NEW YORK, NEW YORK, June 10, 2023 (Spectrum News): State lawmakers approved a bill that will make Diwali a New York city school holiday. The bill approved on Friday would allow all public schools in the city to close in observance of Diwali, and will take effect on July 1 if Gov. Kathy Hochul signs it into law as expected. In October, Mayor Eric Adams held an event with Schools Chancellor David Banks and Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar calling for the state legislature to officially make Diwali a public school holiday. “Our public school calendar is not just a list of days off. It is a testament to New York City’s diversity, inclusiveness and character,” Adams said at the October press conference. Diwali lasts five days and is celebrated by Hindus, Buddhists, Sikhs and Jains, along with people of Indian-Caribbean heritage. India’s biggest and most important holiday of the year is a festival of lights that celebrates the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil.

HPI adds: This legislation at the state level only allowed New York City itself to designate Diwali (as well as the lunar new year) an official school holiday.

https://www.ny1.com/nyc/all-boroughs/education/2023/06/10/state-passes-bills-to-mark-diwali–lunar-new-year-as-school-holidays

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