Diwali, the Hindu festival known as the “Festival of Lights,” will be a public school leave in New York City initiated next year.
In a key decision, Diwali will become a public school holiday in New York City in 2023. Transmitting a message about the importance of inclusion in New York City, Mayor Eric Adams said the “long-awaited move will encourage children to learn more. About the festival experienced by light.”
Lawmakers have replaced the anniversary, traditionally celebrated on the first Thursday in June, with Diwali on the public school calendar. Diwali is a major Hindu festival, but for some Buddhists, It is also celebrated by, Sikhs and Jains. The occurrence of the Diwali season varies as per the changes in dates.
Mayor Eric Adams proposed that “At the same time, this is an educational moment because when we acknowledge Diwali, we are going to encourage children to learn about Diwali. We’re going to have them start talking about what it is to celebrate the festival of lights, and how to turn the light on within yourself.”
Rajkumar the first South Asian American elected to New York State House, said that “Our time has come, The time has come to recognize over 200,000 New Yorkers of the Hindu, Buddhist, Sikh, and Jain faiths who celebrate Diwali, the festival of lights.”
