Roving Periscope: After NY, Pennsylvania also declares Diwali a holiday

Virendra Pandit

New Delhi: With Indian Americans’ emergence as an influential community in the US, Hindu festivals have also surfaced as new occasions for wider celebrations in America.

After New York City declared Diwali as a holiday for school students in February, the US State of Pennsylvania has also declared this biggest Hindu festival an official holiday.

State Senator Greg Rothman and Senator Nikil Saval introduced legislation to make Diwali an official state holiday in Pennsylvania in February this year, the media reported on Thursday.

Now, Pennsylvania has declared the festival a national holiday, Senator Nikil Saval tweeted 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,” Senator Saval wrote on Twitter.

Nearly 200,000 South Asian residents, mostly Hindus, reside in Pennsylvania, many of whom participate in Diwali as a time of reflection and gathering, the reports said.

“Thousands of Pennsylvanians celebrate Diwali each year, including many residents of the 34th Senatorial District,” Rothman said, adding, “Recognizing Diwali as an official state holiday upholds and celebrates our Commonwealth’s rich cultural diversity.”

“Every year, Diwali’s festival of light and connection is celebrated at temples, houses of worship, and community centers across our Commonwealth,” said Saval.

“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,” Saval added.

The day people celebrate Diwali varies from year to year. This year, it will be observed on November 12.

Over 40 lakh Indian Americans have in recent years emerged as an influential community in the US. Most Presidents, including the incumbent Joe Biden, have been celebrating Diwali at the White House in the presence of Indian Americans.

In the Biden Administration, nearly 50 Indian Americans have been installed in influential positions across the government, health, academia, and other sectors.

While Vice President Kamala Harris, 58, a Democrat, is of Indian origin, another woman, Nikki Haley, 51, is likely to contest the 2024 Presidential election. Another Indian American, Vivek Ramaswamy, 37, has also announced his candidacy.