New York City’s public schools will observe Diwali, the Festival of Lights, as an official holiday for the first time, marking a victory for the Indian and Indo-Caribbean communities.
World Desk – New York City will celebrate Diwali, the Festival of Lights, as a school holiday for the first time ever.
This announcement was made by the city’s mayor, Eric Adams, who said he was proud that both the state house and senate had passed legislation to allow New York City’s public schools to observe Diwali as a holiday.
He expressed optimism on Monday that the governor would sign the bill into law.
Adams highlighted that this move is not only a win for the Indian community and all communities that celebrate Diwali, but it is also a victory for New York.
As such, starting this year, New York City public schools will officially recognize Diwali as a holiday.Jennifer Rajkumar, a member of the New York House of Representatives, noted that the South Asian and Indo-Caribbean communities have been fighting for this recognition for over two decades.
It’s a proud moment for us to declare that Diwali will now be a holiday in New York City public schools,” she said.
New York City Schools Chancellor David Banks echoed these sentiments, describing it as a happy moment for everyone.
Notably, Rajkumar is the first Indian-American woman elected to the New York State House of Representatives.
She has been advocating for the inclusion of Diwali as a holiday in the law.
