Indian festival ‘Diwali’ goes global; New York City announces Diwali as a public holiday

Mayor of New York City, Eric Adams announced on Monday that Indian festival will be marked as school public holiday from the current year. Reportedly, the festival will replace 'Brooklyn-Queens Day' from the school Holiday calendar. While referring about the new holiday, Eric quoted "It's a significant win for the local families."

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Eric Adams made the announcement

“This is a city that’s continuously changing, continuously welcoming communities from all over the world,” Adams said during the announcement that Diwali will join celebrations including Rosh Hashana and Lunar New Year as a day off for students. “Our school calendar must reflect the new reality on the ground," he further added. While sharing on Twitter he wrote, "I'm so proud to have stood with Assembly member @JeniferRajkumar and community leaders in the fight to make Diwali a school holiday. I know it's a little early in the year, but: Shubh Diwali!."

Why such decision was necessary?

However, this is yet no official declaration since the passed bill is not signed by the governor, Kathy Hochul so far. The decision was made the the New York authorities as more than 2 lakh people celebrate the Indian festival every year as to witness the success of light over darkness. It is also in recognition of the city's South-Asian and Indo-Caribbean communities. According to American Community Survey, the South-Asian communities have increased to a great extent. In-fact, in the last three decades, the population has boomed from a mere 94,000 South-Asians in 1990 to 213,000 in 2021. 

Diwali, the South Asian Festival of Lights, is set to become a public school holiday in New York City, Mayor Eric Adams announced on Monday. “We’re now saying New York is made for everyone,” he said. “No matter where you came from.” https://t.co/dCDLCRiyvG

— The New York Times (@nytimes) June 26, 2023