New York City announces public school holiday on Diwali from 2023

Digital Desk: Diwali will be a public school holiday in New York City from 2023, announced city Mayor Eric Adams.

Mayor Eric Adams stated during a press conference on Thursday that this long-overdue measure will convey a message about the city's diversity, encouraging students to learn more about the festival.

Legislators chose to replace Anniversary Day with Diwali on the public school calendar. On the first Thursday in June, people celebrate "Anniversary Day."

"This had been a long-pending demand of the Indian-American community. The recognition gives a deeper meaning to diversity and pluralism in New York City while allowing people from all walks of life to experience, celebrate, and enjoy Indian ethos and heritage," said Consul General of India in New York, Randhir Jaiswal.

"The time has come to recognise over 200,000 New Yorkers of the Hindu, Buddhist, Sikh, and Jain faiths who celebrate Diwali, the Festival of Lights," CNN quoted New York Assembly Member Jenifer Rajkumar, who was also present at the press conference, as saying.

This year, the Diwali holiday will begin on October 24.