Diwali national holiday in US: Pennsylvania declares Diwali as national holiday

Diwali national holiday in US: Pennsylvania, a state in the United States, has declared the Hindu festival of Diwali as a national holiday, according to a recent tweet by Nikil Saval, Senator, Pennsylvania. This comes after state Senator Greg Rothman and Saval presented legislation to make Diwali an official state holiday in Pennsylvania in February this year. 

"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 tweeted. 

Meanwhile, Senator Greg Rothman thanked Saval for agreeing to co-sponsor this piece of legislation. Taking to Twitter, he wrote:  

"My legislation to recognise Diwali in Pennsylvania just passed the PA Senate 50-0. Today's vote upholds and celebrates our Commonwealth’s rich cultural diversity. Thank you @SenatorSaval for agreeing to cosponsor this piece of legislation."

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

Around 2,00,000 South Asian residents live in Pennsylvania, many of whom celebrate Diwali. Senate Bill 402 does not require school or government closings. 

Earlier in February, New York city declared Diwali holiday for school students.

Diwali is one of the most important festivals in Indian regions that symbolises the 'victory of light over darkness'. It is a festival of lights and people worship the goddess 'Lakshmi'. This year, Diwali will be observed on November 12, 2023. 

With ANI inputs