Community Stories

Meet Nabin, Software Engineer at NEXT. We spoke to Nabin about his South Asian heritage, what he's proud of and the traditions from his culture. 

Tell us about your background and where you're from in South Asia.
I'm from Kerala, India known as "God's Own Country." Growing up there I was immersed in a rich culture and I built team spirit through a passion for cricket and football. 

What is one thing about your heritage or culture that you are particularly proud of?
I'm proud of Kerala's vibrant and inclusive festivals, like Onam. It's a beautiful example of communities from all faiths uniting in celebration, sharing feasts and traditions, showcasing our deep culture.

Are there any specific traditions or values from your culture that are especially important to you?
The Sanskrit philosophy of 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' meaning "the world is one family". This is central to my values. It inspires brotherhood, empathy and mutual respect, which is deeply ingrained in Kerala.

What is one thing you wish more people understood about South Asian cultures or the South Asian experience?
I wish more people understood the diversity within South Asian cultures. It's far from the same. Each region, like Kerala with has it’s own unique blend of traditions and historical influences. It has its own identity! 

Meet Harvinder, Operations at NEXT. We asked Harvinder about her South Asian roots and to tell us a little bit more about her traditions and culture.

Tell us about your background and where you're from in South Asia.
Both my parents were born in Punjab. My father arrived in the UK in 1953 in response to a shortage of workers in this country after the war. My mum joined him in the UK in 1960.

What is one thing about your heritage or culture that you are particularly proud of?
The religion, clothes, music, food 

Are there any specific traditions or values from your culture that are especially important to you?
The religious aspect. I'm a Sikh from birth, I'm not a fully baptised Sikh but I follow the core beliefs. We believe God is one and formless and our core values are living a truthful life. Treating everyone equally, performing selfless service and helping others especially in need and remembering God in meditation.
I will be taking part in the Snowdon climb next weekend to raise money for a wonderful Sikh charity called Khalsa Aid who raise money to help people around the world and in this country.     

What is one thing you wish more people understood about South Asian cultures or the South Asian experience?
How varied the language, religions and food are.There are several Countries like India, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh where different faiths are practised Hinduism, Sikhism, Jainism, Islam, Christianity especially in southern India, Buddhism.

• There are over 22 main Languages that are spoken in India, including  Hindi, Gujrati, Punjabi,  Bengali and Marathi, depending on which area you live in. 

• In Pakistan there are over 10 main languages: Punjabi, Pashto, Sindhi, Saraiki, Urdu  

• Sri Lanka has three main languages Tamil, Sinhal and English. 

Meet Manu, a Senior Test Analyst at NEXT. Manu told us about all the things he's proud about from his South Asian background. 

Tell us about your background and where you're from in South Asia.
I'm from Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. It's a city known for its beautiful beaches and rich culture. What truly means a lot to me is the deep-rooted values and pace of life.

What is one thing about your heritage or culture that you are particularly proud of?
If I had to pick one thing I'm most proud of about my heritage, it would be the inclusiveness and richness of Indian culture,. There are so many diverse communities with mutual respect, sharing in each other's festivals and traditions.

Are there any specific traditions or values from your culture that are especially important to you?
I highly value how traditions are carried across generations in my culture, with festivals celebrated with deep meaning. There's a strong sense of community care, even in challenging times like the floods in 2018 and landslides in 2024. Another core value is education.  It’s not just about academic achievement — it’s also about discipline, resilience, and becoming a responsible individual, which is something I hope to pass on too.  

What is one thing you wish more people understood about South Asian cultures or the South Asian experience?
I wish more people understood that South Asian culture is incredibly diverse, not just one identity. For example, Indian cuisine extends far beyond curries, and while Diwali is well known, numerous other festivals offer unique and immersive cultural experiences too!