A distinguished American lawmaker on Friday launched a invoice within the US Congress to declare Diwali, the competition of lights, a federal vacation, a transfer welcomed by completely different communities from throughout the nation.
“Diwali is without doubt 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 the US, Congresswoman Graced Meng advised reporters throughout a digital information convention right here quickly after introducing the invoice within the Home of Representatives.
The Diwali Day Act, when handed by the Congress and signed into regulation by the President, would make the competition of lights the twelfth federally recognised vacation in the US.
Establishing a federal vacation for Diwali, and the time without work it might present, would permit households and pals to rejoice collectively, and exhibit that the federal government values the varied cultural make-up of the nation, the Congresswoman mentioned. “Diwali celebrations are an exquisite time right here in Queens, and every year it’s simple to see simply how essential this present day is to so many individuals. America’s power is derived from the varied experiences, cultures and communities that make up this nation,” she mentioned.
“My Diwali Day Act is one step towards educating all Individuals on the significance of this present day, and celebrating the complete face of American variety. I sit up for shepherding this invoice by Congress,” Meng mentioned.
Welcoming the transfer, New York Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar mentioned, “This 12 months, we noticed our complete state converse with one voice in help of recognising Diwali and the South Asian group.” “My extraordinary accomplice 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 Individuals who rejoice Diwali, your authorities sees you and hears you,” she mentioned.
Applauding Meng for her continued work to extend the visibility of the Asian-American group, New York State Senator Jeremy Cooney mentioned naming Diwali a federal vacation not solely honours those that observe however highlights a cultural custom some Individuals don’t expertise recurrently.
“Diwali is a particular vacation for thus many South Asian and Indo-Caribbean communities,” mentioned 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 determine ‘Deepavali’ as a federal vacation. It’s essential that youngsters like my very own are in a position to formally rejoice our holidays with their households in a means that I used to be not in a position to rising up,” he mentioned.
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 material of the US and fostering larger understanding and appreciation for the wealthy South Asian diaspora,” mentioned 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 the US with the Diwali Day Act,” mentioned Richard David, Board Member on the Indo-Caribbean Alliance.
Congratulation Congresswoman Meng, Coalition of Hindus of North America president Nikunj Trivedi mentioned this joyous competition is widely known by thousands and thousands of Individuals 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 Individuals, we’re so glad to see a invoice to honour the multitude of celebrations that happen throughout the Indian subcontinent, the Caribbean, and past on Diwali,” mentioned Ria Chakrabarty, Coverage Director for Hindus for Human Rights.
“It’s excessive time to recognise Diwali as a vacation in US public faculties,” mentioned Dr. Neeta Jain, founder and president of the Worldwide Ahimsa Basis.
“Our kids ought to be handled equally. As our kids rejoice different cultures, others ought to rejoice and study our tradition as nicely. That is the one means we will train youngsters to have mutual respect, mutual understanding and mutual acceptance,” she mentioned.
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