagues of South Asian heritage to share their experiences if they are comfortable with this. Co-ordinate with your communications team and employee network groups to plan events and activities to support this. It allows people to learn more from lived experiences and gives insight into their culture.

A recipe share of South Asian dishes

One option is to do a recipe share of South Asian dishes. There is a huge selection of food within the culture that is often traditional. By doing a recipe share, you can try all the food and learn more about the culture behind it at the same time.

Training

Your organisation can gain valuable insight into the culture and community by committing to learning new things about it this month. Training is an excellent way to broaden your team’s knowledge while also celebrating the month.

Inclusive Employers provide bespoke training, workshops and consultancy to suit the needs of your organisation, as well as hosting regular webinars across all areas of inclusion and diversity. Contact our team for more information about training by filling in the form below: