Assemblywoman Michelle Solages of Assembly District 22 has sponsored bill A02339 to establish Diwali, Bandi Chhor Divas, Tihar, Onam Eid al-Fitr, and Eid al-Adha as school holidays. While both Eid holidays are currently celebrated on the city level in NYC, (the bill helps establish the holidays on a state level). However, this would be the first time for Diwali, Tihar, Bandi Chhor Divas, and Onam would be recognized on any level in New York. Co-sponsors of the current bill are Khaleel Anderson (D), Phil Ramos (D), and Jenifer Rajkumar (D).
Assemblywoman Michelle Solages led a previous attempt to have these holidays recognized by New York State as School Holidays in bill A06797, however, it did not move forward past the committee. Assemblywoman Solages represents the communities of Valley Stream, North Valley Stream, Elmont, South Valley Stream, South Floral Park, Floral Park, the Village of Bellerose, Bellerose Terrace, North Woodmere, Stewart Manor, and sections of Franklin Square. She currently serves as the Assembly Deputy Majority Leader as well as Chair of The New York State Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic, and Asian Legislative Caucus.
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These holidays are celebrated by thousands of New Yorkers and millions worldwide. In order to create a more inclusive environment it is crucial the bill gets passed! In particular, Diwali is celebrated among different religions and cultures around the world.
This five-day multi-faith festival is celebrated at the start of the Indian astrological calendar, (around the end of October/early November) all over the world by Hindus, Sikhs, Jain and some Buddhists and marks a bountiful harvest, the start of an auspicious new year. Although each religion celebrates Diwali, they all have different names and reasons for celebrating the holiday.
Hinduism
Hindu’s celebrate it to rejoice the return of Lord Rama from a 14 year exile and defeating the evil Lord Ravana marking the awakening of good over evil and pay homage to Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity.
Sikhs
The Sikh’s celebrate Bandi Chhor Divas, which commemorates the return of their young spiritual leader Guru Hargobind, the sixth guru to the holy city of Amritsar on release from wrongful imprisonment symbolizing understanding & common goals.
Jainism
The Jains celebrate Diwali to mark the spiritual awakening of their Lord Mahavira, marking the enlightenment of mankind from darkness.
Some Buddhists also celebrate the festival to honor their Emperor Ashoka’s decision to convert to Buddhism and follow a path of peace and enlightenment. Although these four religions each have different reasons for celebrating Diwali, they all have the concept of spirituality, new beginnings, peace, harmony, and unity at their heart.
We urge the New York State Legislature, as well as the Governor of the State of New York, to finally recognize these holidays. It is time that these communities gained the equity and acknowledgment that they deserve.