Diwali all set to become a public school holiday in New York City

New York Mayor Eric Adams has announced the inclusion of Diwali, the festival of lights, as a public school holiday in New York City, bringing joy to the Hindu community and marking a significant victory for the city.

The State Assembly and the State Senate have already approved the bill, and Adams expressed confidence in Governor Kathy Hochul's forthcoming approval. Mayor Adams, who had pledged to establish Diwali as a school holiday during his mayoral campaign in 2021, emphasized that this decision is not only a triumph for Indian communities but also a victory for New York as a whole.

The bill's formal ratification is currently pending Governor Hochul's signature, after which Diwali will be recognized as an official public school holiday in New York City. Reports indicate that over 200,000 residents of the city participate in the celebration of Diwali.

Diwali holds great significance for Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, and some Buddhists, and this year, it will be observed on November 12, a Sunday. As a result, the alteration will not affect the 2023-2024 school calendar.

Over the past three decades, the Indian population in New York City has doubled, with 94,000 Indians residing in the city in 1990. The latest data from the 2021 American Community Survey reveals that the Indian population in the city has grown to 213,000.

Additionally, Representative Grace Meng, who represents New York's 6th congressional district and is an American lawyer recently introduced a bill to designate Diwali as a federal holiday.