A distinguished American lawmaker has launched a invoice within the US Congress to declare Diwali, the pageant of lights, a federal vacation, a transfer welcomed by completely different communities from throughout the nation.
“Diwali is likely one of the most essential days of the 12 months for billions of individuals throughout the globe, and for numerous households and communities in Queens, New York, and america, Congresswoman Grace Meng instructed reporters throughout a digital information convention right here quickly after introducing the invoice within the Home of Representatives on Friday.
The Diwali Day Act, when handed by the Congress and signed into legislation by the President, would make the pageant of lights the twelfth federally acknowledged vacation in america.
Establishing a federal vacation for Diwali, and the time off it will present, would permit households and mates to rejoice collectively, and reveal that the federal government values the varied cultural make-up of the nation, the Congresswoman stated.
“Diwali celebrations are a beautiful time right here in Queens, and every year it’s straightforward to see simply how essential today is to so many individuals. America’s energy is derived from the varied experiences, cultures and communities that make up this nation,” she stated.
“My Diwali Day Act is one step in direction of educating all People on the significance of today, and celebrating the complete face of American range. I stay up for shepherding this invoice by means of Congress,” Meng stated.
Welcoming the transfer, New York Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar stated, “This 12 months, we noticed our complete state converse with one voice in help of recognizing Diwali and the South Asian group.”
“My extraordinary companion in authorities Congresswoman Meng is now taking the motion nationwide along with her historic laws to make Diwali a federal vacation. Collectively, we’re displaying that Diwali is an American vacation. To the over 4 million People who rejoice Diwali, your authorities sees you and listen to you,” she stated.
Applauding Meng for her continued work to extend the visibility of the Asian-American group, New York State Senator Jeremy Cooney stated naming Diwali a federal vacation not solely honors those that observe however highlights a cultural custom some People don’t expertise usually.
“Diwali is a particular vacation for thus many South Asian and Indo-Caribbean communities,” stated New York Metropolis Councilman Shekar Krishnan.
“As the primary Indian American ever elected to NYC authorities, I’m so proud to help Congresswoman Meng’s laws to ascertain ‘Deepavali’ as a federal vacation. It’s essential that kids like my very own are capable of formally rejoice our holidays with their households in a method that I used to be not capable of develop up,” he stated.
Numerous group members applauded the introduction of the Diwali Day Act within the Home of Representatives.
“The popularity of Diwali and Bandi Chhor Divas is pivotal to enriching the cultural cloth of america and fostering higher understanding and appreciation for the wealthy South Asian diaspora,” stated Sim J Singh Attariwala, Senior Coverage and Advocacy Supervisor of The Sikh Coalition.
“At present is a milestone that demonstrates our visibility, our contributions, and the progress we’re making in america with the Diwali Day Act,” stated Richard David, Board Member on the Indo-Caribbean Alliance.
Congratulation Congresswoman Meng, Coalition of Hindus of North America president Nikunj Trivedi stated this joyous pageant is widely known by hundreds of thousands of People and symbolizes the victory of fine over evil and of sunshine over darkness and brings collectively folks from all backgrounds to cherish goodness, well-being , peace and prosperity – issues that everybody can worth and profit from.
“As Hindu People, we’re so glad to see a invoice to honor the multitude of celebrations that happen throughout the Indian subcontinent, the Caribbean, and past on Diwali,” stated Ria Chakrabarty, Coverage Director for Hindus for Human Rights.
“It’s excessive time to acknowledge Diwali as a vacation in US public colleges,” stated Dr. Neeta Jain, founder and president of the Worldwide Ahimsa Basis.
“Our kids must be handled equally. As our youngsters rejoice different cultures, others ought to rejoice and find out about our tradition as effectively. That is the one method we are able to educate kids to have mutual respect, mutual understanding and mutual acceptance,” she stated.