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US official praises Indian Diaspora for Diwali holidays in New York

Chauhan emphasized the significance of this decision, stating that the Indian diaspora had dedicated considerable effort to make this initiative a success

PRAVASISAMWAD.COM

Deputy Commissioner Dilip Chauhan of the New York City Mayor’s office commended the historic milestone of observing Diwali as a public school holiday in the city for the first time. He attributed this achievement to years of persistent advocacy by the Indian diaspora and the Indian American community. Chauhan emphasized the significance of this decision, stating that the Indian diaspora had dedicated considerable effort to make this initiative a success.

Expressing his joy and acknowledging the hard work put in by the community, Chauhan remarked, “Diwali means the festival of light over darkness.” He highlighted the uniqueness of this year’s Diwali celebration, noting that Mayor Eric Adams had officially declared it a public holiday in New York City schools. This breakthrough follows years of advocacy, allowing children to stay home with their families, visit religious places, and celebrate the festival with the community, marking a departure from the traditional school routine.

Reflecting on the initiative, Chauhan expressed his excitement and extended Diwali wishes to everyone, emphasizing the festival’s theme of light triumphing over darkness. In June, Mayor Eric Adams had announced the inclusion of Diwali as a school holiday in New York City, aligning with the celebration’s cultural and religious significance. The decision came after state lawmakers enacted legislation designating Diwali as a holiday in the largest school system in the United States.

Mayor Adams, recognizing the collective effort, called the moment a significant victory for local families. He expressed pride in standing with Assemblymember Jenifer Rajkumar and community leaders in the fight to establish Diwali as a school holiday. Mayor Adams conveyed his early Diwali greetings on Twitter, symbolizing the importance of the occasion for the diverse community in New York City. Overall, the recognition of Diwali as a public school holiday represents a momentous achievement for the Indian diaspora and the broader Indian American community, reflecting their dedication to preserving and celebrating cultural traditions.

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Roma Ghosh
Roma Ghosh
Roma Ghosh has recently retired as Associate Professor for Media Studies from an international university. She was with the Times of India as a correspondent for many years. Her passion is cooking and she has been doing recipes and photo shoots for Women's Era for the last 15-odd years.

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