VOIWORLD
In a historic move, New York State Governor Kathy Hochul has signed legislation making Diwali a holiday for public schools in the major American city.
“We’re taking an important step to recognise and celebrate this diversity in the school calendar,” Hochul said on Tuesday. “New York City is rich in different religions and cultures.” According to a news statement from Hochul’s office, the legislation mandates that all public schools in New York City be closed on the “15th day of the eighth month of the Indian calendar in each year, which is known as Diwali.”
According to Hochul, the law that makes Diwali a school holiday in New York City provides “a chance for our kids to learn about and celebrate customs from all over the world.” In honour of Diwali, Hochul signed the bill during a special celebration at the Hindu Temple Society of North America in Flushing. Hochul stated in a post on X that she doesn’t think a festival of light should be held in the dark.
“For this reason, we made an effort to unite people tonight. I was honoured to sign historic legislation designating Diwali as a public school holiday in New York City while we celebrated the festival.”
The largest school district in the country, the NYC school system, has 1,047,895 pupils enrolled in 2022–2023 (New York City Department of Education). Sixty-five percent of those pupils were Asian. As of fall 2022, the Department of Education oversees 1,867 schools, including 275 charter schools.
According to the press release, the legislation declares Diwali a holiday for public schools in New York City by amending the education code. “Many people of the Hindu, Sikh, Jain, and Buddhist faiths in New York City and throughout the state observe the festival of Diwali, and more than 1 billion people around the world celebrate this holiday,” stated the announcement.
Future generations of New Yorkers will now celebrate Diwali, the Festival of Lights, according to New York State Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar, the first Indian-American and first Hindu elected to a state office. Rajkumar spearheaded the push to have Diwali observed as a school holiday in the city.
“By signing my bill, we say to over 600,000 Hindu, Sikh, Jain, and Buddhist New Yorkers, ‘We see you, we recognise you, and Diwali is an American holiday” , Rajkumar said. Rajkumar expressed her pride in spearheading and triumphing over the battle for this year’s Diwali school holiday. She congratulated Hochul for signing “my momentous bill,” saying, “Today, my historic Diwali bill is officially signed into law.” Rajkumar pointed out that the South Asian community has been advocating for the Diwali holiday for more than 20 years. “We have ignited an enduring flame in the hearts and thoughts of every New Yorker with the signing of my bill. “This accomplishment will endure beyond my lifetime,” she remarked.
Diwali’s message is vitally relevant and required in this day of “local and global racism and anger,” according to New York State Senator Joseph Addabbo.
