NEW YORK (Commonwealth Union)_ New York City Mayor Eric Adams has declared Diwali as a public school holiday in New York City from 2023. According to the Mayor, the decision demonstrates the city’s diversity as well as encourages the youngsters to learn more about the festival of lights. Adams, who was accompanied on the campaign trail by New York Assembly Member Jenifer Rajkumar and New York City Schools Chancellor David Banks, stated that he learned a lot about the Diwali celebration and its significance during talks about how to run the state more efficiently.
By making Diwali a holiday in the public schools of New York City, he stated: “we wanted to send a loud and clear message to the countless number of people who recognize this period of celebration.” According to him, this is also an educational opportunity. When the government recognizes the festival, the youngsters will also learn about Diwali. In the meantime, they will also be encouraged to discuss what it means to celebrate the festival of lights and how to ignite the light within them.
Additionally, Consul General of India in New York, Randhir Jaiswal, expressed gratitude to Adams for announcing Diwali a school holiday in the city. According to Randhir Jaiswal, the Indian-American community has been waiting for this decision for a while. This declaration also gives new meaning to diversity and pluralism in New York City while also enabling individuals from all walks of life to experience, celebrate, and appreciate Indian culture and legacy.
Ms Rajkumar, the first South Asian-American woman to be designated to a state seat in New York, expressed delight over the decision. She remarked: “Our time has come.” According to her, more than 200,000 Hindu, Buddhist, Sikh, and Jain communities in New Yorke celebrate Diwali, the festival of lights, every year.
