United States’ Pennsylvania has passed a bill declaring Hindu festival of Diwali as a national holiday. Senator Nikil Saval of the Northeastern state made the announcement on the microblogging site Twitter on Wednesday.
“The Senate voted unanimously to recognize Diwali as an official holiday! To all Pennsylvanians who celebrate this festival of light and connection: you are seen, you are welcome, you matter. Thank you, @rothman_greg, for the opportunity to join you in introducing this bill,” Saval wrote on his Twitter page.
The PA House has passed a bill to officially recognize Diwali, the Hindu Festival of Lights. The bill was introduced by state Rep. Arvind Venkat of Pittsburgh’s North Hills. Venkat is the state House’s first Indian-American rep. https://t.co/9h4e4STb0U
— Ryan Deto (@RyanDeto) April 26, 2023
A bill to make Diwali an official state holiday in Pennsylvania was moved by state Senators Greg Rothman and Nikil Saval in February this year, according to news agency ANI.
However, it does not require schools or government offices to reman shut for the festival which falls on November 12 this year.
“Thousands of Pennsylvanians celebrate Diwali each year, including many residents of the 34th Senatorial District,” Rothman said,
“Recognizing Diwali as an official state holiday upholds and celebrates our Commonwealth’s rich cultural diversity,” he further added.
Reiterating a similar view, Saval said, “Every year, Diwali’s festival of light and connection is celebrated at temples, houses of worship, and community centers across our Commonwealth,” according to ANI.
“It’s a time for reflection on the endless struggle of light over darkness, offering us renewed clarity of purpose. This festival deserves official recognition, and I’m honored to join Senator Rothman in bringing this to pass,” he further added.
Nearly 200,000 South Asian residents reside in Pennsylvania, many of whom participate in Diwali.