South Asian Heritage Month

Top Trending Speakers to Hire for South Asian Heritage Month in 2025

South Asian Heritage Month is a pivotal celebration of the rich history, diverse culture, and valuable contributions of countless British South Asians. This article details the significance of South Asian Heritage Month. Keep reading to learn more about the best South Asian Heritage Month Speakers you should hire!

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Why is South Asian Heritage Month celebrated?

Britain is home to innumerable people who have roots in South Asian heritage. It is said that nearly 1 in 20 people in Britain belongs to South Asian heritage. South Asian Heritage Month is a way to focus on the history and heritage of the South Asian community through education, arts, culture, and celebration. Highlighting how South Asian heritage has been imbibed in the way people live in Britain, it provides space for those who identify as British South Asia to share their stories.

Which countries are considered part of South Asia?

South Asian countries include Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, The Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.

Who proposed that South Asian Heritage Month be celebrated?

Co-founders Jasvir Singh CBE and Dr Binita Kane worked with the South Asian Heritage Trust to spearhead the celebration of South Asian Heritage Month.

When is South Asian Heritage Month celebrated? Why is it celebrated on these dates?

South Asian Heritage Month is celebrated from the 18th of July to the 17th of August each year. These dates signify when the Indian Independence Act of 1947 gained royal assent from King George VI and when the Radcliffe Line, which demarcated borders between India, West Pakistan, and modern-day Bangladesh, respectively.

When was South Asian Heritage Month first celebrated?

Launched in the House of Commons in July 2019, South Asian Heritage Month was first celebrated in 2020.

How can South Asian Heritage Month be celebrated in the workplace?

  • Plan a fundraiser that raises money for a South Asian-origin charity.
  • Organise a South Asian feast full of everyone’s favourite South Asian dishes.
  • Invite South Asian employees to share their stories.
  • Schedule a staff training session that stresses the importance of diversity and inclusion.
  • Conduct a South Asian Heritage Month event.
  • Book a South Asian Heritage Month speaker for your event.

Sources: South Asian Heritage MonthBritish Council 

Top Trending South Asian Heritage Month Speakers you can hire for 2024:

Asif Sadiq

Asif Sadiq has been Warner Bros. Discovery’s Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer since 2022. As an industry leader championing DE&I in the workplace, Asif has worked for some of the best-known companies in the world, including Adidas, Reebok, the Royal Pharmaceutical Society, and The Telegraph. In 2022, he was named one of the Top 8 BAME Workplace Heroes at the Investing in Ethnicity Awards – a testament to his excellence.

Former Head of the Equality, Diversity, and Human Rights Department for the City of London Police, he was appointed MBE in 2017 for his Services to Policing and the Communities. He has also been the Chair of the London Hate Crime Advisory Board, tackling issues of national anti-Muslim Hate Crimes. An expert on all things related to instating diversity, inclusion, belonging, and community in a workplace, he delivered the TEDx Talk “Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. Learning how to get it right”. Having spearheaded global EDI programmes and policies, don’t miss your opportunity to hire Asif Sadiq for your South Asian Heritage Month events.

Official Feedback for Asif:

“Thank you for the recommendation of Asif as a guest to our team, and for your support. We had our session earlier with Asif and it was the best in the series so far. It has been great working with you both and thank you for your patience during the onboarding process.” – Mirna, Higher Education Pearson Plc

Harnaam Kaur

Harnaam Kaur is a Guinness World Record holder for being the youngest female with a full beard at 24 years old. At just 11 years of age, she was diagnosed with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome – a condition due to which the production of testosterone in her body is heightened. Harnaam was faced with severe bullying for a condition that she had no control over, but as she grew up, she learned to take it in her stride.

Demystifying stereotypes one by one, Harnaam wants girls to know that it is natural for them to grow hair on their faces and bodies. She has inspired countless women to accept themselves, whether it be through her work in the ‘Eff Your Beauty Standards’ campaign or through her TEDx Talk “Empowerment Through Confidence”.  A leading figure who has promoted positive mental health and body image at the House of Parliament, Harnaam Kaur is an empowering speaker who will enrich your South Asian Heritage Month events.

Official Feedback for Harnaam:

“1 word – INCREDIBLE!!!!!!! Harnaam was her true beautiful self and dropped gem after gem and had the audience screaming in the comments in agreeance. She was fantastic! Loads of great feedback – it’s what they needed, Harnaam for Prime Minister, she needs to go to schools and teach this. A fantastic session! Thank you for your help coordinating this!” – Nat, LexisNexis Risk Solutions

Binna Kandola

Binna Kandola, Co-Founder and Senior Partner at Pearn Kandola since 1984, is a diversity, assessment, and development specialist. The author of “Racism at Work: The Danger of Indifference” and “The Invention of Difference: The story of gender bias at work,” is especially interested in studying unconscious bias.

Binna is a Visiting Professor at Leeds University Business School and Aston University, proficient at discussing sensitive topics such as managing diversity, tackling prejudice and unconscious bias, and developing strategies with care. Awarded an OBE in 2008 for his services to disadvantaged people and diversity, Binna was regarded as one of the UK’s Top 10 Business Psychologists by The Independent. When looking for a speaker who will use their expertise on unconscious bias to emphasise the discrimination that South Asian people continue to face, don’t hesitate to hire Binna Kandola today.

Kishan Devani

Kishan Devani is a role model to young British Asians and BAME community members all over the world, owing to the work he has done to foster cohesion and diversity in the British Asian Community. Formerly a Freeman of the City of London, he was the youngest BAME to ascend to this role. Kishan is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts and is the President of International Relations at The CE Club. He was honoured with a British Empire Medal in the 2020 New Year’s Honours List.

In 2014, he received the National Diversity Award and was also nominated for the 2013 Asian Political and Public Life Awards. Kishan is personally motivated to change the lives of ethnic minorities for the better, having been born into a Ugandan refugee family himself. Kishan is an internationally renowned figure, famed as the youngest politician of an ethnic minority to be appointed as Deputy Chairman of the London Conservative Party. Kishan Devani is a proud campaigner for diversity and will make a wonderful addition to your South Asian Heritage Month event as a speaker.

Adil Ray

Adil Ray is famed as the co-creator and writer of Citizen Khan, a sitcom that explored the trials and tribulations of a British Muslim family, with Adil as the head of the clan. Outspoken about the rampant racism in the UK, he is now a Co-Presenter on Good Morning Britain. A comedian, actor, radio presenter and entertainer, Adil is a popular proponent of diversity and inclusion.

Adil was nominated for a Royal Television Award for his role in ‘Is It Coz I Is Black?’, a BBC docuseries that brought light to issues of race. He is building a safe space for people of colour by calling out systemic racism whilst educating the offenders on why it is wrong.  In recognition of his outspoken advocacy for racial equality, Adil was appointed OBE in 2016. Taking down one stereotype at a time, Adil is undoubtedly one of the best speakers to book if you are looking for a bold, outspoken, and determined speaker for South Asian Heritage Month events.

Dr. Nighat Arif

Dr Nighat Arif is a Resident TV Doctor on BBC Breakfast who specialises in women’s health and family planning. On a mission to promote healthy wellness, self-care, and menopause habits in women, Nighat believes it is high time women put themselves at the centre of their care plans. Nighat has served with the NHS for 11 years in her career and today uses her platform to speak on depression, anxiety and menopause.

Making an appearance on the BBC Breakfast ‘Wake Up To The Menopause’ campaign, her words were aimed at reducing all the stigmas associated with menopause across all cultures. Belonging to the BAME community, she is using her platform to advocate for organ donation in BAME communities, amongst other issues. Multilingual, Nighat is fluent in English, Punjabi and Urdu and often consults with her patients in these languages. Educating women on healthcare, wellbeing, and the importance of diversity and inclusion, Dr. Nighat Arif is a go-to advisor. In addition to her several TV and radio appearances, she can now be booked to speak on diversity, inclusion, cultural change, and wellbeing at your next event as a passionate South Asian Heritage Month Speaker.

Hire one of these Top Trending South Asian Heritage Month speakers today!

When looking for a talented and seasoned South Asian Heritage Month Speaker for your event, be sure to contact us at The Diversity & Inclusion Speakers Agency. One of our dedicated team members will be happy to help you with any inquiries you may have. You may reach us at 0203 9816 297 or fill out our online contact form. Hire a South Asian Heritage Month speaker and do your part in promoting and celebrating diversity and inclusion!

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