Diwali to be a public school holiday in New York City from next year

Mangalore Today News Network

New York, Oct 21, 2022: Diwali will be a public school holiday in New York City from 2023, announced the city’s mayor, Eric Adams.

Addressing a press conference on Thursday, Mayor Eric Adams said that this long overdue step would send a message about the city’s inclusivity, encouraging children to learn more about the festival.

 

In the public school calendar, legislators decided to swap out Anniversary Day for Diwali. Anniversary Day is celebrated on the first Thursday in June.

“This had been a long pending demand of the Indian-American community. The recognition gives a deeper meaning to diversity and pluralism in New York City while allowing people from all walks of life to experience, celebrate and enjoy Indian ethos and heritage,” Consul General of India in New York, Randhir Jaiswal was quoted by the PTI as saying.

“The time has come to recognise over 200,000 New Yorkers of the Hindu, Buddhist, Sikh and Jain faiths who celebrate Diwali, the Festival of Lights,” CNN quoted New York Assembly Member Jenifer Rajkumar, who was also present at the press conference as saying.

This year the five-day Diwali holiday will start on October 24.

Courtesy: India Today