Networking Key Services (NKS), a trusted welfare organisation in Edinburgh, is proud to announce the launch of its groundbreaking initiative, โHistory and Heritage of South Asian Legends in Scotland.โ The project will officially be unveiled at a special event on 20th August at the City Art Centre, Edinburgh.
This innovative initiative highlights the remarkable lives of South Asian historical figures from the 19th and 20th centuries whose contributions have had a lasting impact on Scottish society. The project seeks to document, celebrate, and share their inspiring legacies through a documentary film and a photography exhibition.
โWe believe that sharing South Asian history and highlighting its intersections with Scottish culture promotes a deeper sense of equality, inclusion, and belonging,โ said Naina Minhas, Director of NKS.
NKS has long been a pillar of support and empowerment for South Asian communities in Edinburgh. Operating through an asset-based model, the organisation works to ensure that individuals and families are not just supported, but also enabled to take ownership of their personal and collective growth.
Whether through health, education, or heritage, NKS continues to champion visibility, voice, and value for minority communities.
This latest project builds on NKSโs rich portfolio of heritage-focused initiatives, including:
- A photography exhibition capturing the lives and culture of South Asians in Scotland
- A historical exploration of Indo-Scottish links
- Passage to Scotland โ a powerful collection of migrant stories
- Research on Scottish heritage and religions over the last century
The History and Heritage of South Asian Legends, project was born from our work with the National Museum of Scotland. While reviewing South Asian artefacts displayed in the Museum, we became deeply interested in the individual stories behind the objects โ stories of resilience, innovation, and influence. This curiosity resonated within the community as well. People wanted to know more about the South Asian figures who played important roles in shaping Scottish and British society. The historical figures that feature in our film and exhibition are; Maharaja Duleep Singh & his daughter Sophie Duleep Singh, Munshi Abdul Karim, Rabindra Nath Tagore, Fanindranath Bose, Sake Dean Mohammad, Jayanti Dass Saggar, Sardar Iqbal Singh, Devika Rani & Noor Inayat Khan.
NKSโs vision is simple yet powerful:
To raise awareness among wider audiences of how these legends โ through their work, values, and achievements โ have enriched the cultural and historical landscape of Scotland.
By sharing these often-overlooked stories, NKS aims to promote education, inspiration, and ultimately, a more inclusive understanding of Scotlandโs rich and diverse heritage.
