How to celebrate South Asian Heritage Month at work (2025)

South Asian Heritage Month (SAHM) is a yearly celebration in honour of the strong heritage links between the UK and South Asian countries. In this blog, we will cover the aim of SAHM, the theme for 2025, and how to celebrate South Asian Heritage Month at work.

The UK’s heritage ties with South Asian countries date back far into our history, but have never been more important than now. According to the Minority Rights Group, those with South Asian heritage account for over 4.9% of the British population. Our society - and, therefore, our workplaces - have never been more diverse; and so, equity, diversity, and inclusion are of the utmost importance. South Asian Heritage Month is an opportunity for workplaces to show support for their South Asian employees and colleagues, encourage culture sharing, and amplify their learning and listening.

What is South Asian Heritage Month?

South Asian Heritage Month, often abbreviated as SAHM, started in 2020. SAHM is led by the South Asian Heritage Trust — an organisation that aims to improve public understanding of South Asian influence in the UK, and encourage cultural sharing and dialogue, leading to better social cohesion. South Asian Heritage Month is an annual awareness event held to commemorate and celebrate the diverse cultures of South Asian countries and their links to the UK. Each year, the trust chooses a theme for SAHM to encourage different conversations and reflections.

SAHM is always held from July 18th to August 17th annually. These dates were not chosen at random. 18th July commemorates the date the Indian Independence Act 1947 received approval from King George VI. The end date, August 17th, marks the anniversary of the Radcliffe Line publication in 1947, which set the borders between India, West Pakistan, and East Pakistan (now Bangladesh). The dates also largely coincide with the South Asian month of Saravan / Saqan, an important month for renewal that brings monsoons to the region, and a poetic acknowledgement of the annual renewal of cultural sharing and ties that SAHM brings to our modern society. All over Britain, we often enjoy, embrace, and take part in South Asian culture without even realising it, through music, literature, clothing, and let’s not forget, food!

What countries are INCLUDED IN South Asian Heritage Month?

While it is enjoyable to celebrate the modern cultural influences of South Asian culture on UK society, SAHM is also an opportunity to reflect on the deep and often unpleasant history between the UK and South Asian countries. It is also important not to group all South Asian countries together. Each country holds its own individual history, culture, faiths, and celebrations. There are eight ‘official’ countries in South Asia, for the purposes of SAHM:

• Afghanistan

• Pakistan

• Bangladesh

• Bhutan

• India

• Maldives

• Nepal

• Sri Lanka

Each country has a unique history and ties with the UK. From the long-standing aid of Nepalese Gurkha soldiers to the British Army, to strong investment ties with India, to the large tea trade relationship with Sri Lanka, part of South Asian Heritage Month is learning about these individual countries and their unique connections with the UK.

To learn more about each South Asian country and its relationship with the UK, download our free eBook.

South Asian Heritage Month 2025: Roots to Routes

This year, the theme chosen by the South Asian Heritage Trust is ‘Roots to Routes’. It encourages us to consider journeys and the growth and learning that come with them. The South Asian Heritage Trust states:

Each of us carries a unique story shaped by our roots and the routes travelled to get to where we are. This year, the invitation is to reflect on your journey, whether from ancestral origins to the paths you’ve taken, or something much more recent, and how these experiences shape your identity today.

Roots to Routes also encourages us to explore connections that link the generations, focusing on the many ways we celebrate our heritage and journeys, whether through food, storytelling, art, or music. Our roots play a significant role in shaping our past, present, and future connections, both within our own culture and that of broader society.

This focus on intergenerational learning has never been more apt than now. Our workplaces are comprised of up to seven different generations of workers, from a diverse range of backgrounds and heritage. While the differing approaches and goals of generations can cause tensions and miscommunications, they also present an opportunity to learn from one another. South Asian Heritage Month 2025, and the theme of Roots to Routes, serves as the ideal inspiration to initiate conversations about intergenerational learning, two-way mentoring, and bridging intergenerational gaps.

You can read more about our thoughts on the workplace intergenerational gap here.

How to celebrate South Asian Heritage Month at work

Awareness events like South Asian Heritage Month provide an opportunity to connect with one another while working towards larger equity, diversity, and inclusion goals. There are many ways you can celebrate and support SAHM in the workplace.

1 - Host a culture-sharing event

A culture-sharing event can take many forms, but it will always have the same main aim: to bring together cultures, create a safe space for curiosity, and promote inclusion. For example, you might host an event focused on the culture of South Asian countries, welcoming traditional dress, and inviting everyone to bring a dish that holds cultural significance for them and their roots.

2 - Share resources

Learning is the backbone of all EDI work, and SAHM is an ideal time to learn about South Asian heritage, history, culture, and modern links to the UK. Consider sharing a list of resources (like our eBook) with your wider team to encourage discussion, reflection, and education.

3 - Share stories

Alongside education, storytelling is a wonderful way to capture people’s attention. Encourage sharing of stories, whether first-hand experiences or those found through learning resources. The South Asian Heritage Trust shares many first-person stories as a great starting point. It is important we create safe spaces for uncomfortable conversations, too. Many stories surrounding South Asian countries and rooted in colonisation and cultural appropriation, topics that many shy away from. By create a space where storytelling and open learning is encouraged, we can acknowledge these problematic histories, discuss their impact today, and look to how we can address these impacts.

4 - Show up as an ally year-round

The best way to support South Asian colleagues and employees is to champion EDI and consistently demonstrate genuine allyship throughout the year. Awareness events are helpful for gaining focus, but EDI work is a continuous effort. Understanding the journeys, challenges, and cultures of individuals with South Asian heritage helps build an inclusive workplace with social cohesion, effective communication, and mutual understanding.

To support your EDI goals, Diversity+ offers numerous free downloadable resources to improve your cultural and emotional intelligence, understand the power of privilege, and explore South Asian Heritage Month, including our South Asian Heritage Month eBook.

We also offer bespoke services to help you develop your EDI strategy, deliver training, or plan EDI events. Book a free consultation call or read more about our services.