It's South Asian Heritage Month
Now in its fourth year, South Asian Heritage Month is held from 18 July to 17 August, ending on the anniversary of the Partition. Both dates are significant: the Indian Independence Act received royal assent from King George VI on 18 July 1947, and the Radcliffe Line which divided India, West Pakistan, and East Pakistan, was published on 17 August 1947. Today, its western side of the line is part of the India–Pakistan border while its eastern side serves as the Bangladesh–India border.
South Asian Heritage Months raises the profile of British South Asian heritage and history in the UK through education, arts, culture, and commemoration, with the goal of helping people to better understand the diversity of present-day Britain.
This month is an opportunity to celebrate the impact and contributions made by South Asian cultures and commemorate South Asian history in the UK.
What do we mean by South Asia?
South Asia is the southern region of Asia, consisting of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. These countries have all been impacted by their relationship with Britain – war, colonisation, empire. Britain has a vast community of citizens whose heritage stems from these countries – around 5% of the entire population, with nearly 1 in 5 people in London of South Asian heritage.
The theme for 2023 is ‘Stories To Tell’
This year’s theme seeks to commemorate, appreciate, and celebrate South Asian cultures, histories, and communities. Stories help us to explore and understand the diverse heritage and cultures that continue to link Britain with South Asia. South Asian culture and identity can be found all around Britain, from clothes, food, music, and words. It is part of British life and adds to the diversity of the nation.
This theme encompasses many different aspects of South Asian identity, in Britain and across the world.
There is a range of ways that people can share stories about their South Asian heritage. This could be through food, music, art, creative writing, drama, or on social media.
To celebrate the ‘stories to tell’ theme during South Asian Heritage Month, you might like to read a book by a South Asian author. Penguin have produced a list of must-read books, from memoirs to novels. You can check out that list here.
Call out for Vale stories!
If you identify as South Asian and have a #StoryToTell with your colleagues, please get in touch and we would be delighted to celebrate South Asian Heritage Month by sharing your story.
For more information, check out the following websites:
You might also like to join Diverse, our staff network for black, Asian and global majority colleagues.
To join, complete the membership form or email diverse@valeofglamorgan.gov.uk