South Asian Heritage Month
We first celebrated South Asian History Month in July 2020 to celebrate, mark and honour South Asian cultures and histories – particularly the intertwined histories of the UK and South Asian communities – and how South Asian cultures are present throughout the UK.
We now celebrate the more recognised South Asian Heritage Month (18 July to 17 August) in order to align ourselves with the wider national conversation around this event. We will use this month to celebrate the arts, culture and heritage of people with roots in the South Asian countries of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
Our goal is to help people better understand the diversity of present-day Britain.
South Asian Heritage Month 2026
For South Asian Heritage Month, we interviewed our President, Professor Subodh Dave, who spoke to us about his upbringing, running marathons and much more. Click on the video thumbnail to watch the whole thing or use the links below to jump to specific questions:
- - In your Congress address, you spoke about growing up in Mumbai. Could you take us back to that? What was your upbringing like?
- - You spoke movingly about your mother in your address. What did you learn from her, and how did that shape the doctor and person you became?
- - Was there a particular moment or person growing up that pointed you towards medicine, and psychiatry specifically?
- - What was it like moving from India to the UK, and has that journey changed how you think about mental health and culture, particularly for South Asian patients and communities here?
- - In your speech you drew a direct line between your mother's refusal to give up hope and your own job as President, 'to build upon this hope'. Could you tell us more about that?
- - What do you hope the next generation of South Asian doctors takes from your story?
- - We know you are an avid marathon runner - how does this link in with psychiatry and what is your proudest moment?
- . This book by Rina Arya and former RCPsych President, Professor Dinesh Bhugra, explores the lived experiences of South Asian psychiatrists in the UK.
- Recorded as part of the inaugural Women's Mental Health in Bloom 24-hour Global Webathon we're delighted to share this three-hour session that includes speakers from India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, amongst others, talking on a range of topics relating to women's mental health.
Previous years
Blog posts relating to South Asian Heritage Month
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South Asian Heritage Month: A bridge too far? On tackling barriers to achieving RCPsych Fellowship
As part of our South Asian Heritage Month 2025 celebrations, Dr Neeti Sandhu shares details of her own career journey, which she hopes will encourage others to recognise and realise ...
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Celebrating South Asian identities
Dr Amrit Sachar, the College's Joint Presidential Lead for Equity and Equality writes a blog post to conclude our celebrations of South Asian History Month.
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South Asian History Month: Challenging traditions – Navigating mental health stigma for South Asian youth in the UK
4th year medical student, Projit Kar, writes a blog post to celebrate this year's South Asian History Month.
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South Asian History Month: My journey from South Asian to UK practice, second motherhood, community and cultural differences
Dr Supriya Agarwal talks about the challenges of coming to work as a psychiatrist in the UK, and her experiences over the last four years.
Dr Supriya Agarwal -
South Asian History Month: Breaking barriers – The imperative of an innovative mindset for clinicians from a South Asian background
For South Asian History Month, Dr Amit Chougule delves into the importance of developing an innovative mindset and how cultivating this can greatly benefit clinicians in their careers and patient ...
Dr Amit Chougule -
South Asian History Month: Looking back, looking forwards
Former College President, Professor Dinesh Bhugra CBE, reflects on intersectionality and his own personal and professional journey in a post to celebrate South Asian History Month.
Professor Dinesh Bhugra -
South Asian History Month: Dr Fabida Aria
In our final blog post to celebrate South Asian History Month, we hear from Dr Fabida Aria who talks about her upbringing and the importance of never forgetting her roots....
Dr Fabida Aria -
South Asian History Month: Dr Mina Husain
In our second blog post to celebrate South Asian History Month, we hear from Dr Mina Husain who discusses her experiences growing up in four different countries and her work ...
Dr Mina Husain