Deepawali Day : US Congress to declare festival of lights as federal holiday

US lawmakers introduced the Diwali Day Act – a law that would make Diwali a nationally recognized holiday in the country.

Deepawali Day Act introduced in US Congress to declare festival of lights as federal holiday

Washington: Lawmakers from New York, led by Congresswoman Carolyn B. Maloney, announced Wednesday that a bill has been introduced in the House of Representatives to declare Diwali, the festival of lights, a federal holiday.

“I am very, very happy and excited to join members of the Congressional Indian Caucus this week to introduce the Diwali Day Act, which would turn Diwali into law as a federal holiday,” Maloney said at an event at the US Capitol. “

The landmark legislation is co-sponsored by several lawmakers, including the Indian-American Congressman Raja Krishnamurthy, who has also introduced a resolution in the US Congress recognizing the religious and historical significance of Diwali.

Maloney said that Diwali this year marks the country’s continued journey from the darkness of COVID-19.

“I am very proud to celebrate with you the victory of light over darkness, the victory of good over evil and the pursuit of knowledge over ignorance as we do every day. It is indeed fitting that this year Diwali celebrates our nation. Symbolizes the continued journey out of the darkness of COVID-19 and the dire effects the Democrats depend on the people of our country,” she said.

“Festivals like Diwali speak at the core of what we all desire for happiness, healing, learning and light and uncertain times for our country. My colleagues, leaders of the Indian-American community and I believe there is no better time to celebrate Diwali as a federal holiday in the wake of this terrible dark pandemic,” Maloney said.

Powerful Congressman Gregory Meeks, chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, supported the legislation.

“It’s something that should be shared with all of us in American society. It’s a good day, because we’re talking light over darkness. And that’s what it’s about,” Meeks said.

House Foreign Affairs Committee would support it and would advocate for this great bill and move forward.

Krishnamurthy said: “On this Diwali holiday, we should say, Be the light you want to see in the world. Be the light in your community that is needed to dispel darkness. Be the light in this community that is the hope of the hopeless.” Let us be the light that helps the last, the least and the last.”

“It’s Diwali. And that is why Diwali needs to be a federal holiday,” Krishnamurthy said, adding that Diwali is also about celebrating Indian-Americans.