First time in New York City, 1.1 mn school kids will have holiday on Diwali

Diwali has turned global. New York City has decided to shut down schools to observe Diwali on November 1. This is the first time NYC has declared a holiday on the Hindu festival.

The Deputy Commissioner of the Mayor’s Office for International Affairs, Dilip Chauhan, told ANI, “This year Diwali is special. For the first time in the history of New York City, schools will be closed on Friday, November 1 for the festival of Diwali.”

Chauhan added that declaring a holiday for schools that teach over 1.1 million students was not an easy job and that the Hindu community in New York City have been demanding the observation of the day for many years. “But finally, under the administration of New York City Mayor Eric Adams, they have declared, The administration has declared, November 1st, Friday is a school holiday,” he said.

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Explaining the significance of the move, Chauhan said, “Diwali is not a one-day celebration. It’s a five-day celebration Sometimes they have to do the prayer during the day of Diwali. They have to go to the temple so they have to choose the temple or the school now. They are not under pressure and this year.”

Other states that have declared holiday

While New York City has become the first region to declare holidays in schools, many states in the US have announced a public holiday on the Festival of Lights. These are:

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• Pennsylvania

• Texas

• New Jersey

• New York

Biden celebrates last Diwali at White House

US President Joe Biden on Monday hosted a Diwali celebration at the White House that was attended by more than 600 eminent Indian Americans, including Congressmen, officials, and corporate executives, from across the country.

In a standing-only packed East Room of the White House, Biden said, “As President, I’ve been honoured to host the biggest Diwali receptions ever at the White House.

“To me, it means a great deal. As Senator, Vice President, and President, South Asian-Americans have been key members of my staff. From Kamala to Dr Murthy to so many of you here today, I’m proud that I kept my commitment to have an administration that looks like America,” said Biden, who hosted the last Diwali celebration in his capacity as the president at the White House.

With inputs from agencies