South Asian Heritage Month Blog

South Asian Heritage Month in the UK is celebrated in July. This year's theme is ‘Unity in diversity’.

South Asian Heritage Month provides an opportunity to celebrate cultures, histories, and contributions of South Asian communities, while reflecting on the impact they continue to have across society, workplaces, and communities.

Here at Procurement Services, we value and celebrate the diversity that makes our organisation stronger. We are proud to support an inclusive environment where everyone can thrive, and we welcome the opportunity to recognise and honour the contributions of our South Asian colleagues and communities during this month.

In this blog, we will explore unique and inspiring perspectives on South Asian Heritage Month. Hear from some of our employees as they share what this month means to them, how their heritage has shaped their experiences, and why celebrating South Asian culture and identity remains so important.

Testimonials

MJ Hussain - Senior Public Sector Engagement Manager

As the first generation to be born here in the UK after my parents migrated it was quite unusual to see people with my background in Sheffield where I was born and raised. Core memories were to travel down to London by coach/train to attend the Bangla New Year Mela in Brick Lane buying cultural items such as garments made back home and listening to music where people spoke my first language. My parents coming from a country where there were few luxuries meant they had a really high work ethic to provide not just for their immediate family but the extended family. This is in my DNA that we don't stop at good enough and that we strive for more.

Simran Kandola – Channel Marketing Assistant

Growing up in the UK, I’ve always felt connected to my South Asian roots, especially being in a multicultural town where it is very diverse. I have always felt represented, being surrounded by so many South Asian shops, from food to clothing, which has just been a part of everyday life. Seeing the community come together, whether for festivals or just in general, really reflects that sense of unity in diversity.

Anushka Rai - Channel Marketing Assistant

Being Nepali means being my authentic self, something my parents always made sure I never lost sight of. They taught me to speak Nepali and immersed me in our culture and traditions so that I would never forget my roots, and for that, I will always be grateful. My dad, a Gurkha soldier, especially inspired me and my sisters to take pride in who we are. He taught us never to be ashamed of our heritage and to always embrace being Nepali with confidence and pride. Being Nepali is not just part of my identity; it is a part of who I am.

Priya Parmar – Public Sector Engagement Assistant

Being South Asian and growing up, my parents made sure that I stayed connected to my culture by celebrating national and religious holidays, taking part in family traditions and sharing the foods and values that are meaningful. Through these experiences, I developed a strong appreciation for my background and the sense of community that comes with it. Being connected to my culture has given me deep respect for my roots and a strong understanding of the importance of family and tradition. As I've grown older, I've become increasingly proud of my heritage and grateful for the values and experiences that have helped shape who I am today. 

Samad Miah – Data Analyst

My parents are from Bangladesh, which makes me a British Bangladeshi/Bengali. My language is very important to me. It defines who I am. Growing up as a Bengali is defined by an incredibly strong, undeniable sense of community. I have always seen how my parents have cultivated relationships with family, friends, neighbours, and the wider community, which I feel I have adopted and which influences me to continue.

A little bit of background: The Bengali Language Movement (Bhasha Andolon) was a historic political and cultural campaign in the late 1940s and 1950s that demanded the recognition of Bengali as an official language in the dominion of Pakistan. Following the partition of India in 1947, Pakistan was formed with two geographically separated regions: West Pakistan and East Pakistan (now Bangladesh). Even though the majority of Pakistan’s total population spoke Bengali, the government declared in 1948 that Urdu would be the sole language. This caused outrage and eventually culminated on February 21, 1952. The movement caused many people to be killed; however, it paved the way for Bangladesh’s liberation war and independence in 1971. UNESCO officially declared February 21 as International Mother Language Day in 1999. A day celebrated globally to promote linguistic diversity and cultural heritage.