Thea Mahboob emigrated from Bangladesh at 17, becoming the first native Bangladeshi student to graduate from her prestigious international high school in Thailand. “In a school of thousands of students, I was the only person representing my culture, which was kind of scary,” remembered Mahboob. “But it taught me a lot about the importance of keeping in touch with my culture and my heritage and celebrating it proudly.”
That’s certainly been the case at the George Washington University, where Mahboob is now a sophomore. She is communications chair of the Bengali Student Association, one of several student organizations coming together to stage South Asian Heritage Celebration (SAHC) this month.
The annual student-run GW tradition is beloved because it celebrates the communal experiences shared among students from South Asian families and backgrounds while also honoring the many diverse cultures and customs under that broad umbrella, students said.
“Within SAHC, we're not specific to one culture or one country or one religion,” said sophomore Anoushka Chopra, an international affairs and international business double major and co-chair of this year’s SAHC. “Bangladeshi culture is so different than Indian culture, which is different from Pakistani culture and Nepali culture and Bhutan and Sri Lanka, and all that is different from the diaspora. We have such a huge turnout of people of so many different backgrounds, and we learn so much from each other.”
Even within individual countries, there may be hundreds of linguistically and culturally distinct ethnic groups and states, each with many identities worth celebrating, Chopra’s co-chair and fellow GW South Asian Society member Adyant Patnaik said. A sophomore majoring in political science, Patnaik has roots in India, as Chopra does. But his family is from Odisha, a state on the eastern coast, while hers are predominantly in the country’s north and center.
“We’re from completely different sides of India, where the languages don’t even sound the same—there’s not even shared words,” Patnaik said. “[India] alone has over 100 languages and thousands of dialects.”
With so much rich territory to draw on, Patnaik and Chopra said, SAHC is a key time for students to show community solidarity, to learn from one another and to share parts of themselves and their stories with friends and neighbors from non-South Asian backgrounds. And this year marks a major milestone: the most student organizations ever to partner together to stage SAHC.
“It’s a testament to how vibrant our community is and how much we come out and support each other in the face of religious differences and ethnic differences,” Patnaik said.
It’s also a chance to share core values. “Echoes of the Past: Unveiling Ancient Wisdom,” this year’s SAHC theme, “encourages us to embrace nostalgia and abide by the lessons that our elders may have passed on to us,” Chopra said.
The vibrant South Asian community at GW not only reinforces a deep connection to these cherished cultural values but also empowers its members to confidently explore new horizons, said Simar Gill and Vaishnavi Vangani, vice presidents respectively of finance and internal affairs for the Sikh Student Association (SSA).
A religious and philosophical tradition originating from the Punjab region, Sikhi emphasizes selfless service and equality.
“Growing up in a suburban Mississippi, I rarely came across peers who shared my culture or understood the significance of my heritage,” Gill said. “Being part of SSA has been more than just a way to reconnect with my Punjabi roots—it’s given me the confidence to embrace them unapologetically. It’s about taking up space, celebrating our identity and creating a community where we uplift and educate each other. Our upcoming Punjab Day Mela is a perfect example. It’s not just a cultural event, but a powerful reminder that our traditions are meant to be honored, shared and carried forward with pride.”
“Sikh history is filled with stories of resilience, courage and standing up against injustice, and I think that’s something many South Asians can relate to, regardless of their background,” Vangani said. “Whether it’s through literature, activism or policy work, we have a responsibility to keep these conversations alive. Along with celebrating our culture, history and contributions, this month allows us to create a space for learning and action. Finding that sense of belonging makes you so much more open-minded and willing to educate yourself. SAHC month is a bridge between all our rich traditions and the diverse influences that shape us today. It’s not just about celebrating our history—it’s about creating an inclusive future.”
#GWToDo: South Asian Heritage Month
Times and locations will be added as they become available.
March 21 at 7 p.m. Rang Ki Raat
Registration requested
University Student Center, first floor
800 21st St. NW
March 22 at 2 p.m. GW HSA Holi Celebration
Square 80
2110 G St. NW
March 22 at 6 p.m. Nostalgia Night
Anniversary Park
F Street between 21st and 22nd streets, NW
March 27 at sundown Interfaith Iftar
USC Grand Ballroom
800 21st St. NW
March 29 at 12:30 p.m. Abby Govindan comedy show and moderated conversation
RSVP requested
Jack Morton Auditorium
805 21st St. NW
April 5 at 6 p.m. Bhangra Blowout
Lisner Auditorium
730 21st St. NW
April 13 at noon Punjab Day Mela
Kogan Plaza
2121 H St. NW
Date TBD Finals Kirtan Night
Follow @gwsikhs for updates
