South Asian Heritage Month — 2026 Theme Launch
An in-person session exploring the 2026 theme Unity in Diversity — bringing together community members, educators, creatives and changemakers for conversation, reflection and connection. Delivered in partnership with Cardiff University and The Mentor Ring.
Our Mission
At the South Asian Heritage Trust, we seek to elevate the prominence of diasporic South Asian history and heritage through education, arts, culture, celebrations and commemorations.
Our flagship project, South Asian Heritage Month, is an annual observance from 1st July to 31st July, dedicated to raising awareness and honouring the voice of the South Asian community.
Gaurav is local to Cardiff. After completing his undergraduate degree at the University of Birmingham, he is now currently pursuing his MSc in Computer Science at Cardiff University.
Gaurav has compèred in other events in and around Cardiff, including hosting Samarpan’s UTSAV — an annual arts and cultural event, alongside compèring in The Mentor Ring’s South Asian Heritage Month in July 2025.
Dr Binita Kane is a Consultant Respiratory Physician in the North West of England. She was a contributor to the BBC1 Documentary My Family Partition and Me, which aired in 2017 for the 70th Anniversary of the Partition of India. Her personal journey led her to Parliament in 2018 to campaign for commemoration of key events in history such as the 1947 Partition of India.
She went on to create The Partition Education Group, bringing together multiple stakeholders from across the UK to campaign and create material for the inclusion of British-South Asian and Colonial history on school curricula. In 2018 she co-founded South Asian Heritage Month, launching the campaign live on BBC Breakfast in 2020. She has since become a respected voice in diversity, equality and inclusion (DEI), being named on the Diversity Power List 2024/25, a list compiled to recognise 50 of the most innovative and inspirational people in the UK. Dr Kane also works extensively as a voice for people with chronic illness and disabilities, championing inclusion and diversity in healthcare.
Sujatha Thaladi is a versatile leader with a strong background in education, mentoring and community engagement. An accomplished post-graduate in Organic Chemistry and former Chemistry lecturer, she combines academic expertise with compassionate leadership.
She is the co-founder and CEO of The Mentor Ring, a charity operating across England and Wales since 2010, supporting individuals from diverse backgrounds to overcome socio-economic barriers. She also serves as Regional Co-ordinator for Wales for South Asian Heritage Month promoting cross-cultural dialogue, and is Chair of Centrepieces, supporting artists with mental health challenges. In addition she is a yoga tutor and chair of Aurav Disha. Her appointment as Honorary Air Commodore for 614 squadron reflects her significant contribution to community engagement and civic leadership.
Mrs Morfudd Meredith lives in Cowbridge and is a retired Cardiff solicitor. She is currently a partner in the family farming business and is a Vice-President and council member of the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society. She is a former High Sheriff of South Glamorgan.
Mrs Meredith has always been active in the voluntary sector. She is a member of the Llantrithyd Parochial Church Council, a trustee of the High Sheriff of Glamorgan Award Trust, Chair of the Cowbridge Barnardo’s Group and a trustee of the Welsh Sinfonia Orchestra.
Muss Haq is a customer experience, insight, and transformation leader with over 20 years of experience helping organisations turn customer understanding into strategic action and commercial growth.
He is the founder of RU-CX, a consultancy focused on embedding customer centricity through insight, behavioural science, and AI-led transformation, and creator of the RU-CX Holistic Framework and Maturity Model. He has held senior roles across organisations including TSB Bank, Clydesdale and Yorkshire Bank, KPMG, and Amplifon, leading initiatives in customer insight, journey optimisation, personalisation, and data strategy.
Muss is also a recognised thought leader, speaker, and Board Director at the Customer Institute, delivering workshops and keynotes on customer experience, emotional intelligence, and AI, and author of The Year of AI & Customer Centricity.
Tahmina Khan is a highly experienced registered Social Worker with nearly four decades of dedicated service supporting vulnerable children, families, and communities. Having qualified in 1995, she has worked extensively in social care, including 26 years with Barnardo’s and, more recently, with Calon Cymru Fostering.
She has been a passionate advocate for equality, actively addressing discrimination, racism, and social inequalities, while working closely with diverse communities. Her work focuses on safeguarding, empowerment, and long-term development, particularly for disadvantaged women and families. In addition to her professional role, she has been deeply involved in community and cultural initiatives, and is a founder and leader of several organisations promoting social justice, inclusion, and cultural identity.
Ranjith Dodangoda settled in Cardiff during 1981 where he has become a well-known and respected figure within the community. In 1986, he founded Star Video Productions and went on to become a founder member of the South Wales Sri Lankan Cricket Club, later serving as Captain. He also played a key leadership role as Founder Secretary of the South Wales Sri Lankan Association and served as President.
For the past 45 years, he has been deeply involved in Sri Lankan community activities, and in recent years has supported The Mentor Ring’s heritage events. A truly multi-talented and adventurous individual, he continues to enjoy gardening, badminton, outdoor bowling, swimming, and dancing.
Dr Sarju Patel is a Reader in Medical Education at Cardiff University and a national leader in equity, diversity and inclusion. His work focuses on advancing anti-racism, widening participation, and creating inclusive institutional change, with a strong emphasis on achieving equity to ensure fair outcomes in education and healthcare.
He has led major strategic initiatives, including establishing EDI infrastructure within the College of Biomedical and Life Sciences, shaping national policy through roles with the Medical Schools Council EDI Alliance and Advance HE’s Race Equality Charter, and advising Welsh Government. His work also addresses structural disadvantage through outreach and community-based programmes that support underrepresented groups in accessing healthcare careers and tackling health inequalities.
Nithya Menon is a 3rd year medical student at Aston University and a dedicated student of Bharatnatyam learning under Samarpan. She completed her Arangetram in 2024 and has done various performances including an India tour where she performed at Guruvuyur temple, a performance at the Lowry, Manchester and many more. She has done many workshops such as at Taste of Care, Merthyr Valley Homes, Sherman Theatre.
Ann Sunny is a second year student at Swansea University, studying economics, as well as a student of Bharatnatyam. Ann completed her arrangetram in 2025, and has done multiple performaces including Eistedfodd 2025 and the Samarpan UTSAV. On top of that she is a growing weightlifter, training for in house competitions.
A passionate and accomplished dancer whose journey in the performing arts spans over 23 years of performance and teaching. Trained in Sri Lanka, she has dedicated decades to refining her craft, mentoring students and inspiring confidence through movement and expression. Performances are known for their grace, precision and powerful stage presence.
In addition to her artistic career, Lakmini holds an MSc in Management from the University of South Wales — reflecting the discipline and commitment she brings to every aspect of her life.
Cardiff-based classical vocalist trained in the Kirana gharana tradition, proficient across multiple genres. Sangeet Pravakar, Allahabad University · Sangeet Visharad, Chandigarh University. Winner, All Bengal Vocal Classical Music Competition 1979. Disciple of the late Pandit Biswanath Ghosh. Has performed extensively across the UK and India.
Honorary founder and director of Aurav Disha MW — a vibrant arts and cultural organisation dedicated to nurturing talent and promoting music across communities. For over ten years, weekly musical workshops have provided a platform for artists of all ages to learn from a renowned vocalist from Kolkata.
Dedicated volunteer with The Mentor Ring and Project Lead for the Indian Women's Association for Wales. Through vibrant dance performances at community events, Salma's talent and enthusiasm have been widely recognised — inspiring her to found Desi Groovers, a Cardiff-based inclusive dance group celebrating Bollywood and community wellbeing, open to people of all abilities.
