US: Pennsylvania State Senate passes bill recognising Diwali as official holiday

The festival of lights, Diwali is now an official holiday in United States' Pennsylvania.

The Pennsylvania State Senate has passed a bill to recognize Diwali as an official holiday.


Confirming the news, Nikil Saval, a member of the Pennsylvania State Senate tweeted: "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."

Another Pennsylvania senator, Greg Rothman revealed that the legislation to recognize Diwali in Pennsylvania was passed in the Pennsylvania Senate by 50-0.

"My legislation to recognize 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," Rothman tweeted.

In an official statement, Rothman said, "Thousands of Pennsylvanians celebrate Diwali each year, including many residents of the 34th Senatorial District." He further said, "Recognizing Diwali as an official state holiday upholds and celebrates our Commonwealth's rich cultural diversity."

He noted that South Asian residents in Pennsylvania consider Diwali as a "time of reflection and gathering." In the statement, Rothman stated, "For many of Pennsylvania's nearly 200,000 South Asian residents, the Diwali "festival of light" is a time of reflection and gathering. This year, Diwali will be observed on Nov. 12."

In the statement, Nikil Saval said, "Our Commonwealth's official recognition of Diwali sends a clear message of inclusion to the thousands of Pennsylvanians who celebrate this festival of light and connection each year: you are seen, you are welcome, you matter." He further stated, "It is fitting that this time for reflection on the endless struggle of light over darkness be extended statewide."

With ANI Inputs