South Asian Heritage Month 2024 - staff share fascinating facts about their countries

South Asian Heritage Month (SAHM) first took place in 2020 and runs from the 18th of July to the 17th of August each year.

SAHM seeks to commemorate, mark and celebrate South Asian cultures, histories, and communities.

The month seeks to understand the diverse heritage and cultures that continue to link the UK with South Asia.

South Asian culture has made a significant impact on Britain in various aspects, such as food, clothing, music, words, and the overall ambiance of our towns and cities. 

Charlie Sheldon, Chief Nursing Officer said "I think it's really important we pay an interest in these sorts of events. We really enrich the care we give by understanding our communities, and I think this will be a really enjoyable way to learn about South Asian history".

To kick off South Asian Heritage Month, watch the video on our YouTube channel featuring South Asian colleagues mentioning interesting facts about their country.

"It's now South Asian Heritage Month and we are celebrating diversity across CLCH, celebrating the rich variety of all of the people who work here at CLCH. We're focusing on those that are coming from South Asia. And please watch this video and find out some interesting facts about where our colleagues have come from" said Elizabeth Hale, Director of Communications & Improvements and the Race & Ethnicity Network Executive Sponsor.

What countries make up South Asia?

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

Every single one of these countries has been hugely impacted by its relationship with Britain, primarily through war, colonisation, and ultimately via the British Empire. People of South Asian heritage are a significant part of the British population, with about 1 in every 20 people in the country being of South Asian heritage.

What's the significance of the dates?

The month begins on 18 July, the date that the Indian Independence Act 1947 gained royal assent from King George VI, and ends on the 17th August, the date that the Radcliffe Line was published in 1947, which finally set out where the border between India, West Pakistan and East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) would be.

Observing South Asian Heritage Month provides us with an excellent chance to embrace and celebrate the history and identity of British South Asians.