NEW YORK – Mayor Eric Adams has given his backing to a plan to make Diwali an official school vacation in New York City.
Adams was joined by New York City School Chancellor David Banks and State Assembly Representative Jennifer Raskumar of Queens, who this week tabled a bill that would put Diwali on the school calendar.
“For more than two decades, South Asians and Indo-Caribbean people in New York have been fighting over the Diwali school holidays,” Raskumar said.
The annual “festival of lights” is celebrated in the city by students of the Hindu, Sikh, Jain and Buddhist faiths.
“When we recognize Diwali, we will encourage children to learn what Diwali is,” said the mayor.
Adams said he hopes Diwali will be added to the school holidays for the next school year.
Diwali, also known as Deepavali, is the annual festival of lights honoring the goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of prosperity. Celebrate light over darkness, new beginnings and the triumph of good over evil.
