Celebrating South Asian Heritage: Free to be me

South Asian Heritage Month enables an opportunity to reflect, connect and cultivate a deeper curiosity for learning about ourselves and each other.  This year’s theme, ‘Free to be me’ resonates with my own personal journey, enriched by the cultural heritage and influence passed down through generations, and my path of self-discovery. 

Lessons from the past: trailblazing grandparents

In the 1950s, my grandparents were trailblazers in their respective fields in Pakistan. My late grandfather, a renowned lawyer, dedicated his life to his career, often working pro bono for those who couldn't afford his services. His dedication and compassion left a lasting impression on me, teaching me the importance of aligning my values to a meaningful purpose.

Equally inspiring was my grandmother, who balanced her educational role as the Dean of University alongside her domestic duties. She showed me it was possible to balance professional and personal responsibilities and to persevere against the odds. 

Through the years, they consistently encouraged and supported me, instilling in me the value of hard work, tenacity and kindness. 

Finding my identity: bridging cultures

While my grandparents' legacy provided inspiration, growing up in the UK meant navigating a different cultural experience. I had to understand, create and accept my own identity, drawing lessons from my ancestral heritage and incorporating the new cultural concepts around me. Despite challenges, I came to realise that in combination, both cultures enabled me to develop a unique perspective which facilitated a greater impact in both my personal and professional life. 

Marrying into a Bangladeshi family, provided further opportunity for cultural fusion. Embracing new traditions and ideas has been integral in my new role in the family but also an important consideration in how I carry cultural heritage forward into my son’s upbringing. 

In my own experience, this blending of cultures has demonstrated the strength and sense of belonging that comes from integrating different heritages and celebrating diversity. 

Empowerment through advocacy

My grandparents’ words and prayers have comforted me and carried me through challenging times in my life.  In their generation, there were many preconceived ideas around disability and limited understanding about neurodiversity. Yet, on a regular basis, my grandmother tells me how my son is the greatest blessing for our family. As I now navigate the challenges of a unique parenting journey, I encounter numerous cross-cultural barriers due to stigma, discrimination and prejudice, across generations. Despite this, I have learned a life lesson; the power of advocacy. Through open, respectful communication, it is possible to raise awareness that all individuals with different abilities add value to society. By fostering an environment of empathetic understanding, there is opportunity to open intergenerational and intragenerational dialogue. Such dialogue can lead to positive impact and lasting change for so many. 

I have aimed to integrate my cultural and personal experiences into my professional life. Cultural competence has been invaluable in my role as GP and as an educator. The freedom to be myself, enhances my ability to connect and make a difference. I hope to continue to advocate authentically, across the scope of my professional work, on the power of diversity and the importance of greater inclusion. 

The power of owning your story

Owning your story is powerful and can leave a lasting impact. My journey, influenced by my grandparents' legacy, the cultural blend of my upbringing, and my experiences as a parent, has taught me the importance of embracing all aspects of my identity. There is so much freedom in self-acceptance and this has helped me navigate my journey with confidence. 

Sharing our stories can influence, openly resonate, encourage, inspire or create a change. When we combine our narratives, we can interweave a richer cultural heritage to empower our future generations to have the freedom to uniquely be themselves. In doing so, we demonstrate that inclusion encompasses all. The collective approach honours our diverse backgrounds and recognises that further positive change starts with us. 

Our cultural heritage is much like a seed nourished by our ancestors, watered and nurtured through generations, through changing environments until the present time. To cultivate further growth, we must adapt and add our own personal touch until we have a thriving heritage tree in full bloom, amongst an inclusive forest. The freedom to be oneself is like the sunlight needed to help every tree flourish.