In a historic move, the US state of Pennsylvania recently declared Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, as an official state holiday. This makes Pennsylvania the first state in the US to do so. And to follow suit, New York also plans to declare Diwali a national holiday. Here are all the details.
When did Pennsylvania declare Diwali a holiday?
The bill to make Diwali an official holiday was introduced by Pennsylvania Senators Greg Rothman and Nikil Saval in February this year. The bill was passed unanimously by the Senate and signed into law by the Governor.
Diwali is a major cultural and religious festival for Hindus, Jains, Sikhs and some Buddhists. This is a five-day festival that celebrates the victory of good over evil, light over darkness and knowledge over ignorance.
The decision to make Diwali an official state holiday in Pennsylvania has become an important step in recognizing the South Asian community’s contributions to the state.
Pennsylvania Senator Greg Rothman stated in an interview with abc27 that: “There is a very large and vibrant community in my district, in Cumberland County of Asian Indians that I have gotten to know.”
“My youngest daughter was delivered by an Asian Indian doctor, my dentist is Asian American. I hope it sends a message to the Asian community, but then all immigrants that Pennsylvania is a welcoming place and we value cultural diversity, and we appreciate your coming here,” he added.
Ongoing bill making Diwali a Pennsylvania state holiday https://t.co/46HUJXmu70
— Greg Rothman (@wgregrothman)
April 29, 2023
READ| Pennsylvania State Building celebrates diversity, declares Hindu Diwali a holiday
New York City makes Diwali a school holiday
In addition to Pennsylvania, New York City has also taken steps to recognize Diwali. The bill was introduced by Rep. Jenifer Rajkumar on June 11, making Diwali a school holiday in the city for the more than 200,000 city residents who celebrate it.
Just after midnight on June 10, 2023, we made history. It was the final victory in the South Asian community’s decades-long struggle when the state assembly passed my bill making Diwali a School Vacation in New York City. @NYSA_Majority pic.twitter.com/rlvEutYXqH
– Congressman Jennifer Rajkumar (@JeniferRajkumar)
June 16, 2023
Congresswoman Jennifer stated: “I am proud to lead the movement to make Diwali a School Vacation in New York City. And today, I’m proud to bring this victory to my community and to New York. For more than 20 years, the South Asian community has fought for this moment.”
“Today, I am proud to announce that the entire New York State Legislature came together in unity and voice to pass my bill making the Diwali School Vacation into law. This is a historic moment as our government recognizes hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers of South Asian descent who are Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist and Jain.
“Nothing can stop a community whose time has come. As the first Indian American woman elected to New York State office, I will always fight for every emerging community to be heard,” she added.
The bill passed with 33 votes in favor and is currently awaiting Governor Kathy Hochul’s signature.
If the bill is signed into law, New York City would become the first major city in the US to make Diwali a school holiday. This will be a huge win for the South Asian community in New York City and will help increase awareness of the festival.
The bill’s passage is a victory for the South Asian community in New York City. The community has been lobbying for years to have Diwali recognized as a school holiday.
The bill is supported by several elected officials, including Mayor Eric Adams and Comptroller Brad Lander. The bill also received support from the New York City Department of Education.
This will have a number of positive effects. It will allow students celebrating Diwali to participate in the festival without missing school. It will also help raise awareness of the festival in the wider community.
The bill is also a sign of New York City’s growing diversity. The city is home to a large and growing South Asian community, and the bill’s passage is an acknowledgment of that community’s importance.
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Source: pagasa.edu.vn