US: Lawmaker introduces bill to declare Diwali a federal trip

A excellent US lawmaker Grace Meng submitted legal guidelines titled “Diwali Day Act” in Congress on Friday, May 26, to make the Hindu competitors of Diwali a nationwide trip throughout the nation and tweeted in regards to the similar.

“Diwali is one of the most important days of the year for billions of people across the globe and for countless families and communities in Queens, New York, and the United States,” she mentioned all through a digital info conference throughout the US shortly after introducing the bill throughout the House of Representatives.

Today, I was proud to announce the introduction of the #Diwali Day Act, my bill that can make Diwali a federal trip. Thank you to all my authorities colleagues and the quite a few advocates who joined me to particular their assist.https://t.co/GPrnt92jM1

— Grace Meng (@RepGraceMeng) May 26, 2023

The Festival of Lights would become the twelfth legally acknowledged trip throughout the United States if the proposed act is enacted by Congress and signed into laws by the President. Different communities from all by way of the nation have applauded the occasion.

“Diwali celebrations are a wonderful time here in Queens, and each year it is easy to see how important this day is to so many people. America’s strength is derived from the diverse experiences, cultures, and communities that make up this nation,” the First Vice Chair of the Congressional Asian-Pacific American Caucus remarked.

“My Diwali Day Act is one step toward educating all Americans on the importance of this day and celebrating the full face of American diversity. I look forward to shepherding this bill through Congress,” she added.

“This year, we saw our entire state speak with one voice in support of recognising Diwali and the South Asian community,” New York Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar talked about whereas welcoming the switch.

She further talked about, “My extraordinary partner in government, Congresswoman Meng is now taking the movement national with her historic legislation to make Diwali a federal holiday. Together, we are showing that Diwali is an American holiday. To the over 4 million Americans who celebrate Diwali, your government sees you and hears you.”

Senator Jeremy Cooney of New York State praised Grace Meng for her ongoing efforts to spice up consciousness of the Asian-American neighborhood and well-known that designating Diwali as a federal trip not solely respects individuals who observe it however moreover attracts consideration to a cultural custom-made that some Americans do not experience sometimes.

New York City Councilman Shekar Krishnan commented, “Diwali is a special holiday for so many South Asian and Indo-Caribbean communities. As the first Indian American ever elected to NYC government, I am so proud to support Congresswoman Meng’s legislation to establish ‘Deepavali’ as a federal holiday. It is crucial that children like my own are able to officially celebrate our holidays with their families in a way that I was not able to grow up.”

The Diwali Day Act was launched throughout the House of Representatives to widespread assist from the Indian neighborhood. Sim J Singh Attariwala, Senior Policy and Advocacy Manager of The Sikh Coalition voiced, “The recognition of Diwali and Bandi Chhor Divas is pivotal to enriching the cultural fabric of the United States and fostering greater understanding and appreciation for the rich South Asian diaspora.”

“Today is a milestone that demonstrates our visibility, our contributions, and the progress we are making in the United States with the Diwali Day Act,” proclaimed Richard David, Board Member on the Indo-Caribbean Alliance.

Nikunj Trivedi, president of the Coalition of Hindus of North America, congratulated the Congresswoman and talked about that this joyful competitors is observed by tens of thousands and thousands of Americans and represents the triumph of positive over evil and of sunshine over darkness. He added that it moreover brings people from all walks of life collectively to cherish goodness, well-being, peace, and prosperity, points that everyone can price and revenue from.

Ria Chakrabarty, Policy Director for Hindus for Human Rights well-known, “As Hindu Americans, we are so glad to see a bill to honour the multitude of celebrations that take place across the Indian subcontinent, the Caribbean, and beyond on Diwali.”

“It is high time to recognise Diwali as a holiday in US public schools. Our children should be treated equally. As our children celebrate other cultures, others should celebrate and learn about our culture as well. This is the only way we can teach children to have mutual respect, mutual understanding, and mutual acceptance,” talked about Dr. Neeta Jain, founder, and president of the International Ahimsa Foundation.

Notably, in April, the US state of Pennsylvania declared Diwali as a state trip. The state House handed a bill recognising the Hindu competitors as an official trip.

The Senate voted unanimously to acknowledge Diwali as an official trip! To all Pennsylvanians who’ve a great time this competitors of sunshine and connection: you is likely to be seen, you is likely to be welcome, you matter. Thank you, @rothman_greg, for the prospect to affix you in introducing this bill. 🪔🪔 pic.twitter.com/CU6mDb7dYk

— Senator Nikil Saval (@SenatorSaval) April 26, 2023

The legal guidelines designating Diwali as a state trip was submitted in February of this 12 months by two Pennsylvania senators, Greg Rothman and Nikil Saval. According to India American Impact, Pennsylvania is home to larger than 600,000 Asian Americans, with Indian Americans making up crucial section. Nearly 200,000 Indian Americans throughout the state have a great time Diwali yearly.

The auspicious Hindu competitors of Diwali, additionally known as Deepavali, is observed by tens of thousands and thousands of people in every single place on the planet. It is called the “Festival of Lights” and represents the triumph of positive over evil and light-weight over darkness. The Indian diaspora along with people from completely different ethnic backgrounds have a great time the competitors throughout the United States.